Folks,

I'm a recent NBP TL-S owner. I'm so paranoid about road nics scratches, etc. I know about clear bras, but I'm not sold on it just yet, basically because of the visible line which is created (too bad they couldn't taper it more at the edges). Also, I've found little nicks high up on the hood and above my front wheel, which the clear bra wouldn't protect anyway. I try to stay a good distance behind the car in front of me, but it's not always going to be possible.

How do you folks keep your NBP clean and nic/scratch free?

Thanks!

 

Sorry to burst your bubble but keeping your car nic / dent / scratch free isn't necessarily achievable if you use your car on a regular basis.

You can fix nics, dents and scratches but you can't prevent em.

It is inevitable.

The Clear bra is your best option unless you get a full nose mask which will look crappy.

 

yup, just park away from other cars, NBP is a tough color to maintain, I live with rock nicks etc as it's going to happen no matter what, even if you get the bra, it'll probably hit past it.

 

Wax it, keep her polished, and buff the scratches.... and touch up the paint when necessary

 

 

Get the clear bra. At least it will provide some protection. NBP is a love hate thing - nothing looks as good as it, but it's impossible to keep it perfect. I have probably 15 -18 rock chips. I have a PC and i buff out all of the normal swirls that all cars get, and the car never goes with out at least 2 coats of sealant on it. There is just no defense against rock chips except maybe a clear bra. I wish i had gotten one.

 

I'm repainting my front bumper and getting a clearbra in the next month. Believe that.

 

waxxxxx

 

i gotta wash mine every week

 

Sorry for the ignorance, but what's a PC? And what type of sealant are you talking about, normal wax/polish, or something else?

 

Wax 10x more then any other color

Holly Cow I can't believe I bought a black car

 

yea it really is inevitable...some jerk left me with a nice long key scratch on my hood. I'm thinking of going CF hood, but we'll see. Looks like I gotta re-zaino the hood once i get it fixed (or replaced)...

 

PC is an acronym for Porter Cable and it is a dual action buffer. See post #8 of this thread. The term sealant usually refers to a synthetic wax and has more durability than a natural wax like carnuba. More info on sealants can be found here. You should visit the Wash & Wax Forum here at Acurazine from time to time.

 

never park your car near any remote heavily populated area... if there is foot traffic (no) if there is any sort of traffic no... pretty much if there is a tree around nope...

npb hazards
#1 water stains
#2 bird dropping
#3 Finger Prints (look like friggin smudges)
#4 swirl marks
and #5 door dings

 

I always took good care of all my cars, even if it was red or green. What you could do BESIDES get the clear bra (wich I recommend) is at spring find a good bodyshop buddy and make him do all the retouche or buffing for you. That way everyyear your car would be lookin like new.

The price depends on how your guy is workin, with my NBP since it's a CRAZY BLUE/BLACK paint it costs me 450$ for the hole car and a clear bra installation. The guy did an awsome job and I already booked my appointment for next year.

I bought an 2004 so I discovered alot after the first wach .

Oh yeah I forgot the best way is to keep it in your GARAGE

 

For the WInter just wax the hell out of it and when on the freeway put a nose cover....I have had a few dents taken out by this guy who worked at DENT WIZARD's...which he said are a ripp off....they overcharge..anyway chips will happen and in time you will learn how to deal with them, funny how you know where they are but...your friends will look at the car as a whole and love it....bet you do the same with your friends cars and not point out the dings....

 

I see the DINGS on everysingle car guess im cursed...

 

ALL my cars have been kept DING FREE. Learn how to do it. Keep 10 extra pounds off.

And DON'T PARK in a bad place. OR DON'T GO THERE. I have decided to NOT go to places

I planned on going because I couldn't find a GOOD ENOUGH place to park. PERIOD...

 

Thanks Haw!

ReD-BaRoN - Listen to Hawhyen51, he is THE man when it come so car cleanliness.

 

Its pretty hard to keep an NBP perfect! I am also very anal about stuff like that and am very carful while driving. I have never taken my car on the highway due to rock chips and debris, but still manage to gather some rock chips. I wash my car once a week and use eagle one wax as you dry protectant to keep my vehicle nice and shiny and waxed between major waxings use microfiber towels to wash and dry. I also keep my car under a car cover everyday at work to keep it shielded from the sun. Ive had my car for about a year now and looks pretty damn good minus a few rock chips, but always expect to see some swirls!

 

honda's paint seriuosly needs rework..

 

Well kids, let me tell you about dings.....how do you avoid a bird crashing into you window pillar when you're doing 100 mph on the MA Pike... , or a seagull dying and bouncing off the hood of your car when on the NJ Turnpike...you can't so deal with it....or find a dent guy that will help you out...I park on a assigned spot at work and so does my wife....we take the Jeep when we go shopping to avoid parking a mile away but life has it's ways of getting even with you so...on that note.....I wish I could keep the TL parked and just wash it on the weekends but I rather drive it and deal with NATURE's wrath.... damn birds..

 

I'm glad to see someone mentioning the Eagle One 'Wax As You Dry' product. I used this on my '01 Alero, '97 3.0 CL, and now I have the TL. I've been reading alot in the Wax & Wash section lately...and I think now I'm paranoid about using any product on the new TL, haha. I don't have NBP...luckily one benefit of CGP is that it doesn't show the chips / scratches as much

To the OP, like others have mentioned, keep the car clean, try to be conscious of where you park, etc. Unfortunately, our entire lot fills up at my work, so I'm going to always have someone next to me, and I avoid the very end spots only because people flying around the parking lot I'm afraid might hit it. I try to get the spot next to the handicap spot that no one parks in. Also, I try to inspect the car often and deal with any chips / scratches accordingly right away...

Good luck!

 

lots of wax, or just don't ever look at the front of your car close up

if you're going on a long road trip, invest in a leather bra and just slip it on and when you get to your destination throw it in the trunk.

but yes to parking strategically. I stay away from trees with berries. I always park at far corners and get at least an inch from a curb. I even sometimes check the grade of the asphalt in shopping lots because carts can go stray and if you're at the bottom of the grade, the cart only follows suit.

 

I Hate Dust!

 

How I protect my NBP? I traded it in on a ASM.

 

Yea I know what you mean. I have a Royal Blue Pearl TL... darkest color other than black. But once a very thin layer of dust is noticeable (i run my finger over the hood) it feels like your hard work washing the car has gone to waste..

oh man.

 

Get California duster