Mazda CX-3 Forums

We have had our CX3 Sport Nav for 3 and a half years now and are considering our options for a new car. One option is a new CX3 as we do love ours. The only real issue we have is the paintwork which is so chipped its unbelievable! We've never had more than the odd one or two on a car before. We have the Soul Red and know there has been some problems with this paint so wouldn't choose it again. We like the look of the Eternal Blue and wondered if anyone has any experience of this colour or can recommend one that is a bit more chip resistant. Cheers. ☺

Hi Ju,
I had a Soul Red model for 2 years, didn't do a lot of miles in it, but it did end up with a few chips. I bought a new Eternal Blue model in January so I haven't done a lot of miles. So far no chips!
My MX5 is Soul Red, but I had a Diamond Brite coating put on it. It's almost 4 years old and the only chip is on the door in front of the wing mirror. I guess that was a hit from the side from under the tyre of a passing car. If you want another Soul Red then I would suggest you have a coating put on. From what I recall it was £299, but I will probably save that in polish. I've never needed to polish it, just wash and dry and it sparkles like new.

I chose the solid colour Arctic White, not to save money but because a solid colour is more durable than a metallic, and is easier to touch up should it be necessary. I also had SafeGard paint protection applied by the supplying dealer before taking delivery. Only one tiny stone chip (on the bonnet) in almost three years, and no polish needed as the car is always garaged.

Any paint factor will tell you that white is one of the strongest pigments and that red is one of the weakest.

zoylander wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:13 pm I chose the solid colour Arctic White, not to save money but because a solid colour is more durable than a metallic, and is easier to touch up should it be necessary. I also had SafeGard paint protection applied by the supplying dealer before taking delivery. Only one tiny stone chip (on the bonnet) in almost three years, and no polish needed as the car is always garaged.

Any paint factor will tell you that white is one of the strongest pigments and that red is one of the weakest.

I agree with Zoylander (doesn't often happen ), but a solid colour is always best. So the choice is a solid colour that you don't like or a protected colour that you do like. Personally I want a pretty car, but that may mean more expense or touch up paint, Decisions, decisions....

I went with Dynamic Blue and no issues with paint being too soft and chipping.

ours seems to be chip free after 9 months on the uk rd's, the soul red mazda2 we had before was a magnet for paint chips

Strangways wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:49 pm .......Personally I want a pretty car.......

Should have chosen 'Momoiro Pop' then...

AndyRen wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:34 am

Strangways wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:49 pm .......Personally I want a pretty car.......

Should have chosen 'Momoiro Pop' then...

does anyone have a link to a specialist document as to why certain colours are more prone to chips? or is this just the opinion of the members
I have the machine grey

fourbanks wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 4:57 pm does anyone have a link to a specialist document as to why certain colours are more prone to chips? or is this just the opinion of the members
I have the machine grey

That is a good question because all colours have a clearcote on top including these days flat colours,and it is that which would chip before the underlying base cote. I did some research a while back as Japanese cars by reputation have the softest paint and German the hardest, there is a chart which detailers use before they work on paint rectification to determine how an aggressive a product to use dependant on the hardness of the clearcote. The difference between soft and hard paints is a compromise between gloss and hardness according to the research I did.