Stone chips…

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Discussion

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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Yes this is probably a very boring topic but after some advice/ approval from people.

I have a Clio 3RS 200 (with its newly installed spacers…). These cars have a problem with stone chips on the flares rear arches but after washing the car yesterday I noticed a fair few. I’m not sure how much of this is due to the spacers but I imagine it’s the main cause. Annoyingly I’ve noticed this before a round trip of 600 miles this coming weekend so I’m expecting to come home with a fairly scared car but there’s nothing much I can do now.

(Pic below is of the left side arch, pardon the curbed wheels. They’ve been booked in)



After noticing the above I’ve ordered some black T cut, touch up paint and some PPF.
The idea os to use the black T cut to help the lighter chips/ scratches and then touch up the more offending chips. After that I’d polish (or maybe T cut again?) the area and apply the PPF.

I know it won’t be perfect but that should help lessen the current damage and also prevent it happening further. Does that make sense or am I just hoping?

snotrag

14,925 posts

218 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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It doesnt work on all cars, but on a Clio RS with its motorsporty-style looks, you could get away with some black vinly stoneship protection. Definitely works on Black/Solid Red/White etc.

They get absolutely battered on my Elise from the front wheels, but then you just replace them every so often for twenty quid.




ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Friday 12th May 2023
quotequote all
snotrag said:
It doesnt work on all cars, but on a Clio RS with its motorsporty-style looks, you could get away with some black vinly stoneship protection. Definitely works on Black/Solid Red/White etc.

They get absolutely battered on my Elise from the front wheels, but then you just replace them every so often for twenty quid.

That Elise looks fab!

I think clear is the way to go on a black car. On other colours for sure but I think it would just look off. Clear should help hid the existing chips well after they get a touch up anyway.

Dog Star

16,471 posts

175 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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I’ve an Alfa 159 estate as my daily. It’s got a lot of chips at 136k where the rear arches flare out. I had them blown over and fitted front mudflaps. It has ppf from the factory but the coverage isn’t enough. If it was worth the bother like your Clio I’d just have all the vulnerable areas ppfd

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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Dog Star said:
I’ve an Alfa 159 estate as my daily. It’s got a lot of chips at 136k where the rear arches flare out. I had them blown over and fitted front mudflaps. It has ppf from the factory but the coverage isn’t enough. If it was worth the bother like your Clio I’d just have all the vulnerable areas ppfd
Yeah I’ve got 2 30x50 cm sheet coming so I can just cut them down to size and should have the arches protected for a couple years. The. Just do it again when needed

paintman

7,765 posts

197 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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ToTheBrapMobile said:
Annoyingly I’ve noticed this before a round trip of 600 miles this coming weekend so I’m expecting to come home with a fairly scared car but there’s nothing much I can do now.
Just how hard are you going to be driving it?

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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paintman said:
Just how hard are you going to be driving it?
Fairly. I’m going up to the Peak District…

I’m not particularly precious about things like this, especially on a 10 year old car. Just something about this has niggled me. I think I’ll just see what I can do when I get back. Not much use worrying about it now.

Plus you can’t really see it unless you are looking for it. I imagine a light touch up will do the trick. Then the PPF should mask a bit more of it.


ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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The general idea. Could be an inch taller but it’s deep enough to cover a couple inches infront of existing chips.

V8covin

7,860 posts

200 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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For ppf to adhere properly the paintwork needs to be devoid of wax and polish

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Friday 12th May 2023
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V8covin said:
For ppf to adhere properly the paintwork needs to be devoid of wax and polish
Does T cut fall under that?

V8covin

7,860 posts

200 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
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ToTheBrapMobile said:
Does T cut fall under that?
Well it's made up of polymers which usually means silicone which is the last thing you want when trying to stick anything to it.
In my opinion anything under the t-cut brand is to be avoided, it's all utter crap

Belle427

9,738 posts

240 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
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No easy way to do it really, ideally needs painting then the ppf applying.
Or get busy with a cocktail stick and some paint yourself before the ppf.

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
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Belle427 said:
No easy way to do it really, ideally needs painting then the ppf applying.
Or get busy with a cocktail stick and some paint yourself before the ppf.
I think this will be a cocktail stick fiasco

RS_MAN_CHILD

290 posts

276 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
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Get the Megane RS rear mud flaps Renault do some of those might need modding to fit your car though....its simply impossible to keep a car pristine sadly even PPF has flaws (parking in direct sunlight is something which causes issues as the PPF starts to come off your car needs to be parked most of the time under cover in a garage for PPF to remain effective).

No PPF installer is ever going to mention that either for obvious reasons......!

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Saturday 13th May 2023
quotequote all
RS_MAN_CHILD said:
Get the Megane RS rear mud flaps Renault do some of those might need modding to fit your car though....its simply impossible to keep a car pristine sadly even PPF has flaws (parking in direct sunlight is something which causes issues as the PPF starts to come off your car needs to be parked most of the time under cover in a garage for PPF to remain effective).

No PPF installer is ever going to mention that either for obvious reasons......!
Mud flaps on Clios look OTT. I know the car won’t be pristine. Just some PPF to help protect really

ToTheBrapMobile

Original Poster:

99 posts

20 months

Wednesday 17th May 2023
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Quick update. PPF is done. Very happy with how it turned out. Some angles you can’t even see it and when you can it’s subtle