Just got my new HHR and i am trying to protect my vehicle from stone chips,ugh! Its going in next week and i am looking for info on spots to watch for that need to be covered.Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum! Where in Canada are you?
You are definitely doing the right thing by getting some protection. I drive regularly on 400 series highways around Toronto and the amout of crap thrown up on the car is very damaging. After three years I have touched up many stone chips on mine, wish I had gotten the 3M at the beginning. From what Ive seen it is visible, but worth the compromise IMO.
Most vulnerable is the hood around the grille, from the bumper up to about 5"-6" above the grille. I have about 30 there that I have touched up, and literally hundreds more that are too small and numerous for me to deal with.
The bumper has some too, but its black plastic underneath so not as visible and wont rust.
The second most vulnerable spot is the fender flares on the rear doors, in fact some HHRs have the 3M there from the factory if not equipped with running boards.
I also have a few chips on the front fenders and a couple around the windsheild but far less than the other areas.
I also have three or four noticable chips in the windsheild, plus a couple on the headlights.

 

Funny you should mention the windshield, first day on the QE, stone has left its signature, is this car a stone magnet? I am from the Niagara area and you? A friend of mine owns the shop so he will probably just ask me where to put the stone gaurd.So you figure 6" above the grille is good?You think i should do the whole rear fenders? And perhaps the windshield, lol!

 

Im in west end of Toronto, but I love the niagara area, very scenic. We are actually having an HHR show at Prudhommes Landing on June 25, cmon out!
What colour HHR do you have? Mine is dark, and every hit shows the light primer underneath. If you have silver its not as noticeable.
The forward facing surfaces are what catch the stones on the highway. The parts of the hood on either side of the grille get the most, some above the grille, and even a couple almost in the middle of the hood. Also a couple above the headlights. And yes, the windshield, I really should look into getting mine fixed.
The part you should cover on the rear fenders is the forward facing surface on the rear door. You can see it in the centre of this pic.

 

Well thanks again. Went into the tint shop after work to get a price, for 500 he pretty much covers everything. Thats about 6" above grille,around the headlights,behind each wheel,the complete front bumper and tint the drivers window and passenger.I believe the tint on the back windows are 20% which they say is not legal for the front windows, i am wondering if going 30% will look bad. Have you heard anything places that coat the windshield? first day rock on the highway cracks my windshield!!! ugh. The thing in June sounds good, will definitely get to that, maybe pick up some cool mods.

 

And by the way i went with Granite Black metallic, what a different colour. During the day it almost looks gun metal and at night shinny black. I actually called the dealer to say the HHR had the wrong black because when i looked at it orginally it was a overcast day.Talk about feeling silly.

 

Yup, thats a new colour, very nice.
I have the 30% tint on my front doors, thats the standard in Ontario. I know many that have gotten 20% without a problem, but its at the officers discretion, so always be courteous and roll down the windows if you get pulled over.
Yes, you can tell the difference, and in summer I bet it gets a bit warmer. If I did it over, Id probably go for 20%. Mind you it still might not match exactly as aftermarket tint film isnt always the same colour as from the factory.
You mention getting the film behind the wheels, but its the front you need to worry about, just making sure thats what you meant. And make sure its all the way around the grille down to the bumper.
You can also check out www.ontariohhrownersgroup.com , a small but dedicated forum there. :)

 

Hey got another quik question for you. Looking for some oem splash guards that i can buy here in niagara or surrounding area. any ideas?

 

I got mine from the dealer soon after buying the car. After talking to the salesman, he got the parts dept to give me his employee discount on them. Cost about $40 for the set of four, with the HHR logo on the rears.

 

Awesome, called the dealer today. A set of 4 were 37 out the door. HHR goes in on Friday to get a second skin, hopefully it doesn't show to much. This site is amazing for info, can't stop reading the forums.I have to learn to take everything a little slower, i want,want,want! Ha