$$$
 

Then you don't want to know what I paid for Xpel and C-Quartz.

104

What he said.

104

The guy who did my Xpel would disagree with you on that. With film on rolls you still have to deal with every corner where it can't be wrapped properly and has to be cut. (like the 'pointy' corners on the trailing edges of the hood) The cuts are already there on the precuts and they are perfect. Xpel did their homework. This isn't my opinion, this is what he told me.
He was also surprised to find that the 370 is just about the only car he was able to get a precut for EVERY panel on the car if you wanted. (Xpel)

104

I think the partial dilemma with repainting is the care 30-90 day care depending on who you ask.

I would have to disagree with you. I have had to replace both my entire front bumper film and my right front quarter panel film (not at the same time) because they did their job. Something came up, hit the film, tore a hole in it and it had to be replaced.

In both instances, I went to the same place that installed it and I got the car back better than before with new film.

Keep in mind that with painting, it costs A LOT more than just taking off and replacing film. Plus it takes 2-3 days for it to fully dry then put it back on, and guess what, the moment you drive your car with the new paint, it's immediately exposed to more rock chips.

At least with film, it doesn't chip, it doesn't show anything that hits it unless it's big enough to rip a hole in it.

Bolded for emphasis...

PPF doesn't scratch, or chip, or crack, the only reason to take it off is if something big enough cuts a hole in it. The material used is practically the same stuff you'd put on your cell phone's screen to protect it, for the same reasons. Film might seem like it costs a lot, but iI'd rather pay ~$400 to replace the film on the front bumper and get the car back the same day than go through painting.

-RyanG

OK..Full disclosure
 

Since this might be of value to someone, and since I'm not one of those people that remain secretive about money and things, here's full disclosure.

I had Xpel (cut by my detailer in house off bulk rolls using Xpel computer templates) installed on the front bumper, (two pieces) headlamp lenses, full hood, A pillars, mirrors (two pieces each side) both front fenders, both rocker panels and a strip behind the rear wheel wells.
The car was completely color corrected and prepped front to back beforehand. Wheels off as well. I had owned the car just over a month and had not waxed it. I think I had only washed it twice at that point. It has not seen rain since September.
Anything that didn't get covered in Xpel Ultimate got C-Quartz Finest. I had the Sport 19" wheels C-Quartzed entirely as well including the barrels.
I was able to get it wet after 24 hours, but was not to wash it for 2 weeks. (IIRC) I left it a month before I washed it.
I paid $2500 CDN taxes in. (about $2100 USD approx. today)
I had a quote from a US detail shop in WA state and they were substantially higher in US dollars. It was going to be in the neighbourhood of $4000 CDN in the end. (Opti Coat substituted for C-Quartz however)
The only issue I had to face was, could the guy up here do the job, or was I going to have to have the WA guys repair a botched job?
I was assured multiple times that he was up to the task, took my chances and I'm real happy with the results.




104

I had a rocker panel re-painted where the dealer had scraped it before I took delivery. I was told to wait a MONTH before doing anything, wax, film or otherwise.

104

Well yea to be safe because it can still be damaged if you do anything, but I was saying as far as just drying to the touch fully, a good couple of days is required.

I had some light to moderate damage to my front bumper from track usage and asked for a repair quote from Carsmetics. Humorously, to take off the bumper, repair the damage in about 6 places, re-paint and re-clearcoat was going to be around $350. But to replace the clearbra I have on the bumper (just the bumper) was quoted at $490. The repair shop couldn't believe the cost. I decided it wasn't worth it since I would obviously lose the clearbra during the repairs and would definitely need to replace it after the repairs, more than doubling the total cost.

Who did you call? Was it Rob out in Ellicott City?

800$ for the hood? Really? My seibon vs11 hood was only 800 and some change shipped. That's crazy

for me its the hassle of taking my car to the bodyshop, risk car getting f-ked around by dumbarse porters, finding other issues after the work vs before taking the car in. :ugh2:

i rather spend 350 and clearbra my bumper at home and replace it every 3-4yrs.

unless you got crappy aftermarket paint that was improperly applied, paint will not lift. :tup: