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Anyone with opinions on paint protective finishes for cars?
Posted on 7/11/16 at 1:52 am
Posted on 7/11/16 at 1:52 am
My wife just got a new vehicle and is wanting to protect the paint job. I've been reading a lot about xpel. We are considering just doing the front end and mirrors, mainly to protect from rock damage and such. She is wondering if there would be any noticeable difference in appearance from a protected surface to an unprotected surface.
Do any of you have experience with this? Any opinions regarding xpel vs other films vs polymer coatings or anything else?
Thanks
Do any of you have experience with this? Any opinions regarding xpel vs other films vs polymer coatings or anything else?
Thanks
Posted on 7/11/16 at 6:27 am to pongze
I have a Modesta coating. It's not really to protect from rocks and chipping, it's more to protect the finish from light surface scratches and marring.
If you're wanting to protect from rocks, I would look at a film, not a coating. I don't know anything about the films though.
If you're wanting to protect from rocks, I would look at a film, not a coating. I don't know anything about the films though.
Posted on 7/11/16 at 7:20 am to DownSouthDave
Regarding the Modesta coating, do you like it? Does it make washing easier? Has it held up well?
I see that some people use film in the front then coat the entire vehicle in a Modesta coating or similar product.
I see that some people use film in the front then coat the entire vehicle in a Modesta coating or similar product.
Posted on 7/11/16 at 7:35 am to pongze
I had my black truck for 6 months before I put the coating on it. I washed it by hand as carefully as I could and it still started developing small scratches from washing. I put the coating on over a year ago and I still don't have any scratches from washing. The finish still looks great. It's really about the same washing it, I don't find it to be much easier. You still have to do the same work.
The only complaint I have is water spots. My water has a lot of minerals and the coating seems to show water spots more than before. I'll probably bring it back to the detail guy before long and get him to polish it to remove them.
The only complaint I have is water spots. My water has a lot of minerals and the coating seems to show water spots more than before. I'll probably bring it back to the detail guy before long and get him to polish it to remove them.
Posted on 7/11/16 at 8:37 am to DownSouthDave
I have an opticoat finish that I applied about 2 years ago. I like that the clear coat is protected from chemicals and bug guts and has better scratch resistance.
This.
I have the GM white diamond tricoat (pearl white) so for me the water spots aren't an issue since they hide. But the down side of having a dark paint job is that the water spots will start to show.
It's also not recommended that you use any sort of abrasive polish on the surface because it will remove the protective coat. So for a dark car this is a very tricky situation.
I would also highly recommend against getting a clear plastic over your paint like clear bra. It will fade in sunlight and discolor to a yellow and you won't be able to polish out any marks that are left behind. Plus removing it is a multi-hour process that involves a heat gun and a ton of sticky glue.
quote:
The only complaint I have is water spots. My water has a lot of minerals and the coating seems to show water spots more than before. I'll probably bring it back to the detail guy before long and get him to polish it to remove them.
This.
I have the GM white diamond tricoat (pearl white) so for me the water spots aren't an issue since they hide. But the down side of having a dark paint job is that the water spots will start to show.
It's also not recommended that you use any sort of abrasive polish on the surface because it will remove the protective coat. So for a dark car this is a very tricky situation.
I would also highly recommend against getting a clear plastic over your paint like clear bra. It will fade in sunlight and discolor to a yellow and you won't be able to polish out any marks that are left behind. Plus removing it is a multi-hour process that involves a heat gun and a ton of sticky glue.
Posted on 7/11/16 at 10:15 am to pongze
We have the film on one of our cars. We did not put it on (dealership did) but it makes a world of difference and you can't tell it is there until you are up close. The only thing I do not like about it is that wax can get hung on it.
Posted on 7/11/16 at 10:21 am to bapple
quote:
It will fade in sunlight and discolor to a yellow and you won't be able to polish out any marks that are left behind.
When you say fade, does that mean that it won't have a glossy finish anymore? I'm glad you mentioned this as this means we probably won't go with a film.
Posted on 7/12/16 at 7:57 am to pongze
Sorry for the delayed response!
Not only will it lose gloss since it has the potential to scratch easier, but the sun will also discolor it. There may be some types I am unaware of, but anytime I've polished a car, I had to completely avoid the film and that section of the car looked shitty.
quote:
When you say fade, does that mean that it won't have a glossy finish anymore?
Not only will it lose gloss since it has the potential to scratch easier, but the sun will also discolor it. There may be some types I am unaware of, but anytime I've polished a car, I had to completely avoid the film and that section of the car looked shitty.
Posted on 7/12/16 at 7:58 pm to bapple
Thanks for the reply! I appreciate your input.
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