Paint Protection
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Very cool thank you. They mention they have interior protection as well. Considering something of the sort
With Ceramic though, that is an annual application if I'm thinking correctly. The film I see has 10 year warranty
Big help, hope I can find someone in Sarasota to do it.
Thanks
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On my previous X5 I had Ceramic Pro, and it did require an annual refresh. The Fusion Plus is rated for 4 years with one application (and they did the interior as well), so we shall see - so far, so good with multiple washes....
Are you using an automatic wash with big brushes or hand washing?
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Contactless wash (spray only); our dealer has a "light touch" wash which is new and maintained by a pretty dedicated staff, but any physical brushes can potentially cause paint swirls even from dirt off your own car. The upside is they will take care of any detailing for damage caused by their wash, but lots of choices here. First wash was by hand just to clean off travel dust (not OCD enough to do that every time - hence CC - and I do have a foam kit), but the brushless wash does fine at getting off the surface film, and XPEL's Detail Spray puts it back to new. XPEL's CC seems to be pretty tough stuff.
What kind of car cleaning place do you go to?
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It's a drive-through spray wash (no kids with dirty sponges or towels); also wax-less with soft water, with a detail spray and buff afterwards (by me). Our dealership has the car chipped for their wash (free for ownership of the car), and it's a "pull-through" with soft, slowly rotating cloths - no brushes, so I'll eventually try that. Brand new so modern tech, but again, more chance of swirls with a contact wash. I'll give it a try and inspect - I asked my SA and they'll detail and cover any defects, so they're pretty confident it will handle their $200k M8s.
Sounds like a nice wash. Wish there was one in SRQ
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You need it more in FL, just from my year living in the Panhandle - sand and salt everywhere (except for the winters here on the Lone Prairie, where sand and salt is pretty common too!). 😁
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Please post!!! Would love to see the look!
I’ve never purchased a Paint protection for any of my cars bit I’m just wondering if I should purchase one for my iX. Do any of you think that it’s definitely worthwhile? Are you doing a full car paint protection or just part of the iX… and what part? Would this protect from door dings?
Also, I ordered the black leather seats. Does anyone have any comments on whether it would be worthwhile or not too to do something to protect these leather seats?
Thanks so much.
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PPF (Paint Protection Film) provides protection from normal rock/road debris chips on paint (as well as paint damage from tree sap, bird droppings or UV fading) - it will not prevent heavy dings or dents, but can reduce the damage (it's basically a few mil thick layer of polyurethane). It's most effective in the front (where you're more likely to see this damage), but can also protect from less usual side, top or rear damage, and of course you can wrap an entire vehicle. Ceramic coating is a micron-thick layer of silicon dioxide, plus additives, that protects the clear coat and paint from UV damage as well as normal dirt/dust, some chemicals, stains, and general wear. It will not protect from scratches, chips or dents, but does keep the surface "new" looking longer, and makes washing easier. Ceramic coating is also used to protect the interior upholstery (including leather), glass and other surfaces from similar damage. I have PPF on the front surfaces, including side mirrors, and ceramic coat over the interior and exterior, and it's definitely worth it, to me. The key to applying any of these is a good detailer/installer. These products are a far cry (or should be), from the old dealer "paint protection" consisting of a lightly and poorly applied wax job, if even that.
Question for you...how careful do you have to be when washing a car that has a PPF wrap? In my mind I imagine that the PPF picks up fine scratches like crazy and ends up just looking as bad as a heavily worn clear coat. Am I wrong?
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First part, not at all - just wash as you would normally. Second part, the PPF is actually self-healing, and doesn't show or collect scratches at all - it's a plastic film that's softer than the paint, and it's hard to tell that it's on except for a very fine edge where the PPF stops and paint begins. If it does get damaged (somehow torn or loosened), it's easily peeled off and replaced.
Do you or anyone else have a ballpark on what the cost for the full car would cost ( USD)?. Also, the leather interior costs as well?
I see XPEL products. What about other manufacturer products?. The same? Better? Or stay away from?
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Haven't done a full wrap, but my impression is in the $5-8k range, depending on area. Also haven't priced out the interior separately - it's usually part of the total cost. As far as ceramic coat, I've used both Ceramic Pro and XPEL, and both have similar warranties and appear very similar to me.
Thanks for the update. I have never done any paint protection on any of my cars. Do you feel is worth it?
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It has been for me, both for the easier (and less frequent) washing and polishing, and for the front protection from chips and road debris.
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