First rock/gravel chips on the paint. Is this the point where you stop caring and live and let live?
Posted by Jcienkus@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 33 comments
When did you stop obsessing on the new car with stuff like this?
twelfthfantasy@reddit
Get touch-up paint. Don't ever leave bare metal on your exterior or it will rust
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
If you wax regularly and live in a mild climate it doesn’t. I have chips that are from 1995 and still haven’t rusted.
JSTootell@reddit
I live in California. I have a 1995 retired ambulance with only a hint of rust, and I ignore it 😂
Ok_Two_2604@reddit
If you tow a Miata to the track with it, we have talked a few times at thunder hill.
JSTootell@reddit
Not I. I don't tow with my van, and I don't have a track car, and I don't have a Miata 😔
twelfthfantasy@reddit
Congratulations on not living in NJ I guess
El_Pollo_Del-Mar@reddit
it's an honor and a privilege.
twelfthfantasy@reddit
If you're planning on never reselling the car, get touch up paint in a contrasting color so you can still identify the battle scars 😛
Jcienkus@reddit (OP)
lol
daubs1974@reddit
Oh hell, no! Go to the dealership and purchase touchup paint. Hopefully you get the kind that comes with a paintbrush. Thoroughly clean and dry the area, dip the brush in the paint and then brush off the excess use the tip of the brush to fill in the rock chip. Only touch with the tip of the brush, never drag it around. Let this dry, and often that is enough. If you want to go next level, let it dry add a second coat, let that dry, wet sand it with 2000 grit sandpaper and polish it up. You can even add a coat of clearcoat at the end and wet sand that down if you like. Don’t just accept it. Do something.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Dealership? That's cute.
Use automotivetouchup.com
Great quality, great match, good prices.
czarfalcon@reddit
I used Chipex and can attest it matches great.
Jcienkus@reddit (OP)
Just ordered it
OneEyedDoofus@reddit
I personally don’t care, only a matter of time until I lose the belly pan too like I do with every fucking car I’ve owned. I stopped buying nice cars, I have a motorcycle if I want to go fast and look cool plus a lot less to go wrong from absolutely nothing. Just lost my Jetta belly pan a week ago, no potholes or nothing, pulled up to the house with it scraping. I don’t get it.
H0SS_AGAINST@reddit
I just dab super glue on the chip to inhibit rust and prevent it from spreading. Still wash and wax and even in the winter I try to spray it off when it's above freezing.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
Less than a year old, had a rock come off a dump truck and knock a hole in my grill. Never did get it fixed and 15 years later, it fits the rest of the truck.
Crzymk101@reddit
I used to worry about paint chips, dents,scratches till it made me sick... Older 6 speed manual vehicles are the best especially if they are paid off..
espressocycle@reddit
This is why I drive shit boxes.
Crzymk101@reddit
👆🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻💯
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
When you choose not to get PPF.
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
Get the small tube with the brush in it or the paint pen style (depending on the size of chip) from automotivetouchup.com.
Do your thing with it... then possibly look into a clear film to cover the front end.
Majestic-Mess3912@reddit
Never done it but wish I PPF at least my front bumper
Brilliant_Account_31@reddit
A. Don't buy new cars. B. Paint is a wear item. Fix it eventually if you want to. It's not a big deal. You can't see it from inside the car.
natedogjulian@reddit
Try living in northern BC. Chipped paint and cracked windshield is mandatory off the lot.
VerrueckterAmi@reddit
I bought a new car in December. It was the most I’d ever spent on a car. Just had my buddy detail it and ceramic coat it. That’s when I noticed five or six sizable chips in both rear quarter panels above the belt line. I almost regret having had the work done on it. The chips really show now. Still trying to figure out how they could have happened in the rear of the car at that height. Thinking it was backed onto the transporter on the lower level and it got pelted while driving across the country when delivering to the dealer. I should have inspected it closer upon delivery. Lessen learned. Hopefully the ceramic will protect it from rust for a few years.
gotcha640@reddit
We have a guy at work who throws a bunch of old steel scrap and chains in the bed when he gets a new truck, so it’s already scratched up and he can get on with using it.
PPF or plan on a respray in a few years.
04limited@reddit
After about 3 months I give up. Rock chips is normal wear & tear. No point in losing sleep over it. You can either do a clear bra or just run it as is. It’s $500-700 to spray a front bumper should it ever get really bad, or when it comes time to sell.
benz58@reddit
Then the old 'Invisible bra."
Downtown_Reward_6339@reddit
Touch them up and move one.
Jcienkus@reddit (OP)
That’s the plan
cookie-ninja@reddit
Yep. Get a paint pen for the ones bigger than your pinky the rest forget it. If this is a 100k+ car, consider a good PPF.
Jcienkus@reddit (OP)
It's a 2026 Honda Civic
cookie-ninja@reddit
That's pretty new, if you really care about the appearances you can consider a front only PPF that'll cover 90% of your rock chips. But that'll cost ya if it's good quality