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Rock/sand chips in new car finish, window and headlight lenses

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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 06:07 AM
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Not sure where to post this...so mods feel free to move if I'm in the wrong section. I went on a road trip this weekend in my new 535i. Well the weather turned bad and I ended up getting multiple chips in my windshield (not big enough to be stars, but large enough to be seen and drive me nuts). Also two miles from home yesterday a vicious wind came up and blew sand and rocks all in the front of my car, pitting the paint and head/fog lamp lenses. Looks like I have 15 - 20K miles on the car rather than the 1100 it actually has. I can deal with the paint touch up, but any tips on how to get the pits out of the light lenses and can the windshield be "touched up". I know these things happen when you drive your car, but would like to minimize the damages if I could. I have tried the plastic polishes in the past (even using my buffer) with very limited success.....

thx
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by HotLap' post='504997' date='Dec 10 2007, 10:07 AM
Not sure where to post this...so mods feel free to move if I'm in the wrong section. I went on a road trip this weekend in my new 535i. Well the weather turned bad and I ended up getting multiple chips in my windshield (not big enough to be stars, but large enough to be seen and drive me nuts). Also two miles from home yesterday a vicious wind came up and blew sand and rocks all in the front of my car, pitting the paint and head/fog lamp lenses. Looks like I have 15 - 20K miles on the car rather than the 1100 it actually has. I can deal with the paint touch up, but any tips on how to get the pits out of the light lenses and can the windshield be "touched up". I know these things happen when you drive your car, but would like to minimize the damages if I could. I have tried the plastic polishes in the past (even using my buffer) with very limited success.....

thx
Great question... I too, am curious as to what people do about the light lenses.
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 07:27 AM
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Auto Geek.net has a lense cover compound that you apply with an orbital , they show a good demo and the before and afters are pretty amazing !

Good luck
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 07:31 AM
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Windshields can be repaired.

BUT: The impact will allways be visible, and the repair can only be done up to a certain diameter and never when it is in the drivers vision (security reasons).
Those repairs just help having an even windshield, so that the wipers are not getting damaged and that the windshield can't crack completely.
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='505020' date='Dec 10 2007, 11:27 AM
Auto Geek.net has a lense cover compound that you apply with an orbital , they show a good demo and the before and afters are pretty amazing !

Good luck
Gracias!
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:13 AM
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Yeah, thanks Dubya. I had heard somewhere that this could be done. You are kinda the man
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:23 AM
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I have 400 local miles on my 535 so I haven't experienced any pits or chips yet. But I have read a lot about BMW's paint leaving a lot to be desired. I drove my lincoln into the ground, it had 70,000 miles on it and the paint and headlights had no pits or chips whatsoever. Is it really necessary to put a clear bra on every BMW? They must be able to make the paint more damage resistant.
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by DynaSpy' post='505043' date='Dec 10 2007, 01:23 PM
I have 400 local miles on my 535 so I haven't experienced any pits or chips yet. But I have read a lot about BMW's paint leaving a lot to be desired. I drove my lincoln into the ground, it had 70,000 miles on it and the paint and headlights had no pits or chips whatsoever. Is it really necessary to put a clear bra on every BMW? They must be able to make the paint more damage resistant.
Definitely put the clear Bro/Manzier on the front. I would do the headlights too. I didn't do the headlights right away which I now regret.
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by DynaSpy' post='505043' date='Dec 10 2007, 09:23 AM
I have 400 local miles on my 535 so I haven't experienced any pits or chips yet. But I have read a lot about BMW's paint leaving a lot to be desired. I drove my lincoln into the ground, it had 70,000 miles on it and the paint and headlights had no pits or chips whatsoever. Is it really necessary to put a clear bra on every BMW? They must be able to make the paint more damage resistant.
DS, I hadn't heard anything bad about BMW's paint...mine seems pretty good...just that direct hits with rocks, etc. will tend to chip. I don't think in this case it was weak paint as I could hear the debris hitting the windshield, etc. I too had a Lincoln LS 2001 V8 Sport several years ago and it was a nice car for sure!! I really like that 3.9L V8 and the way the steering wheel tilted up and the driver's seat slid back when you removed the key. That car handled exceptionally well as I remember!

Cheers!
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by westcoast550' post='505020' date='Dec 10 2007, 08:27 AM
Auto Geek.net has a lense cover compound that you apply with an orbital , they show a good demo and the before and afters are pretty amazing !

Good luck

Westcoast, thanks!! I'll check it out
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