Xpel Clear Bra

[nsquared]

Thinking hard real about switching cars and when I do, I want to get clear bra. I know there is a debate whether clear bra is worth it or not but I wanted to get your guys opinions:

Would the Xpel Clear Bra (Ultimate) which is supposedly one of the best clear bras out on the market - would it make it easier to maintain a black car since you would wash the bra and not the actual paint?

edit: Ops, I think I put this in the wrong section - can the mods move it?

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[Terminated]

I have a cleared bra on this Mustang and pretty much every car I've had (that wasn't just a daily). Absolutely worth it. Wax it and maintain it like it's part of your paint and it'll look great.

Do it. /thread

 

[MDRN]

One of the big advantages of Xpel is that it's a self healing material. Black is notoriously hard to keep swirl free, the Xpel will definitely help with that as well as protect the paint from rock chips and other damage. It is expensive though. I've got full wrap lined up with a quote of $5700. Another place gave a ballpark figure of "around $7000."

 

[madsedan]

I'm doing this for the leading edge of the hood/fenders and lights, will run about $500 here in the Dallas area. I drive a good bit of highway for work and the 2 year old car I just traded in had a cracked foglight and dings to the metal along the front 1/4 of the hood from highway crap. I considered doing it on my last car when new and regretted not doing it.

 

[Blk2015GT]

It depends on price. $500-750 I'd say why not. $1,000 or over, then probably not worth it. It's like keeping your sofa covered in clear plastic. Things are meant to be used and enjoyed. It's luck of the draw. I've had my car 8 months and no rock chips. Some people have many.

There are many downfalls people like to skate by. First a big enough scratch or rock hit the film wont heal and you'll see it like a sore thumb on black. Second, get in an accident in 8 months or whenever, insurance wont be replacing your film and you'll be out of pocket again for that section.

And don't think because you wrapped the car like a couch when you take the film off to trade in the car in 5 years or whenever that you're going to get that film cost back in your trade. A few small rock chips, despite popular opinion, do not devalue a car that much. It costs the dealership nearly nothing to fix a few chips, so they aren't going to give you more (or anywhere close to what you paid for film) because you saved them $10-20 in paint and the shop guy they already pay hourly to be there to spray that section.

 

[nsquared]

One of the big advantages of Xpel is that it's a self healing material. Black is notoriously hard to keep swirl free, the Xpel will definitely help with that as well as protect the paint from rock chips and other damage. It is expensive though. I've got full wrap lined up with a quote of $5700. Another place gave a ballpark figure of "around $7000."

The help w/ the swirl free is good to know

 

[foghat]

I'm doing this for the leading edge of the hood/fenders and lights, will run about $500 here in the Dallas area. I drive a good bit of highway for work and the 2 year old car I just traded in had a cracked foglight and dings to the metal along the front 1/4 of the hood from highway crap. I considered doing it on my last car when new and regretted not doing it.

I would definitely do the bumper as well.

It depends on price. $500-750 I'd say why not. $1,000 or over, then probably not worth it. It's like keeping your sofa covered in clear plastic. Things are meant to be used and enjoyed. It's luck of the draw. I've had my car 8 months and no rock chips. Some people have many.

There are many downfalls people like to skate by. First a big enough scratch or rock hit the film wont heal and you'll see it like a sore thumb on black. Second, get in an accident in 8 months or whenever, insurance wont be replacing your film and you'll be out of pocket again for that section.

And don't think because you wrapped the car like a couch when you take the film off to trade in the car in 5 years or whenever that you're going to get that film cost back in your trade. A few small rock chips, despite popular opinion, do not devalue a car that much. It costs the dealership nearly nothing to fix a few chips, so they aren't going to give you more (or anywhere close to what you paid for film) because you saved them $10-20 in paint and the shop guy they already pay hourly to be there to spray that section.

Not sure about the sofa analogy. I can still us and enjoy my car with the ppf.

You might be right about an accident. I'm tempted to call my insurance company and let the know I have the ppf and see if I can get it added to my policy. This said, 25 years of driving and have never had front end damage.

I didn't put ppf on because I thought it would increase resale value - though I will say, I had two people specifically tell my they were passing on my 135i due to all the pits/chips on the front end.

PPF is not the end all and be all. A big enough rock will still cause damage under the ppf and it is noticeable, but not nearly as bad looking as it would be without the ppf.

Ovearall my front end looks pretty much like new after 7 months of driving and that includes a winter where my city puts all kinds of gravel down on the roads.

 

[MDRN]

I'm doing it mainly because it comes with a 10 year warranty and I've seen what's been happening to my wife's car in our apartment lot, work garage, winter salt and sand. More scratches and scuffs than I can count. Granted the worst offender just wrecked their car this morning taking out the mailbox, but still the peace of mind will be worth it. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it over the top wrapping the whole car? Probably. Is it worth the expense to keep the car looking new? That's for you to decide. This is going to be my DD, it's a beautiful car, and I want to keep it looking good as long as I can. Careful parking and waxing hasn't been enough to keep my wife's car looking good. Don't want something happening to the nicest car yet to date. Once I have a house, maybe a garage, I don't think I'll have to worry about it as much, probably just a front wrap then.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

i only got xpel on the front bumper, local shop did it for $450. The price got ridiculous if you added in the hood. Front bumper has the highest risk for chips.

 

[Poppacapp]

One of the big advantages of Xpel is that it's a self healing material. Black is notoriously hard to keep swirl free, the Xpel will definitely help with that as well as protect the paint from rock chips and other damage. It is expensive though. I've got full wrap lined up with a quote of $5700. Another place gave a ballpark figure of "around $7000."

To hell with that. That is 2 complete full repaints. No thanks.

 

[Blk2015GT]

To hell with that. That is 2 complete full repaints. No thanks.

Just have to lol wrapping a $30-35k car for $6k

 

[Socalmustang]

One of the big advantages of Xpel is that it's a self healing material. Black is notoriously hard to keep swirl free, the Xpel will definitely help with that as well as protect the paint from rock chips and other damage. It is expensive though. I've got full wrap lined up with a quote of $5700. Another place gave a ballpark figure of "around $7000."

You're really not going to go through with it right?

 

[foghat]

To hell with that. That is 2 complete full repaints. No thanks.

I agree wrapping this car in its entirely would be silly. But there is no way you are getting your entire car painted twice for $6000. Unless maybe if you go to joe blow who paints out of his double car garage.

 

[Poppacapp]

Just have to lol wrapping a $30-35k car for $6k

Agreed 100% Front bumper area? Sure, why not. Whole car? rediculous

 

[Poppacapp]

I agree wrapping this car in its entirely would be silly. But there is no way you are getting your entire car painted twice for $6000. Unless maybe if you go to joe blow who paints out of his double car garage.

$2500-$3000 will get a nice full paint job at a good shop.

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