I don't have running boards and have seen limited pitting and chipping of the paint on my fenders. There's quite a few on the hood but I expected that. Last week while driving home from St Louis, I heard something hit the roof. When I washed the HHR, I found a chip on one of the ridges that, I assume, help the water run to the back and off the car.

Tell me, is there any way to avoid this happening? Because it's in such an exposed area, should I just keep lots of wax on it to reduce the chance of rust?

 

Those are there to give the roof strength.

Put a little touch up paint on it. Pretty rare to get a hit there.

 

I have at least one on my roof as well (In the first month of ownership). Not sure if its so rare or that it just goes unnoticed?

 

I've never had one on any vehicle with the ridges. I would see it when I washed/waxed it reguardless.

 

Those of us that do hand washes/waxes, yes. But I know alot of America just runs their car through an automated wash . That and some are vertically challenged and mihgt not be able to see the complete top . Mine is actually closer to the front and not in the ridged area.

 

I have found that most that use the automated washed, usually could care less about things like this.

 

True

 

I agree w/ you Dayton, not so rare to get rock chips on the roof. Dory has a couple on the roof too, and like your's they are closer to the front and not on the ridges.

 

Drive with the wheels on the ground not on the underside of the tunnel.....

 

Hey, if I could do that, you'd see the video on any website that pay me for it! LOL

I have to admit that I go to the car wash often because I am terrible at getting the windows clean without streaks. They somehow get it done right. But, after my trip, I had to manually scrub all the dead bugs off. And, speaking of those vertically challenged, I'm 5'10" and I still use a stool. Rubbermaid makes a great 2-step molded stool that I use constantly. Now if I can find a way to lift the car up so I can clean the lower front bump, then we'll be in business!