Newbie needs advice on Neglected Lexus LS430 -

B

btcorey

New member
Hello All - been reading posts on here awhile and clearly many of you know your stuff - hopefully you can guide me a bit. I just purchase a 2001 Lexus LS430 - the color is Mystic Sea Opalescent - kind of a light sea greenish color. I don't believe the former owner took care of the paint. I believe it's spent a fair amount of time in the sun (Phoenix, Arizona) - the top panels of the car appear dull and have slight swirl marks. The sides are in better shape, relatively speaking - some shine and not nearly as dull as the top panels - but clearly not well taken care of.



I'd like to do as much work on the car as I can however everything will have to be done by hand as I don't have any proper equipment. I don't have a ton of money but have a fair amount of time. I've read a ton and seem to be suffering from information overload so I'm asking for help - My objectives are the following in order of importance:

1. Stop/prevent further sun damage to the paint

2. Take corrective action to help restore the paint

3. Provide a good/durable/long lasting protection to the paint.



I'm not interested in having the deepest shine or the WOW factor - I just want to take care of my paint so it will last awhile. By the way, I'm moving to Tucson, Arizona soon so my car's battle with the sun will continue...



Thanks in advance for your help!
 
btcorey said:
Hello All - been reading posts on here awhile and clearly many of you know your stuff - hopefully you can guide me a bit. I just purchase a 2001 Lexus LS430 - the color is Mystic Sea Opalescent - kind of a light sea greenish color. I don't believe the former owner took care of the paint. I believe it's spent a fair amount of time in the sun (Phoenix, Arizona) - the top panels of the car appear dull and have slight swirl marks. The sides are in better shape, relatively speaking - some shine and not nearly as dull as the top panels - but clearly not well taken care of.



I'd like to do as much work on the car as I can however everything will have to be done by hand as I don't have any proper equipment. I don't have a ton of money but have a fair amount of time. I've read a ton and seem to be suffering from information overload so I'm asking for help - My objectives are the following in order of importance:

1. Stop/prevent further sun damage to the paint

2. Take corrective action to help restore the paint

3. Provide a good/durable/long lasting protection to the paint.



I'm not interested in having the deepest shine or the WOW factor - I just want to take care of my paint so it will last awhile. By the way, I'm moving to Tucson, Arizona soon so my car's battle with the sun will continue...



Thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...



Doing a car by hand is tough. I suggest the following since you don't have a lot of money. The following you can get at Walmart, or pep boys)



1. Wash

2. Clay (Use the turtle wax kit if you can find it because the clay is good and the liquid clay is a great cleaner.) some autopians will kill me for this.

3. Meguiars Ultimate compound. Will take out some marks by had if you have enough time.

4. Wax of choice. Megs Ultimate wax is a good choice
 
You can get some good results with basic handwashing a over the counter/locally available stuff (meguires, mothers, etc) That said, correcting by hand is a bear. That's where I started out because I didn't want to buy a PC. I was exhuasted after half a panel getting a good result and ordered a PC the next day. If there is a fellow autopian in the are you are (Phoenix?) then you might be able to get some help with it. If you were in KC I'd give you hand.
 
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