Paint Protection

[andrewx]

I am thinking to get Opti-coat pro and a Xpel rocker panel film, although I have the front bumper applied with different film,but I wanna get your opinions on what kinda paint/surface protection do you put on your beasts?
I even think about getting the door and rear fender film as well, man the road condition is brutal here in Manitoba,Canada. I constantly getting flying rock chips hit on the front doors.

[Epacy2]

I just got Opti-coat and Xpel. Went with front bumper, 24in up hood, mirrors, rocker panels and rear flares. Then they went back and​ opti-coated over the clear bra. Was not a cheap bill...but should be really well protected now.

[andrewx]

Originally Posted by Epacy2

I just got Opti-coat and Xpel. Went with front bumper, 24in up hood, mirrors, rocker panels and rear flares. Then they went back and​ opti-coated over the clear bra. Was not a cheap bill...but should be really well protected now.

I am thinking the same thing as well, I now have the hood and mirrors, going to do the rocker panels, then opti-coat the whole car.
The thing is the road here are terrible, rock chips constantly fly through the doors, I talked the Xpel installer, he said its not necessary to do that, but damn the rock chips are terrible.

[Roundown]

I wish I had done the doors.

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by Roundown

I wish I had done the doors.

+1

I realize that the doors are the part that I view the most and most often in harm's way (from people walking between cars with bags or bumping into the car).

I also find that the PPF is great protection against swirls and faint scratches. All the areas covered are pristine and swirl free; the doors are starting to show swirls.

[Grayblack]

If you're looking for true paint protection XPEL is the only way to go. Opti coat doesn't protect the car from rock chips, scratches and swirls.

[eleven11]

Consider CQFinest, if you have an installer in your region. It's not for protection, but for general gloss and perhaps reducing marring (instead of Opticoat, etc.).

[tastelid]

I still dream of doing a full wrap with xpel, but the $6k quote still scares me off. Do they make colored xpel? Might as well change up the color at the same time, for that price.

Of course the MSRP on just the film ( http://www.xpel.com/paint-protection.../2016/BMW/X5_M ) is over $8k...

[andrewx]

Originally Posted by Luca42

+1

I realize that the doors are the part that I view the most and most often in harm's way (from people walking between cars with bags or bumping into the car).

I also find that the PPF is great protection against swirls and faint scratches. All the areas covered are pristine and swirl free; the doors are starting to show swirls.

I know, especially on the door handle areas

[andrewx]

Originally Posted by Grayblack

If you're looking for true paint protection XPEL is the only way to go. Opti coat doesn't protect the car from rock chips, scratches and swirls.

I was thinking about it man. I've talked to the installer in my area, he said hasn't seen any one to put the door films, most scratches can be polish off... then he mentioned depends how long do you plan to keep your car, if less than 5 years, there is no point to put a $4000 films to protect these doors.

I got to say he had a point there.

[andrewx]

Originally Posted by tastelid

I still dream of doing a full wrap with xpel, but the $6k quote still scares me off. Do they make colored xpel? Might as well change up the color at the same time, for that price.

Of course the MSRP on just the film ( http://www.xpel.com/paint-protection.../2016/BMW/X5_M ) is over $8k...

Right there with you man. Depends how long do you want to keep your car tho.
My installer said less than 5 yrs it is no need to spend that much money on the doors.

[andrewx]

Originally Posted by eleven11

Consider CQFinest, if you have an installer in your region. It's not for protection, but for general gloss and perhaps reducing marring (instead of Opticoat, etc.).

I just checked, my installer here also does CQ Finest, but it is quoted $1500 here, thats too much...

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by andrewx

I just checked, my installer here also does CQ Finest, but it is quoted $1500 here, thats too much...

If CAD, that's about what I was quoted here ($1100 USD). From my understanding, CQuartz is much more stringent about who they certify to install their product. Also, it requires full paint correction prior to installation. It's a great product, but expensive.

[jettie1767]

I've always done a full hood, full front fender, front bumper, side mirrors, fogs and headlights with Xpel Ultimate on all my cars.

[tastelid]

Originally Posted by jettie1767

I've always done a full hood, full front fender, front bumper, side mirrors, fogs and headlights with Xpel Ultimate on all my cars.

even the prius?

[ctdw]

Are the rocker panels really needed? From looking in the forum I see people reporting the wheels kicking up rocks. Unfortunately I had Xpel installed already on other parts of the car and the whole car coated with Crystal Serum Light.

In order to do the panels, I will need to have the coating removed in those areas and then applied again over the film. Just wondering if the panels get that trashed if you are always on paved roads?

[ctdw]

I just washed my car and found three rock chips on the passenger door in just 800 miles...so I guess the answer is you need Xpel on the rocker panels.

[kimi_fan]

I'd consider the arches as well. This is what happens when you accidentally find a gravel road with a 45 mph speed limit...

[foldpages]

I have no paint protection whatsoever. 6000 miles in a few chips on the bumper. Nothing unusual. No chips on doors or rocker panels. I guess it depends where you are driving. I'm doing 80% city driving and 20% freeway. Try not to drive behind trucks or tailgate people. If you look at the cost of doing PPF plus ceramic coating vs just repainting a damaged panel ...

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by ctdw

I just washed my car and found three rock chips on the passenger door in just 800 miles...so I guess the answer is you need Xpel on the rocker panels.

I wish I had done the doors.

Had the entire front end, rockers, mirrors and arches done.

[ctdw]

Originally Posted by foldpages

Try not to drive behind trucks or tailgate people. If you look at the cost of doing PPF plus ceramic coating vs just repainting a damaged panel ...

Rock chips on the lower door and rocker panels are not from tailgating...it's from the wide wheels kicking up rocks and debris. I ended up adding Xpel yesterday to these areas since I got a handful of chips in less than 900 miles...can't imagine what it would look like in a years time.

[ctdw]

Originally Posted by kimi_fan

I'd consider the arches as well. This is what happens when you accidentally find a gravel road with a 45 mph speed limit...

Ouch! The Xpel rocker panel kit also covered the lower arches so hopefully I am covered now.