[John in VA]

Another member here noted that Xpel has a product called TRACWRAP for DIY temporary paint protection:
https://www.xpel.com/shop/paint-prot...-film/tracwrap

[Speedytriple]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Maybe I'll just go with a clear wrap on the front.

Thanks again.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

I have over 20 years on my 4X4 truck & it runs on & off road. No film, no spray, no bra & the paint is still in excellent condition.



It lives outdoor gets & washed maybe every six weeks at the gas station car wash. This picture was taken a few weeks ago when we were having some remodeling done on the house. Truck has a fresh wash in the picture but right now its green from the pollen.

Think the whole paint issue is a major first world problem.

The problem is your car and how you drive. We have nothing on the X5 and the paint looks great with 80k miles. It also helps that it's grey so blemishes blend in. But my wife's black CC, even at stock ride height, is completely peppered on the front end. Because the car is lower and she drives it more aggresively, i.e. closer to peoples bumpers so more stuff gets kicked up to your bumper.

I put a clear bra on my 4 series in the first week and had no problems. I only did the front bumper and 1/3 of hood/fenders. A few months later I lowered the car, and boom I instantly start getting pepper marks just above the clear bra line on my hood .

So yeah, can't compare a truck to a car.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by kern417

The problem is your car and how you drive. We have nothing on the X5 and the paint looks great with 80k miles. It also helps that it's grey so blemishes blend in. But my wife's black CC, even at stock ride height, is completely peppered on the front end. Because the car is lower and she drives it more aggresively, i.e. closer to peoples bumpers so more stuff gets kicked up to your bumper.

I put a clear bra on my 4 series in the first week and had no problems. I only did the front bumper and 1/3 of hood/fenders. A few months later I lowered the car, and boom I instantly start getting pepper marks just above the clear bra line on my hood .

So yeah, can't compare a truck to a car.

Maybe its just the roads up there suck. We use slurry for snow not sand or gravel. As far as use, off road hunting trips are not exactly without risk.



FWIW on car vs truck 10,000+ miles 3-3/4" ground clearance. Of course I would never dream to run the two lane blacktop moonshiner roads aggressively.



This one had about 32,000 miles when the 435i picture was taken.





Seriously, Will have to chalk it up to different actual personal experiences but have lived in New Jersey, UK & NC without any real noticeable damage from typical daily driving.

Did about 28 years Jersey Shore to Wall ST. when I was in country, 25,000 miles a year in a 67 Stingray. Car went through a few engines but same deal nothing noticeable on the paint.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Seriously, Will have to chalk it up to different actual personal experiences but have lived in New Jersey, UK & NC without any real noticeable damage from typical daily driving.

Did about 28 years Jersey Shore to Wall ST. when I was in country, 25,000 miles a year in a 67 Stingray. Car went through a few engines but same deal nothing noticeable on the paint.

Around here, the only way you don't get rock chips is if you drive slow and give other driver's tons of space. There's construction everywhere, a myriad of lifted trucks with no mudflaps, and not a lot of bumper to bumper traffic outside of rush hour. So you tend to be moving at a good pace. But the only car we haven't had an issue with is our X5, and that car is a few inches higher and has plastic lower valances so pretty easy to stay clean.

Although I can't believe your other comment. I've spent a lot of time in NJ and refuse to believe that someone lives there and isn't an aggressive driver

[MmmmmM2]

I try to keep my car off the freeway at all costs if I can. So far, so good.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by kern417

Around here, the only way you don't get rock chips is if you drive slow and give other driver's tons of space. There's construction everywhere, a myriad of lifted trucks with no mudflaps, and not a lot of bumper to bumper traffic outside of rush hour. So you tend to be moving at a good pace. But the only car we haven't had an issue with is our X5, and that car is a few inches higher and has plastic lower valances so pretty easy to stay clean.

Although I can't believe your other comment. I've spent a lot of time in NJ and refuse to believe that someone lives there and isn't an aggressive driver

You mean like cutting the line at the GSP/RT9 exit during rush hour? Would never think of such a thing.