Glashub

One of my biggest complaints about Acura, including the 2005 I just sold, is that the paint and the windshield chip easily. I have just 2200 miles on my cat and already I have a chip on the grill, which I got on my way to get clear bra, 5 chips in the windshield (one pretty major) and 2 small dents in the chrome strip above the window on a rear door. Has anybody else noticed that paint, ect chips easily? Is my car taking an uncommon beating?

Thanks.

dwest1023

This happens on MOST new cars. Nothing much you can do but clear bra and take precautions. Stay away from ANY trucks on the highway. Keep touch up paint handy. Then there is the new pot hole repair........

Glashub

@dwest1023, I'm so glad to know I'm not alone. I thought I might have bad new car karma as a result of mistreating horses and chariots in a past life. Can't avoid big trucks and semis in Portland OR. The main freeway in town is the I-5 which is the main freeway for shipping up and down the west coast.

JM2010 SH-AWD

One thing I've noticed is that there is a lot more road debris bunched up on the side of the left lane ("passing" lane) on the freeway. You can be 5-7 car lengths behind a semi in that lane, and you're going to get pelted with that stuff just from the wind turbulence created by the truck.

So, when possible, I try to stay out of that lane and keep an extra-long following distance from larger vehicles in front of me (no matter what the lane).

It helps some. But I still have a couple of small rock hits on my windshield and the front (left) fender.

miketala

I've been to BMW and Infiniti forums, people have the same complaint.

Glashub

I'm sorry others have to suffer but.... I start to think the Car Gods got it out for me.

2010_TL

I just got my grille painted a couple weeks ago and I just noticed rock salt chips in the grille.

black label

There's not much you can do about it nowadays other than stay back from the traffic in front of you.

It's been pretty much determined that everything that makes paint strong and durable either causes cancer or is some type of poison to people and or the planet so we're stuck with shit paint.

Glashub

Really? Is that the reason car paint seems to have gone downhill? Makes sense.

xrays

I've got 'em too. This New England winter has been brutal on car's paintwork.

onekneedown

How many of you with rock chips also have a clear bra installed on those high risk areas?

Glashub

The clear bra seems to be doing it's job. It's the windshield and one of the chrome pieces on my car. My windshield needs to be replaced already. Same thing on the 05 TL..the windshield got pockmarked quickly.

dwest1023

i have clear bra but you still get little chips about the bra on the hood. I just touch them up. I think I had 2 very small ones. Cant even find them now. My TL is not a daily driver, so I am not exposed to a lot of rocks. Mt TL wont be on the road till all salt is gone. I have not driven it in 2 months now. I will seem like a new car when I do.

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

My 05 TL and touch up paint pen are pretty good friends.

SSGHutch

I had a clear bra and removed it because it was looking ugly around the edges after a year of installation. It didn't seem to stop many rock chips so my plan now is to just save up the money and repaint after a few years and add a couple extra clearcoats.

Morrissey25

iTrader: (4)

poor cat

Seriously though... I have the same problem with my 3G. Thin paint. As sad as it is, I am glad to hear that other cars are having the same problem.

Nexson

poor prep, that shouldn't be happening

paint doesn't chip because it is "thin" it chips from poor adhesion.


As for a new car, you can't help if a rock hits it. its bound to happen.

jspagna1

I have the clear bra on the beak and the front bumper cover as well as the 2 pcs just above the headlights. None on the hood and so far so good. The only good thing is that my wife works out of the house on bad days, so maybe that's the saving grace.

2010_TL

I was planning on getting the clear bra after the winter season.

Nexson

take it back to the shop and ask them why they did epoxy it.

2010_TL

I already contacted the shop and they told me that they would repaint it after the winter season to prevent more chipping from rock salts. So while its in the shop, I'm gonna have them detail, repaint the grille and install the clear bra on the bumper, hood, fenders and mirrors.

Nexson

Well, make sure they strip the grille then do it.

There is no chemical bond to the metal if self etching primer or epoxy primer are not used, other wise the paint will just chip off when anything hits it.

I painted my grille twice, second time using the correct materials
--sucks to learn the hard way!!!

2010_TL

We were discussing the steps that they took when painting the grille. They said that they would have to sand it down, primer and paint.

Nexson

just as long as they dont use urethane primer, some people don't understand these grilles are real metal!!

2010_TL

Ill make sure I ask them about it when Im getting it done. Thanks for the info.

TL Tech 18

I'm having the clear bra detail done to my TL this Friday, after having the car 3 weeks, I can't afford to wait any longer. So far, there are no chips. I'm having the entire beak, the two eybrows above the headlights and both side mirrors bra covered.
Around 400 prevenative maintenance dollars....
I'll try to do without on the hood bra..... seeing that the TL hood is not quite as sloped as my TSX was...

TRIUMPHT

iTrader: (1)

your not the only 1 i had a paint chip on the bumper ..and i parked my car came back the next week and a hairline crack was going across my windshield 2011 only had it since dec ..

jspagna1

You did'nt mention the front bumper cover?

Stew4HD

The paint on the Acura doesn't chip any more or less than any other car without extra protection. I have an '04 Ford F-150 that has many chips. My friends M45 has many chips too.

Yep, sand/pebbles/rocks/stones... gravel trucks, cement mixers... all dropping the paint eating debris.

As our roads deteriorate, it is going to be worse from both the worn roads and repairs.

Our windshields also pay the price. I am the proud owner of a pretty big star on my windshield from a rock. It's been repaired but it's only a matter of time until I am gifted with a new one

Rh6363

I am picking Up my TL tomorrow from the dealer. Dont know what I should do. Clear bra or go the old fashion way and get the leather. I had a is350 Lexus and omg the chips from rocks were never ending. I dont want to go thru that with the TL.

TinyRK

5500 miles on my TL. 2 paint chips and 2 huge ones on the wind shield. It will be replaced. Thank god iI only pay $100 for glass.

But it hurts... I feel your pain. And I commute 130 miles a day, so she is exposed to road violence

kenny powers

the chicago winter killed my front end also, i drove a lot on the highway this winter and all the salt they dump on the highway just blasted my front end, sucks!