Protecting the hood from chips

Repair chips first before applying 3M clear wrap....they are the bestOr if you want exotic carbon fiber wrapI have on my straight from Factory

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Increasing following distance helps. Not perfect, but it'll greatly reduce the incidence of chipping on the hood.

 

I get the impression you don't get much nose to tail traffic flows in your neck of the woods Mendel.

 

Oh we have our share, sadly. When my testosterone levels were higher I used to stress more. But nowadays I don't mind getting to a destination 30 seconds later, lol: if someone wants to get in front, I'm ok with it.

There was a good video on the subject of increasing gap, a guy in Seattle. Can't find it right now, but this might be related, might even be the guy:

One Driver Can Prevent a Traffic Jam - WSJ

 

The front cone on my car has many small chips that are visible when washing the car, and more than a few that are visible standing a few feet away -- if you are looking for them.

That said, I don't think I have a single one on the hood after 40,000 miles.

Boston drivers are unique, I suppose.

If I were to go back in time 14 months, I would consider clear film -- but only for the cone of the car.

FWIW, I found the pen worked OK, but since the edge of the chip is ragged and raised, the paint does not fill in the chip all that well -- and I am not up to buffing and sanding, etc. I think there is an art to chip repair that is beyond me.

 

Agreed.

My Dad always drove much too close to the car in front - scary, particularly when he was ageing, none of us would passenger with him driving. I sit back, but keep a good constant distance, much more relaxing. He bought a new car at much the same time as I did back in the '90s - after a few years, I washed it for him, the front was covered with stone chips, mine only had a couple. We've just sold it now he can't drive, the lower front looks like it was sand-blasted.

You'll get some in normal driving - I noticed one on the bonnet/hood of my PRIUS last wash. I think the "bra" looks odd, whereas a wrap is almost indistinguishable. An acquaintance had his front partial wrap removed, trouble was the gloss level under the wrap was like new, he had to work on the rest of the car to get it even. I'm not a fan of repainting either - even if you get a top quality job done, it's going to be detectable with a close eye. Some colours are easier than others. If it's not a good repaint, it can fade/crack/peel and chip easier.

But the other option - instructing a spouse on driving habits - may be the harder option. Much.

 

With an increased following distance too: when the brake lights on the car in front come on, as often as not you can get by with just taking your foot off the gas, avoid braking, just consume some of that extra gap. This is dead simple stuff, but...

 

And with DRCC, it rarely brakes, it just adjusts the distance. I set it for the middle of the 3 distances for most motorway driving, closer for in-city driving. And long distance driving with not much traffic on the road, I leave it on the furthest distance.

 

With DRCC it sometimes brakes unnecessarily. Yesterday I was driving home and the car in front was braking to turn onto a side street. The DRCC decided to brake as the car was to the right, out of the lane. It was set at 3 and the distance was not too short.

 

That happened to me again yesterday!My wife hates it when I use DRCC. Every time the car brakes now she asks - "Was that you or the car?"

 

If you're asking this question after taking the car home you're too little too late.

When I grabbed my Three and due to me "traveling" probably 2K a week I wouldn't take the car without a clear bra. Now this is where some due diligence is requi red because every Tom, Dick and Harry have clear bras for sale...Dolan Toyota of Reno has the best ish and they stand behind their work. I don't have manufacturer information but what I do have is cheap pricing and a lifetime guarantee without exception...especially against tears or fading.

I got a 9 piece that essentially covers the entire front of the car (side mirrors included)

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Amazing! That piano never gets older.

 

Mini-Bra (see my pics). Mine was on the car when I bought it (many thanks to previous owner!). Seems to be very effective!
Also, as others have said, "...BACK OFF!!!!" (it ain't Rocket Science! ...well actually it is (see Newton)!)

 

No, a good piano is long lived - and I'm expecting to last longer than me before it needs any real work - but could have an active life of maybe a century.

Better investment than cars.

 

Reminds me of the "fart" comment: "Was that you, or the dog?"

 

I've heard of people concerned to find a good home for their acoustic pianos, they are heavy and need periodic TLC. I went the electronic piano route, years ago when the kids were still pretty small. A Yamaha pf80, about 75 lb's. Still going strong, about 30 years later now.

Love the feel and sound of an acoustic though.

 

Not sure about lbs - but in KG, mine is 400. I bought it as a retirement present to myself - it's great a enjoyment to play, a Grotrian Concert 7'4".

If I ever have to move to a retirement village, that's when I'll have to contemplate a digital (or maybe get a "silent conversion" installed) - but, I'm planning on dying here!!!