Chips on leading edge of hood - why does this happen?

[dtuttle123]

Chipping paint on the leading edge of the hood - why does this happen?  

I have a few small ones on my hood front edge, but the hood doesn't seem to be binding or touching anywhere when you raise/lower it.  The gaps around the hood seems consistent.   I've seen these chips on the hoods of other Pagodas also.  

Is there 'play' in the hood hinges?  What could cause this?  

[xcashewx]

its because of the hoods curved structure and that the gaps are very tight.
 as the hood is raised the very slightly "longer" sides eventually make contact with the lower portion near the hinges, as from what i have noticed with mine

[dseretakis]

Mine is also all chipped up and the gap is pretty good. It's just an area you have to keep touching up. Luckily it's aluminum so it never rusts.

[fhernand]

I will give you my opinion.  Because the tolerences are very tight between hood and front grille panel, any small sag will cause chips.  One of the culprits is the hinges.  I have noticed that these are very easily prone to wear.  On my current 230SL project I had to get new bushings.  Also if your inner grille is not adjusted well, when  you open the hood the edges of the hood will catch on the inner side of the black grille.  A properly adjusted hood should not touch any other edges.  Freddie

[al_lieffring]

I have always set the hood with a wider gap at the front than at the back to keep this from happening.

[dseretakis]

I have always set the hood with a wider gap at the front than at the back to keep this from happening.

Yes but then the Gap police will fine you for inconsistent gaps.

[Surfer65sl]

Doug,
Had many issues like this.  I had to buy new hinges or hood brackets from Gernold as they are housed in aluminum which eventually wear out so check them.  Also, I had the body shop repaint my car and take down the excess paint around hood so that there is plenty of clearance...I was originally going to have the hood and a few nick areas touched up after my bracket gave out but the body shop I used repainted the entire car for a slight up charge, even body shops fall in love with these cars...Hopefully, your chips are not too extensive and you won't have to do this much work.
Good luck,
Matt