agony

Well I have only put 100 miles on the Lexus ... and I already have my first rock chip. Sure, it's tiny and hard to spot low on the bumper, but I know it's there and it bugs me. Auto specialists say that modern auto paint is water-based and applied in a very thin layer to minimize air pollution at the factory, so it will chip very easily from rocks and other crap that gets kicked up on the road by cars and trucks ahead of you on the highway. You need protection if you want the car to look its best.

I have scheduled an appointment with the Premier Mobile Aesthetics Group who will install a clear bra on the car -- it's a thin layer of plastic that will protect the paint on the front portions of the car from rock chips, debris, and bug splats. These guys are some of the best in the industry and come highly recommended by high-end exotic car enthusiasts. Problem is, they are so in demand that they are booked out 3-4 weeks in advance. My appointment isn't until March 25.

So what do I do in the meantime -- keep driving the car and almost certainly continue to collect chips and paint nicks on the front end, just from everyday driving? Or park the car in the garage, and let it sit unused for 3 more weeks? My rational logical mind tells me to wait it out, keep the car clean, get the film installed while the paint is still pristine (or nearly so), and then I can drive it worryfree afterwards. But oh, the car beckons me, it mocks me, it tempts me.


306hp.
C'mon, just a short drive.
Perforated leather seats with heaters and ventilation.
What are you waiting for?
Sport-tuned suspension.
There's some nice twisty roads just up the road.
6-speed with paddle shifters.
You know you want to take it on the highway...
Noooooo!!!
Must resist the urge. I took out some terry cloth towels and put a fresh coat of wax on the bumper. Feel the paint chip with my finger. Yes, that's the price of weakness right there. Don't be weak. Be strong and determined. All in good time, my Tungsten friend, all in good time. The roads will still be there in 3 weeks. And all those loose rocks will be waiting too.

Link to Premier Mobile Aesthetics Group doing a clear bra install on a Lamborghini:
http://www.discovery-automotive.com/portal/modules.php?name=Static_Content&id=121