LX570 - Is it a Chip magnet? (1 Viewer)

[Diytech123]

Recently I purchased my first LX570 (a shiny black used 2009 @ 120k miles). Since then I put 1200 miles on it. After a recent 300 mile trip I have noticed at least 30plus small road chips on the trunk lid and few on the side wheels. I do not remember seeing so many chips before purchasing it or on any of my other two cars.

Since acquiring LX, I have changed from stock 20" wheels to 18" Tundra TRD Pro wheels with Michelin LTX AT2 (275P65/R18). I read somewhere that these tires are capable of throwing rocks at your car and can break windshields :-( If that's true, do you think, any tire capable of throwing rocks/gravel onto your front lid? Need some teaching on physics, and projectile motion etc..

Also I live in Chicago area (Construction and winter are the two seasons they say, we have it here) . I can spot lots of gravel on the roads, new ashplat and blacktop.

I read that traveling too close to a big truck could cause these chips. I try to avoid them any way... . It's not a great feeling to see your car with so many chips, and these road chips are 1-3 mm size to all over the front part of the lid.

I bought Dr. ColorChip to do cover up these chips.

1. Can anyone share their experience in fixing roadchips and how to fix them and is this Dr. Chip guy good or bad ? Should I be better of handing the job to a pro?

2. Should I simply change my tires ?

3. Is this bad driving on myside?

4. Should I avoid construction areas and large trucks?

4. If I bought this for light offroading, should be so concerned about the roadchips?

5. Should I buy a deflector?

Can you share your thoughts? Greatly appreciate any advice.

 

[Reckless]

I have lots of front chips. Planning on putting a wrap eventually on my hood. Had same problem as you. I didn't notice them until after I started driving. Never figured out what to do so it keeps getting worse. I have a few chips on my windshield. I get soo many I can't keep track what is new and old. Maybe chicago construction? Every road is ripped up right now.

 

[AnthonyLC]

Every vehicle I care about gets custom paint protection film PPF put on right away. Xpel Ultimate is currently my favorite. It's applied like window tint to your paint in large sheets and cut to fit while applied. It cannot be seen at all.

Decent size scratches come out with a hair dryer / sun. Keeps all the rock chips away, and door dings when parking in parking lots if you also do the doors.

The film is not cheap + labor you can spend $3500+ to cover bumper, hood, fenders, four doors, door sills. It's well worth it to me to have the paint looking brand new. At the same time the film is applied they are also doing chip repair and detailed paint restoration. Whatever you cover is preserved forever under the film.

I don't have experience scratching the PPF yet on trees /bushes off road "pin stripes" but would consider other options like the magnet based rhinohide on top of the PPF for that. You could also use the hair dryer on "self healing" PPF to remove scratches. I don't think PPF would hold up well to large branches or rock crawling scratches though

If the paint is too far gone on a true off-road vehicle I would consider spraying the whole truck in a bed liner. I've seen a H1 Hummer in bed liner and it's amazing

XPEL | Paint Protection Film | ULTIMATE PLUS | Self-Healing Clear Bra | High Gloss PPF

The world's first self-healing clear bra just got better. XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS is the glossiest, longest lasting, and most durable paint protection film available.

www.xpel.com

Paintwork Protection - Rhinohide Paintwork Protection Panels - TJM Perth

You no longer have to worry about scratches and chips and enjoy 4wding worry free. Based in Western Australia, Rhinohide are an innovative and passionate company who are the leader in 4×4 paintwork product.

www.tjmperth.com.au

 

[laserturbo91]

@AnthonyLC Thanks for the heads up on the Rhinohide panels. Not the cheapest but neither are body shops. Another item added to never ending lists of wants.

 

[Mbarron37]

Chick magnet? Nope lol

 

[SQRRRL]

My LC is a dent magnet.

 

[Sandroad]

It’s not the tires on your LX. It’s the incredible amount of road debris from the bad roads. It’s cracked windshield and paint chip season.

 

[Diytech123]

It’s not the tires on your LX. It’s the incredible amount of road debris from the bad roads. It’s cracked windshield and paint chip season.

Do you think a hood protector/bug deflector would help reduce the chips or simply deflect stones at your windshield?

 

[Diytech123]

My LC is a dent magnet.

Yes, it's huge when you park in the garage and as the other car sits closer, when your family opens the door and unintentionally dent your LC/X...it's so heart sinking

 

[Diytech123]

Every vehicle I care about gets custom paint protection film PPF put on right away. Xpel Ultimate is currently my favorite. It's applied like window tint to your paint in large sheets and cut to fit while applied. It cannot be seen at all.

Decent size scratches come out with a hair dryer / sun. Keeps all the rock chips away, and door dings when parking in parking lots if you also do the doors.

The film is not cheap + labor you can spend $3500+ to cover bumper, hood, fenders, four doors, door sills. It's well worth it to me to have the paint looking brand new. At the same time the film is applied they are also doing chip repair and detailed paint restoration. Whatever you cover is preserved forever under the film.

I don't have experience scratching the PPF yet on trees /bushes off road "pin stripes" but would consider other options like the magnet based rhinohide on top of the PPF for that. You could also use the hair dryer on "self healing" PPF to remove scratches. I don't think PPF would hold up well to large branches or rock crawling scratches though

If the paint is too far gone on a true off-road vehicle I would consider spraying the whole truck in a bed liner. I've seen a H1 Hummer in bed liner and it's amazing

XPEL | Paint Protection Film | ULTIMATE PLUS | Self-Healing Clear Bra | High Gloss PPF

The world's first self-healing clear bra just got better. XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS is the glossiest, longest lasting, and most durable paint protection film available.

www.xpel.com

Paintwork Protection - Rhinohide Paintwork Protection Panels - TJM Perth

You no longer have to worry about scratches and chips and enjoy 4wding worry free. Based in Western Australia, Rhinohide are an innovative and passionate company who are the leader in 4×4 paintwork product.

www.tjmperth.com.au

Is the PPF similar to what TFLPro guys did to their LC to put a white color wrap. That looked cool but definitely sets you back at $5k or so...

What are your thoughts on using bug deflector/hood protector? Something like this: 2008-2015 LEXUS LX570 HOOD BUG DEFLECTOR | eBay

 

[Chocolate]

Every vehicle I care about gets custom paint protection film PPF put on right away. Xpel Ultimate is currently my favorite. It's applied like window tint to your paint in large sheets and cut to fit while applied. It cannot be seen at all.

Decent size scratches come out with a hair dryer / sun. Keeps all the rock chips away, and door dings when parking in parking lots if you also do the doors.

The film is not cheap + labor you can spend $3500+ to cover bumper, hood, fenders, four doors, door sills. It's well worth it to me to have the paint looking brand new. At the same time the film is applied they are also doing chip repair and detailed paint restoration. Whatever you cover is preserved forever under the film.

I don't have experience scratching the PPF yet on trees /bushes off road "pin stripes" but would consider other options like the magnet based rhinohide on top of the PPF for that. You could also use the hair dryer on "self healing" PPF to remove scratches. I don't think PPF would hold up well to large branches or rock crawling scratches though

If the paint is too far gone on a true off-road vehicle I would consider spraying the whole truck in a bed liner. I've seen a H1 Hummer in bed liner and it's amazing

XPEL | Paint Protection Film | ULTIMATE PLUS | Self-Healing Clear Bra | High Gloss PPF

The world's first self-healing clear bra just got better. XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS is the glossiest, longest lasting, and most durable paint protection film available.

www.xpel.com

Paintwork Protection - Rhinohide Paintwork Protection Panels - TJM Perth

You no longer have to worry about scratches and chips and enjoy 4wding worry free. Based in Western Australia, Rhinohide are an innovative and passionate company who are the leader in 4×4 paintwork product.

www.tjmperth.com.au

3500 is steep. My concern with clear films is that they can crack or discolor as they age, and they are a huge pain in the ass to remove at that point. That usually takes 10 years or more, though, so not a factor if you sell your car in 5 years or less. But I have seen it countless times on quality wrapped cars. I recently saw a pretty rough PPF on the front of a Bentley that's less than 10 years old and it was not sitting in the sun. You will be fine as long as you're doing the whole car, but it stands out when only the front of the car has been done.