Hey genius they go straight up and straight down
SIR ISAAC NEWTON

 

You still need to reread what he posted.

 

I can't imagine having a much worse location to drive in than where I live - pretty much 4th-world country at this point. Each day is a "battle" on these streets and I have driven my car on them virtually every day for 15 years!

Also my car is "black" which shows everything. I have had 3 windshields replaced on my C5 from rocks being thrown! As far as the paint, it looks better than the day I picked the car up new! I did notice a couple rock chips (smaller than a pinhead) on the front bumper appear a few years ago, so I figured I had to take some action. Therefore, I filled in the chips with touch-up paint and then added a 3M Clearmask (by myself) to the front bumper, headlight covers, and mirrors. You pretty much have to be up close and have it pointed out for anyone to notice.










I did not use the Clearmask on the hood and 15 years later not a single noticeable chip, but the Clearmask on the front bumper has taken quite a beating and still looks like new.

As far as the spots on your hood, posting a good Macro photo "might" help diagnose, but if you cannot "feel" the spots, then they are not "chips".

Regarding backing off car-lengths - that "might" spare your bumper some hits, but increases the possibility of hood and windshield hits. Regardless, anything can hit anywhere in any situation. My front windshield was broken once while I was stopped at a red light when a Ford Taurus launched from the opposite side of the intersection when the light turned green and his front wheel drive slung a boulder all the way across the intersection right into my HUD.

 

Same here

 

Sorry it is hard to see and there are some water spots but for those that can see the specs there are about 20 that size.

 

Take a little car wax or polish and see if you can buff one away.

 

This is toward the peak of the hood on the passenger side by the windshield. Longest of them all but same depth or color.







This one is new however mildly unrelated. It is about halfway up the rear bumper. Trying to determine if this was some uncaring person at work or a self inflicted wound. Washed Saturday and this wasn't here, today is the first day I've driven her since the wash and bam.... I assume this can be touched up.... Grrrr

 

$300 to $500

 

Seeing the photos, I am surprised you cannot feel those by running your finger across them? I would get a magnifying loop and a good light to see them up close. Either they are dug in or overlaid on the surface. If that is not the primer showing through a scratch, I would start with a clay bar and if that did not do it, drag out the Random Orbital with some polish to remove it.

The rear bumper is an impact that is all the way into the substrate. Could have even been a kid on a bike!

 

Knock on wood, I don't have any rock chips on the front of my car. (I've probably just cursed myself.) I only drive about 1,000 miles a year, which is a big help. When I'm out driving, I always stay back 5 or 6 car lengths from the car in front of me. I don't drive on the expressways or tollways with my car because as others have said, it's difficult to maintain a safe distance with all of the knuckleheads cutting in and out.

I had my rocker panels re-painted several years ago because of rock chips. I do have a couple of small chips behind the rear tires, but I figure that goes with the territory. When I start working myself into a frenzy over small chips, I remind myself that there are guys out there driving Ferrari's and Lamborghini's who have the same problem.

 

I'll be getting a Griots around Christmas time so it will be a month or so until I can test all that stuff.

In regards to the rear, my car stays in the driveway so it went from therthere's 13mi and parked. No kids, no bikes. Only thing I can think of is a zipper on a bag, but then I don't like to think someone at my job is rude enough to scuff my car and not at least leave a note. I park faar beyond anyone else to prevent this kind of thin from happening but for whatever reason people still feel the need to park right next to me even though there are many open spaces closer...

Devil Dog - funny you mention those with exotic cars, I never thought about it until I had my vette now I definitely wonder how those people cope haha. Heck even those with C6s etc have to have it just as bad. It wouldn't really bother me if I hadn't recently read the repaint thread. Now I'm going to start learning how to paint so if the time does come I can accomplish it myself...

 

You're talking about people accustomed to paying upwards of $10K for "routine" service.
(Check prices for a timing-belt change on a mid-engine Ferrari if you don't believe me.)

 

A few months after touching up door edge paint chips and multiple washings, they were back, the same ones, not new ones. However a small 2 inch scratch on rear deck just behind the hatch is fine and the touch-up lasted. I was surprised but figured perhaps there was wax in them when I touched them up and just wasn't a good surface for proper adhesion. I retouched them up and we will see how they last this time. Wont know till mid-summer 2015 as its hibernating for the winter.

 

I don't live there, but in my trips to the LS State, I have to agree... Loco conductors in Tejas.... (I'm practicing my new national language skills..)

 

I drive in Texas and seems every drive results in a new chip. I just pull out Dr. Colorchip kit and most disappear, deeper ones can still be noticed but at least there not as noticeable. I always get compliments on its condition and appearance, I just enjoy it at this point. The paint seems 'strong' but a lot of debris on the roads here. I use a silicone sealer after polishing, this helps blend touched up areas. Car is LeMans blue.