Color protection options

[n3sh]

Hello fellow members,

I’ve never owned an expensive new car ever. this is double the cost of most expensive car I’ve ever bought.
What is the best way to protect the color and keep it looking new OUTSIDE , inside is black so I dont care.

• Clear bra or similar films ?
• Just ceramic coating or similar coating ?
• Dealer protection packages? (seems expensive and lot of exclusion that you’d only figure out when you need to use them)

Thanks

 

[Gambit]

Your best bet is to get the car covered in PPF (paint protection film). It's not cheap but it is worth it. DO NOT let the dealership do it though. They won't do it properly and overcharge you on top of it.

 

[pbinde]

I have XPel ppf on the front and its great as well as ceramic on the whole vehicle. Also makes washing it much easier.

 

[vinylhaircut]

I have XPel ppf on the front and its great as well as ceramic on the whole vehicle. Also makes washing it much easier.

That's exactly what I have too ... PPF on the front half and ceramic on the whole thing. I get the ceramic touched up once per year. I'm really happy I did it. I came out of a retail store once only to find that someone has scraped my car in the parking lot, probably trying to load something in their car. A couple of long, nasty looking scrapes. (Might have been keyed, but I'm just assuming it was an accident.) Anyway, I was really unhappy until I got home and used a quick detailer on it. I discovered that it was only in the PPF and just a bit of elbow grease made it disappear.

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[vinylhaircut]

That's exactly what I have too ... PPF on the front half and ceramic on the whole thing. I get the ceramic touched up once per year. I'm really happy I did it. I came out of a retail store once only to find that someone has scraped my car in the parking lot, probably trying to load something in their car. A couple of long, nasty looking scrapes. (Might have been keyed, but I'm just assuming it was an accident.) Anyway, I was really unhappy until I got home and used a quick detailer on it. I discovered that it was only in the PPF and just a bit of elbow grease made it disappear.

One other thing. It's important to understand the purpose of each. PPF protects against chips, scratches, rocks, etc. Ceramic does not do that. Ceramic coating helps make it easier to keep clean. With ceramic, it will look shinier and newer, but be aware that you can only wash in touchless car washes or by hand - never in a place with brushes or rollers. You can think of ceramic as sort of a more-durable waxing. PPF and ceramic are NOT two different methods to do the same thing. I have both and would do both again if I were buying new.

 

[n3sh]

. You can think of ceramic as sort of a more-durable waxing. PPF and ceramic are NOT two different methods to do the same thing

Thank you very much for this. I’ll get both done.

Any tips on how much PPF for front and ceramic for whole costs? How much did you (and others here) paid.

 

[pbinde]

Thank you very much for this. I’ll get both done.

Any tips on how much PPF for front and ceramic for whole costs? How much did you (and others here) paid.

It will likely depend on where you live and what product is being used. I would say front-end PPF is likely around 1500 and Ceramic 1200 for the whole vehicle.

XPEL PPF comes with a 10yr warranty and their Ceramic 4 yr

 

[vinylhaircut]

I don't have the exact numbers at my fingertips, but I've posted them on the forum before. Just search for ceramic and PPF and you'll find TONS of great info and pricing examples.

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[PittPa]

Believe it or not there was car ownership before PPF, Ceramic coating, or one of the many other expensive alternatives to common sense care. Do hand wash your car often, use a protective coating of your choice, (Ceramic sprays have generally replaced waxes), remove accumulated deposits with cleaning compounds or clay treatment. Don't use car washes other than touchless if you must, don't use any "dry" cleaners. Your car's color will not "fade" that only happened with single stage paints which have been obsolete with with base coat, clear coat now the only means. Absolutely nothing wrong with spending the money for alternatives such as professional PPF and Ceramic coating but they are not essential.

 

[vinylhaircut]

Believe it or not there was car ownership before PPF, Ceramic coating, or one of the many other expensive alternatives to common sense care. Do hand wash your car often, use a protective coating of your choice, (Ceramic sprays have generally replaced waxes), remove accumulated deposits with cleaning compounds or clay treatment. Don't use car washes other than touchless if you must, don't use any "dry" cleaners. Your car's color will not "fade" that only happened with single stage paints which have been obsolete with with base coat, clear coat now the only means. Absolutely nothing wrong with spending the money for alternatives such as professional PPF and Ceramic coating but they are not essential.

Most certainly true, especially of ceramic. If one is willing to put in the time and do things right, excellent results are possible without professional ceramic. All ceramic does is make it easier on an ongoing basis, really.

PPF is a different matter, IMO. I don't really know of any common sense alternatives to PPF. It doesn't have anything to do with cleaning. But it can make a big difference is how a car looks, nonetheless, by preventing some of the chips and scratches that can otherwise occur regardless of how careful one tries to be.

 

[deb24]

I have a question too about ceramic. The dealerships are pricing above msrp and selling add on protection packages where they claim to be applying ceramic. Is this a gimmick I presume? I have never bought protection packages. The dealership is trying to say they charge above msrp but will "throw in " their $2500 interior and exterior protection package. Wondering if anyone else bought this and if it is legit. Thanks

 

[topdown]

I have a question too about ceramic. The dealerships are pricing above msrp and selling add on protection packages where they claim to be applying ceramic. Is this a gimmick I presume? I have never bought protection packages. The dealership is trying to say they charge above msrp but will "throw in " their $2500 interior and exterior protection package. Wondering if anyone else bought this and if it is legit. Thanks

I’d decline the interior/exterior protection package and ask the dealership to deduct $2500 from the selling price of the vehicle. Then I’d shop around for a better protection package deal. I got a 10 year limited warranty interior/exterior protection package for $695. I won’t know if it was a good deal until I make a claim, but I sure like how it looks next to a vehicle that doesn’t have it. Easy clean up too. Good luck.

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[PittPa]

I have a question too about ceramic. The dealerships are pricing above msrp and selling add on protection packages where they claim to be applying ceramic. Is this a gimmick I presume? I have never bought protection packages. The dealership is trying to say they charge above msrp but will "throw in " their $2500 interior and exterior protection package. Wondering if anyone else bought this and if it is legit. Thanks

If you would actually see what was being done for $2500, you would very upset. Basically asking someone to spray some products on your car at the price of $2500/hour.

 

[deb24]

If you would actually see what was being done for $2500, you would very upset. Basically asking someone to spray some products on your car at the price of $2500/hour.

ok, thanks. I figured was a scam. and they won't deduct this from the price of car. they are upfront saying they price 3-5k above msrp and will "throw in" protection package so I am at least getting something. so frustrated. makes me not want to buy a Telly anymore bc you can't get an honest dealership or one to sell at MSRP.

 

[Nolenski]

ok, thanks. I figured was a scam. and they won't deduct this from the price of car. they are upfront saying they price 3-5k above msrp and will "throw in" protection package so I am at least getting something. so frustrated. makes me not want to buy a Telly anymore bc you can't get an honest dealership or one to sell at MSRP.

Yes, you are "at least getting something"... You're getting Ripped Off.
Freedom KIA of Morgantown WV sells @ MSRP if you're anywhere near there or willing to travel. There are many dealers selling at MSRP. Paying over MSRP only encourages the reprobate dealerships - I would never deal with one.

 

[deb24]

Yes, you are "at least getting something"... You're getting Ripped Off.
Freedom KIA of Morgantown WV sells @ MSRP if you're anywhere near there or willing to travel. There are many dealers selling at MSRP. Paying over MSRP only encourages the reprobate dealerships - I would never deal with one.

thanks, I am in IL.

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