fair few stone chips
Discussion
i`m now into my 27000th mile in my v8 and have been pondering a detail for some time but i have noticed recently a fair amount of stone chip damage around the rear arches and the nose of the car.is this something that is improved or emphasized by detailing??not really sure what to do.has anyone bothered getting a front end respray or is it too expensive to bother?i`d hate to shell out for a detail only to find the chips standing out more than ever.
Hi Tusc
Detailing will improve your car BUT The paint quality on these cars is very poor and if you wash your car incorrectly after detailing you will have all your scratches and swirl marks back in a jiffy! I know this because I did it myself. Washed my car myself after my detail with a Fleece wash mit (one bucket) and then shammied it dry and still managed to put all the swirls back in the CRAP laquer! The level of care you have to go to not to scratch these pathetic coatings is frankly ludicrous.
For front end chips you need the whole front end respraying by a reputable paint shop that will use a quality HARD laquer, something which Aston (and indeed most car manufacterers scrimp on these days!
Detailing will improve your car BUT The paint quality on these cars is very poor and if you wash your car incorrectly after detailing you will have all your scratches and swirl marks back in a jiffy! I know this because I did it myself. Washed my car myself after my detail with a Fleece wash mit (one bucket) and then shammied it dry and still managed to put all the swirls back in the CRAP laquer! The level of care you have to go to not to scratch these pathetic coatings is frankly ludicrous.
For front end chips you need the whole front end respraying by a reputable paint shop that will use a quality HARD laquer, something which Aston (and indeed most car manufacterers scrimp on these days!
cheers for the reply, i had noticed the paint seems to mark up very easily.to be honest it was in s
t order when brand new,covered in swirls from a quick wash and 30 second polish at the dealers.my main worry is not keeping it blemish free but accentuating the chips.i know there is no way i will get the war office(wife) to approve funding for detail AND front end respray!
t order when brand new,covered in swirls from a quick wash and 30 second polish at the dealers.my main worry is not keeping it blemish free but accentuating the chips.i know there is no way i will get the war office(wife) to approve funding for detail AND front end respray!ive done 40k and its well peppered 
had stone guards since about 8K miles and they do help, but dont catch them all
You can get extended armourfend (film) above the rear arches - thats what I will have when I get it resprayed - ive seen a few dealers doing it on new demo cars - for the sake of £50 etc its got to be a no brainer
the paint itself is common of low volume manufacturers with this new water based stuff - the actual finish is good, but durability/resistance against stone chips is bad ...personally it seems to affect plastic cars more than steel ...and as the Vantage is more and more plastic these days it dosent surprise me it picks up the chips ...add in a light base coat and it looks a mess within a year
my Lotus had the same probs, the only solution was a respray, then armourfend film - 80K miles later it still looked like new, so I will do that again..
had stone guards since about 8K miles and they do help, but dont catch them all
You can get extended armourfend (film) above the rear arches - thats what I will have when I get it resprayed - ive seen a few dealers doing it on new demo cars - for the sake of £50 etc its got to be a no brainer
the paint itself is common of low volume manufacturers with this new water based stuff - the actual finish is good, but durability/resistance against stone chips is bad ...personally it seems to affect plastic cars more than steel ...and as the Vantage is more and more plastic these days it dosent surprise me it picks up the chips ...add in a light base coat and it looks a mess within a year
my Lotus had the same probs, the only solution was a respray, then armourfend film - 80K miles later it still looked like new, so I will do that again..
Out of interest, what is the best way of cleaning the car. I have an Onyx black car and have been using fleece mit and shammy. Definately showing swirls..
Incidently, i have mudguards and also the rear arches are fitted with a film which i believe to be 'helicopter tape'. Havent got a mark on the arches yet. I saw a black 07 plate at the dealer at the time of buying without the above, arches were a mess due to stones...worth the investment of both!
Incidently, i have mudguards and also the rear arches are fitted with a film which i believe to be 'helicopter tape'. Havent got a mark on the arches yet. I saw a black 07 plate at the dealer at the time of buying without the above, arches were a mess due to stones...worth the investment of both!
try www.detailingworld.co.uk for all the information you could ever want on how to clean a car 
I have a black one too ....you just need to clean it carefully with the 2 bucket method so you dont put swirls in it
lose the old chammy for starters
2 new wash mitts
2 buckets - one for rinse, grit guard in it
wash in straight lines, start at the top
in the soap on bucket first, wipe, then rinse in the clean one with guard
do the mucky bits last
rinse with filtered water
dry with drying towels
then put your mitts and towels in the wash, ready for next time so they are always clean
an old chammy, even though it looks clean is usually more like a brillo pad
I have a black one too ....you just need to clean it carefully with the 2 bucket method so you dont put swirls in it
lose the old chammy for starters
2 new wash mitts
2 buckets - one for rinse, grit guard in it
wash in straight lines, start at the top
in the soap on bucket first, wipe, then rinse in the clean one with guard
do the mucky bits last
rinse with filtered water
dry with drying towels
then put your mitts and towels in the wash, ready for next time so they are always clean
an old chammy, even though it looks clean is usually more like a brillo pad
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