What did you do to your S550 Mustang today?!

[ETCH]

My Wheels comes tomorrow. I cant wait!!!! post pics after the install

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[blk_5.0]

Winter tires came in and will be mounted on my winter wheels tomorrow. Definitely not looking forward to winter coming lol. Also priced out some XPEL film to protect the front from salt/rock chips....just for the front bumper/beginning of hood fenders, $900-$1000 seems to be the going rate. Was shocked with those prices.

 

[GTP]

XPEL seems to be the most advanced film right now, and the price reflects that.
I spent over $1200 for XPEL, and had every important area covered. This was put on a brand new car, which is the very best time for obvious reasons.

• Front bumper and mirrors
• 24" up hood
• Headlamps and fog lamps
• Forward 6" of roof and A pillars
• Cups behind door handles
• Lower and rear edges of doors
• Luggage area on rear bumper (protects against someone dragging their luggage across your bumper - they won't even realize they are doing this)
• Strip across lower deck lid, centered under badge (long term protection against repeated trunk closings)

I got quotes from multiple brands and installers. Kyle at ClearBraIndy was very generous to do my stripes, too, since he prefers not to. Clear film and stripes get more complicated than it would seem.

Here is some free advice. Go with whom you think is the most skilled installer, rather than the lowest quote.

It no longer seems a crazy idea to me that some people wrap the entire car at a cost of $5k.

[Edit] If I had to do it again, I would cover the full hood. Like Kyle recommended.

 

[SeanR]

So if I get it detailed with CQuartz by a professional, do you think that would be good enough protection? I suppose I don't understand the difference in protection between a wax and a clear bra. This is my first nice car, so I want to protect it well off the bat. Thanks.

 

[GTP]

Is CQuartz 0.008" thick resilient plastic? No.

Clear film protects against rock chips, especially during high-speed freeway driving.
It will also protect (surprisingly well) against actual scrapes. One person scraped his fender against the side of the garage door, and there was no harm to the paint beneath.

The only ding so far (3 weeks) is some rock gouged all the way through the clear film down near the front splitter. 1/4" long and 1/8" wide. The plastic peeled back, but the paint remained intact. Imagine what the paint would look like without the CPF!

Also, FWIW, cleaning the bugs off the front is super quick and easy. Don't even need bug remover cleaner - most anything will do.

But do your own research on this forum. There are some counterpoints, too.

 

[SeanR]

All righty then. CQuartz can go on under the film then? I'm just trying to figure out the timing of getting the detail and the clear bra.

 

[GTP]

All righty then. CQuartz can go on under the film then? I'm just trying to figure out the timing of getting the detail and the clear bra.

Yes. And in my case, the stripes.
Drive the car straight to your CPF guy right after the CQ has dried.

A strategy for price could be to first get the quote for the big pieces, and then ask "Will you add the door cups and deck lid for free?" Those are the little pieces. Or you could install small pieces yourself, i.e. provided they install onto flat surfaces. (Trunk lid is obviously easier than door cups, but how hard can it be to install the small simple shapes?)

 

[redline727]

Installed a Magnaflow Competition CBE last night. Overall very pleased with the sound and build quality. I originally planned on a Corsa Extreme, then Sport. But my money situation changed and needed to save some money. Found the Magnaflow at a great price, listed as a open box, but never installed. More details and short video in my build thread.

 

[SC_Ruby]

All righty then. CQuartz can go on under the film then? I'm just trying to figure out the timing of getting the detail and the clear bra.

If you're doing Cquartz and clear bra I believe most installers will say do the clear bra fist then Cquartz on top of the clear bra.

 

[GTP]

After becoming paranoid about accelerated wear on our leather seats, I decided to make some DIY seat covers. These are CJPP T-shirts in size XL. The black-red-yellow color reminds of the German flag.

I had an alterations shop cut the shirt apart on one side, from the armpit to the hem. Then they re-sewed it back up. This is to intentionally put in a "weak point" seam for airbag deployment. You know, in case I have a really bad day.

It's kinda cool, kinda not.

 

[redline727]

I thought I was bad. My friends make fun of the way I get in and out of my car like the seat may break apart, trying to keep from accelerating wear on the leather. Haha. Nice idea but I don't see how this would keep from the bolsters getting worn. You will still have friction between the two materials. Just may keep them cleaner.

 

[GTP]

Yeah, it is the constant sliding across the bolsters entering and exiting the car that concerned me. I see your point. But I think my clothes are sliding against the T-shirt, which stays put against the seat. Just imagine your lady getting in with those rhinestones on her jeans pockets.

What we go through trying to keep our cars like new.

 

[redline727]

Yeah that shit wouldn't happen. That's the 2nd reason Yoga pants were invented, no rips in the leather! Haha I even make sure if the pockets on my slacks have buttons they are unbuttoned. They forever get caught on bolsters!!!

 

[Barricad3]

Just received my wheels.. Waiting on my friend to receive my tires to install... Can't wait!!

 

[GTP]

Yeah that shit wouldn't happen. That's the 2nd reason Yoga pants were invented, no rips in the [seat] leather! Haha I even make sure if the pockets on my slacks have buttons they are unbuttoned. They forever get caught on bolsters!!!

Haha. Funny you mention those back pocket buttons. They were what first tipped us off that we had a problem.

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