Rock chips
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From: California
2008 Sport C-300, 2003 Accord Coupe V6
Rock chips
Does anybody experience rock chips on paint in the front bumper and hood? My 08 C300 is only at 17,000 miles and I have plenty. Is the paint that easily chipped or the freeway I ride on has bad road condition?
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Modern paints tend to chip a bit easier than the older, HAZMAT laden paints and every forum has a similar question.
Rock chips are a fact of life, but you can minimize the probability of damage:
Don't tailgate
Slow down in areas where you know there is lots of gravel and leave lots of room to the car in front
Don't drive behind 18 wheelers or gravel trucks
Get a clear bra - before your hood gets chipped
You'll still end up with a stray chip or two, but my R32 with 32k miles had one chip when I sold it - while all the other R32 owners were moaning about how badly the paint chips...
Rock chips are a fact of life, but you can minimize the probability of damage:
Don't tailgate
Slow down in areas where you know there is lots of gravel and leave lots of room to the car in front
Don't drive behind 18 wheelers or gravel trucks
Get a clear bra - before your hood gets chipped
You'll still end up with a stray chip or two, but my R32 with 32k miles had one chip when I sold it - while all the other R32 owners were moaning about how badly the paint chips...
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From: Latitude 26.1695, Longitude -80.0997
my wife wild, but she loves every minute of it.
2. Yes.
Solutions? Wear a bra -- er, put one on your car. The clear plastic ones probably should be installed by a shop, but the padded vinyl ones you can do. Take the vinyl off regularly and inspect. Don't let it dry on the car. Some dealers offer 'insurance' against stone chips and door dings - don't know if you can get it after the fact. I see ads from Dr.ColorChip - if it works as advertised, it's a great solution. However ...
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From: Sunny California
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From: Romania
Audi A4 1.9 TDI 2002, MB C200 CDI 2004, MB C220 CDI 2009
I've got my front lights covered with Llumar clear protective film.
They offered also to cover the hood, front bumper and back of the mirrors.(was bit expensive together with windows tint).
They offered also to cover the hood, front bumper and back of the mirrors.(was bit expensive together with windows tint).
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my wife wild, but she loves every minute of it.
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C350 Sport
I highly dislike normal bras, you want to keep your car looking great so you install a stupid looking bra to help save the paint, in the mean time it will protect the paint from the sun and cause minor rubbing so when you do remove it down the road it will show.
Hands down the best beat is a clear bra.
What do I do?
I always avoid being any where near the back side of any trailers or trucks.
I also keep extra distance from any car/truck when its raining or wet that is when most rock chips happen
My go to tools?
touch up paint
sandpaper
polishing compounds
good wax
A little know how goes a long way in keeping a car great looking.
Hands down the best beat is a clear bra.
What do I do?
I always avoid being any where near the back side of any trailers or trucks.
I also keep extra distance from any car/truck when its raining or wet that is when most rock chips happen
My go to tools?
touch up paint
sandpaper
polishing compounds
good wax
A little know how goes a long way in keeping a car great looking.
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C350 Sport
I just past the 6K mile mark and my hood (way out of the clear bra range) has at least 5 spots I've touched up. Not chips, but knicks/marks.
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From: Latitude 26.1695, Longitude -80.0997
my wife wild, but she loves every minute of it.
Your point is on target. I think one's driving environment makes a big difference, and of course, some of it is just luck of the draw.
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From: Seattle
C-300, XC70, Wrangler
To fix it, I went to a dealer's back lot (S.A.'s advice) and had the guy who takes care of the dents and scrapes work on the car. Cost was minor, much better job than I could have done with touch-up paint.
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From: Latitude 26.1695, Longitude -80.0997
my wife wild, but she loves every minute of it.
I had that too, and had a clear bra on the car. Now I'm a believer in doing the whole hood with the clear bra material.
To fix it, I went to a dealer's back lot (S.A.'s advice) and had the guy who takes care of the dents and scrapes work on the car. Cost was minor, much better job than I could have done with touch-up paint.
To fix it, I went to a dealer's back lot (S.A.'s advice) and had the guy who takes care of the dents and scrapes work on the car. Cost was minor, much better job than I could have done with touch-up paint.
