[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

I have noticed that some occasional spots of paint being chipped off started to appear here and there on the hood and front bumper (see pic, that's the deepest and most "severe" I could find so far). I know it's unavoidable: you drive, things (stones, pebble, sand, other road debris) fly here and there and hit you car, it could even fly from the other side of the freeway going the opposite way from the faaar off right lane from a tiny car going 30 mph...

A question for people who had their cars for quite some time (for like 6 months and more): how badly does it get over time? Should I buy like a pen paint and kinda start adding drops of paint to spots like that on the pic? I don't wanna wrap my bumper and part of hood because it looks very ugly, but there is not much more protection against this, right?

 

[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

Oh also forgot to add windshield started to have some tiny spots like that on the pic of "missing" glass material. Of course due to the stones, pebbles, sand, etc. hitting it. How badly could it get with the glass?

 

[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

I've done some extensive research and stumbled upon that thing called 3M Clear Bra. It's like an "invisible" protective film that's good for up to 5-6 years. It's quite pricey though, but do you think it's worth a try? Also I have found some spray kits also 3M, and they are good up to a year. I don't know, I'm think of ordering spray kit and trying it out as I cannot install that Clear Bra due to the closest professional installation location being in SoCal, that's 7 hr drive from where I live :/

 

[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

First of course I gotta do a lot of touch up paint job, probably will turn it in to a good body shop because I won't be able to do it myself properly

 

[reddog99]

If you drive it, it will get chipped, and there's no way around it. Get used to seeing it, because it won't stop. Some people claim that the Fiesta's paint is brittle and extra prone to chipping, but with near 120k on Fiestas, I haven't seen any evidence of that.

 

[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

Well I kinda approve that FiST paint is brittle and extra prone to chipping - I have quite a few, and some of those are pretty big and deep! I do understand that it'll get chipped, the only way to eliminate exposure to chipping is not drive it I was just wondering how bad does it get over time, meaning in like a year would I have to repaint the whole front bumper and hood and maybe replace a windshield because it'll be screwed up beyond "holy crap!"?
Also there's a actually a way, but it's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth the money since it's at least 5-6 year investment, it's called Clear Bra. have you heard anything about it?

 

[Neeqness]

Well I kinda approve that FiST paint is brittle and extra prone to chipping - I have quite a few, and some of those are pretty big and deep! I do understand that it'll get chipped, the only way to eliminate exposure to chipping is not drive it I was just wondering how bad does it get over time, meaning in like a year would I have to repaint the whole front bumper and hood and maybe replace a windshield because it'll be screwed up beyond "holy crap!"?
Also there's a actually a way, but it's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth the money since it's at least 5-6 year investment, it's called Clear Bra. have you heard anything about it?

I've heard about it but I've never personally used it. From what I've seen while looking for a good tint, 3M seems to be pricy somewhat due to their brand name. There may be good alternatives out there that are cheaper bit I don't personally know of any. For the glass, you could probably try a near clear tint to use and maybe it will help but again this is not my area so a second opinion would be useful here.

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[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

I have found a place in SF, gonna visit it this Saturday. The guy uses Invisiguard, which is a bit cheaper then 3M and Xpel 9Xpel being the priciest one), but he has 5 stars on yelp, 60 reviews people highly recommend them. I'm just worried if he can do touch-up paint as well, because I got quite a few chips in the hood and bumper so before he puts clear bra all those spots gotta be touched-up with paint :/

 

[Neeqness]

I have found a place in SF, gonna visit it this Saturday. The guy uses Invisiguard, which is a bit cheaper then 3M and Xpel 9Xpel being the priciest one), but he has 5 stars on yelp, 60 reviews people highly recommend them. I'm just worried if he can do touch-up paint as well, because I got quite a few chips in the hood and bumper so before he puts clear bra all those spots gotta be touched-up with paint :/

Is that San Francisco or San Fernando?

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[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

San Francisco

 

[Smokin]

I've done some extensive research and stumbled upon that thing called 3M Clear Bra. It's like an "invisible" protective film that's good for up to 5-6 years. It's quite pricey though, but do you think it's worth a try? Also I have found some spray kits also 3M, and they are good up to a year. I don't know, I'm think of ordering spray kit and trying it out as I cannot install that Clear Bra due to the closest professional installation location being in SoCal, that's 7 hr drive from where I live :/

If you have it done by a professional it will be great. My friend's Mini has had it for years and you can't tell. No chips or dings.

 

[FiST_To_The_Clutch]

Yeeeeep. Going to a shop in Belmont, I think they use Xpel and 3M, hoping to get a full and detailed consultation. So far it's $350 for bumper and $450 for hood (or vise versa, but doesn't matter I'm planning to wrap both). Maybe I'll wrap side view mirrors and rocker panels as well, but we'll see. I'll post an update