Stone Chips

[lloydie]

My S2 is being battered by the roads at the moment and i aquire stone chips every day. I have read about the different coating available but which is the best or do you bite the bullet and use chip paint!!!

[Bonce]

If you already have stone chips, there's not much point putting armourfend or similar coating on your car because you'll just lock in the paint defects. The coverings are so expense that I believe it's better to just live with stone chips and then if it gets really bad and you want to make the car look as good as new again, spend £300 or so on a front end respray.

[rich1989]

I have previously had armourfend fitted to an old GTI and woud only rate it to others considering it. Yes initial cost is off putting however, have been surprised at how easily the S1 has attracted stone chips since buying it last Sept.

So when I recently had front end resprayed (approx cost £500 as clam off job) I had armourfend fitted as well. My rationale being that one front end respray will pay for the armourfend fitted to all the car.

FYI I do around 10-12k miles pa and wanted a more permanent solution to those ugly stone chips. My pride and joy looks glorious now and I no longer worry so much. Hope this helps.....

>> Edited by rich1989 on Wednesday 23 July 17:22

[gregmund]

When I bought my s/hand Elise ('97 S1), the extent & consitency of the stone chips around the front & sills of the car was a good indication it had never been pranged/resprayed. So whilst it isn't as nice to look at at least I know I've got solid car.

[cinqster]

You may have to live with it...paint on GRP does chip easier than on metal. I was initially sceptical about this theory but my GP Spyder has only done 1000 miles since it was sprayed and it's chipped already -I go out of my way to avoid crap roads and keep back from other vehicles in it too

If it's any consolation I've been to see 3 Elises today and they all had front clamshell repaints!