Paint chipping?

[proES03]

Has anyone had there paint chiped and whats the best thing to do about it. I havn't even had it 3 months and I noticed a small chip on the rear driver side door. Its not that noticeable but I want everything to be flawless at least for the first couple of years.

 

[Matthew]

good luck, especially if assholes park next to you like they parknext to me...i could try to take up 18 spaces by parking crooked and someone will still squeeze in next to me and ding my door! argh! sorry had to vent..

as for the chips, its expensive as hell to get fixed from the dealer, i dunno about an independent person...i know they should know what theyre doing, but when it comes to body work and paint i feel more comfy with the dealer.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the paint on these cars is noticably thin and prone to chips. it is something you will have to get used to

 

[Dimitrios]

Good luck; I've had mine (Protege5) since May and I just noticed a 1/4" chip on my front passenger wheel lip. I had to find a small mammal to torture I was so irate (after 4 freakin months!!! damnit!!)

I suggest you compress that "first couple of years" into something like "first couple of months". The paint is thin and as the Captain said above, get used to it - I will probably end up repainting the SOB when it gets too unbearable and am unable to keep up with the chips (knock on wood that it doesn't reach that point)

 

[proES03]

So there isn't any cheap ways to handle this problem, like touch-up paint or something to that nature? Can a special kind of wax help stop the chipping?

 

[Dimitrios]

Touch up paint is OK...not the greatest stuff ever devised by a car manufacturer to sell or offer...tough to make it look right on ANY car.

Waxing helps, but you may still get chips.

I'm not a big fan of (car) bras , but if you feel that might help, more power to you.

There is a product known as Rock Gard or something to that effect. It's a clear film (thicker than most) that applys to the front end of a car. They are custom cut (made) for each car (i.e. custom kits for 3rd Gen Protege's, etc).

Here..found the link:
www.stongard.com
I'm thinking of getting mine done.....

 

[Mike R]

Heck I've had mine for less than 3 months and the front end is about half bare from chips...well it's not that bad...but none of my other cars had this many chips.

FYI- I bought all my other cars with over 100,000 miles, and the P5 only has 9000.

 

[Dimitrios]

/\ Damn, not that bad here....I have the Midnight Blue so any chips show up like a sore thumb.

Really, I'm going to start checking out paint rates. I'd rather get a nice couple of thick coats on instead of worrying about the paint all the time; yes, it may add weight, but the long run.......

 

[brokemp3]

if you want to protect it take it to a body shop have it cleared with a couple of coats and it will be fine. touch up paint is a waste of time, you will never get it to match. you got to have it filled in with spot puddy. and have the paint blended in. thats why it cost as much as it does