How to Protect Against Rock Chips? How do I Protect My Windshield?

When you invest your cash in a car you’ve always wanted, it’s difficult to accept a single scratch or ding on its beautiful body. No matter how careful you are, occasionally a small accident happens and leaves a nasty scar on your car.

Most car owners are afraid of rock chips while driving on bumpy and rough roads, as well as while following a fast car on highways because the speed of their wheels can make you count some heavy bucks on the repair.

These are the times when it’s difficult to take any action to prevent windshields or other parts from being struck by tiny, sharp objects known as rock chips. You might have to bear the scars once the damage is done or pay a heavy cost to have it repaired.

Therefore, anything you employ as protection must be done in advance, and that’s what we’ll talk about today: How to Protect against rock chips.

How Can You Protect against Rock Chips?

Numerous widely used applications can offer protection from rock chips. The most recent protective technologies include vinyl wrap, paint films, our well-liked ceramic coating, and more. Let’s go deeper to obtain a better understanding of how to choose which option is ideal for your car.

Paint Protection Film

The first option is paint protection films, a popular choice among car owners because they don’t require you to remove or modify the original paint on the body of your vehicle.

The front of your car, where the majority of supposed strikes occur, is covered by the protection film. It protects the automobile against front-end damage, especially when you’re following other fast cars on the highway and stones or pebbles are frequently in your path.

It will shield the headlamps, bonnet, grille, mirrors, front bumpers, and fenders. More significantly, there won’t be any lines dangling over your vehicle because the style will be completely seamless.

There are many different kinds of films if you’re wondering. A self-healing film and the 9H hardness film are among the most well-known brands, along with Suntek, Xpel, and 3M. All are incredibly effective at withstanding scratches and are robust enough to withstand any rock chip attack.

In terms of high resistance quality, the 9H hardness can defeat everyone else, while the self-healing is like polyurethane. It will self-heal and mend the scratches, meaning that even if the damage is nearly intense, any scratches and rips won’t be visible.

Ceramic Coating

We’ve all heard of ceramic coating, a fantastic way to shield the intake manifolds of your car from heat while also accomplishing a great deal more. You may wonder, does ceramic coating protect against rock chips, too? Yes, and it accomplishes the job quite well.

Your car can be efficiently protected from rock chips with a ceramic coating. It can shield against mild rock and stone blows and bruises. If you select this option, you may simply redo it after a year without worrying as much about the rock chips. Additionally, it’s a fantastic strategy to protect yourself from unpleasant strikes and prevent cuts.

However, you should be aware that it won’t be as effective as other ones and can only withstand tiny cuts or scratches. Choosing a ceramic coating might not always be your right approach because this alternative offers the simplest and least coverage for any car.

The following three benefits of acquiring a ceramic coating are the most unique and beneficial;

Protects against Stains

The hydrophobic properties of the ceramic coating can shield the body from dirt stains and other liquid harm. It makes the surface appear cleaner, necessitates less frequent washing and cleaning, and prevents dirt and grime.

Shield from Ultraviolet Rays

Similar to how the sun’s UV rays severely harm our skin, the sun’s UV rays may cause even the shiner automobile skin to appear dull and worn. It may lose its shiny appearance, and sun damage may eventually take the form of bleachy peeling that causes the paint to deteriorate.

As is well known, the exceptional heat protection ceramic coating can shield your car from UV radiation. With a high-quality professional ceramic coat, you won’t have to worry about ultraviolet rays any longer, and it will lessen the possibility of peels that appear uneven and instead provide a shining appearance.

Funny enough, it’s like long-lasting sunscreen for your car!

Offers More Aesthetics

Another reason the ceramic coating is well-known is that it is a popular option for those who prefer glossy appeals at a low cost. It makes your car body look more polished while also providing aesthetics and brand-new vibes. It will provide both protection and aesthetics, and the combination is quite attractive.

Graphene Coating

The graphene coating, which offers protection against rock chips, is quite similar to the ceramic coating. The difference is in how long it lasts; compared to ceramic coating, it can withstand more abuse and will last twice as long.

It may fight off water damage, keep dirt at bay, and provide good UV protection. Additionally, because of its anti-static technology to deter dust and filth, it is preferable to ceramic coating.

Despite being robust and of high conductivity, the coating is quite light and slim. In addition to the anti-static electrical technology, it provides quite fantastic protection against rock chip wounds or scratches.

Vinyl Car Cover

Vinyl vehicle coverings, which are mostly PVC-based wraps over the car’s body, are frequently compared to paint protection films since they provide protection against rock chips. The design is an adhesive one that you attach to the body of your car, and once it has securely adhered, a layer of protection will be applied to the surface that will last for a considerable amount of time.

If you put vinyl coverings on your car, it is claimed that you won’t need to do it again for about 5 to 6 years unless significant damage occurs. Due to the fact that it comes in a variety of designs and colors, people frequently use it to modify their appearance.

However, you should keep in mind that it isn’t really built to withstand serious damage; instead, it will hold up very well against minor dings and scratches, will be waterproof, and offer UV protection.

How do I protect my windshield from rock chips? Take Notes

Incidents involving rock chips can occur at any time, and the damage can be severe, resulting in more fatal cuts and costing you money to repair. Even if the injury is severe, changing or replacing the windshields can cost up to $1,000 depending on the type.

Rather than spending all that money on repairs, let’s look for ways to save the investment on your windshields by protecting them with caution. Of course, there are mechanical means to prevent it, but you may also need to take some responsibility for the prevention.

Always Maintain a Distance

It’s a simple one: keep a safe distance from the fast wheels of the cars you’re following on the off-roads. It’s not always your fault; road rubbish kicked up by the car ahead can easily cause rock chips in your windshield, and plastic protection won’t help much.

It’s mostly an issue for larger-wheeled vehicles, such as vans and trucks. Larger wheels not only start chucking more stones, but they also throw them much farther, which you will clearly hit with your comparatively tiny car. So, if you’re approaching a barrel car coming back into the road from a dirt trail, move far over while keeping a distance. 

Unnecessary Speeding Up

Speeding is never recommended in the absence of an emergency because it is bad for your car. The faster you go, the more opportunities you give road stones and dirt to attack your car’s body. The consequences of rocks and dust are whittled down when you drive at the speed limit.

Avoid Mud Grounds & Construction Areas

Rock chips are commonly caused by constructed sites and mud holes. Because of the rocky, rough and muddy roads, your car will be covered in mud stains and severely bruised. It’s best to avoid them.

Repair As Soon As Possible

It is best to seek repair service as soon as possible after a rock chip occurs. Leaving it like that only increases the likelihood of further damage. It’s like an infected wound that, if left untreated, will crack more and more, requiring you to repair it at a higher cost than before.

Get A Comprehensive Car Insurance

Last but not least, it’s always preferable to have a car insurance policy in case of injuries or damages to your vehicle such as comprehensive car insurance. It can save your car from a variety of damage situations. It will cover any harm to your car caused by a circumstance other than a crash with other cars.

Winding-Up

Rock chips are never a good occurrence for any car owners. Who would tolerate such unsightly marks on their wonderful cars? No one! And if you provide your car with the necessary safeguards, neither you nor anyone else must bear them.

Some of the suggestions we’ve presented here are about the upkeep of your car and mechanical safeguards, while others are more about the sensibility and responsibility that you must maintain to avoid such nasty incidents. 

So, that’s it for how to protect against rock chips and how to avoid rock chip incidents with the bare minimum of safety measures. If you choose any of the applications we’ve recommended, we will be hopeful that you don’t end up with any more car dings or scratches.