[VoyagerDude]

I'd like to ask your collective opinion.
The next day after taking delivery of the car we went to Canmore (about 100kms) for lunch to celebrate.
Upon getting there I noticed 2 rock-chips that tore the 3m protective film and damaged the paint on the hood. I never even noticed any rock hitting the hood. The damage is about 2mmx6mm and 2mmx4mm.


I bought the exterior protection package with the film and basically I'm covered for any repair costs via the dealership.
Today I had my service appointment to fix it and have been told that I have 2 options.

1. Touch up the the 2 chips. Which left the colour darker and not smooth, more like a groove.
2. Have their body shop repair (there is also a small dent under the bigger chip) and repaint the hood

Then the 3m film will be reapplied in both cases.

Considering winter is still coming up what would you do? Live with the touch-up repair or repaint a 3 week old hood?

[zzinco79]

2mmx6mm and 2mmx4mm?? what a huge chips!!

But still, I would just do touch up.

[CA06]

If you don't have to pay for it, I'd opt for repainting the hood. It takes more time but the end results will be better than touch up.

[VoyagerDude]

Originally Posted by zzinco79

2mmx6mm and 2mmx4mm?? what a huge chips!!

But still, I would just do touch up.

using inches that's about 1/12in by 1/4in and 1/12in by 1/6in

[VoyagerDude]

Originally Posted by CA06

If you don't have to pay for it, I'd opt for repainting the hood. It takes more time but the end results will be better than touch up.

Yes I'll be happier about the end result. But something feels wrong about repainting a 3 week old hood. I guess I can do it in the spring.

[zzinco79]

Originally Posted by VoyagerDude

using inches that's about 1/12in by 1/4in and 1/12in by 1/6in

I'm better in metric system. the US system just confuse me more.

Still they are hugh chips.

[VoyagerDude]

Originally Posted by zzinco79

I'm better in metric system. the US system just confuse me more.

Still they are hugh chips.

Just helping out bro

[zzinco79]

Originally Posted by VoyagerDude

Just helping out bro

US system sucks

[VoyagerDude]

Originally Posted by zzinco79

US system sucks

I happen to agree.

[andrew 330i]

touch it up.

if you repaint it... many more chips will appear... at a real rapid pace.

there is nothing like factory paint for durability.

[picus]

Originally Posted by andrew 330i

touch it up.

if you repaint it... many more chips will appear... at a real rapid pace.

there is nothing like factory paint for durability.

Absolutely agree.

[sbw]

Factory paint is best.

The film they put on your hood must be absolute crap. Are you sure it's 3M? Sounds like inferior quality to me.

I have the Avery clear bra on my bumper, hood and mirrors and it has been working flawlessly. I have two tiny nicks further up the hood and a bunch in the front air dam, on the painted gray plastic, so I know the clear bra has been saving the paint elsewhere — and doing a damn good job of it, too!

My clear-bra installer told me there's film out there that does little against flying rocks. He said he's tested many and finds Avery works extremely well, possibly the best.

[VoyagerDude]

I have the Avery Stonguard on my car.

Originally Posted by sbw

Factory paint is best.

The film they put on your hood must be absolute crap. Are you sure it's 3M? Sounds like inferior quality to me.

I have the Avery clear bra on my bumper, hood and mirrors and it has been working flawlessly. I have two tiny nicks further up the hood and a bunch in the front air dam, on the painted gray plastic, so I know the clear bra has been saving the paint elsewhere — and doing a damn good job of it, too!

My clear-bra installer told me there's film out there that does little against flying rocks. He said he's tested many and finds Avery works extremely well, possibly the best.

[VoyagerDude]

Well I've picked up the car with the touch up done and film reapplied.
You can certainly see the dark touchup, but not from about 4 feet.