Im at 17k and my back lower kick panels where everyone is seeing the dmg is thrashed!

Esp from the Ice melting rock that they put on the roads for snow, it looks like i have a white dryed mud sprayed on the corners but its all chipped paint!!
Its really bad but i figure i might as well wait the winter out before i get it repainted and throw on some mudflaps!

 

I just read this whole thread with some interest. My SE has no paint issues and/or rock chips, and I wonder how many of those that do applied multiple layers of hard sealant of the paint. I'm curious, because I took delivery of my car unprepped, did all the work myself, and began layering a protective coat on that paint from day 1. The car is driven in Upstate, NY, where we aren't know for great road surfaces, it's driven hard and its pilot hates to slow down. Even so, the paint has remained unmarked. Granted, maintaining the paint on a constant basis isn't for everyone, but perhaps it's an option for those who'd rather not use mud flaps or a clear bra.

 

Evo X SE??

 

No, sorry, it's a IX. GG like yours.

 

gotcha

 

Hi guys, got a bit of a disappointed news. I recently installed some mud flaps just to prevent rock/sand/road damage. Guess what, after 2000 miles, the cars was fine driving on normal roads, freeway, local, and paved roads. But once winter hits, I took my car to the mountains to visit family, and drove through rough areas (mud, small rocks, ice, snow, at 30-40 mph), I saw lots of scratches on the tail end of the side skirts... And I do mean LOTS. It sucks, but with my phantom black paint, it's only noticeable at an angle, and can be concealed with a a THICK layer of wax.

But this is very disappointing, I pay over 33k OTD, hoping for some kind of protection from the bumper to bumper warranty, called all the dealerships around my area, none are willing to help unless they get a recall. Unless corporate get over 1000 complaints, by letter, phone, email, they wont even budge.

I have some resources to draft a class action law suit letter, I am not too sure this will do anything but be posted on some auto blogs, but doing something is better than nothing. Anyone interested?

Just for comparison sake, when I drove a 2008 VW Jetta, went through the same situation, with chains for that matter, zero damage, nothing at all at the passenger doors, or the side skirts.

 

I don't want to take this thread OT, and I'm hoping this will help you and some of the other folks experiencing similar issues. A "THICK," as you say, layer of wax does two things: it makes the product more difficult to remove, and it needlessly wastes the wax, as the paint only sees what's in direct contact with it. That's why it's suggested to use the thinnest layer possible when applying a wax/sealant.

If a wax or a glaze covers-up the scratched paint, it contains a lot of fillers and doesn't do anything to solve the problem. Hairline scratches, like you describe, are easily visible on black and red paint, especially in direct sunlight. The only way to fix this is to use a machine, like a dual-orbital polisher, and polish the paint. It isn't difficult and it's very effective. If the scratches are very light, an OTC product like Scratch-X can be used by hand. It's not as effective and requires significantly more work, but it can be done. HTH

 

does scratch x actually remove the scratches or fill them in?

 

Scratch X is a very light polish and will actually remove scratches but your better off getting something else if you want to remove scratches but no polish will ever remove a scratch if its too deep or down to the primer/bare metal.

 

i have the same problem with my evo x i just bought it three weeks ago with 500kms on it and once i noticed the chips and the dealer noticed as well i took it back in to be detailed and painted i got a free starter though because of the damage

 

^ Whats a free starter?

 

i have the same problem on my red gsr its getting detailed and painted right now the dealer is paying for it

 

Agreed all around. Scratch-X is not a replacement for a machine polish. It's very mild and it's best used as a stopgap measure. Those interested in trying it should check the manufacturer's site for an instructional video. Personally, I use it with a MF to polish the area behind the door handles that's impossible to reach with machine.

 

No product is going to help with this issue, because the rocks eat well into the primer. Scratch-X will only (barely) work on very fine clear coat scratches, which are hard to see to begin with.

Deeper clear coat scratches can be removed with compound and/or sanding and a machine buffer. The EVO suffers from paint chips, not light clear coat scratching, in those areas. Nothing will hide or fix it. If it bothers you that much you'll simply have to have the area/car repainted.

My car's been through ONE snow storm, and I bought it with 8 miles in October. The rear of the skirts / doors look lightly sand blasted already.

 

That's been covered.

Scratch-X's effectiveness was covered, as well, as was the ability to notice the scratches with ease.

The suggestions above weren't aimed at paint chips, but at the scratches described in the quoted message. So, what's your point?

Nothing will fix what? Paint chips or scratches? Dare I say, that was covered, as well. Thanks for the riveting revelations.