Carbon owners take heed

[swexlin]

I despise that tar and gravel crap. They love putting it on country roads around here as well.

We get it as well. I've never understood it. My truck has some nasty chips.

[Martin]

We get it as well. I've never understood it. My truck has some nasty chips.

When they were putting it down, and while I was stuck because the equipment blocked the only road in and out of my house, I asked the supervisor. He said that normally they would do a full re-pave for a road this old, but because of budget issues, they do this stupid chip-seal process. It's supposed to extend the life of the road by a few years - hopefully in time for more money to come in (higher taxes). I wish the neighborhood would just vote to make the road a private one and pay for a real re-pave out of pocket. I have a feeling that's never going to happen.

[Anton28]

Your last paragraph is spot on. In a lot of cases, a clear film on a traditional clear coat can very very difficult to detect. Not on the matte paint. Which really begs the question, is the matte film really intended for matte paint, or is it designed to take a normal color/clear and make it look matte?

What makes the anodized carbon matte so unique (as I see it) to other matte finishes is the amount of pearl that is in the paint. I think that is what creates the very impressive sheen that you see in certain lights. I noticed that aspect of the paint was diminished after the film was applied.

Knowing what I know now, I would rather see the intended look of the paint, with the random rock chip/conceal attempt, rather than the much more obvious aesthetic degradation look of the wrap.

I was extremely unhappy with the way the wrap came out when I had it done. It changed the color a lot on my eyes but I learned to deal with it because of the safety aspect but have been asking myself lately what is the point of having this protective film if I cant truly enjoy the color that I purchased......I might rip it all off now. lol

[outnumbered]

I was extremely unhappy with the way the wrap came out when I had it done. It changed the color a lot on my eyes but I learned to deal with it because of the safety aspect but have been asking myself lately what is the point of having this protective film if I cant truly enjoy the color that I purchased......I might rip it all off now. lol

Now we are thinking in unison. A bit of advice if in fact you remove it. Take your time! If you attempt to rip it off quickly, it will leave a considerable amount of adhesive behind, which will make the process take significantly longer. Let the car sit in the sun, and then pull back against itself SLOWLY. This will take a while, especially the hood piece. You will likely have some remnants of adhesive, but you should be able to rub those off with your fingers.

[ek1]

i dont know why people wrap their cars in all this crap. besides for the absurd cost, it usually ends up looking worse than a few rock chips in the end

That would be because you can replace the wrap every 3-5 years and end up with pristine paint underneath every time. Beats the hell of doing "paint correction" or repainting. Wrapping the entire car ensures that there are no variations between covered and uncovered areas.

[urchin]

Sorry you’re having this issue. I debated between partial and full wrap...went with full out of fear this would happen. I would imagine there will still be some issues when it’s removed. All good thoughts your way...

[ViperDC]

Agree. I put it on the front bumper and little strips behind all four wheels. Five cars and have never got a chip anywhere. It’s almost as absurd as 4K ceramic coating so you don’t have to wax the car every few months. Because that’s such a burden...

ceramic coating is 4 grand?

holy shit

[outnumbered]

Sorry you’re having this issue. I debated between partial and full wrap...went with full out of fear this would happen. I would imagine there will still be some issues when it’s removed. All good thoughts your way...

Hi #8! I think that since you have gone that route, I would never remove it.

[outnumbered]

That would be because you can replace the wrap every 3-5 years and end up with pristine paint underneath every time. Beats the hell of doing "paint correction" or repainting. Wrapping the entire car ensures that there are no variations between covered and uncovered areas.

I think if I had a traditional clear, I would wrap the entire car.

[Anton28]

Sorry you’re having this issue. I debated between partial and full wrap...went with full out of fear this would happen. I would imagine there will still be some issues when it’s removed. All good thoughts your way...

How are the hood seams looking? Can you post a pic?

[outnumbered]

How are the hood seams looking? Can you post a pic?

That's a good question. I didn't like the thought of multiple sections on the hood due to the seams. Had it been 1 piece, I may have chosen differently. But as you mentioned earlier, the film greatly changes the appearance of the paint.

[daveg]

To me it looks like UV.. As mentioned above, Our house down the Cape (tons of skylights and big A frame windows in front) causes lines on my hardwood floors where the rugs are.. In the winter when we are not there as much, we remove the rugs and the lines disappear.. May want to throw the car in the Sun for a while to see what happens..

Good luck

[S281e]

For someone who is constantly waxing their car would the weak actually still save the paint or is the wrap used so you don't have to wax anymore?

[dirtyboot]

For someone who is constantly waxing their car would the weak actually still save the paint or is the wrap used so you don't have to wax anymore?

Are you referring to the xpel/suntek or ceramic?

The xpel/suntek is a protection layer, it saves the paint, can prevent feathering/swirling marks from waxing, more importantly rock/debris chips.
The ceramic coatings make it so you don't have to wax to keep it clean, they're hydrophobic bonding layers that keep the paint looking fresh. So in that regard, they too help save the paint by limiting the frequency of waxing required to keep it looking its best. They will not prevent chips from debris however.

[urchin]

Good afternoon #7! I agree. Only would remove if had to be replaced. I think all owners of Carbon edition are empathizing with you. Will,look forward to your updates....

[urchin]

How are the hood seams looking? Can you post a pic?

Seams not appreciably different from when first applied. Will post pic later this evening.

[Anton28]

Seams not appreciably different from when first applied. Will post pic later this evening.

I was wondering more from esthetics perspective. Having two running up your hood from the vents must be noticeable? Maybe not.... Are you used to them at this point and don't notice them anymore? How about when people look at your car, can they spot them?

[outnumbered]

Slightly off topic on my own thread.....these three boxes of OEM carbon fiber will accompany the car to Prefix. After all, it really needs to come back looking a little different .

[Anton28]

Slightly off topic on my own thread.....these three boxes of OEM carbon fiber will accompany the car to Prefix. After all, it really needs to come back looking a little different .

TA Aero??????

[outnumbered]

Yes sir. I had the aftermarket spoiler for a while, but always wanted the factory pieces.

[ViperTim]

Have you decided on respray?
In my opinion you should park it outside. Let the sun do some work. It's only a couple of years old so it should even out quickly. And it's free.

If you want to, take it to a professional detailer to have it looked at. I know he can't polish it as it's a matte finish but he can say what he thinks and if it were some adhesive he will have better stuff than all around degreaser.

Just my opinion

[outnumbered]

Have you decided on respray?
In my opinion you should park it outside. Let the sun do some work. It's only a couple of years old so it should even out quickly. And it's free.

If you want to, take it to a professional detailer to have it looked at. I know he can't polish it as it's a matte finish but he can say what he thinks and if it were some adhesive he will have better stuff than all around degreaser.

Just my opinion

I let it sit outside on the weekend just to see what it does. But again, regardless, the car was going to Prefix anyway.

[Coloviper]

It can take a long time to UV blend, post wrap removal. When I took the post factory wrap prices off our Cayennes after being on for 10 years, it took about 2 years for the lines to blend where you don’t see them anymore. Darker color took less time, lighter silver color took full 2 years in sun.

[outnumbered]

That's a long time. I definitely would not be able to wait that long.

[outnumbered]

I believe the Viper is the only car that can actually have “Factory” paint work.