Just curious how you all handel all the tiny chips and scratches especial if you have a black nismo. I live in MA and with all the salt, sand, and loose gravel my car takes a beating. Right now I'm thinking of taking it to my body shop in the spring and having him take all the little scratches out. Only problem is....

I have my car coated with "Touch of Class" (supposidly keeps the salt/sand/elements from wrecking the finish if they stay on the car to long) I assume my body shop will wet sand out the scratches which will take off the "touch of class" in those spots. Aside from protecting the car the "touch of class" is supposed to give the car a wet look. Wonder if the car will look lighter in some spots. Anyone have any experience with this or any suggestions on how to handel this problem with scratches.

How ocd is everyone here (ex. wipe the wheels down after you drive in crappy weather, wash it at least once a week, kills you to see it dirty, or dont give a flying &#*$ about cosmetics just love it for the way it drives.

MC I was especially curious how you handel this tracking the car. I would guess that you pick up some flying debris there, but everytime I see your car in pictures/videos it looks emmaculate.

Thanks

 

Mine has the clear bra and has never seen any rain. I would hate to have to fix chips on my car.

 

Hate to break it to you, but you got robbed with that "touch of class". The intended purpose you have mentioned is comical! That's what a wax does too! The things dealerships sell to unsuspecting buyers make me shake my head...

Are you referring to scratches in the clear coat or all the way into the paint? The former is a fairly easy fix but the latter is the opposite.

 

..What is touch of class? A sealant? Clearbra type film? I've never even heard of it.

 

I never believe any one who tells me a product will allow me to "never have to "X" ever again". Oh well, I hope you're able to sort this out. I was OCD about the car when I got it, but I've since learnt that it's car, and will always have its share of chips/scratches, unless it is never driven. Besides 99% of the time it's only the owner that notices these things anyways.

 

In a way I agree with you. I mean this "touch of class" is basicly some sort of spray on that protects the car, and yes I did get the sealant for the inside of the car, (I do feel like I got bent over by the dealer, but it gives me piece of mind up here in MA) but with that there is a lifetime gaurentee that if anything stains any part of the car and they can not get it out they will give you a new part of the interior. (at least that is my arguing point for when they pull their stealership crap). I feel like it was worth it for this winter anyways up here in NE the salt/ sand hasn't stained my car yet.

All the scratches are not very deep except for one tiny little spot on the edge for the gas cap opening where I accidently tapped the filler nozzel against it and made a tiny chip. In all fairness the chick on the other side of the gastank was eye ****ing either my car or me, but in any case she had a huge rack. I'm just happy I didnt put the hose through my window

its so small i dabbed it with a sharpe. When I told my girlfriend she couldnt even see it. So I think that statement about the owner noticing 99% of scratches is true. Thanks for the help.

 

3M clearbra - and I still noticed a chip on the edge of my hood the other day where the clearbra didn't cover. Can't win.

 

Heheh, yeah I got the clear bra as well. The kit that only goes part way up the hood. I looked at my old Z and there wasn't one chip more than 24 inches up the hood so I figured I was fine. 2 months later, I have one rock chip 6 inches past the clear bra. *shrug* Sometimes it's just going to happen.

 

I'm guessing you paid for the "touch of class" when you bought the car new at the dealers. I work with teh same company at my dealer as well. It's some of the worthless crap i have ever seen. I can't believe we sucker people into buying it for 500 dollars financed in the vehicle's price. Touch of Class is almost as bad as some over the counter wax. It's really that horrible. I know exactly what you are talking about. If i had a camera, i would take a pic of the kit here since i have it in my closet. That stuff isn't going to make your car "wet" or protect it. I can't say enough bad things about it.

I know how you feel with a black bumper. I got my bumper repainted about last year since i got the aerosync bumper. I have no problems with rock chips at all. My bumper always looks brand new. The stock clear coat really sucks on nissans.

 

I could almost go as far as saying it's actually worse than the stuff for 5 dollars. The window cleaner spray is nothing more than some windex with ammonia, the interior spray is just some quick detailer, the deodorizer is probably the only thing in that kit that actually do what it says it does. The sealant/wax is horrible. can't be used with a machine and barely sticks to the paint when doing it by hand. Wash the car twice, that "yearly protection" is gone. Our dealership buys these kits for like
30 bucks by the case.

 

eh. Live and learn. Thanks for the advice. Now I'll know for next time after I can convince my dad to get a GT-R

 

My best recommendation for you would be to contact a local pro detailer on the autopia.org forums. I am there as well and we have regional subforums just as on here. But make sure the one you choose knows what he is talking about. He will be able to tell you which of your scratches are polishable and which not.

 

As a painter I would say anything its coated with will come off with a good precleaning.Touch up with black touch up paint and wet sand a little and then buff it. Thats the best you can do without a repaint. Repaint then clear bra would be the best. Your problem is why I dont have a black car.

 

A clearbra is the best you can do. They have pre-molded bras for the Nismo or you can do custom bras which cover the entire front end.

I'm a bit **** about everything at the moment, but the car is still new. Once a few rock chips find their way onto the car, I probably won't care as much anymore.

I went on a group canyon run today and on a certain road, there were rocks flying all over the place. I was leading for the most part, so things were okay. But a bit later when I was following, a gnarly rock comes flying towards my windshield and leaves it's mark. I'm rather disappointed, but what can you do.

 

touch of class - ouch!