My First C&B: Lexus RX400h

[JasonATL]

This is my first Click & Brag. This is my Lexus RX 400h Onyx Black. This is our second black car. The black is what led me to Autopia. I`m still learning. This was the first time using #83 DACP. I actually tried #9 and #80 alone first, but it didn`t remove the scratches. By the way, I actually put some of those scratches in with the clay by not using enough lube. I know better -- this wasn`t my first time claying. Lesson learned. There were quite a few swirls/scratches that were already there. Only 3000 miles and 3 months on this garage queen. Ugh, black.



The pictures of the entire car are actually taken 1 week after the detail. I used Poorboy`s S&W and Meg`s QD to remove the dust prior to the pics.



Process on Labor Day weekend:



Exterior:

Meg`s GC wash

Clay

#83 with PC and medium abrasive polish pad

#80 with PC and light polish pad

Collinite IW 845 with PC and finishing pad, x2 12 hours apart

Collinite on wheels

Meg`s high-gloss gel on tires

303 Protectant on trim

windows with MF and H20



Interior:

vacuum

windows with MF and H20

303 Protectant on surfaces



Before:

http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/before1.jpg



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/before2.jpg



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/before3.jpg





After:

http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/after1.jpg



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/after2.jpg

[JasonATL]

1 week after (after S&W and QD):



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/RX400h1.jpg



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/RX400h2.jpg



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/RX400h3.jpg



http://www.gsu.edu/~fncjtg/Car/RX400h4.jpg

[Mitchubishievo]

NOICE! I really wish they`d do somethng about those tail lights, but overall an excellent vehicle. It`s either that or the redesigned MDX for my pops when it comes out.

[zippymbr]

Looks nice! How do you like the 300H? Are you getting anywhere close the EPA estimated Milage? We would like to buy a hybrid for our next car but the results seem mixed so far.

[JasonATL]

NOICE! I really wish they`d do somethng about those tail lights, but overall an excellent vehicle. It`s either that or the redesigned MDX for my pops when it comes out.



Thanks. I agree. My least favorite part of the RX 330/400h is the tail end. Especially on the black or dark blue. On white, the tail lights don`t stand out so badly. With the lights on, they look okay.

[JasonATL]

Looks nice! How do you like the 300H? Are you getting anywhere close the EPA estimated Milage? We would like to buy a hybrid for our next car but the results seem mixed so far.



There is much discussion regarding the mileage, especially with respect to the official EPA estimate of 27 Hwy/31 City (yes, I got that right). The air conditioner kills mileage in my experience. It draws the batteries down so much that the electric motors are somewhat limited from what I observe. In the last two weeks, with the milder weather we`ve had, I`ve driven with the windows open (which probably hurts aerodynamics), but I`ve seen my mileage increase by 2 MPG or so. During this time, I`ve averaged 28.5 MPG with a mix of city and hwy driving. My overall MPG over the last 1000 miles has been 26.9 MPG -- with about 80% of that using the AC during our unusually hot summer. This is a little over 40% better than my 1999 RX 300. Plus, it handles much much much better and has a lot more power and kick.



So, in my opinion, it is a winner. Toyota/Lexus seems to have the hybrid thing working quite well. If mine was tuned more for fuel economy than power, I expect it would do even better on the mileage. However, I admit to enjoying the extra power. I almost bought a second one for my wife. She decided to wait until next year for the hybrid GS 450h.

[imported_Picus]

Very nicely done - the hood look incredible.

[Scottwax]

Excellent work on those scratches and swirls, the after shots are most impressive. :)

[4830Deuce]

great work...i like the rear tails...on black i think they look very nice!

[stilez]

Awesome looking vehicle and quite the detail to compliment it :).





Nice work all around.

[Thomas Dekany]

Very nice detail and it is one of my favorite vehicles. (in silver though) :up :up :up

[DSVWGLI]

Great detail and a nice ride

[randomman84]

nice to see another atl autopian! Good job, Looks Great!

[JasonATL]

Thanks for all of the kind words! Autopia is a great place, assuming it is okay to feed an addiction.

[imported_mrecktid]

Was #83 a necessary step? The swirls don`t look THAT bad...other than that, I love your car :)