For those of you who are interested, here is the follow-up to the sandblasting of my maxima's paint by West Virginian road salt/sand/small road diamonds/depleted uranium/whatever it was....there is another thread on this that I originally posted, but I can't seem to find it with search not available......

Anyhow, I ended up sending emails to the W.Va. DOT commissioners, and lo and behold I actually got a response: So here is what they said:

"I have been given your e-mail for review and to reply to. I am sorry for your experience in West Virginia after your recent trips to our state. After checking with the District Engineer in the Elkins area he has informed me that the size and the type of salt and abrasives we are using this year has not changed from what was used in previous years. We have had some continuous snows this season where it required that we continue to treat the road to provide the traction so traffic could be maintained. When we have a continuous snow the material tends to build up and stay on the road longer before being blown off by traffic. The way new cars are made today the sides of the cars tend to wrap around behind the tires and this type design does have a tendency to throw the material on the road that collects in the tread of the tires onto the bottom side of the car thus causing chips in the paint. You might consider some side guards that can be placed on the fender just behind the tires to reduce such damage. I am sure you understand our need to place a material necessary to provide traction on the mountainous terrain we have in the ski areas of our state. I also hope your latest experience does not deter you from taking advantage of the many recreational opportunities our state provides.



Carl O. Thompson

Deputy State Highway Engineer - Operations

 

that was a cut-and-paste job if I ever saw one.

what are you going to do? I read you first thread and personally i'd think about leaving my car in a "shady" area where it might get vandalized, so insurance would pay for a repaint, if you know what I mean

 

yup i agree