Page 249 of 408
2496-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
6
Maintenance and care
Normal clear coat
Cross section
Light
Clear
Base
Enlarged surface
Matte clear coat
Cross section
Light Matting agent
Clear
Base
Enlarged surface
Illustrations in this manual are simpli-
fied for explanation and may not repre-
sent the actual vehicle.
Glossiness of a surface is seen by the
human eyes by a difference in the
amount of light that reflects off the sur-
face.
A surface painted with normal clear
coat is flat and smooth. As the amount
of light that reflects off the surface is
large, the vehicle body will appear
glossy.
A surface painted with a matte clear
coat is slightly uneven due to the added
matting agent. As the light shining on
an uneven surface is diffused signifi-
cantly, the amount of light reflected is
small, making the vehicle body look not
glossy, with a unique texture.
Difference between general
clear coat and matte clear coat
A
B
C
A
B
C
D
Page 250 of 408

2506-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
If the painted surfaces of the vehicle
are dirty, wash the vehicle immediately.
(Washing your vehicle P.252)
Dirt
Due to the slight unevenness, matte
clear coat surfaces are more likely to
trap dirt and other foreign matter com-
pared to normal clear coat surfaces. If dirt or foreign matter is left on the
vehicle, it may settle into the textured
surface of the matte clear coat, making
it more difficult to remove. Additionally,
as the surface of the matte clear coat
will become more flat when dirty, the
vehicle body will start to look glossy,
ruining the textured finish.
Therefore, make sure to clean the vehi-
cle regularly and not allow dirt to
remain on the vehicle for extended
periods of time.
If dirt or foreign matter is allowed to
settle and cannot be cleaned off with
normal washing, it will be necessary to
remove the dirt with the upper layer of
the textured finish and then to repaint
the entire part.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
■Materials that may become difficult to
remove
The following are likely to settle into the
vehicle body and should be cleaned off
immediately.
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
A
Page 251 of 408

2516-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
6
Maintenance and care
●Rain water, sea water, and other liquids
that may cause water stains
●Sand, pollen, volcanic ash, and other par-
ticulate matter
●Dead insects, bird droppings, etc.
●Sap, leaves, flowers, etc.
●Mud, snow, anti-freezing agents, and
other road debris
●Gasoline, engine oil, asphalt, and other
oily materials
■Do not apply a coating to the vehicle
Do not apply a coating to the vehicle body,
as it will form a film over the painted sur-
faces, filling the matte clear coat surface,
making it more flat. As a result, it will
become more glossy, possibly permanently
losing its matte properties.
Take care in order to not damage the
painted surfaces.
When minor damage occurs to a vehi-
cle with a normal clear coat, it can be
repaired by polishing it or using touch
up paint. In contrast, a matte clear coat cannot be repaired using these meth-
ods.
If these methods are used the uneven-
ness of the matte clear coat may be
removed or filled in. In either case, the
surface will become more flat, making
Repair of paint damage
Page 252 of 408
2526-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
it appear more glossy, possibly perma-
nently losing its matte properties.
In order to maintain the matte finish
when repairing damage, it will be nec-
essary to repaint the entire part.Working from top to bottom, liber-
ally apply water to the vehicle body,
wheel wells and underside of the
vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a
sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
For hard-to-remove marks, use car
wash soap and rinse thoroughly with
water.
Wipe away any water.Washing your vehicle
Washing the vehicle by hand is rec-
ommended.
How to wash your vehicle
NOTICE
■Avoiding damage to the painted sur-
faces
Observe the following precautions.
Otherwise, the painted surfaces of your
vehicle may be damaged and perma-
nently lose their matte properties.
●When washing the vehicle, do not use
a brush.
●Do not use rubbing or polishing com-
pounds (ex. scratch remover).
●Do not rub the vehicle body.
Page 253 of 408
2536-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
6
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
●Do not attach a stickers to or vinyl
wrap the vehicle body.
●Before attaching a magnet (sign, etc.)
to the vehicle body, make sure to wash
and thoroughly dry the area of the
vehicle body where the magnet is to
be attached.
Page 254 of 408

2546-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
■General washing tips (P.252)
■If the vehicle body is dirty ( P.250)
Question: What should I do if any of th e following have attached to the vehicle?
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions about the matte clear coat and
their answers:
Washing the vehicle
QuestionAnswer
Can the vehicle be washed?
Yes. The vehicle should be washed immediately if it is dirty.Can the vehicle be washed
frequently?
What is the proper method
for washing the vehicle?The vehicle should be washed by hand, using only water
and a chamois cloth.
Is there anything I should be
careful about when washing
the vehicle?Make sure to start by rinsing the entire vehicle with plenty
of water from top to bottom.
Can I wash the vehicle in an
automatic car wash?
Lexus does not recommend the use of these car washing
methods, as they may damage the matte clear coat.Wash
the vehicle by hand.
Can I use a high-pressure
pressure washer to wash the
vehicle?
ItemAnswer
Leaves, flowers, branches,
etc.
Remove immediately.
They may scratch the matte cl ear coat and if they are
allowed to remain on the vehicl e, dirt may settle into the
matte clear coat, making it more flat. As a result, it will
become more glossy, possibly permanently losing its matte
properties.
Sand, pollen, and other par-
ticulate matterWash off with water immediately.
If the contaminants are allowed to remain on the vehicle,
they may settle into the matt e clear coat, making it more
glossy, possibly causing it to permanently lose its matte
properties.
Asphalt (tar)
Page 255 of 408

2556-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
6
Maintenance and care
■Vehicle washing products (P.252)
Water repellent glass coating
Remove immediately.
Even if removed, depending on the contaminant, the matte
clear coat may be damaged, po ssibly permanently losing its
matte properties.Glass treatment remover
Tire cleaner
Gasoline
Oil
Washer fluid
QuestionAnswer
Can I use car wash shampoo/
soap?
Only use a neutral detergent which is approved for car
wash use and water. Make sure to rinse the vehicle with
plenty of water after using detergent.
Do not use alkaline (including weakly basic) detergents, as
they may damage the matte clear coat.
Can I use a general house-
hold neutral detergent?Only use a neutral detergent which is approved for car
wash use and water. Make sure to rinse the vehicle with
plenty of water after using detergent.
What should I use to wipe off
dirt?
Use a soft chamois cloth.What should I use to dry the
vehicle?
Can I use a water stain
remover?Lexus does not recommend the use of water stain remov-
ers, as they may damage the matte clear coat. Do not use
alkaline detergents or prod ucts containing abrasives.
Can the vehicle be waxed?No. Do not wax the vehicle or apply a coating to the vehicle
body, as they may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.
Can a coating be applied to
the vehicle body?
Can I use an iron remover?No, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its matte
texture
Can I use tar and pitch
remover?No, as they may damage the matte clear coat.
Can I use a matte paint
cleaner/wax?Lexus does not recommend the use of matte paint cleaners
or waxes, as they may cause th e matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.
ItemAnswer
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2566-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)
■Body coatings
■Repairing the vehicle body (P.251)
■Attaching accessories and ot her objects to the vehicle
Are there genuine Lexus
vehicle washing products
available for matte paint?No. Use a soft chamois cloth for cleaning the vehicle body.
Use a neutral detergent which is approved for car wash use
or dilute citric acid when necessary.
Are there any vehicle wash-
ing product brands that Lexus
recommends?No. Use a soft chamois cloth for cleaning the vehicle body.
Use a neutral detergent which is approved for car was use
or dilute citric acid when necessary.
QuestionAnswer
Can a body coating available
at a Lexus dealer be applied?No, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its matte
texture.
Can an aftermarket body
coating be applied?Lexus does not recommend applying a coating to the vehi-
cle body, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.
Can an aftermarket body
coating designed for matte
paint be applied?Lexus does not recommend applying a coating to the vehi-
cle body, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.
QuestionAnswer
Can damage to the paint be
repaired?In order to maintain the matte finish when repairing paint
damage, it is necessary to re paint the entire part. Consult
your Lexus dealer for details.
Can I use rubbing or polish-
ing compound (ex. scratch
remover)?No. Using a rubbing or polishing compound or touch up
paint may damage the matte clear coat. In order to maintain
the matte finish when repairin g paint damage, it is neces-
sary to repaint the entire part. Consult your Lexus dealer
for details.
Can I use touch up paint?
QuestionAnswer
Can a sticker or vinyl wrap be
attached to the vehicle body?No. They may damage matte clear coat when they are
installed and may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture when they are removed.
Can a magnet be attached to
the vehicle body?Yes. Make sure to wash and th oroughly dry the area around
where the magnet is to be attached before attaching it.
QuestionAnswer