I'll agree paint is applied thinner these days. Ex. less coats of color. Disagree on the waterbase, and aluminum. I have extensive experience/education in both areas. I haven't seen any difference in the amount of rock chips between now, and the 90s. Its about the same if not less.

How you drive, where you drive, what you drive behind, whats on the road, and luck is how you get rock chips. No matter what paint is on your vehicle. More parts on front ends of trucks are painted now, than 10 years ago. 10 years ago most bumpers on trucks were chrome. More paint=more chances to chip.

 

My '17 gets scratches if I look at it wrong. Got a VERY annoying scratch near the door handle, its small, but very noticeable every time I get in and out of the truck.

I'm guessing I touched the paint with the end of the key while I had it in my hand while I opened the door? Don't know why I would have done that but for the life of me I can't figure out how I could get a scratch there.

Lots of other little scratches on it now. Loading stuff in and out of the bed I treat it like kid gloves. Very annoying.

I can't recall another vehicle that I've owned since my first in 1978 that has as easily damaged paint.