Is this why we have brittle paint ?

[TonyGoose]

I've been asking around ( bodyshops + auto paint manufacturer ) about the poor durability of paint finish on my IS200 and got some interesting thoughts ...

Some repairers have had 'brittle paint' occur on jobs they've done. Cause was eventually traced to paint additives which accelerate the drying process. These additives were routinely added to solvent based finishes without incident but the faster drying caused the (different formulation) water based paints to become brittle and chip easily.

If lexus use these additives (which they may not) OR high bake ovens (which they almost certainly do) to accelerate drying and speed up production then they may be compromising the durability of the finish in the interests of efficiency.

It's apparently pretty widely known in the trade that BMW have had similar problems and reverted to traditional paints until they sorted it out. Naturally they didn't make a song and dance about it as they were having to respray lots of customers cars and the environmental lobby would have had a field day at the reintroduction of solvent based painting :)

One thing is common though. The shops i saw all accept the IS200 in particular has paint problems which they're at a loss to explain ... apart from the above.

So - perhaps we have an answer here ???

[Zee007]

interesting.... Very interesting...

[Monster-Mat]

this is the sort of info/evidence we need top place in a letter to LEXUS,,,,,,,when it happens

soon hopefully,busy at the mo

any legal beagles in the club.......

[Rodders_UK]

I'm not a lawyer but I can put together an appropriate letter for you - let me know:bounce:

[vic]

Thats good research, At least weve got some sort of idea now.

[Claire G]

I know there was a poll vote done on whether or not to contact Lexus GB about the quality of paint - was this ever pursued?

It would be great to hear a follow up, similarily, if you need any help in following up, please let me know if there's anything I can do. :eyes:

[Claire G]

I know there was a poll vote done on whether or not to contact Lexus GB about the quality of paint - was this ever pursued?

It would be great to hear a follow up

[Andy_IS200]

This is really interesting, we should write to Lexus about this in the interest of improving the quality for the future.

[sholao]

I agree.

By the way is this a general lexus model problem, or confined to the IS range?

[Andy_IS200]

If it is indeed true that this is the approach to painting and baking-in, then I would have thought it was very likely to be the same process on the whole range.

[Claire G]

Steve, Matt - was this ever approached with Lexus GB?

I am happy to draft a letter if need be, but it would be good to check if it's the whole range that's affected and if it's still the case on the latest models.