Folks,

I know there's mixed feeling on bonnet protectors (am more talking about the perspex type) - from my own personal use it seems certain cars bonnet design are more prone to stone chips than others.  I am wondering if any PD owners who frequent country roads or similar can advise whether they've found stone chipping on the bonnet of their PD's an issue?

I live rural NSW, the roads aren't great and our previous car (04 Corolla) did get a lot of chips on the bonnet - despite staying back from other cars and avoiding unsealed roads when possible.

The very front of the PD's bonnet above the grille seems like a real chip magnet but I'm wary of just plonking a perspex protector on if it's going to do SFA and also give the looks downer, drag and washing/snag PITA only. Protective film e.g 3M is overkill and plastidip, well dunno about that as seems a look I'd prefer to avoid.

Anyway do let me know how you've found PD's for frontal chips, especially if you've been a rural driver.

Thanks in advance.

[Dazzler]

I would say it isn't.  But, until I got the SR I was a bit of a tail gater (according to SWMBO) I have auto cruise set to 3 car lengths which seems to be a good compromise.  Despite doing over 60K in 2 years including more than 17K on mainland road trips haven't got any noticeable chips yet (touch wood)

I am not a big fan of those leaf catchers but if you do decide to get one, I'd get a clear one and spray the underside the same colour as your car. Makes them almost invisible and hides any grime that builds up underneath! Win, win! 

[The Gonz]

I am not a big fan of those leaf catchers but if you do decide to get one, I'd get a clear one and spray the underside the same colour as your car. Makes them almost invisible and hides any grime that builds up underneath! Win, win! 

Gee, Dazz, and here I thought you were just a pretty face!

[CraigB]

Why not use PPF (Paint Protection Film) Opti-Coat Stone Chip Paint Protection Film | Opti-Coat Australia if you're concerned with chipping, looks a hell of a lot better than one of those plastic bonnet protectors.

[mickd]

Sooner or later some will hit front, hopefully clear the windscreen.
Our GD had a couple of beauties above the grill and some small ones 1/2 way up bonnet.
 Santa scored a few last year and needed to have a star in windscreen  fixed. Once you are past NCS , it's just a case of "shit happens".    

[butters7388]

I have a bonnet protector and like the look of it (smoked on white paint)

I still have a few stone chips on the bonnet but my front bar is the worst hit.

[galixia]

At 5 months old and 11000kms i have attached a photo of the front of my i30 and where the paint is chipped. I do a bit of highway and city driving and have been on some dirt back roads too. Also done a trip from Brissy to Melb return on the inland highway. The bigger chips are between the grill and bonnet.

[The Gonz]

A decent argument for vinyl wrapping that entire panel.

[mickd]

I don't like to think about how many make it through the grill,  but I do check the look of the fins when I wash car.

[galixia]

I don't like to think about how many make it through the grill,  but I do check the look of the fins when I wash car.

Through the grill is the LED lightbar which coped alot of it. That photo is before i cleaned  after i had just driven from Melbourne to Brissy. I got home and had a package which was my new horn so wanted to install it