Paint protection from rocks, road debris and small nicks?

[Jay666]

What does everyone to to protect the front end from small rocks, road debris and stuff?

When I first got my car used several months ago, there was not a scratch on it and now the whole front bumper and front lip are just completely spotted and littered with dots from small nicks and rocks and stuff. ARRRRRRRRRRGGG!

What the hell are you supposed to do to prevent this?

I did a lot of research and found this:
https://www.xpel.com/products/paint_...e=61&model=911

It looks like a great product, but I recently got a message from criminal who said that several people he knows (possibly members of this forum???) have this kit, and it looks like crap.

What do you guys use or do about preventing road debris nicks and does anyone have this product I posted above?

Please help!! I am replacing my front bumper and front lip soon and right after it's painted I wanted to have something done to it to protect it!

[Graphite]

yeah i dont really trus that film to stay clear for very long, especially after waxing.

i usually wash and wax regularly, and i don't get many splats i cant remove with a little elbow grease. rock chips though... you're gonna get them regardless - unless you just don't drive the car.

[Jay666]

That sucks man. That really sucks. I honestly thought I found the cure all product for it when I found that stuff. But if it looks like crap...

I dunno. Maybe I'll give it a try and see how it goes. If it looks bad after a while, I can always remove it. Other than the waste of money, I can deal with that.

Damn! Now I'm pretty upset.

I am going to get another car as a daily driver, so... that will also help.

[Graphite]

Yeah it sucks. Try looking for the film by 3M. I believe they make the same stuff. Might be better quality

[burgandybomber]

i use what they call touch up paint. its a mrevelous thing haha

[Graphite]

Originally Posted by burgandybomber

i use what they call touch up paint. its a mrevelous thing haha

so do i, but the more chips you get, the more likely you're car is going to look like it has measles.

to use touch up paint on metal surfaces, you have to be thorough: wash car, use acetone to remove wax buildup, apply small amounts at a time till you get desired effect, let dry completely, and hope it looks smooth after another waxing.

bumpers are another story. if rocks chip it, they dig deep into the plastic and it usually makes a crater that is hard to mask with just touch up paint. usually you just need to refinish it.

if i were to use that plastic sheeting i'd justdo the bumper and leave the hood alone.

[burgandybomber]

yeah i bought mine from a guy who drove alot of highway miles through construction. it was a little crazy at first but i got it all taken care of and looking decent. i know what you mean about the bumper. i had a really gnarly one. i just got some putty and carfully sanded it and hit it up with paint. its a pain in the ass but its worth it for my car

[Jay666]

Touch up paint looks like hell on the bumper. Because it's plastic, and because there are simply soooooo many little tiny nicks because it's so close to the ground.

I was going to get a carbon fiber hood anyways, so rock nicks won't be an issue there and I won't have to protect it with the plastic, and I was going to have the bumper and lip protected with the plastic stuff.

[JeremyTc]

Yes touch up paint looks like hell regardless >.< i am a FREAK when it comes to a clean car, due to my years of detailing at a dealer i guess lol, the best thing we found was a quality clear film, on white it may discolor after a long period but on a color car you should just see the color. You can get a bra but there alittle ugly in my own. and if you do get a bra make sure to take it of periodically to clean underneat, there known to cause rust

[Jay666]

Yeah, I'm the same way. I can imagine you're worse since you worked as a detailer. It just drives me NUTS! My car didn't have a scratch on it when I got it!

I can't get the bra anways, as I have the lip kit. I would consider it if I didn't, but they're kinda ugly and can cause other problems like you said.

I think after I replace my front lip and front bumper and have them painted, I may get that front vinyl clear protective coating I was refering to.

[JeremyTc]

one other option is the get a "Rock guard" coating under the paint,its leaves a little bit of a rough look, if you look at the bottom of alot of vw's and others they have it on the rockers and bottom of doors, it works wonders!! Maybe you can get that sprayed, then sanded to a smooth finish before paint, always an idea

[Jay666]

I used to have a VW a few years ago, I know exactly what you're talking about. I didn't realize that's what that was for though.

How is that acheived and how exactly does it help?

[navylife59]

You still get nicks and scratched paint, just not as easy. It is basically rubberized undercoater that can take paint.

I have the Xpel kick panel guards for the mud guards aka side-skirts. After 2 years, they still look good. I can usually get the scuff marks off by waxing or with rubbing compound. They don't appear to have yellowed at all.

[Jay666]

How would one obtain this coating for the front lip?

Is there some sort of way to buy an applyable "kit" or something?