HELP PLZ! Have bought the side Mouldings for my new 2011 RX350. It is a Calif. car, and (arrggh!) has WATER BASED paint. To clean the surfaces for installing the mouldings, only '3M Prep-Solvent 70' is recommended [also a 'water based product]. Can't find the 3M locally, and to purchase thru mail order, the costs for a gallon are ugly, especially shipping. Any other recommendations or help here? Could I [safely] use a non-water solvent, say a petroleum based product?
I have just installed the molding on my RX270 (a 3rd gen RX sub model available in many countries but not in North America). I do not have the 3M solution as well so I just used regular alcohol I bought from the pharmacy. I believe it is able to remove the layer of wax just as effectively because the molding sticks on my paintwork like super glue. I recall watching a Youtube video of someone fixing the molding on his LS and he used rubbing alcohol to prep the surface.
Once the molding is in place, I applied some wax on the molding and the surrounding paintwork that was earlier stripped of wax by the alcohol.
I like the look of my car with the side molding so much better than the original bare look. Gives me peace of mind when I park my car next to another.
Self Installed Side Door Moldings
in 10 - 15 Lexus RX350 / RX450h
Posted
I have just installed the molding on my RX270 (a 3rd gen RX sub model available in many countries but not in North America). I do not have the 3M solution as well so I just used regular alcohol I bought from the pharmacy. I believe it is able to remove the layer of wax just as effectively because the molding sticks on my paintwork like super glue. I recall watching a Youtube video of someone fixing the molding on his LS and he used rubbing alcohol to prep the surface.
Once the molding is in place, I applied some wax on the molding and the surrounding paintwork that was earlier stripped of wax by the alcohol.
I like the look of my car with the side molding so much better than the original bare look. Gives me peace of mind when I park my car next to another.