Protecting fresh paint

[priobe]

I just had my car painted and I would like to know what is the best thing to use to protect the car when driving.

1) I have seen 3m clear - but I heard it takes away from the shine.

2) The front mask - not that attractive but it helps and I dont know where to get it?

3) any other ideas?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by priobe

I just had my car painted and I would like to know what is the best thing to use to protect the car when driving.

Originally Posted by priobe

1) I have seen 3m clear - but I heard it takes away from the shine.

1: Do not install 3M clear on fresh paint, allow paint to breath and the clearcoat to continue to outgas for at least 2 months with temperatures above 50 degrees

Originally Posted by priobe

2) The front mask - not that attractive but it helps and I dont know where to get it?

2: Do not install a front end bra of any kind, allow paint to breath and the clearcoat to continue to outgas for at least 2 months with temperatures above 50 degrees

Originally Posted by priobe

3) any other ideas?

3: If you are that worried about paint chips, do not bother driving the car on anything but smooth clean dry pavement. If you are driving the car on the street, paint chips will happen no matter what you do as the car sits lower to the ground than most vehicles around it.


Bill S.

[priobe]

ok Thanks for the info.

Is there anything after the curing period to minimize the chips?

[Randy Rosenberg]

"Patina" in the front means that you drive and enjoy your car...

[jhv48]

My FFR had such a thick clear coat on the paint that it NEVER chipped after 15,000 miles of hard driving.

My SPF has loads of chips already after just 1900 miles.

Get used to it!

[RedBarchetta]

You are going to get chips with these cars; it's part of the deal. Even with a super hard commercial urethane finish, the cars just sit too low and they attract everything. I got upset with the first one or two, now I just get out the touch-up bottle and dab some color on them. Look at my gallery...car looks stellar. If people point out the chips, I just tell them, "Yup, I drive it like Steve McQueen."

Single stage industrial solids are probably the most chip resistance for street driving (I have this on my Z06, and it's still bad). All two stage color/clear finishes were designed to look pretty and not be as durable. Mercedes paint is incredibly hard and durable (has ceramic in it), but for some reason it also scratches easy and is a b**** to buff out.