If you live in Texas (or any other place where it doesn't rain often) and you just bought a new car, you might want to consider taking this extra step before covering a lot of miles. It’s going to cost you, but if you care about your car’s aesthetics or want to preserve as much resale value as possible, this could be worth the investment. What Happened To The New BMW? In a trending video with more than 11,000 views, technician Matthew Jones of Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings (@hhceramiccoatings) showed off a BMW X5 that had been on the road for less than six weeks—and the paint was already covered in rock chips. "People don't believe us when we tell them you need paint protection film right away," Jones says. "Check this out." This specific BMW X5 was built in December 2025. The video was filmed on Feb. 10. That's just a few weeks on the road. "See all this? These are all rock chips," Jones explains, pointing to what looks like dust on the dark paint but is actually dozens of tiny white chips. "Those are all rock chips. Look at this one. All these little things that you're seeing—that isn't dust. Those are actual rock chips." To make matters worse, one of those rocks had already cracked the windshield. Why Texas Roads Are Especially Brutal On Cars The creator notes that Texas roads are particularly prone to rock chips due to limited rainfall. "The reason you get more rock chips in Texas than you get in a lot of places, and people don't believe us, is because we get less rain in Texas," Jones says. "The road doesn't get washed off, so the dirt and debris stays on there." In rainier states, precipitation naturally clears loose gravel and debris off roads. In Texas, that debris just sits there, accumulating, waiting to be kicked up by the car in front of you and launched directly into your paint. Jones admits this might be "a little bit more of an extreme case than your average, but not by much." In an Instagram comment, they added the following: "People will say ‘BMW or whatever insert car here paint is thin’ but the truth is all cars have thinner paint now. This is because of a few reasons 1. Environmental regulations switched to a water based low VOC which is thinner than the older style paint. This reduces the paint's toxicity but also makes it softer and less resistant to environmental damage. 2. Modern robotic painting is highly precise, allowing manufacturers to apply the exact, minimal amount of paint needed, which is often thinner than what was applied in the past." Why Rock Chips Happen And How To Stop Them Rock chips aren't a fluke. According to Ceramic Pro, they can happen at any speed, whether you're cruising at 70 mph on the highway or crawling through a construction zone at 30 mph. No car is immune, regardless of make, model, or price tag. The most vulnerable areas on any car are the front bumper, hood, side mirrors, lower door panels, wheel wells, and headlights—basically everything that faces forward or sits low. Tinting Chicago notes that following construction vehicles or gravel trucks too closely is one of the biggest culprits, since they constantly kick debris onto the road in front of you. Here are a few options for what you can do about it: Paint Protection Film (PPF): The gold standard. A clear urethane film that's 6–8 mils thick and physically absorbs impacts. It even has self-healing properties when exposed to heat. PPF can last 7–10 years and costs $2,000 and up, depending on coverage. Ceramic coating: Popular but limited. At only 1–2 microns thick, ceramic coating is excellent for UV protection and easier cleaning, but according to Ceramic Pro, it's not designed to stop rock chips. Think of it as a complement to PPF, not a replacement. Driving habits: Keep a 3-second following distance, slow down on gravel roads, change lanes away from trucks when possible, and avoid the highway shoulder where debris accumulates. Commenters React "Wouldnt doubt at least some of those are from when it was transported to the dealer from sc," a top comment read. "Massachusetts is the same. Your windshield will have tiny chips as well," a person said. "PPF needs to be installed the same day you pick it up from the dealer. I drive straight from the dealer to my guy," another wrote. Motor1 reached out to Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings for comment via email and Instagram direct message. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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