Frontal Paint Chips: Repairing and Preventing!!!

[DIYPTGUY]

Ok, so I took a close look at my PT today and realized there was a crap load of little paint chips around the front area. I realized that this is probably because of doing a lot of highway driving and can be expected. But, the fact still remains that its ugly and I dont like it!!!

What is the best way I can prevent this from happening? I have read about putting a cover/bra-ish type thing over the front and also touch-up paint. Both seem to have their ups and downs.

For people who have this problem and have fixed it, how did you do it and were you pleased with your results??

(also, I wash and wax often. I wax about every 5 weeks. Meguiars synthetic wax.)

[soonercruiser]

DIYPTGUY,
If you have a show car, like one of my two, you get very tired of option #1 below.
#1 - constant paint repair with matching touch-up paint This leaves a blob, which must be smoothed down & blended in for good appearance. Plan on a whole Saturday once a year. I have done this with soonercruiser, but wish I had a better soluition on the PTeazer bumperette.
#2 - wear a vinyl, removable protection bra. These are moderately expensive; and thay can actually cause scratches to you paint if you use them constantly, when dust & dirt blow under the bra, and the wind rubs the bra against the car body at highway speeds.
#3 - a high quality vinyl protective film, 3M or Expel type, that is permanently installed over your paint. This is clear and can barely be seen at a distance. They are made in standar pieced kit for all major car makes & models. It is expensive (was $700 for the whole front end, front of hood, on my GT vert). But, once it's done...you're done with small chips! I have had one large stone ouncture in a year. Other potentail problem is, some people say that the unprotected paint will fade, compared to the areas covered by the film. THis may require you to always have the film on your paint.

I believe that there have been some previous threads on this issue here, and on the PTCruiserWorld web site.
Langka Paint Chip Repair
Touch-up Paint?
Langka Kit - Preliminary - Body - PT Cruiser World 2.X
Langka Blob Remover Photos - Body - PT Cruiser World 2.X

[DIYPTGUY]

Hmmm, I guess its best I stick with the first option then. Im not willing to risk scraping the paint for a bra and dont want to spend the money on the film. What do you use to rub down the paint?

[DIYPTGUY]

also, is that touch-up paint ok to use in cold weather???

[soonercruiser]

See the links I provided.
The best product to get rid of excess repair is the Langka Blob Remover. Google for it, and get the best price. You will easily use at least one small bottle on your first shot at all the stone chips that have accumulated over the years.
-any other scratches and fogging will have to be "rubbed" and buffed out with you favorite polishing products. Otherwise, you only need Meguires Scratch & Swirl remover on a soft rag to rub the repairs down before waxing. Since the touch-up paints are not a multi-coat polyurethane like the original paint job, you don't have to allow the paint to "cure"/breathe for months before waxing.