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View Poll Results: How will you protect your paint?
Clear bra 26 23.01%
Xpel 39 34.51%
Opticoat 11 9.73%
Ceramics Pro 2 1.77%
Other 8 7.08%
No paint protectant 27 23.89%
Voters: 113. You may not vote on this poll

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      09-12-2014, 12:37 PM   #1
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Lightbulb Protecting your Paint

I am thinking of protecting my paint but not sure which direction to take. Seems like some of the best options out there are either clear bra, opticoat, Xpel or ceramics pro. I would like to hear from other owners what route they chose and why they chose to do so in order to help me make the best decision.
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      09-12-2014, 01:50 PM   #2
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For alpine white, I'm just using regular car care. It's an easy paint to match and the only thing I'm expecting is rock chips.
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      09-12-2014, 02:28 PM   #3
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I went with clear bra simply because no type of coating will prevent your paint from rock chips. It's a great investment IMO! Think about it, repainting the full front end can easily cost over $1500 and the color may never match especially on white cars except for non metallic paint. So why not use that money in the beginning to keep your paint as good as new from the get go?
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      09-12-2014, 02:50 PM   #4
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I've used opticoat pro for my C63. Since I daily drive it, cleaning it is a huge time saver since dirt and water easily runs off the vehicle. I've also had it applied on the wheels and cleaning off brake dust is a breeze. It's essentially an extra layer if clearcoat.
There is opticoat and opticoat pro. The latter can only be applied by certified detailers. You can find one in your area on their site.
I plan on having it done on my silverstone F80 when I get it.
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      09-12-2014, 08:56 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wei718 View Post
I went with clear bra simply because no type of coating will prevent your paint from rock chips. It's a great investment IMO! Think about it, repainting the full front end can easily cost over $1500 and the color may never match especially on white cars except for non metallic paint. So why not use that money in the beginning to keep your paint as good as new from the get go?
Are you worried about the bra turning yellowish? I've heard from other people that it sometimes happens
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      09-12-2014, 08:58 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrilla View Post
I've used opticoat pro for my C63. Since I daily drive it, cleaning it is a huge time saver since dirt and water easily runs off the vehicle. I've also had it applied on the wheels and cleaning off brake dust is a breeze. It's essentially an extra layer if clearcoat.
There is opticoat and opticoat pro. The latter can only be applied by certified detailers. You can find one in your area on their site.
I plan on having it done on my silverstone F80 when I get it.
Does it help remove bug splatter? are there any downfalls to opticoat pro and how much did the product + install cost for your C63?
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      09-12-2014, 08:59 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeFromPA View Post
For alpine white, I'm just using regular car care. It's an easy paint to match and the only thing I'm expecting is rock chips.
I have an AW car as well, considering going that route
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      09-12-2014, 08:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
Are you worried about the bra turning yellowish? I've heard from other people that it sometimes happens
That was probably true 10 years ago. New films and technology are excellent.
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      09-12-2014, 09:01 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by gmcconn535 View Post
That was probably true 10 years ago. New films and technology are excellent.
Good to know, rock chips are one of my main concerns and seem clear bra would be one of the better solution
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      09-12-2014, 09:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
Does it help remove bug splatter? are there any downfalls to opticoat pro and how much did the product + install cost for your C63?
The product is not expensive but the prep work for the paint is time consuming. My detailer explained that it has to be absolutely perfect before he applies the coating because it's permanent. If I remember correctly, I left the car with him for 48 hours and charged me around $700. This was during the dead of winter so business was slow.

Bugs, bird poop, everything comes off easily. Here's his website if you're interested, he has a nice gallery and explains the whole process. www.mintyourcar.com

With that being said, I still had my front bumper wrapped to protect against rock chips.
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      09-12-2014, 10:10 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
Are you worried about the bra turning yellowish? I've heard from other people that it sometimes happens
Not anymore, nowadays those clear bra even has self healing power. If you would like to see an example I'm more than happy to meet up with you and let you check it out.
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      09-13-2014, 12:31 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wei718 View Post
Not anymore, nowadays those clear bra even has self healing power. If you would like to see an example I'm more than happy to meet up with you and let you check it out.
sounds good we need to have an F8x meet here in the bay area
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      09-13-2014, 02:15 PM   #13
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Quote:
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sounds good we need to have an F8x meet here in the bay area
Agree!

I'm down for one tonight.
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      09-13-2014, 03:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wei718
Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
sounds good we need to have an F8x meet here in the bay area
Agree!

I'm down for one tonight.
Can't tonight I'm in Sac. How about next Friday or Saturday?
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      09-13-2014, 04:01 PM   #15
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Can't tonight I'm in Sac. How about next Friday or Saturday?
I'm down for next Friday night, we should post up on the Norcal thread in hopes a few others might wanna join
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      09-14-2014, 06:54 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
Good to know, rock chips are one of my main concerns and seem clear bra would be one of the better solution
Just know that clear bra is not 100% protection against rock chips. I did clear bra on the entire front of my car, but had one small break through already. I think it happened on the track, so I'm probably more abusive to the paint than most. Might have many more chips if not for the clear bra, don't know. It looks great and I'm pleased overall, but not a guaranty. I think the clear bra is Suntek.
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      09-16-2014, 10:30 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaynardZed View Post
Just know that clear bra is not 100% protection against rock chips. I did clear bra on the entire front of my car, but had one small break through already. I think it happened on the track, so I'm probably more abusive to the paint than most. Might have many more chips if not for the clear bra, don't know. It looks great and I'm pleased overall, but not a guaranty. I think the clear bra is Suntek.
How does Suntek quality compare to 3M? and are you going to replace your clear bra if you get a lot of rocks breaking through?
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      09-16-2014, 12:15 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
How does Suntek quality compare to 3M? and are you going to replace your clear bra if you get a lot of rocks breaking through?
Mines also Suntek but I can't compare to the quality of the 3M since I've never had one. The Suntek is very clear, you can't even tell there's a PPF on it. You should definitely check it out this Friday and if you don't mind check the meet thread real quick
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      09-16-2014, 02:04 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Powaup View Post
How does Suntek quality compare to 3M? and are you going to replace your clear bra if you get a lot of rocks breaking through?
The shop said it's better actually. They did the 3M crystalline tint, so doesn't appear they have anything against 3M. I'll stop by sometime to see how to deal with the breakthrough. There's a 5 year warranty on the clear bra. The clear bra looks superb, can't tell it's even there.
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      09-16-2014, 03:57 PM   #20
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Looks like im going to do xpel even tho i really want to do nothing. But dont want rock chips.
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      09-16-2014, 04:23 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by dmk08
Looks like im going to do xpel even tho i really want to do nothing. But dont want rock chips.
Why XPel over clear bra?
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      09-16-2014, 04:31 PM   #22
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Quote:
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Why XPel over clear bra?
I have been working with a certain detailer for years. He was rated in auto week magazine a couple years ago. Anyway he recommended a shop and thats what they use. So im just following his recommendation.
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