Replying to Topic 'Paint chips...'
QUOTE
Light colors can be touch-up painted with a fair result. But dark colors -never even bother trying. Have the hood repainted.[/b]
I respectfully disagree - 1. I've had exceptional luck repairing dark colors. 2. Having the hood repainted can have a negative effect on resale. If it's not done right, especially on dark colors - it'll blink on and off "re-paint". Plus, it treats the symptom and not the problem. Same with a CF hood. You'll just end up chipping that as well - and how in the world do you repair that?
Personally - I'd fix the chips as best possible, perhaps going so far as to have a body man do the touch up work. Good paint guys can work some sweet magic. Then I'd have someone apply a clear mask to it (
www.xpel.com). That'll hide irregularities in the touch-up even more. I did it and don't sweat chips now.
If the touch-ups aren't good enough for you, then you can have the whole hood done or get the CF hood. But without some sort of protection, you're better off touching up and dealing with what you've got. It'll just return anyway no matter what you do.
Also - how you appraoch and follow other cars has a MAJOR influence on collecting chips. The manual even states words to the effect that at 50mph, rocks can be thrown onto the front of your car as much as 150 back. I adjusted the way I drove and for 2500 miles in heavy Winter weather, had nary a chip. Even had an encounter with a salt truck coming the other way. Then I got the clear mask applied.
