Scratches on bottom of front bumper

[Cessna 182]

Well, I have had my 99 for a year now and the other day pulled out of a restruant and drug the front bumper and scratched the paint across the bottom front. You can't see it but I hate knowing it is there and I knew better.

 

[Tombone]

You would be hard pressed to find one without scratches in that location.

 

[gmjunkie]

No Skeet!! I was under mine today Trying to Buff some places out!!:ugh junk!!

 

[PeterG]

Also... but it's not....

I have scratched the underside of the front bumper two or three times. All occurences were during the first year or so of buying my C5.

The problem for me was that I was very cautious when parking facing a curb or concrete stop. But sometimes I misjudged how much of my rear end was sticking out. I therefore tried to pull forward too far.

After about a year I learned from the scratches that, as you said, don't show but we know are there. I have now -- I hope -- learned. When I am not certain how close to pull my rear end up, I just stop, put it in neutral, set the hand brake, get out, and look before I move another inch forward.

These extra steps take a few minutes at most and prevent years of discomfort.

Now that we have learned, it's not really so bad if the total cost is limited to only a few, nearly invisible scratches.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

To prevent a recurrence you could try the A&A Frame Savers:

About the only time these don't help is if you pull too close to a perpendicular curb rise when entering a driveway.

 

[jrose7004]

I've had to repaint my nose twice!

 

[Nevets2004]

I have scratched the underside of the front bumper two or three times. All occurences were during the first year or so of buying my C5.

The problem for me was that I was very cautious when parking facing a curb or concrete stop. But sometimes I misjudged how much of my rear end was sticking out. I therefore tried to pull forward too far.

After about a year I learned from the scratches that, as you said, don't show but we know are there. I have now -- I hope -- learned. When I am not certain how close to pull my rear end up, I just stop, put it in neutral, set the hand brake, get out, and look before I move another inch forward.

These extra steps take a few minutes at most and prevent years of discomfort.

Now that we have learned, it's not really so bad if the total cost is limited to only a few, nearly invisible scratches.

It's as if I wrote this myself. I would describe the scratches the same way word for word. There must be alot of us out there with the same routine.

 

[sorbet02]

the first time i parked my vette i hit one of those curbs...the sound alone was horrible...but i only got a couple of small scratches......i think all c5"s have em..........

 

[Patrick]

the first time i parked my vette i hit one of those curbs...the sound alone was horrible...but i only got a couple of small scratches......i think all c5"s have em..........

I'm not sure I'd limit it to just C5's. The Corvette, in all generations, has always had a swoop to the front end that makes it very difficult to determine where the front bumper is when one goes to park. This is the bane of a sports car owner's experience.

The only real cure for it is to park back end into a space. And that isn't always a practical solution.


-Patrick

 

[Tombone]

I like the look of slamming the C5. I don't know how some guys do it but road rash would always be on my mind.

 

[Bounty Hunter 6]

The only real cure for it is to park back end into a space. And that isn't always a practical solution.


-Patrick

I ALWAYS back into a spot these days, unless it's a spot that doesn't have a curb, and usually I still back in. I guess I picked that up in the Military; having your vehicle "combat parked" so you can pull it out quick and GO!

Patrick, I'm finally getting out of here! I'll be in Colorado Tuesday!! Can't wait.

 

[warren s]

I looked at dozens of C5s before I bought mine. I noticed even many new ones on the lot had the underside of the front facia scratched up.

So I finally found one (my 99) that had no scratches under the front.

So now after over 10,000 miles in the first year of ownership, I only scraped the front about a half dozen times.

(3M Fine cut Fill n Glaze, white rubbing compound and touch up paint work evey time.)

 

[Bioscache2]

I ALWAYS back into a spot these days, unless it's a spot that doesn't have a curb, and usually I still back in. I guess I picked that up in the Military; having your vehicle "combat parked" so you can pull it out quick and GO!

Patrick, I'm finally getting out of here! I'll be in Colorado Tuesday!! Can't wait.

PCS, TDY or just personal travel? If its a PCS I assume Ft. Morgan? Either way, welcome.