I think I'll probably be very bummed out. 
OCD/paranoia ATTACK
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 0
From: Walker MI
OCD/paranoia ATTACK
I've driven my 08 7500 miles and have had it just a day short of a year, but last time I washed it I noticed a rock chip on the mirror and one on the hood... I know it's inevitable, but how do you guys deal with it without having a panic attack?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 4
From: N.E. GA
My Vette's first "wound" was inflicted by it's owner. While hanging an item on the wall of the garage, the hammer hit the nail wrong, and the nail flew into the Vette's door, leaving a bb-sized nick. My wife was horrified. After the initial trauma was over and days had passed, we both got over it. All we did was take a black permanent marker and fill in the tiny spot and it is invisible to most people (except the ones who know it is there).
You'll survive and after that first little bit of damage, you feel much more relaxed with the car since it is no longer "perfect."
You'll survive and after that first little bit of damage, you feel much more relaxed with the car since it is no longer "perfect."
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Chantilly VA
Drove mine home from the museum after picking up on the R8C program, pulled it in garage, hit yard rake hanging on the wall. Rake falls down on left front fender, gouges paint causing large nick. Owner crys as car hasnt been in garge 2 minutes! Tell me thats not a damn shame!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Drove mine home from the museum after picking up on the R8C program, pulled it in garage, hit yard rake hanging on the wall. Rake falls down on left front fender, gouges paint causing large nick. Owner crys as car hasnt been in garge 2 minutes! Tell me thats not a damn shame!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
From: Victoria BC
If your in Canada you can use a place called Color Works - they come right out to you and do the repairs on site - They airbrush, polish etc - you can't even tell it was there when they are done - I'm sure there is a similar service in the US
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: WV
If you drive the car it's going to happen. What made me feel better about it was going to different car/Vette shows and seeing other Vettes. Almost all of them have nics, scratches, blemishes, scuffs or some sort of "wound". Just try to accept it. The sooner you do the better you will feel. Trust me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
I don't get upset anymore. I just see it as a new challenge to make it right again. And when it done right, I feel pretty proud.
Chips are usually easy to fix and there are quite a few instructions on the internet on how to do it. If done right, it should be very difficult to see.
I once discovered a .5" round chip on the driver's front fender of my 1971 Corvette down to the fiberglass where a metal rake had obviously been knocked off the wall. I had just spent years completing an off-frame restoration and did the paint job myself, so this was pretty upsetting.
I meticulously repaired it and blended in the color and clear coat over a 3 foot area. After I had finished it I could not see the repair.
Chips are usually easy to fix and there are quite a few instructions on the internet on how to do it. If done right, it should be very difficult to see.
I once discovered a .5" round chip on the driver's front fender of my 1971 Corvette down to the fiberglass where a metal rake had obviously been knocked off the wall. I had just spent years completing an off-frame restoration and did the paint job myself, so this was pretty upsetting.
I meticulously repaired it and blended in the color and clear coat over a 3 foot area. After I had finished it I could not see the repair.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
My C6 got two scratches on the drivers door and I don't even know how they got there. The car was in the garage. I think my brother hit it with something, but did not to tell me.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 644
Likes: 1
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I've found that the more I obsess and worry about keeping the car perfect, the less enjoyment I get from driving it. My car is a DD and things ARE going to happen. As they do, I'll try to fix what I can and accept the others. My main focus is on enjoying the performance and driving the car, not worshipping it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
one time I pulled over to help a lady jump start her car, so i parked right next to her. when she opened the door to her car the wind took hold and slammed her car door into mines. I was furious, and almost said some things, but composed myself because she was so apologetic. i looked over the door expecting the worst, but turns out, there wasnt even a mark on there. hahahhaa hollelujahhhhhhh for fiberglass baby.
in any case, its just a car, and things could be worse.
in any case, its just a car, and things could be worse.
