after waxing my 'x', I noticed quite a few paint chips - on hood, front bumper, and a couple on the C pillars - these are about the size of a nail head. It only has 2300 miles so far.

My '02 ML320 has less chips than that. Based on this limited comparison, the Nissan/Infiniti paint does not hold up nearly as well.

My experience with touch-up paint has left much to be desired. Guess I will wait and see...

 

my car has 1200 miles and already some paint chips on the bumper ... -_-

 

That's why most of us recommend that your very first mod MUST be a clearbra.

 

Are touch-up paints available for the 05 colors? (In pen-type dispensers)

 

FWIW, I had the dealer as part of the last maintenence do some touchup paint on one spot where it was to the metal, since I didn't trust my success at adding touchup paint. (Based on experience 20 years ago). Doesn't look too good, but at least it shouldn't rust there now.

Hand washing/waxing the car this weekend, I noticed another spot on the other rear wheel well. Must have been another car door, though I try to park away from other vehicles. Luckily, not through to the metal.

I have the Infiniti car bra, for when I'm driving on the highway, which luckily means I don't have any chips on the front. I have found that they don't protect against rocks in the windshield, though.

 

1300 miles. I have 1 chip on the right hand side of the front fascia just to the south and forward of the corner marker light. It was there when I bought the car. It's smaller than a pencil point so I didn't make an issue of it..

I have been very lucky. Very. I do take a lot of precautions, but that's my choice - I prefer to minimize the damage to my car rather than arrive somewhere 30 seconds faster.. Know what I mean?

I watch the rear-view. If a semi-truck is going to overtake me on the highway, as they approach my rear quarter I de-cellerate to allow them pass me more quickly, then I resume. Same for 4 X 4s, box trucks, etc.

If I'm behind a dump truck, gravel hauler, log hauler, trash truck, etc, I wait until I have a clear opportunity to get around them and then I go for it. Until then, I hang way back, I don't mind. I also don't pass them while going over overpasses, bridges or anywhere where the uneven expansion gaps will cause $hit to depart their truck and introduce itself to the front of my car. I know you know what I mean - ever follow a dump truck over an overpass? OUCH!

If a car cuts me off or I see them coming and it's pretty clear that they intend to use the portion of my lane I have 'alloted' for my 'safe-following-distance' then I just back off and let them go. it isn't worth the hassle or the damage to 'box them out' and make them wait their turn. If I had a 1975 FORD LTD however... hehehe..

Rather than take the 4 lane through the middle of town I take the side roads. A couple of minutes added but lots less crap on the road...

Sounds excessive but if you were in the car with me I doubt you'd notice I was doing it. My truck will be 2 years old in June and it has one chip on the entire front end - if you didn't know it was there you'd never see it.

I keep ridiculous amounts of carnuba wax on the front of my cars too. (all over them actually - but I always throw two coats on the 'weather decks' whenever I polish/wax them - usually at least once a month) Don't know if it helps but the bugs and crap rinse off with the hose - no problems.

Agree that the paint on the front of these cars isn't as durable as other cars I've owned, but driving habits do play a part. There is only so much you can do, but if it doesn't cost you anything, why not do it?

 

I asked my dealer about "clear bras" this weekend when I had the car in for service. They did not recomed them. He said they are obvious on the car as you notice a difference in "sheen" when looking at them. He also said that they well yellow, crack and shrink over time. Can some who have had them for a while (1 year or longer) please comment. I have less than 5000 miles and I have many chips in the paint also.

 

due to some EPA bullcrap, Nissan along with other car companies had to change the paint, the way they paint, or something to that nature. Whatever they changed the result is paint that chips eaiser. you could blame the potsmoking tree huggers for that.

 

That must be the Japanese EPA if you believe that "bullcrap" since they are painted there not here...

 

"I have the Infiniti car bra, for when I'm driving on the highway, which luckily means I don't have any chips on the front. I have found that they don't protect against rocks in the windshield, though." ----You've obviously been attaching it wrong. The bottom loops go on the rear-view mirrors and the top ones on.....


"due to some EPA bullcrap, Nissan along with other car companies had to change the paint, the way they paint, or something to that nature. Whatever they changed the result is paint that chips eaiser. you could blame the potsmoking tree huggers for that."--------Probably related to the workers' health in not having to inhale volatile hydrocarbons. It might even protect the surrounding communities.

My Subaru (2002) paint is very easy to chip. I have a plastic (OEM) guard-wind deflector on the front of the hood. It would not look on the G!

 

im pretty sure it has to do with some worldwide enviromental protection agengy thing. im also pretty sure that the US didn't enter it. so the new paint goes for foreign cars only.

 

I have two. One has been on my 2001 Corvette for over 4 years. No worries, no obvious yellowing. The other has been on my 2003 G35 sedan for about 30 months. No yellowing, no problems. Both of mine are Xpel kits from the 3M film. The G35 is expecially susceptible to chipping. The areas of both cars that are not covered clearly shows how much easier it is to chip the G35 paint than the Corvette paint.

 

After driving through New England this past winter I picked up about 30 new paint chips. All pin head size all down to the bare metal.

 

yep, it's normal to have it chipped up. Mercedes new paint (nano-paint) is a little stronger than other manufacturer's paint, but is still susceptible to chips. The only way to not have chips:

1. turn your g into a garage queen
2. clear bra

Here are some pics of a coupe we recently did for the entire hood plus the usuals (mirrors, lights, bumper, fenders) - https://g35driver.com/forums/northern-california/51580-clearbra-installed-bay-area.html