Bird crap stained my panels. Washing it didn't get it out. Thankfully Lexol got it out. I am dissappointed in the panels. You barely touch them and they scratch, they stain, and I read an acticle on Edmunds.com how the E they drove panel's were peeling around where gas had dripped during refueling. Aren't these things supposed to be durable :?:

I've had bird crap that washed off a panel easier than it did off the roof and left no stains. I've also spilled gas down the side (once) when an auto-cut off didn't trip. No stains, no peeling, and it was actually a few days after before I washed the car. I also have only one appreciable scratch, which is not all that noticeable and despite 3200 miles on mixed city/highway driving.

I posted elsewhere that I'd tested a couple of other Es (along with my own) for scratch-resistance and found one that marked easily and one that didn't - and posing the possibility that the composition of the panels perhaps varies somewhat.

I washed my car within an hour of the bird :) Didn't come off after three washes. That probably depends on what the bird ate :lol: Lexol got the stain and the scratch out though.

Edmunds article:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/honda/element/100201260/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=93319&tid=edmunds.e..rtsearch...Honda

I wipe the gas off if it drips and wash my E on a regular basis. Maybe they didn't take such good care of it, but paint wouldn't do that.

I saw the Edmonds review and I can't answer for their experience, only for my own.

As I say, I suspect there may be variations in the materials used in the panels that might explain why some have more obvious problems than others. In my own case, I'm quite happy (at present at least) with the panels on the outside of the vehicle.... it's the ones on the INSDIE that more concern me. If I just look at those with a hard stare they develop scratches!

i have scratches near where the ignition is and if you touch any where with anything it scratches

The plastic used in the panels is too soft, scratches too easily - anything but durable. I have scratches and mine has been babied.

The formula was wrong, had to be wrong.


The brochure says "durable, scratch-resistant panels" --- Good Luck.

Because the panels are soft and can deform on impact, they wont crack easily and can better resist dings. Saturn panels aren't especially hard either, but their paint seems to prevent scratching. But hardening the material a great deal to reduce scratches might reduce the ability of the panels to absorb bumps/shocks.

I much rather have scratches than dings, dents, rust and paint chips anytime!

BTW..... i have 1,900 miles with no problems with my panels :D