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911 991 TTS, Audi RS6 C7 Performance Edition, AMG GTS
If you want to protect some or all of your car from minor scratches and stone chips then a film on all or part is the only option. The coatings make the car look great and help to shed muck, brake dust etc.. when you are cleaning but don't really stop damage (despite claims to the contrary!). I personally have film on the front and bonnet (hood) plus Gyeon MOHS on everything including the film and Gyeon rim on the wheels. So far the coating on the wheels really is effective. The brake dust comes off without too much effort. I do sometimes wonder whether the cost of film is really worth it but it does give you some peace of mind
I'm currently doing a Modesta coating on my car. I know it probably will not protect again rock chips but its better than nothing and I won't have to worry about scratches cleaning the car.
I have my car coated in Opti Coat Pro Plus and swirls everywhere. I have PPF in the front end and that looks brand new like day 1.
Ceramic Coatings are a complete waste of money and the only people that would recommend them are the people that will either make money off it or the people that didn't get to compare PPF vs ceramic in first-hand experience.
I have my car coated in Opti Coat Pro Plus and swirls everywhere. I have PPF in the front end and that looks brand new like day 1.
Ceramic Coatings are a complete waste of money and the only people that would recommend them are the people that will either make money off it or the people that didn't get to compare PPF vs ceramic in first-hand experience.
I agree, PPF is the way to go if you want to spend the money.
However, I disagree that ceramic coating is a complete waste of money.
I had it on my previous sedan and coupe - I have the front wrapped (stone chips).
I had no noticeable swirl marks, I foam laced and use the 2 bucket method to wash... or I take it to my detailer that does the exact same.
In saying that black is the worst for swirls, that is why it needs the extra care.
The ceramic coating keeps my car much cleaner for longer and during rains drips right off.
Ps: I don't make money from recommending ceramic coating and I know the benefits of PPF lol
I agree, PPF is the way to go if you want to spend the money.
However, I disagree that ceramic coating is a complete waste of money.
I had it on my previous sedan and coupe - I have the front wrapped (stone chips).
I had no noticeable swirl marks, I foam laced and use the 2 bucket method to wash... or I take it to my detailer that does the exact same.
In saying that black is the worst for swirls, that is why it needs the extra care.
The ceramic coating keeps my car much cleaner for longer and during rains drips right off.
Ps: I don't make money from recommending ceramic coating and I know the benefits of PPF lol
I'm not sure. Maybe opticoat pro plus isn't as good as the other products. I have it applied on top of the PPF as well. It gave the car a shiny mirror effect. I like the way it looks. I had it installed since day 2 so I don't remember how it looked before the coating.
If you had to pick between PPF or Ceramic => PPF and you'll never look back.
If you have extra money, you can add a layer of ceramic coating to give it the shiny mirror look. That won't be necessary if you go with Xpeal Stealth since the paint will look Matte.
2018 E63S,2016 C63 S Edition 1 Coupe(gone), 2011 640D M Sports Coupe, 2015 435i M Sports Coupe
Originally Posted by rockey1314
Hi guys,
Whilst I twiddle my thumbs waiting for my coupe to arrive, just deliberating on how to protect the paintwork when I finally take delivery
I was intent on a Detailer applying a g techniq ceramic coating but the new self healing films look very interesting.
The car will be my daily and will be used regardless of weather so keen to ensure she looks great all the time.
Anyone with suggestions or experience of either would be greatly received!
I am in the same boat as you rockey1314 waiting for delivery of my Edition 1 coupe, I will be putting xpel over the entire car and then a good nanotech sealant on top of film this is the best protection you can do to prevent stone chips scratches swirls etc.
I have my car coated in Opti Coat Pro Plus and swirls everywhere. I have PPF in the front end and that looks brand new like day 1.
Ceramic Coatings are a complete waste of money and the only people that would recommend them are the people that will either make money off it or the people that didn't get to compare PPF vs ceramic in first-hand experience.
This is a pretty silly comment. I do NOT make money off of ceramic coatings and I do think it was well worth the money. It is incredibly easy to clean my car regardless of how dirty it is and I never have to wax/polish it to make it look beautiful. At best after a wash, I blast it with some detail spray and done. And honestly that isn't even necessary if you use a pre-wash paint decontaminator every few months. For the money, that was well worth it to me - spent less than a $1,000 for the ceramic coating.
It really is not fair to compare to PPF because they are very different - apples and oranges - AND the price for PPF is substantially more.
I do not make any money on Ceramic's or PPF, but i will tell you all, after having both on my car (OptiCoat and a 3M product) the OptiCoat saved me from getting peppered with rocks by an A$$HOLE against the side of my car, and while they did not dent the vehicle, they absolutely caused chips in the top coat! Fortunately for me, it was mostly the OptiCoat Pro. Yes, there was paint damage, because they were big rocks, but - the OptiCoat absorbed the majority of the injury.
The bodyshop removed the OptiCoat Pro, called me back out to inspect and asked me if I wanted to have the car repainted or just have the OptiCoat reapplied. The experts could see the paint damage, but I couldn't, my wife couldn't, no other customer could - so opted not to take the car down to metal and repaint.
It was ONLY an experiment to NOT repaint the car... None of us knew how the car would look after reapplication of OptiCoat because of refraction, etc., and frankly, how it would last. And, in reality, under a very close inspection, you really could see some imperfection in the OEM top coat, but it wasn't worth a re-paint.
The gist of this post is that it pissed me off, but the OptiCoat saved the paint. If the rocks had been bigger or had hit just slightly harder, it would have done damage, BUT normal rocks on a highway were protected by OptiCoat. PPF is different, but they both represent a level of protection.
PS: Long term, the jury is still out on this because of the possibility of hairline fractures to the topcoat and paint that may form over time. I have to see. This is, of course, according to the bodyshop.
I've heard good stuff about the CarPro CQuartz product ceramic coating. Easy cleaning, protects from swirls, minor stone chip protection. Granted, a clear film will give better results, but to do well isn't cheap.
PPF-wise: I just did a long roadtrip with the family, and had an unfortunate encounter with debris in the roadway. It seemed someone's tire had blown out, and they went into the gravel, so there were tire and gravel bits all over the freeway.. no chance of avoiding.
After cringing and yes, nearly grown-man-crying while driving through the mess at 80+ mph.. pulling over at the nearest gas station and inspecting my car yielded:
1. Lots of specks of dust on the front end, bumper and hood, indicative of little rocks pelting the surface and leaving their marks.
2. A giant chunk of plastic chipped off the front grill wing.. near the Mercedes distronic star. I unfortunately don't have PPF on it, and now I regret it.
3. Several black rubber marks on my front end and rear bumper rear wheels.. from the various tire bits that decided to try and dent and mark up my car.
I was still over 100 miles away from my destination. So ran it through the car wash at the gas station. Yes, car wash. Gas station. Got right back on the road. It was midday, and was a good 85F outside.
By the time I got to my destination (Disneyland), the sun had warmed the film, healing any residual damage from the encounter, and the only things that even indicated I had gone through that mess was a little tire mark that was still left which I hand rubbed off, and that gash on my front grill wing.
Porsche 981S Ferrari 328GTS MB AMG C43 Lunar Blue Sedan
Originally Posted by Andyroo
I've heard good stuff about the CarPro CQuartz product ceramic coating. Easy cleaning, protects from swirls, minor stone chip protection. Granted, a clear film will give better results, but to do well isn't cheap.
Yes, I've also heard good things about CQuartz. The shop that did my last car with Xpel and then Opticoat, has since switched to using CQuartz.
Film will protect against rocks, sand, and about everything that will damage your paint. Proof is in the pictures attached. I curbed my front end and it buffed out. No damage to the clear coat only the plastic which buffed out to the discoloration and fine scratch you see. No wax could protect the paint like film will. Anyone who tries to sell you magic nano tech BS is wrong.
I agree. Have EXPEL Stealth on my ED1 with matte paint. Paid $5000 for full coverage. Small price to pay for peace of mind, especially with us matte paint owners. Can't tell the film is there.
I only have CQuartz Finest on mine. I do regret not getting PPF as it offers no protection against rock chips.
With that said, I'm overall satisfied with the coating. It makes a large difference in keeping the car clean. Dirt comes off a lot more easily, and waterspots don't form as easily either.
Best part though, is that you can safely combine the two. Put a PPF on first, and then a Cquartz Finest Coating after for the benefits of both!
As someone has already stated, they are two very different products and obviously reflected in their pricing. I suppose it boils down to how long you are looking to own the vehicle for. I have a habit of stating that a car is a keeper until the next best thing comes along!
I am in the same boat as you rockey1314 waiting for delivery of my Edition 1 coupe, I will be putting xpel over the entire car and then a good nanotech sealant on top of film this is the best protection you can do to prevent stone chips scratches swirls etc.
I see you are coming from BMW as well. Looking forward to seeing pics of your edition one.
Can you let me know how you are proposing to use for the xpel?
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
