[gocat]

Nicks. Scratches. Dents. Scuff. Mars. Dings. Swirl Marks.

I've tried my hardest to avoid imperfections on my 16,000 miles, '17 HC . The car has only been washed once by a top detail guy upon delivery (I would NEVER have the dealer wash my new car unless I wanted swirl marks.) After each drive I hand-clean the car. From a short distance, it 's still a show stopper.

But it's not.

It's got a bunch of small damage from driving... a 2" very thin rock mark on my satin hood, two paint chips, a quarter inch self-inflicted scratch on my side view mirror and recently, the discovery of three very small but nasty rock divots on my lower front bumper. None of this bothered me since I was planning to move up to a '23 SS. Only problem - I may be priced out of the market.

Bottom line - this current car may be my "forever" car and all the flaws are really bothering me even though know that's the price one pays for taking it on highway drives every weekend. I'm also upset because I know how rare/valuable our HCs are going to become and I wanted to own a "perfect" example.

I was wonder if anybody with HC miles still has a 100% perfect body. I wish I did (

 

[mschultz443]

2017 Just turned 20000 miles. Local shop building 426 w/Maggie. Current 6.2 will go on stand. Satera did Current tune will tune new powerplant.

 

[AeroF16]

Nicks. Scratches. Dents. Scuff. Mars. Dings. Swirl Marks.

I've tried my hardest to avoid imperfections on my 16,000 miles, '17 HC . The car has only been washed once by a top detail guy upon delivery (I would NEVER have the dealer wash my new car unless I wanted swirl marks.) After each drive I hand-clean the car. From a short distance, it 's still a show stopper.

But it's not.

It's got a bunch of small damage from driving... a 2" very thin rock mark on my satin hood, two paint chips, a quarter inch self-inflicted scratch on my side view mirror and recently, the discovery of three very small but nasty rock divots on my lower front bumper. None of this bothered me since I was planning to move up to a '23 SS. Only problem - I may be priced out of the market.

Bottom line - this current car may be my "forever" car and all the flaws are really bothering me even though know that's the price one pays for taking it on highway drives every weekend. I'm also upset because I know how rare/valuable our HCs are going to become and I wanted to own a "perfect" example.

I was wonder if anybody with HC miles still has a 100% perfect body. I wish I did (
View attachment 601486

Get it paint corrected, then PPF, then ceramic coating if you want.

But you either get to drive the car or you get to have a perfect car, you don’t get both.

 

[WizzaVTX]

My car however it sorts out is a driver, not a shiner.

I can nitpick stuff that no one else will ever notice but I chose my mods to personalize car for a purpose....... and shows are not the reason.

I enjoy cars and coffee or cruise ins much more than paid shows.

 

[frictioncircle]

embrace the patina...

 

[gocat]

2017 Just turned 20000 miles. Local shop building 426 w/Maggie. Current 6.2 will go on stand. Satera did Current tune will tune new powerplant.

!that’s a show stopper!

 

[Jon P]

Just washed mine for the first time after I had it ceramic coated professionally. Wow that stuff is amazing! I took my leaf blower and all the water literally rolled right off. Barley had to use a chamois. So I second the motion of paint correction and ceramic coat. It will make an older car like brand new.

 

[Unholy707]

Nicks. Scratches. Dents. Scuff. Mars. Dings. Swirl Marks.

I've tried my hardest to avoid imperfections on my 16,000 miles, '17 HC . The car has only been washed once by a top detail guy upon delivery (I would NEVER have the dealer wash my new car unless I wanted swirl marks.) After each drive I hand-clean the car. From a short distance, it 's still a show stopper.

But it's not.

It's got a bunch of small damage from driving... a 2" very thin rock mark on my satin hood, two paint chips, a quarter inch self-inflicted scratch on my side view mirror and recently, the discovery of three very small but nasty rock divots on my lower front bumper. None of this bothered me since I was planning to move up to a '23 SS. Only problem - I may be priced out of the market.

Bottom line - this current car may be my "forever" car and all the flaws are really bothering me even though know that's the price one pays for taking it on highway drives every weekend. I'm also upset because I know how rare/valuable our HCs are going to become and I wanted to own a "perfect" example.

I was wonder if anybody with HC miles still has a 100% perfect body. I wish I did (
View attachment 601486

Looks nice man, wish mine was show car worthy or even car meet worthy

 

[DEANGEL]

I have a 2017 also and mine is around the same mileage as you and mschultz with just over 19,000. I enjoy driving mine and occasionally taking it to the drag strip in spring and fall (cool weather). Small stuff if going to happen if you choose to enjoy driving and/or racing your car. Don't sweat the small stuff.

I also don't get the $500+ spent on PPF, paint correction, ceramic coating or all of the other stuff I read about. Wash the car when it needs it and put some polish/wax on once in a while depending on how it's driven and parked.

 

[AeroF16]

I have a 2017 also and mine is around the same mileage as you and mschultz with just over 19,000. I enjoy driving mine and occasionally taking it to the drag strip in spring and fall (cool weather). Small stuff if going to happen if you choose to enjoy driving and/or racing your car. Don't sweat the small stuff.

I also don't get the $500+ spent on PPF, paint correction, ceramic coating or all of the other stuff I read about. Wash the car when it needs it and put some polish/wax on once in a while depending on how it's driven and parked.

Just depends on how you drive it. My car with PPF (not my Hellcat) sees a lot of highway miles, so it helps tremendously with getting bugs off and avoiding rock chips.

Paint correction can make a significant difference in how your paint looks. I was very impressed when mine was done. I could do it myself but, for the amount of time I’d put in, it’s cheaper for me to pay someone.

Ceramic coat vs wax, I’m not really sold one way or another but the paint correction and PPF were being done, so I let the shop ceramic coat it (my first and only car with it). Happy with the ceramic coat, just easier to keep it clean but a good wax would probably perform the same.

 

[DEANGEL]

I may try the leaf blower after I wash my car next time to see if that would work to dry my car. That would be a good time saver. Right now I use a chamois to dry my car which does a great job of leaving the car free from streaks and water spots.

The only other thing that would tempt me to try any of that stuff would be if bugs would be a simple single wipe to completely remove from the front of the car. Bug splats take some elbow grease.

 

[Ace1894]

They’re never perfect. From jump, if you look hard enough, there are plenty of imperfections. Each mark since you got it is part of your history with the car. Be proud of it! It’s a Hellcat! Nobody into these cars will care about a few cosmetic issues, particularly as time goes on. I’ve got a ‘68 Charger, 318 car. It’s far from perfect, but no one cares. Everyone just loves it. Went to a local cruise-in last Saturday evening. So many compliments, just because it’s an old Charger. One guy walked up and said “What’s in it?” I said “just a 318”, he said “doesn’t matter man, it’s awesome!” Your Hellcat is too, and will only get more so. The Hellcat has secured its place in muscle car history. Enjoy it!

 

[gigabitdo]

Get it paint corrected, then PPF, then ceramic coating if you want.

But you either get to drive the car or you get to have a perfect car, you don’t get both.

Like he said, get it paint corrected, ppf and ceramic on top of ppf, never worry about swirls again

and it isn’t $500… more like 5k plus, depending on who or where, I’d say closer to 8k

 

[DEANGEL]

and it isn’t $500… more like 5k plus, depending on who or where, I’d say closer to 8k

That's crazy to me. If I spend $5k-$8k on the Hellcat, It won't be so it looks pretty. It'll be to get it solidly into the 9's at the track.

 

[Mattm400]

Battle scars, it adds character to the car. You can't have a perfect car and drive it too. Little nicks, rock chops etc. Are gonna happen, but you bought it to enjoy & there's nothing wrong with that. Touch up what you can & go on, mash the peddle!

 

[baabootoo]

Looks nice man, wish mine was show car worthy or even car meet worthy

Maybe drive worthy??????? I thought your internals were still scattered all over Woodward after racing Alex Taylor???????? 😂

 

[Ace1894]

Like he said, get it paint corrected, ppf and ceramic on top of ppf, never worry about swirls again

and it isn’t $500… more like 5k plus, depending on who or where, I’d say closer to 8k

Not in my neck of the woods. Great and well-reviewed shop paint-corrected, Expel PPF on entire front and hood, fenders, rockers, mirrors, ceramic coat on entire car, windshield treatment, and Expel window tint, all for $3200. They did an outstanding job too.

 

[frictioncircle]

that's in line for a partial...

 

[Ace1894]

it was 1300 more, if memory serves, to do the rest of the car in PPF

 

[frictioncircle]

The xpel couple I use have the digital cutting machine in house and get the profiles for the pieces to cut in house..I'm sure that's how most do it..