I love waxing my car, that is until I get to the front bumper and the front of the hood. It's such a downer to see the hundreds of rock chips in the paint.

Its a good thing that my hood is up at the car shows and no one crawls around on their hands and knees. They would laugh at my car.

 

The bra is going on mine right after they roll it off the trailer...

 

I know the feeling. Once my car gets repainted I am investing in the 3M paint protection. I am going to put it on the problem areas and keep my fingers crossed that it works good.

 

3M paint protection? Are you talking about the piece of tape that looks gawdawful that goes across the front of your car that is supposed to be invisble but it is clearly visible?

 

I wouldn't use a bra if I were you. I would definetley go the same route as adrenalin and get the 3M paint protection.

 

I would have to agree, stay away from the bra unless your completely committed to taking it off and drying it evertime it gets wet, trust me, I learned the hard way on another vehicle I had. :bang:

 

Rock chips happen. On the hood, front facia, side of the car and roof...... They way I look at it is, avoid big dumptrucks or trucks that could send debris flying at your car. Other than that, just drive it because you'll drive yourself crazy trying to prevent these things....

Plus, you'll spend years keeping it rock chip free and then someone will give you a door dent. I say, be smart but its a car so things are bound to happen.

 

Thanks for the advice - the bra's only temporary until I look into 3M and other protection possibilities I personally don't like the look of a bra and do worry about it scratching and getting moldy. (Though it's pretty dry in these parts of Arizona).

I just don't think I have any other option right away. I live in a rapidly developing suburban area surrounded by two copper mines and two ground material plants, with only one highway to head into town on. Not a week goes by without me getting next to a hauler either coming or going and getting blasted with bits of dirt. Some of them are pretty good and have tarps, others just have a nice message on the back of their trucks about not being responsible for any damage.

I have tendency to get behind them just as they are leaving the mine or plant, so even with a tarp they still have loading residue flying off other parts of the truck. Just my luck I would be heading home in my new car on the first day and get blasted, so $100 and some change from 05stangkc, I've got my murphy's law insurance for a few weeks. It's either that or pull off the highway when I see one in front and let it get a good lead on me, or just stay 1000 feet back and go 50 MPH in a 75 zone for 20 miles :notnice: Those coming in the other direction I'm just going to have to grin and bear it.

And yeah, I thought about all this when I bought the car, but as you know this car is just too darn awesome to not have. Dan you're right - I'll do all this and still get a door ding! A guy who works the local casino has those foam "swimming pool sticks" somehow strung along the sides of his car in the parking lot. I don't know if that helps or hurts. It's almost like saying "Yeah, I'm really **** about my car, please vandalize me!"

 

That sucks Chris.... Yah, in your case I'd do something to help stop those chips.

 

I looked into the Ultrashield clear protection. It would run you about $500 and that's guessing on the labor charge to install it.

It also has to be below either 80 or 90 degrees before it can be applied and it's going to be a while before it cools off enough here for that.

 

Not sure what exact one you've seen, but they're normally very good quality. Of course you can see them up close, but beyond 5 feet away you'd really have to look for it. Even up close, they're transparant, you can normally only spot the 'tape' line.

It's just a decision that has to be made - what would I rather have - rock chips or a 'tape' line.

 

I have the PPF from Llumar and no chips. The line is visible close up with the sun at the right angles, but you can't see it if the sun is right. I don't have any chips in my paint yet.

 

Can you please take some shots from 3, 5 and 7 feet away from your car and post them so others can see a RL application. Thanks for your time.

-Ex

 

I will take them this weekend, I have to get the good camera from the boss (She who makes the rules), we have a car show and a nice sunny day Saturday. I will do my best to show the seam, but even when relatively dirty, the seams have never shown up on pictures. If the seems don't show up, I will pull it into ms paint and show where they are.
[attachmentid=35206][attachmentid=35207]
The PPF is on in these pictures. It covers about the first 20% of the hood,the bumper, the front part of the front quarters and the vertical pieces between the lights.

The only problem we encountered was where it covers the stripes. In the right conditions the transition from stripe to paint is very visible. I will redo the PPF as soon as my hood (as yet not purchased GTR ram air hood) is painted.

I will repost later with closer pics hopefully showing seams.

Chuck

 

Thanks for the pics you posted. I look forward to some closer shots if/when you are able. In the meantime, I have another question for you. On a bright sunny day do the areas of the car covered by the PPF have a glossier look than the rest of the car or vice versa? I guess it's kinda like what you said happens at night time but was wondering about bright sunny days. Thanks!

Sean

 

I have not noticed it except where the vinyl stripes are. The vinyl stays shinier under the Llumar, that problem will go away when I paint the stripes.