xviper,
you right I should definitely invest in a fender mat. As for the detailer laughing, he was not trying to be mean its just with all of my previous cars I usually just took them in twice a year for a complete detail not 3 times in a few months. My detailer has been pretty cool though and did not charge me very much for the wet sanding.

 

I had my S for just over a year now (May 8th). It's black, so I washed it every weekend or two when I first got it, and I still do.
I about cried when I saw my first scratch. Now it's got minor dings, little scratch here and there. It's now my daily driver d/t the nicer weather, so that was expected. I'll just zaino it later.
It's just a car. A very nice car, but it's still just a car. So don't worry about little scratches/dings here and there. It's still a very beautiful and a great handling car, w/ or w/o dings and scratches. It's hard to keep it showroom quality, so just have fun with it.
Feel better?
No? Wait 'til the flaming starts (on me), then you will.
Just trying to make you feel better.

LT

 

I can relate! I bought my black '02 brand new and had it shipped from Boston. It arrived in nearly perfect condition - had one small scratch near the driver's sideview mirror. I took it to get it smogged on the 2nd day I had it, and the ing technician leaned over the driver's door, just like you did, and put 2 nice long, deep scratches in (he had a Levi's jacket with the metal buttons). Luckily, they buffed out pretty well, but I was just sick. Of coure the guy denied it, which also pissed me off.

I've had it now for almost 3 months and just recently got my first road chips - so I don't think that's too bad. That AutoSharp pen works really well for touching up the little chips.

But I do agree that this paint seems really soft. I saw a Mini Cooper at one of our meets with black paint that was like 6 months old - no scratches, no swirl marks, perfect. I know that I am extremely careful washing my car and still see more and more fine scratches each time ...

 

My 2003 Silverstone S has less than 700 miles on it and already has stone chips on the front .When the silverstone gets chipped the black underneath really shows, I ordered a Colgan bra for the front and will NEVER take it off!!

 

Funny, your primer is black? Mine seems to be gray (or white).

 

Yeh, mine is Silverstone and the primer is kinda grayish, just like a normal metal color. Unless, you mean rock chips on bumper, then you'll see black underneath.