Door dings - what do you do to prevent them?

[MaximusB]

Try something like this:
http://www.doorshox.com
Or
http://doordefender.com

I have the door defender and so far no issues. Although I only put them on if I'm have no other choice but to park in a tight spot. I also cut off the security cable that goes inside the car. I figured if someone want to steal them it is better to let them take it than risk wrecking the door.

[RM7]

Also, if you have the license plate of the car that dinged your doors, your insurance company will go after them for your deductible if you file a claim. So dash-cams and security cams at the location can be helpful.

[fullstack]

- park far away
- park next to a van with sliding doors, or next to a sedan with short doors
- don't park next to cars that aren't taken care of
- park at the second last stall with your wheels just before the line between the second last stall and the last stall. This will make the last stall space smaller and people will less likely want to park there and your other side will have more room
- try not to park next to a car that has a car seat on the side that you are parked

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by fdsasdasdf

Today I parked my car for about an hour next to another owner of the same car.

I don't do this, ever. Literally. If the place that I am going has a full parking lot and an adjacent complex/neighborhood/etc has ample parking I park my car where no one else is and I walk.

[shay2nak]

1) I don't park far away, I park as up front as possible.

2) do not park next to a timed spot (ie. 5, 10, 15 min parking)

2) Take a curb/end spot and park as close as possible to the curb. If it's and end spot that has a drawn island I will park over the line.

3) If you do get a curb spot, don't park on the driver's side of the adjacent car, if possible. Most people drive alone so if you park at a curb spot with the passenger side next to you, chances are no door will ever open.

4) don't park next to coupes since their doors are a lot longer and have more reach towards your car. Minivan with sliding doors was a good one mentioned.

5) Avoid parking next to SUVs since they have larger doors with multiple passengers, including kids who will just fling doors open. not to mention they are larger and will take up more space which means they'll be closer to your car.

[evdok]

Originally Posted by MaximusB

Try something like this:
http://www.doorshox.com
Or
http://doordefender.com

Some thing like that would last about 30sec's in the uk.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

1) I don't park far away, I park as up front as possible.

2) do not park next to a timed spot (ie. 5, 10, 15 min parking)

2) Take a curb/end spot and park as close as possible to the curb. If it's and end spot that has a drawn island I will park over the line.

3) If you do get a curb spot, don't park on the driver's side of the adjacent car, if possible. Most people drive alone so if you park at a curb spot with the passenger side next to you, chances are no door will ever open.

4) don't park next to coupes since their doors are a lot longer and have more reach towards your car. Minivan with sliding doors was a good one mentioned.

5) Avoid parking next to SUVs since they have larger doors with multiple passengers, including kids who will just fling doors open. not to mention they are larger and will take up more space which means they'll be closer to your car.

This is a great overall set of rules, particularly 3) and 4). To these (and some of the other advice), I would add:
- Park next to handicapped parking if at all possible because of the 'buffer' usually present between the handicapped space and regular space
- Profile cars, even beyond what's been mentioned. If you see dings on the car you're parking next to, don't park there. Park next to washed cars over dirtier ones. Park next to darker cars over lighter ones (a good-looking darker car means the owner probably takes care of the exterior). Park next to European imports over Asian imports over domestic vehicles. Park next to clean "unusual" cars over semi-generic luxury cars, i.e., a VW Beetle 'vert over a Lexus GS. Park next to a hybrid before an ICE. And so on ...

... following those rules, I experienced one ding in two and a half years, and I park in a parking garage every day of the work week.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by jopa489

Park as far a way as possible. People too lazy to open a door properly are too lazy to walk. Fact.

This.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by rob612

double park?? i think the ticket is cheaper than a ding repair

Don't be that asshole. That is how you get your car keyed, or someone parking within 4mm of it with a POS.

Back when I had my $200 VW Rabbit, I would look for double parked cars and park within an inch of them. Came out more than once to a foot print in the door, and I did not care in the slightest.

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Don't be that asshole. That is how you get your car keyed, or someone parking within 4mm of it with a POS.

Back when I had my $200 VW Rabbit, I would look for double parked cars and park within an inch of them. Came out more than once to a foot print in the door, and I did not care in the slightest.

You sound like a real douche nozzle
Mr. Mighty Mouse parking policeman

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

You sound like a real douche nozzle

I'm Canadian, it's Douche Canoe thank you very much.

The real douche nozzles are the people who take up two spots.

[Red Bread]

Yep, I’ll slide in next to folks double parked, as close as possible and climb out the other door. Nothing douchier than idiots double parking something pedestrian. Now an F40, 3.0 CSL or similar, I’ll give a little credit there.

Most important thing about door dings is finding a good PDR guy, bonus points if he can airbrush rock chips too.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Don't be that asshole. That is how you get your car keyed, or someone parking within 4mm of it with a POS.

Back when I had my $200 VW Rabbit, I would look for double parked cars and park within an inch of them. Came out more than once to a foot print in the door, and I did not care in the slightest.

I did that once when I had my skyline. Boxing Day shopping, the mall was obviously as busy as it gets, everyone was circling the parking lot looking for spot. Saw someone double parked and I had enough to squeeze in so I did. The skyline being right hand drive made it even easier as I was able to pull the passenger side right next to his driver side.

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Don't be that asshole. That is how you get your car keyed, or someone parking within 4mm of it with a POS.

I would look for double parked cars and park within an inch of them. .

"I would look for double parked cars" Really who the fuck thinks like that?? Do that shit USA and your bound to get an ass kicking... you are fucking with man's car regardless of how he parks...
with that said...I generally park as far way from people as possible and frown upon people taking up 2 spaces up front near a store as much as the next guy... However, if see a guy that Parks away from most everyone at the Home Depot and takes up 2 spaces.... do I give a fuck... Absolutely NOT... Good for him, he has a nice car and cares for his belongings.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

"I would look for double parked cars" Really who the fuck thinks like that?? Do that shit USA and your bound to get an ass kicking... you are fucking with man's car regardless of how he parks...
with that said...I generally park as far way from people as possible and frown upon people taking up 2 spaces up front near a store as much as the next guy... However, if a guy Parks away from most everyone at the Home Depot and takes up 2 spaces.... do I give a fuck... Absolutely NOT... Good for him, he had a nice car and cares for his belongings.

Nope, still an ass. Just park in an end space, or get to talk to a CHL holder if you really think you?re special and want to mouth off to someone who parks near your precious.

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Nope, still an ass. Just park in an end space, or get to talk to a CHL holder if you really think you?re special and want to mouth off to someone who parks near your precious.

What is CHL , Cock Head Lover?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

What is CHL , Cock Head Lover?

Yes, be sure to use that phrase when addressing a CHL holder, while parked like a boob.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

"I would look for double parked cars" Really who the fuck thinks like that?? Do that shit USA and your bound to get an ass kicking... you are fucking with man's car regardless of how he parks...
with that said...I generally park as far way from people as possible and frown upon people taking up 2 spaces up front near a store as much as the next guy... However, if see a guy that Parks away from most everyone at the Home Depot and takes up 2 spaces.... do I give a fuck... Absolutely NOT... Good for him, he has a nice car and cares for his belongings.

Still a douche.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Still a douche.

Potentially a ventilated one, just let it play out.

[kitesurfer]

If you and your girl friend could actually read my post, I DONT PARK LIKE THAT, I NEVER SAID I DID, I stated I don't get my panties in a bunch like you ladies do when I see someone taking up 2 spots that is parked far away from the store front.
I Just googled it CHL...now I see.
In NC we call it a CCP, Concealed and Carry Permit. Which as a matter of fact I do have also. . A CCP doesn't give me or you the authority to "teach" some guy how he should park.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Potentially a ventilated one, just let it play out.

And this is why I would never willingly visit the US.

[kitesurfer]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

And this is why I would never willingly visit the US.

I'm a "Widdle" Snowflake ....Don't fear someday you'll move out of Ma & Pa's basement in the Great White and see the big wide world