Had to look up PPF and guessed that Pension Protection Fund was not it so...
I think it depends quite a bit on the vehicle and also the quality of the paint. My T6 is very prone to chips compared to my other (and previous) vehicles, partly because the flat fronted bumper and because mine is two-tone with a resprayed lower part which just isn’t as tough as the original paint. Distance certainly plays a part, but I’ve had damage in the past when 200yds+ behind the vehicle in front (well in excess of the 2 sec rule) and also from vehicles going the other way.
I rarely receive stone chips but have been clobbered on occasion in the past from oncoming trucks throwing up stuff from the road. It can also happen when overtaking. As the Gingster has said, I have also seen large stones being tossed considerable distance from trucks and if they hit would probably have smashed a windscreen or dented the vehicle. I like to drop back and ease off if catching trailing traffic but not because of stone damage. Sticking close to a queue of traffic means that they dictate every thing and often the speed they travel at fluctuates or yo-yoes. I like to take my own responsibility to the road and see and adjust for what ever hazard I might come up against. Many that just tug around even just a solitary car appear to switch off and follow blindly. Holding back gives better vision and more time, therefore no need to constantly adjust the speed for someone else’s poor reading of the road. Unless a road has been recently stoned, stones throw do not overly concern me unless it is brick sized, it is something that happens rarely and is just one of those things. It is a vehicle and one can expect the odd blemish and while it all very nice having a lovely shiny car, living in the country one expects the odd twig or small branch or stone occasionally and no big deal, so long as the damage is not extensive like a smashed or cracked window. The vehicle gets the odd wash when in town which is pointless really as it soon dirty or dusty within a few miles, more concerned with caked mud build up in the wheel arches. I do not believe that a vehicle is so precious, a polish once or twice a year is enough. More important to keep it well serviced and shod. Basically its a tool and nothing to be worshipped!
