Full Detail!

Back in May, I took the Lexus into RAPT, the closest detailing shop to me. Kabe-san, the owner, has taken good care of me over the years with my GT-R.

My main goal was to have the car professionally polished with all minute scratches removed, and the protection (the "glass coating") was secondary, because I was planning on using Zaino like I always do to get the maximum shine and protection.  It turns out this was the right thing to do, as the particular glass coating he used, the least expensive Echelon glass coating product (compared to the top of the line Echelon Nano-Fil product he used for the GT-R), was not very good at having the water "bead and run off" like it did with the GT-R. Hydrophilic, not hydrophobic I guess. He also did the interior as well.

Anyway, some photos from when I picked up the car.

I also asked him to repair some leather that was fading, right along this seam.

This is the tool he used to remove dust and dirt from the holes in the seat

Nice and shiny!

He polished the headlights as well!

I told him not to bother with the wheels because they are scratched up, but he polished them anyway

As before he was kind enough to post some pictures up on his blog.

Here they are...amazing the difference in camera quality lol...

Showing how he removed the seats to vacuum underneath.

Now, photos do not do the car's paint justice. Hopefully I'll be able to put up some photos in daylight soon. Before that, however, I have some actual mods too....

I Violated My Own Rule On Always Washing by Hand and...

Yes folks - after having left my car outside for 2 weeks while I was doing a job away from home, plus with all the rain, the car badly needed a wash.

Except I had no time - I had to prepare to go to a relative's wedding later in the day... what to do?  As I pulled into my local gas station, I realized that a car wash would only cost me about 500 yen... and yes while not the TLC I typically expect of my cars, I have yet to take my car to be professionally detailed where all of the existing scratches in the paint would be taken out.

So, I figured one time in a mechanical car wash wouldn't be devastating to me...what's a few more scratches right?....

So with a deep breath:

Since I was taking some video as well you might as well see how these machines in Japan work.
Part 1:

Part 2:

And finally:

After the damage was done, the car was pulled around so that the interior glass and the mats could be cleaned:

Meanwhile, I was getting many upset messages on my Facebook account after I posted the first photo...

Still, it's nice to have a clean interior - after a week of rain which meant lots of dirt inside.

The attendant did remark that he'd never seen the water literally slide off the car, the "coating" as he said must have been very high quality. I DID tell him that I had only gotten the car about 6 weeks ago, and that the dealer may have put something on it.

When I thought about it though, I realized that what was probably happening was my habit of using a spray detailer - in particular this:

From: http://www.zainostore.com/product/Z-8.html

I use this on my GT-R, which is silver, with great results. With a darker car, the results are even better, as this guy with a black Ferrari demonstrates:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wgk8i

Each time I go to the dealer, they wash the car. So, as soon as I get home I'd do a quick spray on of this detailing spray, just in case. I like having the smooth slick feel to the paint, plus it really does make the car look better.  I can't wait to get the car professionally detailed, but I've been so busy with work and life that I haven't had the chance as of just yet.

Hopefully soon before the winter months...

Post Delivery Professional Analysis: Paint and Cosmetic Repair

So the day after I took delivery (Sunday),  I took a short drive to visit my local car detailer/jack of all trades, Kabe-san at RAPT (who luckily is literally 5 minutes from the Lexus dealer too!), from whom I got my R33 GT-R's interior cleaned, windows tinted, my 18 inch TE37 wheels painted and some body work added.



I pointed out the scratches I knew about, and asked him for an assessment. As well as for an estimate to properly clean the interior, do any necessary paint work, and apply a protective "glass" coating to the outside paint areas.

He actually thought the interior was in good shape - I was concerned with what I thought to be a weird smell but he reassured me that this is from the Lexus leather smell - or rather, the IS leather smell.  He told me other customers with ISFs have the same smell in the interior.  It should be noted that, leather cars in Japan do NOT smell like leather - apparently most Japanese don't like that smell, so I will have to rectify this - and I already know what to do and the wheels are in motion for that task.

For the outside, no real surprises as I had been apprised earlier, so we went through the list of scratches provided by the dealer and there were some which probably aren't worth having re-painted, and some which are.  Kabe-san was impressed by how thorough the Lexus dealer was in listing the tiniest of scratches, but did also mention that this is not unexpected of Lexus.  Since I always seek the 100% solution, and I'm dealing with a used car, I basically have no choice but to either live with the scratches that I see (and of course are magnified 20X vs what they really are, to most everyone else), or get it repaired.  The fact that most of the rock chips are in the front means that there was likely some high speed expressway trips?  After doing a few quick blasts today (and hearing that secondary valve open above 3600 rpm) I'm not surprised in the least.

As for the wheels - as we know they have bad curb rash - it won't be a simple matter of simply fixing and repainting, the rash is on the sections of the wheel which are hand polished...so I will have to find a specialist to fix them (or end up buying some really good condition used ones on Yahoo Auction I guess...)

Kabe-san also pointed out to me where, whoever had "detailed" the car before had left some compounding material in the crevices.

Amateur effort here

Sloppy - looks like they didn't tape off the rubber either

Like I said, yes I probably have OCD

Kabe-san also showed me how there are swirls in the clear coat. Not unexpected but fixable and this is something I will have him take care of. He reassured me that once he takes care of these swirl marks, the blue color of the car will look darker and have lots of depth. Nice.

The coating he is proposing to use is called "G'zox" - this English language manufacturer's website I've linked to explains what it is, but basically, a "glass" (SiO2?) based coating which, after proper paint prep, is applied to the car.  While he does list another more expensive product this is the one he likes best, uses on his own cars, and would recommend for some as OCD as me. So cool, it's nice to have someone who understands and appreciates my OCD. Anyone who's been to Japan and seen the black taxis and hire cars in perfect condition - well this is what they use, these glass coatings.

We also noticed that the front bumper cover seemed to be flexing more than it should - I wasn't sure if it was the heat or maybe something loose. So, after saying goodbye I immediately drove to the Lexus dealer to, uh, let them know I wasn't happy, not just with the bumper cover but with some other very very minor issues we spotted.

I forgot to mention that, when I picked up the car, there was one accessory - the remote engine starter - which apparently wasn't working to their satisfaction so they are ordering me a new one, free of charge.  I also need them to remove the function which prevents adjustment of the Navi/ viewing of the TV/DVD once the car is in motion.  So, while complaining (nicely) to the dealership GM, we agreed that when I came by for the new remote, they would take a look at the bumper, and also give me estimates for any paint work I need.

In any case, I'm not surprised at all with the work that needs to be done, although I am now really glad I have that 2 year comprehensive warranty.  Driving the car I think it drives fine but then again I have no baseline for comparison. Hopefully there is nothing amiss, but if there is I'll be sure to mention it on my upcoming visits to the dealership.  Good thing they are just 5 minutes away.... lol. I intend to fully use every possible benefit of CPO ownership - and at the same time hold Lexus to the highest standard.  Hopefully they won't regret having sold me the car, lol... Stay tuned...