Hi, all,
Since I moved to AZ 3 years ago, my poor MINI has been exposed to flying sand and tiny (and not so tiny) rocks chipping the paint on the front of it's smiling face above it's teeth (ok, above the grill on the hood!) I've replaced 3 windshields already due to flying rocks, and that's just on the freeway.

I was going to get some touch up paint and dab it on, but I don't think that's going to work too well. Even the dealer paint never seems to match just right.

Is there a best method to touching up this problem. Is it too late to get a bra for the car to prevent further chips, and do they help or are they just a pain to navigate around and take away from the beauty of the car?

All thoughts and methods are welcome!

Thanks,
Paula

 

I have seen, used and heard of several different chip-repair products which have - or have not - worked to some degree. I have used traditional bras in the past and frankly never cared for them or the maintenance required to keep moisture out and grit from working its way in and damaging the paint.

When I picked up my MINI in Dec., I had a chip in the hood within a week so I immediately had a clear bra installed on the front bumper, full hood, mirror caps and headlights. So far, it's done a great job in protecting the paint and headlights and is virtually invisible. Here's the thread I posted about it and the tint which was done at the same time.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...l-applied.html

 

I bought a product called Dr. Colorchip and it works pretty well to make them much less visible... but it's kind of a pain to apply.

After spending $100 on the touchup paint I found out from my dad (who works at a Honda dealership) that they can do professional rock chip touchups in their body shop for about $100-200 on the entire front end of the car. (Like they do for used cars they bring in to sell.)

My bf's mom had this done at the Mazda dealer on her new-to-her used red/black metallic Mazda and it looked like new again (it had a LOT of chips). (Although she didn't pay because she had just bought the car so I'm not sure how much it'd have cost.)

 

You seem to be in the part of the world where rocks do a lot of damage. 3 windshields? Yep.
Bras will help keep the rock damage to a MINImum, but come with their own set of problems. Moisture (yes, I know you are from Phoenix) and grit will get trapped between the bra and the car and cause additional damage. Just like bedliners in trucks.
Find yourself a good repair facility to use on a regular basis and enjoy the MINI. Stressing over rock chips will cut into your enjoyment.

 

I live in CO, so I feel your pain when it comes to flying road (and/or wind) debris. I got the full clear nose mask on mine and within the first week, I had a rock chip on the bonnet on a teeny tiny exposed seem where the mask was not. Frustrating, but it's par for the course.

The only way to avoid 'em is to not motor...and what fun would that be?

 

has worked well for my dark color Audi's where road rash from winter Tahoe sanding can trash up the paint. Way better than touch up paint that looks like some kid's face with badly applied acne cream bumps, no matter how hard you work to paint it on and which is about impossible to then buff out.

 

I've only had my new '11 for 2 weeks and I've already got 3 rock chips on the hood. I'm really regretting not getting the clear bra. It's strange though because my previous Mini didn't even get this many chips. I just wish the dealer was closer (2 hours one way) so I could get it installed now before more damage is done.

 

We have 1 chip in 6,000+ miles and it's where the mask would not have covered on an edge by the scoop. Touched it up with old skool touch-up paint.

But then we don't tailgate....... Especially stay back for dual wheel trucks to avoid being sand blasted.

 

I also have several in places that a bra wouldn't have covered. I'm tempted to get my next MINI completely covered in clear vinyl.........

 

Anyone know a place in S FL to get a full hood clear cover? I saw someone posted they don't have one for the 2011 JCW yet, but figured I'd ask anyway. I just bought a bumper and hood clear bra off eBay which I'm going to install anyway to at least have some protection. My focus has plenty of rock chips and dings as well as small stains from dead bugs that cooked in the sun thus ruining the paint...

 

The clear bras work quite well, I've had several of them now on various cars. Sure, you can still get a chip above the bra line, but the vast majority of anything that is going to hit the car will hit it fairly low where its covered IMO. I had the dealer install the clear bra on mine, and opted not to take delivery until that was finished.

 

I live in South FLorida and go to Auto Supershield for the 3M clear bra. I have used them on 3 cars now and they are awesome. Very professional installation done at their shop in Boca. Never had a problem. If they don't have the full hood pre-cut, they can probably custom cut one for you. Give them a call. 561-367-0101. Wendy answers phones, and her husband, Pepi, handles most of the work. They also work at many exotic dealers. I took my MINI there last May.



http://www.autosupershield.com/

 

had mini for a month now windshield is cracked a 1/4 way across three big nicks in windshield, both fenders have matcing chips missing and good thing the clear bra is there cause it would be worse....

 

For us, we just use a black Sharpie marker pen on the bigger than a mechanical lead pencil, just to cover up the chips. It won't protect obviously, but great for that quick cosmetic look after a wash.

 

Mine has the front of the bonnet, bumper, mirror caps, door edges, top of rear bumper, and around the gas door done in the clear bra, and it is awesome. My gf is gonna get one done on here new black mazda.

I do have two small nasty deep chips on the top of the curve where the headlights are, so I'm in the same boat as some of you. Perhaps a body shop is the way to go...