Who has the most rock chipped beat up front end?
#1
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Who has the most rock chipped beat up front end?
I know that my car has a freekn' million rock chips all over the front end. It makes me sick sometimes looking at it although I have gotten over it. We have had the front bumper and hood painted once already and it didn't take 6 months to have a million of them show back up. I have chips all the way up the front quarter panels on the top near the mirror.
I will put some pictures up later, not that I am proud of it.
So let's here it, I can't be the only one with a car that has chips everywhere...can I?
Eric
www.installuniversity.com
I will put some pictures up later, not that I am proud of it.
So let's here it, I can't be the only one with a car that has chips everywhere...can I?
Eric
www.installuniversity.com
#3
Don't know about the current nanowhatever paint, but MB's water based paint before that (the paint before 2005) is mediocre at best. Average gloss, probably more "orange peel" than paint from most other manufacturers, and seems very prone to chipping.
That being said, the 3M clear stuff will save the front of your car. Particularly the front bumper.
That being said, the 3M clear stuff will save the front of your car. Particularly the front bumper.
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Originally Posted by Nickle
the 3M clear stuff will save the front of your car. Particularly the front bumper.
I don't think the new 2004.5 and on NanoPaint really protects the car any better from rock chips. The paint is a bit more resilient to sun and water wear, but not from objects hitting your car at high speed. Older MB paint is rather soft compared to other car manufacturers and very prone to chipping when aggravated. Quite a few posts on this topic throughout all these forums. Huge complaint overall !!
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Boxster987 C230KSS M3
I don't have any rock chips!
...ok mine is only 2 mos old with mighty nano tech.
Seriously, your driving style makes huge difference on rock chips.
If you love freq tail gating & find yourself behind SUBs a lot, your c automatically becomes rock magnet. In addition, on long highway driving, better wear bra on it . Clear bra is the best solution, of course.
...ok mine is only 2 mos old with mighty nano tech.
Seriously, your driving style makes huge difference on rock chips.
If you love freq tail gating & find yourself behind SUBs a lot, your c automatically becomes rock magnet. In addition, on long highway driving, better wear bra on it . Clear bra is the best solution, of course.
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#10
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Lets see where do I start?
1 - Driver rear fender
1 - Passenger door handle
4 - Passenger front fender
2 - Driver front fender
20+ - Front impact strips
40+ - Hood (including 1 big gash from an object off a truck)
15+ - Painted grill
10+ - Chrome grill strips
3 - Windshield trim
Too many to count - Front bumper
90% of the chips would've been covered by a 3M clear bra, lesson learned, going onto my next car for sure.
I only get upset when I park next to other MBs at the dealer without a single paint chip and wonder, WTF is wrong with my paint!
1 - Driver rear fender
1 - Passenger door handle
4 - Passenger front fender
2 - Driver front fender
20+ - Front impact strips
40+ - Hood (including 1 big gash from an object off a truck)
15+ - Painted grill
10+ - Chrome grill strips
3 - Windshield trim
Too many to count - Front bumper
90% of the chips would've been covered by a 3M clear bra, lesson learned, going onto my next car for sure.
I only get upset when I park next to other MBs at the dealer without a single paint chip and wonder, WTF is wrong with my paint!
#12
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by wizkid
I know that my car has a freekn' million rock chips all over the front end.
My prior practice had been to put a black bra on the nose and mirrors. After trying the Invisible bra on my wife's Cayenne, I was converted. My C320 Sports Coupe was protected before I drove it off the dealer's lot. That included some custom films, to protect the door cups, the fog lamps and behind the rear wheels.
Remember there is only one factory paint job per vehicle.
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by jan ken po
Speaking of the 3M bra...anyone got any b4 & after pics?? I wanted to get one...but not if it is too noticeable
Originally Posted by wfb1746
I would love to see some before and after pix as well if anyone has them.
The best I can describe is to imagine the Emperor, in his new clothes. Then envision the Emperor is a car. That is it, except, depending upon the angle of the light, the Emperor has visible clothing lines.
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2005 C230WZ
I would like to see the difference (if any) b/t having a clear bra vs. not having one, being able to see what the "clothing lines" look like would be nice...thanks!
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'05 SS Brillant Silver
Originally Posted by wingless
What image is being requested?
The best I can describe is to imagine the Emperor, in his new clothes. Then envision the Emperor is a car. That is it, except, depending upon the angle of the light, the Emperor has visible clothing lines.
The best I can describe is to imagine the Emperor, in his new clothes. Then envision the Emperor is a car. That is it, except, depending upon the angle of the light, the Emperor has visible clothing lines.
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2001 C240 Tectite
You can not see the 3m protective platic, unlss you know it's there and you really look close to the merging line... as for rock chips, I had so many of them I needed my hood re-sprayed because some of them were starting to rust under even if I prepped, cleaned and put touch up on all of them.... thank Canadian winters and road salt for this!
#18
Clearbra
I have had the car for three days and had the bra put on before it left the dealership. My last two cars were repainted twice each (BMW, Porsche) so I have learned my lesson. I was told a couple of things by the installer that was interesting:
*It looks best on cars that are not black or white
*I can expect white spots in the film that may not go away
Yes, you can see the lines, yes it does not look as good as one without, but the alternative is more painful for me. I would recommed it so far.
*It looks best on cars that are not black or white
*I can expect white spots in the film that may not go away
Yes, you can see the lines, yes it does not look as good as one without, but the alternative is more painful for me. I would recommed it so far.
#19
The white spots should go away. If they don't, your installer didn't do a good job.
Some colors hide the film better than others. White is the worst color for the film. Silver, and other light metallics, are the best at hiding.
When you use it on a bumper like a MB bumper, it is hardly noticeable, on any color. When you use it on a hood, though, or any other surface where the film cuts across a panel (in other words, doesn't butt up against an edge), it is more noticeable. I didn't put it on the hood because of this.
Also, it is more noticeable on horizontal surfaces (like a hood) than on surfaces that are more vertical (like a bumper).
Some colors hide the film better than others. White is the worst color for the film. Silver, and other light metallics, are the best at hiding.
When you use it on a bumper like a MB bumper, it is hardly noticeable, on any color. When you use it on a hood, though, or any other surface where the film cuts across a panel (in other words, doesn't butt up against an edge), it is more noticeable. I didn't put it on the hood because of this.
Also, it is more noticeable on horizontal surfaces (like a hood) than on surfaces that are more vertical (like a bumper).
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
The attached images show the front fenders and hood with the Invisible bra. The vehicle color is Desert Silver.
The film is made by Avery Denisson, not 3M. According to my installer, it is much easier to get a perfect installation with the Avery, than the 3M, as it is more forgiving to shifting after initial placement.
The film is made by Avery Denisson, not 3M. According to my installer, it is much easier to get a perfect installation with the Avery, than the 3M, as it is more forgiving to shifting after initial placement.
#22
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Originally Posted by wingless
The attached images show the front fenders and hood with the Invisible bra. The vehicle color is Desert Silver.
The film is made by Avery Denisson, not 3M. According to my installer, it is much easier to get a perfect installation with the Avery, than the 3M, as it is more forgiving to shifting after initial placement.
The film is made by Avery Denisson, not 3M. According to my installer, it is much easier to get a perfect installation with the Avery, than the 3M, as it is more forgiving to shifting after initial placement.
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by nlpamg
Did you get em with the headlight covers? If so, is there any difference in the brightness? Pics please?
My vehicle also has films on the fog lamps. I removed the fog lamp assemblies and had the films applied with these out of the vehicle. That way, the entire visible surface is protected, once installed back onto the vehicle.
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Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by Sauceboy01
I still dont think it's worth the money unless you have a dark/black car!
For those who care, the only option used to be a black bra, but it is so much work, it isn't funny. Now, with this tape, put it on and after it starts to look bad, replace the tape and the car still looks good. Seems like a good choice to me.