First of all - Happy New Year's to everyone. Now on to the message.

I've been driving my car for less than 3 weeks... and I already have a scratch on the front hood by the bumper, and also after a very-spirited-highway-drive the other day I now have a small chip in the paint which reveals the metal underneath...

I'm pretty upset about this, as I would expect this "wear and tear", just not within the first month.. I take meticulous care of my car and keep it away from almost ALL potential danger ^_^

I would like to do all that is possible to protect my car... tomorrow I will be applying several layers of Zaino after claying the car down (I already washed it with Dawn and put a cover on it overnight, due to the rain).

Do you guys think that a buncha layers of Zaino polish/wax will protect the car against this kind of damage ? Or should I consider investing into one of those 3M invisible hood covers ? Or how about those visible bra's that some people put on their cars...

If those are good, what about washing the car regularly and waxing ? It seems like it might be a pain in the *** to take it off and put it back on everytime I wanted to wash or wax..

Suggestions are heavily welcomed =)

-slay

 

Zaino is great stuff. It will help protect your paint against things like bird droppings, but don't expect it to do anything against impact, like stones.

For that, you need to get 3M film.

However, some people have still had stone penetration through the film, plus it's fairly expensive

 

I just pondered the same problem as you. What to do with the hood and front bumper of my DB Touring.

With the paint being so soft, I already have about 5 rock chips. It doesn't seem to matter how careful you are.

I am not willing to put a $1000 "sticker" on the front of my new car so I went with the old school black bra from Nissan.

My husband and I put it on over New Year's and I must say that it looks pretty good. In my opinion, it doesn't take away from the look at all, even on the Daytona Blue.

In the long run, I feel that the leather bra will offer more protection against those annoying chips than the thinner, more expensive 3M film.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I guess I am unlike alot of other Z owners. I expect some chips here and there. Because I expect them to happen, I dont get too excited about them.

The way I look at it, the car is expendable and replaceable. In 5 years from now, I may be looking at other cars to purchase and I will completely forget about those dings/scrathes/chips.

 

On any car I have everytime I wax it if there are any chips I about cry especially over the 1st one.

 

u washed your car with dawn?
is that a dish washing soap?

 

It sure is. And its pretty darn abrasive. It shouldn't be used more than once or twice a YEAR tops. I probably wouldn't even use it at all, for fear of damaging the clearcoat. You just have to be careful with the stuff. The idea is that it'll strip any wax off, but I worry about the clearcoat, too. I'd think a good wash and then a claybar will be plenty to get wax off the car. But I worry a lot...

 

when i read it and saw dawn, iwas saying to myself 'isn't htat dish washing soap, doesn't that stuff strip the clear coat off the car'