wraps and or coatings

[uberpube]

I've been pricing out some of the protective wraps/coverings, I was going to do the whole car. It's been suggested to me by a couple of detailers not to wrap the whole car, but to do a combination of wrap and paint protection like opticoat. Thoughts on this? With a color like snakeskin green, will you able to see a difference between paint covered in xpel and a panel next to that's not covered?

[ViperPete]

I've been pricing out some of the protective wraps/coverings, I was going to do the whole car. It's been suggested to me by a couple of detailers not to wrap the whole car, but to do a combination of wrap and paint protection like opticoat. Thoughts on this? With a color like snakeskin green, will you able to see a difference between paint covered in xpel and a panel next to that's not covered?

I have yet to see a clear bra type material that has a finish as nice as the paint. When I do it I am going to do the entire car.

[Bmw2nv2000]

If you didnt know it you would not know my car has the xpel clear bra.

[TA Two Oh]

I've been pricing out some of the protective wraps/coverings, I was going to do the whole car. It's been suggested to me by a couple of detailers not to wrap the whole car, but to do a combination of wrap and paint protection like opticoat. Thoughts on this? With a color like snakeskin green, will you able to see a difference between paint covered in xpel and a panel next to that's not covered?

What reasons did they give for not wrapping the whole car? Cause if you're crazy fussy, the difference between the paint with film on it and the paint without film on it might bug you. The very clearest film I've seen to date has been Suntek, but all films will reflect the light differently than paint alone. Plus, you'll get chips and scratches on the paint where it's not protected with film. I'm really happy with the Opticoat on my car -which hadn't been washed for two months when you saw it... looks much better now if you want to swing by again.

I was at the dealership when my car arrived. The Reliable driver drove it into the shop. Nobody washed it, dusted it, wiped it or touched the paint other than to open the doors, hood and trunk before I picked it up. I took it straight to my detailer and he spent 13 hours correcting the paint. Then I took it to my film guy and he installed 3M Pro on much of it. Then I took it back to my detailer so he could Opticoat the whole car. A friend teased me that I had film to protect the paint, and coating to protect the film, but I'd forgotten to put something on to protect the coating. I've had cars done in 3M, 3M Pro, XPel Ultimate and Suntek and have opinions on all of them. And I've had cars done in a few different coatings... the Viper was done using Opticoat Pro Plus.

Anyway, 17 months and 16,000 Km's later and I'm extremely happy with everything... the correction, the film and the coating. PM if you want any referrals.

[cashcorn]

I have the Xpel clear bra on my 14 srt silver. I'm having it removed... When looked at thru polarized sunglasses, it shows smudge marks and almost has a rainbow sheen in some spots. It was installed to perfection, until you put your shades on. The installer and Xpel, both said this is normal and happens with light metallic colors(silver especially). They say the UV protection in the film causes this on light/bright metallic paint jobs? I'm looking for a non UV protected film.. tried to take a pic with sunglasses over lens, did not work..

[Viper Granny]

I had my whole car (Snakeskin Green, love that color) wrapped in Xpel back in October after it was delivered to Woodhouse. I think it looks great. There are visible seams as expected (if you look closely), but the overall clarity and beauty of the color overshadows all of them. I'd rather have faint seams than stone chips, YIKES!!

[Bmw2nv2000]

I have the Xpel clear bra on my 14 srt silver. I'm having it removed... When looked at thru polarized sunglasses, it shows smudge marks and almost has a rainbow sheen in some spots. It was installed to perfection, until you put your shades on. The installer and Xpel, both said this is normal and happens with light metallic colors(silver especially). They say the UV protection in the film causes this on light/bright metallic paint jobs? I'm looking for a non UV protected film.. tried to take a pic with sunglasses over lens, did not work..

Any film that has UV rating will show the oily lines. Just like looking thru a good high quality tint with polarized glassses on. First time ive ever heard a complaint of it in clear bras. My car is black and yellow and it doesnt show that on mine. And i thought i was picky lol

[Whitey]

Protection versus Perfection.

Choose wisely!

[Patgilm]

Any film that has UV rating will show the oily lines. Just like looking thru a good high quality tint with polarized glassses on. First time ive ever heard a complaint of it in clear bras. My car is black and yellow and it doesnt show that on mine. And i thought i was picky lol

I noticed the same rainbow effect on a pearl white car of mine with xpel ultimate. I just bought a pearl black car and used suntek this time and there is no rainbow effect and it is clearer with less orange peel than the xpel. I like it better even though it is a little thinner and the warranty is not as long. Plus it is easier to install and remove.

[cashcorn]

metallic paint, what color? thanks

[uberpube]

What reasons did they give for not wrapping the whole car? Cause if you're crazy fussy, the difference between the paint with film on it and the paint without film on it might bug you. The very clearest film I've seen to date has been Suntek, but all films will reflect the light differently than paint alone. Plus, you'll get chips and scratches on the paint where it's not protected with film. I'm really happy with the Opticoat on my car -which hadn't been washed for two months when you saw it... looks much better now if you want to swing by again.

I was at the dealership when my car arrived. The Reliable driver drove it into the shop. Nobody washed it, dusted it, wiped it or touched the paint other than to open the doors, hood and trunk before I picked it up. I took it straight to my detailer and he spent 13 hours correcting the paint. Then I took it to my film guy and he installed 3M Pro on much of it. Then I took it back to my detailer so he could Opticoat the whole car. A friend teased me that I had film to protect the paint, and coating to protect the film, but I'd forgotten to put something on to protect the coating. I've had cars done in 3M, 3M Pro, XPel Ultimate and Suntek and have opinions on all of them. And I've had cars done in a few different coatings... the Viper was done using Opticoat Pro Plus.

Anyway, 17 months and 16,000 Km's later and I'm extremely happy with everything... the correction, the film and the coating. PM if you want any referrals.

I think some shops suggested that combination because in our economy most places think people are going to go for the cheapest solution. For what the car cost me I am not worried about an extra 2k if it means the car will look that much better and be protected. The only coating I have is 3m on my Jeep and the black probably doesn't show the differences as much as the SSG paint would. I'll have to assess the car when I get it and see what the paint looks like to see if it needs correction.
I'd like to see your car again, especially if the battery is charged up, I haven't heard a GEN V in person yet. I am curious to see if it sounds as strange as my srt10 ram does.

[TA Two Oh]

I think some shops suggested that combination because in our economy most places think people are going to go for the cheapest solution. For what the car cost me I am not worried about an extra 2k if it means the car will look that much better and be protected. The only coating I have is 3m on my Jeep and the black probably doesn't show the differences as much as the SSG paint would. I'll have to assess the car when I get it and see what the paint looks like to see if it needs correction.
I'd like to see your car again, especially if the battery is charged up, I haven't heard a GEN V in person yet. I am curious to see if it sounds as strange as my srt10 ram does.

I'm around today. And I traced and fixed the battery drain...

[BlueAdder]

I think some shops suggested that combination because in our economy most places think people are going to go for the cheapest solution. For what the car cost me I am not worried about an extra 2k if it means the car will look that much better and be protected. The only coating I have is 3m on my Jeep and the black probably doesn't show the differences as much as the SSG paint would. I'll have to assess the car when I get it and see what the paint looks like to see if it needs correction.
I'd like to see your car again, especially if the battery is charged up, I haven't heard a GEN V in person yet. I am curious to see if it sounds as strange as my srt10 ram does.

Depends on your location I guess. Around here (SF Bay Area), putting a clear bra on the whole car will run you between $7000 and $9000.
Personally, I just had the front wrapped. For track days, I'll just put a layer of blue tape on the roof, wing and rocker panels. My ACR is blue (kinda close to blue tape) so, it will look less ugly than if it were a different color but I'd rather drive an temporarily ugly car and protect the paint. I just couldn't convince myself to spend 9 grands on a film that I would have to replace in a few years.