stratman

Hi All,

Yesterday on the way to work someone threw what looked like a large water balloon that hit the front of my car. Funny thing is liquid didn't spray on the hood or windshield so I'm thinking it went on to the valance and then under the car. Anyway, got to work and checked it but didn't find any traces of the balloon (it was blue) and all looked ok. When I checked this A.M. I found a lot of little spots and a few little dings on the piano black finish. I tried to wash it off but it stayed there. I clayed it and its better but still there. So..... do you folks find that this part gets pitted from normal driving or could there have been something other that water in that balloon because I did get a smell of Sulphur for a few minutes after it happened but this could have been the car in front of me I just don't know.

BLKROKT

It gets pitted in normal everyday use

604 C63

You take a ton of small shrapnel on the road each day. The more highway driving you do the more damage you will have.

BadCompany

Unless you're fully wrapped in PPF.

Yeah, your front end will take a lot damage that you might not really notice, but can still add up - small pebbles, sand, debris, etc. I know someone with a blue 350z that drives a fair amount by Hawaii standards... His front end/lip was turning pretty white. Then again, Nissan paint is awfully thin.

Alex.currie44

Is the PPF tougher than paint or does it get minor cuts vs chips?

BadCompany

PPF varies by manufacturer (really in terms of clarity, longevity, stain resistance, self-healing, etc.). "Tougher" is an interesting choice of words. I think that the answer is yes. Very much so. It was designed to resist rock chips, scratches, etc. and does a very very good job. I mean, you can take a metal brush to a high quality film like Suntek Ultra or Xpel Ultimate and it will protect the paint and self-heal so you won't be able to see any scratches. Can it tear (probably not unless you set out to tear it - it isn't vinyl). Can rock chips still happen? Yes, but it takes a pretty serious impact. All of the usual small stuff that usually ruins paint is completely avoided. All of the reviews I've read of people tracking their cars talk about how well it protects. I've got no experience with that since there are no tracks on Oahu. Given how crappy the roads are here with debris, sand, salt, etc. and the fact that my 507 only had 4,500 miles on it when I got it in April, I chose to wrap the entire car in Suntek Ultra. I couldn't be happier even though it cost a pretty penny. I will likely do the same with all my future cars.

604 C63

I saw a Porsche GT3RS here in Vancouver that was completely done in XPel and it took a rock or something big enough to cause the front bumper to need to be replaced but it did not cut through through the XPel or scratch the paint. Just shmooshed a big dent into it. I was pretty impressed.

stratman

A belated thanks to all of the replies. On my 2012 IS F I had 3M film on the front, rear view mirrors and head lights. I kind of wish I had done it for my C63. Oh well, at least the dings are very minimal, at least for now.

Surge

Has anyone successfully polished out these scratches and nicks? I'm referring to the gloss black chin spoiler and using an orbital polisher.

Thanks

BLKROKT

Scratches yes. Pits no.