Stone chips

[daycartes]

I'm rather disappointed that my 62 reg A6 s-line has a number of stone chips on the front bonnet. I haven't followed anyone too closely but it must have happened in the last week as I wash/ clean it often and would have noticed them. There are hardly any on my 10 year old A4 (Silver) and after 100,000 miles on my C6 A6 (Dakar Beige)there were but one or two. The paint (oolong Grey, just seems to be a lot thinner than on the above cars and it looks oh so easy to chip. It may be that the grey / black shows the chips up more than on the other two cars.
I used the carnaubi wax just after I bought it and the car came up really well.

I have just ordered some touch up from ChipEx and will try it out. I hope that by using this it will not invalidate the 3/12 year paintwork/bodywork guarantee. I take it that stone chips won't be covered by the guarantee, as it could be construed as external damage?

What do the rest of you think about the quality of the paint?

[zollaf]

proper paint was banned and all we can use now is water based paint because its better for the world.

[Guest 2]

Nothing really you can do, all cars are prone to stonechips whether they're 1 day old or 10 years old thats just it.

Remember the wider the tyres too the more prone to chipping.

Chipex won't invalidate any paintwork/anti corrosion guarantee.

My A3 has about 15 small indents on the windscreen and I've only owned it 1.5 years and I expect to need a new windscreen come MOT.

[Kieron Mullan]

After having to get my A5 Cab bonnet re-sprayed because of stone chips after 3 years - I'm a bit **** when it comes to maintaining my cars - I'm currently looking at getting the front bonnet, wings, bumper and wing mirrors clear bra'd. Expel Ultimate (http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_protection_film.asp)has had a lot of rave reviews for a few years now, but the £1,500 (incl VAT) that I've been quoted (1st quote) is a bit more than I was expecting. Going to a local wrapper at the weekend to see what other (cheaper) options are available.

[JimC64]

I'm rather disappointed that my 62 reg A6 s-line has a number of stone chips on the front bonnet. I haven't followed anyone too closely but it must have happened in the last week as I wash/ clean it often and would have noticed them. There are hardly any on my 10 year old A4 (Silver) and after 100,000 miles on my C6 A6 (Dakar Beige)there were but one or two. The paint (oolong Grey, just seems to be a lot thinner than on the above cars and it looks oh so easy to chip. It may be that the grey / black shows the chips up more than on the other two cars.
I used the carnaubi wax just after I bought it and the car came up really well.

I have just ordered some touch up from ChipEx and will try it out. I hope that by using this it will not invalidate the 3/12 year paintwork/bodywork guarantee. I take it that stone chips won't be covered by the guarantee, as it could be construed as external damage?

What do the rest of you think about the quality of the paint?

Personally I think the paint isn't that great

Its really hard as far as detailing etc is concerned ( ask and pro detailer ) and yet a bird dropping left on for any length of time can easily leave an etched in mark??
SERIOUSLY??

Personally now, I see a bird dropping on my car and its removed as soon as its spotted............leaving it too long and if you're lucky only a pro detailer can remove it more or less.





proper paint was banned and all we can use now is water based paint because its better for the world.

Bang on the money there Zollaf.....good point, everythings now all nice n lovely n water based!





Nothing really you can do, all cars are prone to stonechips whether they're 1 day old or 10 years old thats just it.

Remember the wider the tyres too the more prone to chipping.

Chipex won't invalidate any paintwork/anti corrosion guarantee.

My A3 has about 15 small indents on the windscreen and I've only owned it 1.5 years and I expect to need a new windscreen come MOT.

As per Chris - Stone chips are prety much only avoidable if you don't drive the car.
Slow down, don't drive too close to the car in front and think good thoughts.......





After having to get my A5 Cab bonnet re-sprayed because of stone chips after 3 years - I'm a bit **** when it comes to maintaining my cars - I'm currently looking at getting the front bonnet, wings, bumper and wing mirrors clear bra'd. Expel Ultimate (http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_protection_film.asp)has had a lot of rave reviews for a few years now, but the £1,500 (incl VAT) that I've been quoted (1st quote) is a bit more than I was expecting. Going to a local wrapper at the weekend to see what other (cheaper) options are available.

Wouldn't be seen dead in my car with one of these bra's........just my opinion.
A protective wrap of sorts may be a good idea though.

[Kieron Mullan]

Wouldn't be seen dead in my car with one of these bra's........just my opinion.
A protective wrap of sorts may be a good idea though.

Thats the whole idea of expel ultimate, or a well fitted clear bra, you don't see it.

[Passatier3]

My wife's Mini is just the same. 3 years old and only 15k. miles and yet the bonnet and wings have numerous stone chips. Could understand it if she did 20 miles each way to work like me, on A roads and dual carriageways but she doesn't. Most journeys are 4 miles to work in traffic! Will probably have the front resprayed in the future as she is keeping the car. As said, paint looks to be very thin.

[Whippy53]

Just google 'BMW paint problems" horrifying. Thought Audi paint was going to be better but I guess not.

[JimC64]

Thats the whole idea of expel ultimate, or a well fitted clear bra, you don't see it.

Yes the clear bra's ( almost like cling film over your car )......I've seen them.

These, if fitted properly, do look great. Obviously if done as they should be, no one would ever know anyway...lol

I think though to be fair, you need to start with almost flawless paint, as any stone chips / scratches etc will only be highlighted, so really
its best done from new!

[Allroad_2013]

Some years ago I was told by someone in the industry that some of the things added to water based paint are actually more harmful to the environment than what was in cellulose based paint - either he didn't mention specifics or (more likely) my memory has reformatted the part where it was stored due to fragmentation - so I haven't the precise details.

[cynic mode] Whenever the EU is involved in passing member state laws you can usually be assured that it wouldn't have been done for the right reasons, but rather for the benefit of those with a vested interest. [/cynic mode]

[Passatier3]

Not surprised, it's just the same with these so-called green fuels. And in the end it's us that end up having to deal with the problems. :zx11:

[Whippy53]

Some years ago I was told by someone in the industry that some of the things added to water based paint are actually more harmful to the environment than what was in cellulose based paint - either he didn't mention specifics or (more likely) my memory has reformatted the part where it was stored due to fragmentation - so I haven't the precise details.

[cynic mode] Whenever the EU is involved in passing member state laws you can usually be assured that it wouldn't have been done for the right reasons, but rather for the benefit of those with a vested interest. [/cynic mode]

You have reformatted your memory? WOW now that's impressive! Was that done under a local or a general anasthetic?

[Allroad_2013]

You have reformatted your memory? WOW now that's impressive! Was that done under a local or a general anasthetic?

Alcohol actually!

[Whippy53]

I tried that, system crashed!

[JohnEx]

I thought it was just the non-metallic paint. My ibis white BE was new on 1st March and it's now done 6000 miles. Stone chips appeared within the first few days as well as a small but visible gouge out of the spoiler. I seem to have to use the touch up stick every week. To say that I'm disappointed with the paint is a massive understatement. I previously had a deep sea blue A4 and the paint was much better that this. I'm really careful with it too, keeping a distance and all that. Maybe it's a coincidence that there's a lot of surface dressing done at this time of year - just as a load of new cars hit the road. I've given it a coat of Angelwax Drift wax to try and get a layer of protection on it which makes it easier to clean but doesn't protect from the flying debris. When I mentioned to the dealer that I wasn't happy with the paint he said that I should have taken the Super Guard (or whatever it's called) option. I didn't reply....

[turpal]

If the paint is good its worth clear vinyl wrapping.