Lexus LS400
Lexus LS400
Hi,
Here we have a Lexus LS400, brought to Invisisble Touch Detailing to complete the final stages of light restoration for this vehicle. The owner, extremely passionate about cars and all details of their presentation, had recently purchased this Lexus. The price he paid, goes to prove what bargains can be found in todays world...
The car was brought to me after purchase and explained how some panels were going off to be painted such as bonnet, front and rear bumper. The wheels were also refurbished and fitted with brand new tyres. Returning once complete for a stage 1 detail, lets have a walk around to see what we have
First off, the engine bay was lightly jetwashed, and degreased with fine brushes using Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner and Engine Machine Cleaner. After being jetwashed to rinse, Aerospace 303 was applied to all rubbers and plastics and left to dry naturally.
All door, boot, fuel shuts and window seals were then cleaned with APC
Tyres were cleaned with APC, wheels with a light solution of Bilberry, being fresh from refurbishment. The car was then jetwashed, snowfoamed and rinsed off. Washed by 2 bucket method with Meguiars Shampoo Plus, clayed to remove bonded contamination and washed again. Bringing the car into the garage to be dried, where paint thickness readings were taken. Nearly all panels, except the roof, had previously seen paint, but had been completed to a good standard. Especially with silver being tough to match up.
Defects were extremely difficult to catch on camera due to the colour, but they were certainly evident under halogen and LED lighting
Starting on the drivers wing i proceeded to machine polish the paint using a Makita rotary, 3M polishing pad and Meguiars #80 speed glaze. Time was spent to get some depth into the finish.
The door after polishing
Compared to the rear, unpolished side
The metallic was really starting to come out now
The rear door
Polished
Then round to the boot
Continuing around the car
Once all polishing was complete, and dusted down, the windows were cleaned inside and out with 3M Glass Cleaner
At requested of the owner, the locking nuts were then removed and replaced with new OEM nuts. Tools and locking key wrapped in tape to protect the new wheels
The newly restored centre caps were then fitted, ensuring the Lexus emblem was in the same position at each corner
Whilst out, the toolbox was treated with Bumper Care Gel. As was the kit under the passenger seat
The tyres were then dressed with Endurance Gel
All exterior plastics, window trim, door and boot seals were also treated with Bumper Care
The paint was treated with Lime prime Lite to help prepare it for a wax. The chosen product was 1 application of Victoria Concourse, fantastic for summer use
The wheels were sealed with a coat of Wheel Sealant
The interior was hoovered and dusted down. Everything cleaned with APC. The leather was also cleaned with Gliptone Cleaner
And then conditioned
The rear number plate which had unfortunately been made wrong previously, was replaced
These were the final pictures
Now looking like new, with a real presence, you would hardly believe the mileage the car carried. For its looks or how it drove!
The owner also wanted me to share how a vehicle like this, was purchased for only £750! What an awful lot of car for the money.
Leaving on a beautiful sunny day to display the car to his friends at the pub, exactly where it had been purchased from only a few weeks before
Thankyou for reading and sharing the story of this Lexus Ls400 and it was a pleasure to work for an extremely interesting and passionate petrol head.
Regards,
Christian