I have used and abused my rep subs in every kind of condition imaginable. Mud, grease, diesel fuel, jack hammers and welding/grinding. I can honestly say that the paint used on the rep bezels I own is pretty tough. I collect vintage, and I find that I need to soak the bezels in detergent to fad them enough to look the part. Scratches on the tropics are more of a problem than the bezels being scratched in my line of work. Bezels are cheap too. $12-$15 will get you one that looks like new.....though I have yet to buy one. I think a bit of wear adds to the vintage look in my opinion.