Paint chip questions for those driving longer/putting on more miles
 

I opted for the front bumper PPF from the dealer because it was free labor and only $200 for the film in my case, and I did my headlights with a ($50) XPEL kit from their website.

Quotes for full hood, fenders, along with rocker panels have been about $1500 in my area, which while reasonable enough is still pricey after forking out all the money on the car.

My question is, being my bumper and headlights are done, which is the next most high impact area? In most cases I'd guess fenders and hood, but I have some greater concerns about the rockers and fronts of the rear fenders on this car that only someone that has been driving the car for a while is likely to answer properly (i.e. not guessing).

I'd like recommendations based on experience with your car and where you have noticed the most impacts. Thank you in advance as I have been debating this over and over for days.

I put mud guards on my 2013 when I first got it. That's all I have done to protect the paint. The only "paint chips" / scars that I have on my car are under the front clip where I've run up on curb things.

I can't see them without bending waaaaay over, then I forget about them because my back hurts when I straighten up.

I suggest you just drive the car and not worry - ;)

Just drive. You will get scars. Chicks dig scars. It's not a Ferrari.

If the bumper and headlights are already done, I would just leave it alone. The bumper is most prone to chips. I have very few chips on my hood or fenders. When driving on the highway, give extra space between you and the car in front of you.

If I was compelled to do anything it would be the hood and roof. This is where 80% of my impacts are.

My plan when mine comes in is paint correction, 3M PPF on the front bumper, fenders, hood, and A pillars; possibly the side skirts. Might just do the splash guards. All of that, topped off with ceramic coating.

On the roof! Just quit tailgating these - :eyebulge:

I have no choice but to deal with dump trucks. We are in the very heart of gravel country due to glacial activity. You remember watching those recede?

I ended up doing the front bumper, headlights, emblem, full hood, full fenders, door cups, sideskirts, mirrors, a pillars, roofline, luggage area, piece behind the rear tires and a piece for the rear license plate.

I just got a quote for full front clip, IE mirrors and everything forward for $1200 + $800 to ceramic coat the entire car.

I may also throw in the front of the rear wheels and right behind the rear wheels.

I would do the headlights in retrospect. Mine are pretty hammered and it's simple and small enough not to be a huge hassle to replace later.

I ended up doing front bumper, headlights, fender vent panel, and full rockers. I think that's where I'm going to draw the line for now and will just use touch up paint and some clear when I see anything else manifest.

I realize the car is gonna get hit, don't get me wrong; I just want to minimize certain areas is all...

Thanks for all the input and replies!

On my 2013 with 75kish the front bumper is trashed, everywhere else still looks decent. apart from one chip right above the windshield which I believe Tcoat referenced.

I bought it used so didn't bother with PPF, but when I get a new one i would definitely do the front bumper and headlights (if even just for the UV protection, since modern headlights seem to fog up after 5 years)

Well the top of the windshield on my Lava was horrible.
It wasn't until I sanded it down and touched it up (poorly) that I realized that it was probably my own bloody fault!

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/BarrenDisf...se-max-1mb.gif

:clap: lol

I have thousands of miles of hard canyon driving behind people with sticky tires. do the hood, fenders, and roof line. the OEM ppf on the rocker has been good enough

My front bumper looks like pepper flakes everywhere after 80k mostly highway. It’s inevitable. From 5ft it looks fine. It’s my DD not a show car and have no plans to sell. Maybe I respray one day, let’s see.

I have hood, bumper and side mirrors.
Dont think its necessarily worth spending the money for the rest....
I havent encountered the above window bombardment (which is probably the other part you'd want to protect, since the car is so low its a vulnerable spot) yet but i havent done a whole lot of highway yet.

In any case i try not to drive anywhere near semis or dump trucks....if one is near i am booking my ass past it as soon as possible and hope a rock chip hits my window if there is one flying.

Besides, rock chips will tend to find spots that isnt covered anyways. I think our BMW X1 (which has front protection as well) has a rock chip that managed to hit the edge of the hood....our hood film doesn't wrap around the edges of the hood lol

Also...i live in Alberta. No one really expects to be rock chip free at all, especially in winter. You can have a brand new car and the next day you will get a windshield chip just by driving on the freeway lol. Best you do is minimize the damage with the film and deal with any chips lol.