Paint or replace or not

[Papawto5]

My 2011 HHR TOAD has 1) 100's if not 1000's of chips in the paint, 2) pitted windshield with 3 "BB shot" cracks, and 3) headlight lens badly pitted.

In 2012 we drove on a rural road that was getting a new covering of chip and seal (tar with small stones overlay). Not exceeding 30, the damage was still significant.

This summer, 11,000 mile trip to Alaska. The roads in B.C, Yukon, and Alaska were brutal in early June. They were MUCH better when we returned in August.

I'm hesitating to do the repaint and the glass replacement until we're done running around the country. My fear is - - 5 miles on a bad road two weeks after leaving the paint shop and the expense was a waste of time and money.

What would you do? I would cringe more after the repair than I do now (since the car already has its love marks).

[450Donn]

Just have a cheap Earl Schibe paint job put on it and go. When your done, have a decent paint job applied.

[dwarfracer1]

use a shield.

[Vickie 4369]

Originally Posted by Papawto5

My 2011 HHR TOAD has 1) 100's if not 1000's of chips in the paint, 2) pitted windshield with 3 "BB shot" cracks, and 3) headlight lens badly pitted.

In 2012 we drove on a rural road that was getting a new covering of chip and seal (tar with small stones overlay). Not exceeding 30, the damage was still significant.

This summer, 11,000 mile trip to Alaska. The roads in B.C, Yukon, and Alaska were brutal in early June. They were MUCH better when we returned in August.

I'm hesitating to do the repaint and the glass replacement until we're done running around the country. My fear is - - 5 miles on a bad road two weeks after leaving the paint shop and the expense was a waste of time and money.

What would you do? I would cringe more after the repair than I do now (since the car already has its love marks).

Does your coach have a Rubber flap along the Back?

[Papawto5]

We have a coach-wide mud flap behind the rear dualies. It nearly touches the ground with the air pumped up. Settles to the ground when air is released at the CG. A campground owner in the Yukon that held the opinion that a flap causes more stones to become airbourne behind the MH. Seemed like he's done a self study on the toads that came in to his park. No flap on the MH seemed to result in less damage.

We do not have shield between the back of the MH and the toad. We used a windshield pad AFTER the majority of stones hit the glass.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by Papawto5

We have a coach-wide mud flap behind the rear dualies. It nearly touches the ground with the air pumped up. Settles to the ground when air is released at the CG. A campground owner in the Yukon that held the opinion that a flap causes more stones to become airbourne behind the MH. Seemed like he's done a self study on the toads that came in to his park. No flap on the MH seemed to result in less damage. We do not have shield between the back of the MH and the toad. We used a windshield pad AFTER the majority of stones hit the glass.

The coach-wide flap should be a bit over 4 inches above pavement at driving height or it will toss stuff.
I have regular flaps behind the dualies and no toading chips in 25,000 miles. Some while driving the toad, like off-road. :-)

[Vickie 4369]

Originally Posted by Papawto5

We have a coach-wide mud flap behind the rear dualies. It nearly touches the ground with the air pumped up. Settles to the ground when air is released at the CG. A campground owner in the Yukon that held the opinion that a flap causes more stones to become airbourne behind the MH. Seemed like he's done a self study on the toads that came in to his park. No flap on the MH seemed to result in less damage.

We do not have shield between the back of the MH and the toad. We used a windshield pad AFTER the majority of stones hit the glass.

Interesting assessment but I agree it is too low, and is what is causing your rock throwing contest.

Ted.

[bullheaded]

Originally Posted by dwarfracer1

use a shield.

Mine still looks brand new.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by bullheaded

Mine still looks brand new.

Ditto. Just dualie flaps.

[Papawto5]

I will have the flap raised the next time I have a chance. Nimble son-in-law should be able to help with that.