Dying a thousand deaths
02-05-2016, 11:19 PM
#21
Safety Car
Road rash is inevitable. Since you have a protective film on the car, try pouring hot water on the film in that area to see if it heals itself.
02-05-2016, 11:27 PM
#22
My 2014 Stingray is my daily driver. I love it so much, I talked my husband into selling his Jag and getting a vette for himself. I covered it with Expel when I got it, wash it with great care and added the mods I wanted. Love, love, love. Well, I just went outside with some Quick Detailer because this Texas lady wants it to warm up just a little more to wash the car. Ok--I am venting--but I found a ROAD RASH chip about the size of a match head on the hood just beneath the windshield. I am SOOOOOO upset. I think it is clearly through the protective film and I do remember getting bashed with something hard the other day. Reason for the post? Need to vent. Sigh. Sorry to take up space for this. . . I KNOW it could be WAY worse. I don't feel like being reasonable or logical right now. But, my non-vette friends would not understand my being this distraught and my sweet hubby is not home yet. . . .so you are my ventees. . . .
02-05-2016, 11:46 PM
#23
Le Mans Master
I got my entire front-end (front fascia, entire hood & both front fenders), rocker panels, mirrors, door sills, door edges, door cups, and gas cap wrapped with 3M Pro Series for $1400.00.
They did not use a pre-cut kit. The hood, fascia and fenders were wrapped around and under the edges so there are no lines.
They did not use a pre-cut kit. The hood, fascia and fenders were wrapped around and under the edges so there are no lines.
Last edited by Maxie2U; 02-05-2016 at 11:48 PM.
02-05-2016, 11:54 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
To the original poster I feel your pain. I try so hard to park far away and I still get scratches that I can't explain. It sucks. I bought my car in December and it sat on the lot with a broken windshield. They replaced it before I picked up the car. One month later I got hit with a rock and had to get another windshield. Just bad luck. The 2nd guy who did the car must have dripped adhesive on to the paint. It was stained and right below the edge of the windshield on the fender. It took me an hour to get it out of the paint. I was going to go back and complain but he probably would have denied it and if he did confess, I didn't want some idiot buffing it out. Anyway it looks good but it really was like a punch in the stomach to see that on my paint. One day they will come out with a paint that is durable and doesn't get swirl marks or scuffs.
02-06-2016, 07:49 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
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This is why I buy used now their is a few stone chips from the previous owner so it makes the 1st nick I get that much easier to deal with.
02-06-2016, 09:14 AM
#26
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The first chip or scratch is always the hardest to accept, and even subsequent ones make you feel depressed. But, if you drive the car at all, it's just one of the risks of being out on the road. You were wise to get the car wrapped with Xpel and think about this - the film has probably prevented countless other chips from happening.
02-06-2016, 09:49 AM
#28
Safety Car
That first scratch/chip is the worst.. For me it didn't get any better with #2 and #3. Touchup paint usually works ok as long as you don't put too much on. I used a tooth pick to put the paint on my chips. There is one way you can prevent any scratches, chips from getting on your car. "Leave it in the Garage". I don't think anyone will be doing this preventative measure, oh I forgot, maybe in the winter months for all of those lucky enough to live in snow land.
02-06-2016, 02:02 PM
#29
Racer
Stupid question, but what do you all do for maintenance on the xpel, I mean does it eliminate sealing and waxing, so all you do is wash it? Does it just always look like you have a freshly waxed car?
02-06-2016, 02:30 PM
#30
Race Director
Dealership should have a paint pen in your cars color. Something that small should only take a dab of the pen. Let dry, a little polish and wax then your good to go.
02-06-2016, 03:00 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
Or just live with it and do what we did for my wife's '03. After 13 yrs of assorted rock chips and scrapes on the front, we had the whole front and hood repainted for $1200 last week. Looks like new
02-06-2016, 03:15 PM
#32
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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With a DD the sooner the better than you worry less! I don't cover my C7 with plastic, if I get a ding from a rock so beit! Mine is 28 months old but soon after I got it an 18 wheeler thru a rock from a tire, hit my windshield. However was lucky the chip was at the windshield wiper level and NOT in it's path. Filled the chip and smoothed it off and it's not extended for 27 months! As you say with a DD, just have to move on! Fortunately have few noticeable dings. 
I do avoid the Interstate for a number of reasons including having to evade truck tire treads! Also pass 18 wheelers very quickly for potential rocks and I wonder if they see me! About the only time I speed on the Interstate and risk radar is when I shift to 4th and accelerate past them as fast as possible!
Last edited by JerryU; 02-06-2016 at 03:27 PM.
02-06-2016, 03:15 PM
#33
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Sorry to hear, Trinity. As a Daily Driver, I'm thinking this won't be your last one though.....
02-06-2016, 03:40 PM
#34
Drifting
Up here, the roads are covered with gravel every time the temps drop...it was inevitable for me as well. One small chip next to the Corvette logo on the hood.
Talked to the body guy at the local Chevy dealership. He regularly shows his built '72 Corvette, and did all the paint and body work (pics soon, I hope).
Anyway, he quoted me $750 for the Scotchgard Premium for the front end of my car. Then he said, "If it was me, I'd use the finest, thinest brush I could find, clean the rock chip area, and then gradually filled the chip." He went on to say, "Take your time, build up the paint slowly till it is just flush with the OEM paint." He also said, that in his opinion, a few coats of good wax on the front end was a "helluva" lot cheaper than Scotchgard and works just as well.
Of course, opinions are like necks, everyone has one, but I'm going to try his route first....then Scotchgard Pro if I need it.
Good luck.
Talked to the body guy at the local Chevy dealership. He regularly shows his built '72 Corvette, and did all the paint and body work (pics soon, I hope).
Anyway, he quoted me $750 for the Scotchgard Premium for the front end of my car. Then he said, "If it was me, I'd use the finest, thinest brush I could find, clean the rock chip area, and then gradually filled the chip." He went on to say, "Take your time, build up the paint slowly till it is just flush with the OEM paint." He also said, that in his opinion, a few coats of good wax on the front end was a "helluva" lot cheaper than Scotchgard and works just as well.
Of course, opinions are like necks, everyone has one, but I'm going to try his route first....then Scotchgard Pro if I need it.
Good luck.
02-06-2016, 03:45 PM
#35
The first scratch, ding, or chip is always the worst, and for me, the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th are not any better 
From where I'm sitting, it depends how much it bothers you...everything can be fixed at a price...what's the worst case? New repainted hood? Really sorry for your pain; I think everyone's been there at one time or another....
Ken
From where I'm sitting, it depends how much it bothers you...everything can be fixed at a price...what's the worst case? New repainted hood? Really sorry for your pain; I think everyone's been there at one time or another....Ken
02-06-2016, 03:51 PM
#36
Race Director
Most couples with a good relationship confide in one another,as it should be no matter what the circumstance. It's a car for crying out loud and $hit happens.
02-06-2016, 03:53 PM
#37
Race Director
I got my entire front-end (front fascia, entire hood & both front fenders), rocker panels, mirrors, door sills, door edges, door cups, and gas cap wrapped with 3M Pro Series for $1400.00.
They did not use a pre-cut kit. The hood, fascia and fenders were wrapped around and under the edges so there are no lines.
They did not use a pre-cut kit. The hood, fascia and fenders were wrapped around and under the edges so there are no lines.
02-06-2016, 05:01 PM
#38
Instructor
02-20-2016, 06:46 PM
#40
Don't know anything about this diffuser, but it looks nice. I am actually awaiting delivery of my WeaponX carbon fiber spoiler and diffuser. You might want to take a look at their site for comparison. I have their rocker blades and splitter and love their look and quality. Contact Ben at WeaponX. He is really helpful.