Rock/salt chips in hood

[TheDrifter414]

Was on the PA turnpike n had to pass a salt truck that was a cascading waterfall dropping a ton of salt n debris (had to be some rock/stone material in there as well) and it chipped up the edge of the hood pretty good in 9 places. Bought a hood guard after the fact. Is there anything I should do about, or to, the 9 chip spots before putting the bug/rock guard on 1st or just install it ?
I'll mention this cuz you weren't there but this was a 2 lane section n I tried to get as far away as possible n still got completely pelted, sounded like I was driving in a hail storm, don't know how the damage wasn't worse or how the windshield didn't get chipped/ cracked. Also, passing was NOT dangerous cuz the pavement was damp, actually dry in some spots, not wet n shiny, nor was it snowing but maybe snow or sleet was in the forecast.

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[Stingray 5517]

I think I would just cover it up with a bug hood protector. Shouldn't be a problem for future rust.

 

[Vtur]

Applies with some touch up paint first.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Yep. Make sure it’s good and cleaned out then use touch up paint from the auto parts store.

Good and cleaned is an understatement. I personally wouldn’t want ground in salt under a coat of paint on my hood. As long as the impact point is fairly smooth before you paint it it should be good.

 

[Figmo]

BEWARE cheap hood protectors. Apparently, not all VHB tape is made equal.

Bought a cheap Temu bug deflector for precisely the reason you point to.

It fit great. But 3 days later at highway speed it broke off. I would have stopped to salvage it but half of it came loose first and the wind snapped it before ripping the entire thing off.

(and before anyone pipes in - "YES" I know how to apply VHB tape. Alcohol prepped surface before applying)

Would I buy it again? Sure. Because the fit was fine and was half the cost of comparable models on Amazon.

But my advice if you buy cheap anything that mounts with VHB: scrape off what you got and replace with some quality 3M tape before applying. That Chinesium knock off stuff ain't worth snot.

 

[TheDrifter414]

BEWARE cheap hood protectors. Apparently, not all VHB tape is made equal.

Bought a cheap Temu bug deflector for precisely the reason you point to.

It fit great. But 3 days later at highway speed it broke off. I would have stopped to salvage it but half of it came loose first and the wind snapped it before ripping the entire thing off.

(and before anyone pipes in - "YES" I know how to apply VHB tape. Alcohol prepped surface before applying)

Would I buy it again? Sure. Because the fit was fine and was half the cost of comparable models on Amazon.

But my advice if you buy cheap anything that mounts with VHB: scrape off what you got and replace with some quality 3M tape before applying. That Chinesium knock off stuff ain't worth snot.

Mos Def was NOT cheap lol bought it off ExtremeTerrain lol

 

[Sandman 4x4]

With a monthly subscription to a new local car wash, that does a great soft touch job, plus applying a protective ceramic coating, plus every 5-7 months I personally reapply a new coat of Graphene infused Ceramic coating from Ethos, with double application on all forward facing surfaces , including glass and plastic on the body, plus wheels. That has done a great job of protecting the Chrystal Granite Metallic Finish, plus keeps the love bugs and all bugs from sticking to the windshield, so well on each and every surface that all it takes is a good rain to rinse the surface nice clean and shiny. I don’t do any hard core mud running, but never shy away from the many tight trails along the way on our retirement travels and adventures, that used to leave a brush type of pin strips along the sides. Till I’ve started using this stuff instead of any wax. Just running your hand anywhere you touch the paint and feel how smooth the finish is.

 

[Ramboy]

Was on the PA turnpike n had to pass a salt truck that was a cascading waterfall dropping a ton of salt n debris (had to be some rock/stone material in there as well) and it chipped up the edge of the hood pretty good in 9 places. Bought a hood guard after the fact. Is there anything I should do about, or to, the 9 chip spots before putting the bug/rock guard on 1st or just install it ?
I'll mention this cuz you weren't there but this was a 2 lane section n I tried to get as far away as possible n still got completely pelted, sounded like I was driving in a hail storm, don't know how the damage wasn't worse or how the windshield didn't get chipped/ cracked. Also, passing was NOT dangerous cuz the pavement was damp, actually dry in some spots, not wet n shiny, nor was it snowing but maybe snow or sleet was in the forecast.

Within the first week of owning my JL I had a detail shop apply Paint Protective Film (PPF) covering the entire hood, around the windshield and grill if needed. It’s the only best protection. A good detail shop will fix the nicks and apply the PPF so it looks transparent and it really protects. Mine cost about $1000. My rig also came with gorilla glass that I got a rock nick in after 2 days; oh well. Gorilla glass isn’t so tough it seems.

 

[DanJT]

That's the reason for my Bushswhacker hood protector. Even though it was mid summer, I still applied the heat gun to heat the tape to unsure the tape would stick. This was done after installing the shield and 1 1/2 years later still solid.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

That's the reason for my Bushswhacker hood protector. Even though it was mid summer, I still applied the heat gun to heat the tape to unsure the tape would stick. This was done after installing the shield and 1 1/2 years later still solid.

I installed my Bushwacker front hood guard in 2019.... I have driven over 100,000 miles with it. It's lived in Florida with the hot Sun for many years. Also, it's withstood plenty of Upstate NY Winters..

Anyway, to this day the Bushwacker looks as good as new. No fading and the thing is still fastened very securely with no sign that the Genuine 3M automotive adhesive / double sided tape (Came with the hood protector) securing it, is going to fail...

AND..... No hood damage thanks to the Bushwacker..

 

[JonMN]

I am a fan of a partial front end PPF application. All the chips I have had on any car are on the front of the hood or fender. If possible, I have it applied right after I buy a vehicle. If not possible, I fix the chips the best that I can and then have it applied.

I have tried a lot of touchup paints. Depends on how much patience I have at the time, and the color in question. I like the consistency of DR COLOR a lot. If I have a simple color this is my go-to. Great on Sarge Green. I do not use the DR Color system, however, as I usually end up taking off the paint that I just applied.

If I have a deep chip I have had amazing results with the Lanka system where you let the paint set a bit and then wipe off the surface to get rid of the "blob." But this takes practice and a lot of trial and error.

If you have a really tricky color, like my old Audi which had Glacier White Pearl Tricoat, I go to PaintScratch.com. For this one I needed to blend base coat, top coat, and clearcoat. Took me all afternoon for one chip. (Then I applied PPF . . .)

 

[articcatbill]

Sorry, welcome to life in Pennsylvania. I put the Mopar deflector (no tape factory holes are used) on with in the week of buying mine. Without one all our vehicles get chipped up like that. I agree with others clean it up, and apply touch-up paint. I bought the Mopar version of touch-up paint. Once touched up put your deflector on, it really does help with the rock chips, not so much bugs though.

 

[Ramboy]

I am a fan of a partial front end PPF application. All the chips I have had on any car are on the front of the hood or fender. If possible, I have it applied right after I buy a vehicle. If not possible, I fix the chips the best that I can and then have it applied.

I have tried a lot of touchup paints. Depends on how much patience I have at the time, and the color in question. I like the consistency of DR COLOR a lot. If I have a simple color this is my go-to. Great on Sarge Green. I do not use the DR Color system, however, as I usually end up taking off the paint that I just applied.

If I have a deep chip I have had amazing results with the Lanka system where you let the paint set a bit and then wipe off the surface to get rid of the "blob." But this takes practice and a lot of trial and error.

If you have a really tricky color, like my old Audi which had Glacier White Pearl Tricoat, I go to PaintScratch.com. For this one I needed to blend base coat, top coat, and clearcoat. Took me all afternoon for one chip. (Then I applied PPF . . .)

I agree that partial PPF works for most incidents and I had that on my previous JL, after 7 years still looking new. On my current JL I decided to do the entire hood and around the windshield for direct hits. I also agree a hood protector like a Bushwhacker is good for hood protection and directing front end debris and bugs over the top which is key since the flat windshield is akin to driving a washing machine down the road!

 

[agoldxj]

Sorry, welcome to life in Pennsylvania. I put the Mopar deflector (no tape factory holes are used) on with in the week of buying mine. Without one all our vehicles get chipped up like that. I agree with others clean it up, and apply touch-up paint. I bought the Mopar version of touch-up paint. Once touched up put your deflector on, it really does help with the rock chips, not so much bugs though.

Yep this applies to some not all but more common than not.. It seems the Penndot drivers dump a whole load of salt on a dry road but if there’s 6” of snow on the ground you don’t see one .

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Within the first week of owning my JL I had a detail shop apply Paint Protective Film (PPF) covering the entire hood, around the windshield and grill if needed. It’s the only best protection. A good detail shop will fix the nicks and apply the PPF so it looks transparent and it really protects. Mine cost about $1000. My rig also came with gorilla glass that I got a rock nick in after 2 days; oh well. Gorilla glass isn’t so tough it seems.

I remember back in the 80’s, running through PA daily in 18 wheeler. Where the dot mixed coal sand with salt and sand into a terrible blackish mix of use treatments. Covering vehicles in black soot like shiot!

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