I've been asking questions on here in the past and when I came back to the states for a couple of weeks, I found an '08 fully loaded N/A with very few miles. She's a beauty! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm leaving her with my oldest son who will drive it until I get back in the summer of 2010. I have given him very specific instructions on how to care for her while I am gone.
I've noticed that on the front bumper, there are a couple of paint chips from rocks. Does anyone have suggestions on how to stop the paint from chipping further and spreading?
Congratulations you will love your car. Probably just the touch up for the chips but I'm sure others may have ideas.
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07 Aggressive NA, 5 spd, purchased 11-06 SOLD 9-17-08
09 WickedGXP ord 8-15-08, Built 9-9-08, Del 9-25-08 Automatic, Gray stitching, Red calipers w/GXP decals, shorty antenna, windscreen, side grill and backup light covers, leather armrests, console & door pockets , de-badged, painted visors, pass mirror, pulsing third light, red eng cover,GMPP CAI & Stage Kit, DDM Probeam, Backbone, Clear bra, Aug power for GPS, garage door opener in header, JPM lumbar seat inserts, SOLO Mach Shorty cat back
I've noticed that on the front bumper, there are a couple of paint chips from rocks. Does anyone have suggestions on how to stop the paint from chipping further and spreading?
Did I mention that I love this car!!!!!!
Venture Shield Clear Bra.
I don't recommend it on the hood but certainly the front bumper cover.
Also keep in mind that this car is so low that the bumper cover is in the wash of the cars or trucks in front of you especially on the freeways at speed. Everytime someone makes a lane change crossing in or out of your lane in front of you they kick up the debris that has been forced between the lanes.
That said the solution is to avoid tailgating...stay back as far as reasonable to allow this crap to settle before your front slams into it.
I have had DarkSol since November of '06 and still love it as well. Enjoy!
__________________
Mysterious 2007 N/A 2.4. "DarkSol" is the name.
Mods: Billet front grille.
Venture shield clear bra
GM mud flaps (front)
Carolina Custom armrest pads
ASAP Signs & Graphics, Back up Lite Covers
Carbon fiber license plate frame
Solo Mach Split Duals for N/A with Resonator (Amazing Sound! DarkSol now has DeepSol's voice)
Norm's "Fabulous" Fiberglass Split Dual Rear Fascia
Lovin' AZ
Pontiac: "We Used to Build Excitement! Now We Build Nothing"....
Welcome to the fold! ... and thank you for your service.
The chips you have now can be filled in with careful application of touch-up paint, but even if you don't, they won't 'spread' on their own (you'll just keep getting more from future rocks!)
Use clear-bra to protect from further damage. You can have it done professionally, but it costs big bucks - upwards from $500-$600. Or, if you're reasonably handy and have a heat gun, you can do it yourself... search youtube, there's a bunch of DIY videos.
You can buy your own clearbra kit from many places ASAPgraphics, Kappasphere, etc. They good stuff is still costly - $100-$150 for the bumper and front hood. Or you can go the cheap route (as I did) and get stuff off eBay for under $40. Caveat: the eBay stuff is probably harder to apply than the good stuff and may not last as well (but seems fine to me).
__________________ Owner of "Campbelle", a Brazen 2008 GXP ... with mods piling up...
there is only one issue with the car you bought....................... DON'T EVER DO A MOD ON IT!!!!!!! LMAO once you start you don't stop lol enjoy you'll love it..
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2007 SOL base model, fully loaded agressive with black leather interior.
MOD'S to date
.ddmworks stage 2
.lil chromies
.LED tail light spirder bulbs
.kappaspear wind screen
.magnaflow cat back
.msd dash hawk
.ddmworks back bone
.powder polished valve cover
.ddmworks back bone
.RK-Sport ram air hood
.Norms T-Skirts
.GXP Front bumper W/norms splitte
.RK-Sport Spoiler
.Sniper NOS kit
.Custom Polished Stainless brake/coolant/battery cover
I'm leaving her with my oldest son who will drive it until I get back in the summer of 2010. I have given him very specific instructions on how to care for her while I am gone.
And the award for the Best Dad EVER! goes to... USAF
I'm sure your son will follow the rules to the letter.
Welcome to the fold! ... and thank you for your service.
The chips you have now can be filled in with careful application of touch-up paint, but even if you don't, they won't 'spread' on their own (you'll just keep getting more from future rocks!)
Use clear-bra to protect from further damage. You can have it done professionally, but it costs big bucks - upwards from $500-$600. Or, if you're reasonably handy and have a heat gun, you can do it yourself... search youtube, there's a bunch of DIY videos.
You can buy your own clearbra kit from many places ASAPgraphics, Kappasphere, etc. They good stuff is still costly - $100-$150 for the bumper and front hood. Or you can go the cheap route (as I did) and get stuff off eBay for under $40. Caveat: the eBay stuff is probably harder to apply than the good stuff and may not last as well (but seems fine to me).
Have you had or heard of any issues with the Clearbra? Does the paint under the bra possibly fade differently than the rest of the car? Does it blend in well so you don't see it right away? I have heard from a corvette owner that his yellowed over time. He pulled his off because he didn't like the way it was wearing. I did not see it myself so not sure if it was an over reaction or just cheap product/picky owner.
I am considering having one put on my car. I have resorted to driving on highways as little as possible to avoid chips. I found a reputable shop that will due the bumper and mirrors for about $600. How hard is it to do yourself? I would think it would be kind of like trying to do your own window tint. Sorry for all the questions.
__________________
Aggressive Coupe VIN #761
Born May 2009 released from GM 6-2-2009
Arrived Home 8-15-2009
I'm in love...
Have you had or heard of any issues with the Clearbra? Does the paint under the bra possibly fade differently than the rest of the car? Does it blend in well so you don't see it right away? I have heard from a corvette owner that his yellowed over time. He pulled his off because he didn't like the way it was wearing. I did not see it myself so not sure if it was an over reaction or just cheap product/picky owner.
I am considering having one put on my car. I have resorted to driving on highways as little as possible to avoid chips. I found a reputable shop that will due the bumper and mirrors for about $600. How hard is it to do yourself? I would think it would be kind of like trying to do your own window tint. Sorry for all the questions.
The expensive films (3M, Ventureshield) claim not to yellow over time. Cheaper ones? Who knows? With my cheap stuff, I figure it'll last me a couple of years and has provided me with a (cheap) training/learning session. So I may well strip it off later and replace with a more expensive, brand name, kit later.
As for fading, it's possible that the UV blockers in the film could make the covered paint fade less that the uncovered. Depends on the color and the paint's tendency to fade I guess.
As for doing it yourself, it's harder than the videos suggest, so you'd better be 'handy' to try it. However, it's really not that hard, just very time consuming, especially getting the wrinkles out. You need to use lots of water solution spray and a heat gun is essential. Also, find a very clean, dust and dog-hair-free, place to do it (don't ask how I know). The darker the color of your car, the more noticeable any trapped dust motes or hairs will be.
__________________ Owner of "Campbelle", a Brazen 2008 GXP ... with mods piling up...
The expensive films (3M, Ventureshield) claim not to yellow over time. Cheaper ones? Who knows? With my cheap stuff, I figure it'll last me a couple of years and has provided me with a (cheap) training/learning session. So I may well strip it off later and replace with a more expensive, brand name, kit later.
As for fading, it's possible that the UV blockers in the film could make the covered paint fade less that the uncovered. Depends on the color and the paint's tendency to fade I guess.
As for doing it yourself, it's harder than the videos suggest, so you'd better be 'handy' to try it. However, it's really not that hard, just very time consuming, especially getting the wrinkles out. You need to use lots of water solution spray and a heat gun is essential. Also, find a very clean, dust and dog-hair-free, place to do it (don't ask how I know). The darker the color of your car, the more noticeable any trapped dust motes or hairs will be.
Dust motes, dog hair . I know where you are coming from on that one. Thanks for the input. I might get a cheap kit to try and attempt it. Well maybe make my other half attempt it for me. Since he has the garage.
__________________
Aggressive Coupe VIN #761
Born May 2009 released from GM 6-2-2009
Arrived Home 8-15-2009
I'm in love...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image...
The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA
Founding Member - Northeast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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. I know where you are coming from on that one. Thanks for the input. I might get a cheap kit to try and attempt it. Well maybe make my other half attempt it for me. Since he has the garage. 
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