Paint protection options

[Stinger Girl]

I am picking up my white Stinger tomorrow. It has the dealer "paint protection" on it but I want something more, especially since I will be parking right next to the construction of an 85K sq ft building when I'm at work :/ The last time I went down this road was several years ago and I had a full hood/front end 3M film applied. It was nice, but what other options are available? Thanks in advance....

 

[ShannonC]

Full PPF or perhaps a car cover whilst parked at work.

 

[eflyguy]

Your options are frequent cleaning and waxing, a ceramic-style protectant, or a film (PPF) which you've had.

Each has its advantages, mostly price vs. protection, Your choice comes down to where you drive and where you park.

I personally have applied nothing. I've lovingly/gently hand-washed my SWP three times since I purchased it seven months ago. I have one of the best rated ceramic coatings ready to apply, but each time I've washed the car, it simply didn't need it. To be fair - I work primarily from home, and have other vehicles to drive when conditions are not ideal. I have one small paint chip on the plastic bumper.

 

[washguy]

STiNGER GIRL PPF for sure.. .the hood and front fascia . ...Wash

 

[NoVAGT2]

Hood and front fascia PPF is the best bank for the buck, imho. I have found two places where the PPF has saved me from rock chips. Also, there are plenty of threads, but check out Suntek and Xpel.

 

[MrSmoofy]

PPF or Ceramic coating. I have IGL Ceramic coating on mine but with that construction, even with that stuff, I'd probably get a car cover.

 

[robz32]

Paint protection film FTW!

 

[Ruturaj]

PPF then ceramic coating.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I have full frontal PPF. If I was concerned about parking damage from the side, or debris from a construction site all day, every day, I would first look into a better parking spot further way and get the exercise (and peace of mind).

A car cover is its own hazard; as the cover collects dirt, any wind fluttering the cover will rub the dirt against the paint: you'll always have to keep the cover clean. My only use of a cover would be when a car is parked inside for a long time. Out in the weather, over time a cover will turn into an abrasive mess. Not to mention taking it off and putting it on every day would be annoying and would get old really fast.

Ceramic coating would of course prolong resistance to scratching, but is mainly for repelling dirt and spotting.

 

[Revvdmedia]

A car cover … Not to mention taking it off and putting it on every day would be annoying and would get old really fast.

I tried this for a whole 1 day on a prior car. Either the wind pulled it up, or someone's children did, so I gave up on that the day after I tried it. That was a waste of 80 bucks or whatever that cover cost me lol.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I tried this for a whole 1 day on a prior car. Either the wind pulled it up, or someone's children did, so I gave up on that the day after I tried it. That was a waste of 80 bucks or whatever that cover cost me lol.

For sure! The day I brought my car home, I stopped at O'Reilly's and bought a car cover for almost a hundred bucks. I thought about how to keep my car clean and new in a carport. I visualized putting it on at the end of each day and taking it off for the next drive. I figured it wouldn't be too burdensome. Then I thought of the dust, the wind, the accumulation: and realized it was not only pointless, it is counterproductive to the point that the cover would actually damage rather than protect the paint in that venue.

So the next day I returned the unopened package for a full refund. (Btw, I was amazed at how heavy those danged covers are. Just getting them on and off would rub the paint every which way; bad idea, bad, Bad, BAD!!!)

 

[cncBilly]

For sure! The day I brought my car home, I stopped at O'Reilly's and bought a car cover for almost a hundred bucks. I thought about how to keep my car clean and new in a carport. I visualized putting it on at the end of each day and taking it off for the next drive. I figured it wouldn't be too burdensome. Then I thought of the dust, the wind, the accumulation: and realized it was not only pointless, it is counterproductive to the point that the cover would actually damage rather than protect the paint in that venue.

So the next day I returned the unopened package for a full refund. (Btw, I was amazed at how heavy those danged covers are. Just getting them on and off would rub the paint every which way; bad idea, bad, Bad, BAD!!!)

We are all big boys here Merlin. No need to suger-coat things.

 

[MerlintheMad]

We are all big boys here Merlin. No need to suger-coat things.

I thought that offering an opinion on car covers was offering helpful advice.

 

[Revvdmedia]

For sure! The day I brought my car home, I stopped at O'Reilly's and bought a car cover for almost a hundred bucks. I thought about how to keep my car clean and new in a carport. I visualized putting it on at the end of each day and taking it off for the next drive. I figured it wouldn't be too burdensome. Then I thought of the dust, the wind, the accumulation: and realized it was not only pointless, it is counterproductive to the point that the cover would actually damage rather than protect the paint in that venue.

So the next day I returned the unopened package for a full refund. (Btw, I was amazed at how heavy those danged covers are. Just getting them on and off would rub the paint every which way; bad idea, bad, Bad, BAD!!!)

The reason I tried the car cover was because the tree beside my car was leaving an absurd amount of sap on my car. The end solution was the fact my roommate at the time wanted that parking spot in place of his (which did not have sapping trees), so I graciously traded spots lmao.

 

[cncBilly]

I thought that offering an opinion on car covers was offering helpful advice.

You are correct. I agree 100%.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The reason I tried the car cover was because the tree beside my car was leaving an absurd amount of sap on my car. The end solution was the fact my roommate at the time wanted that parking spot in place of his (which did not have sapping trees), so I graciously traded spots lmao.

I can appreciate the expediency of keeping sap (or bird poop) off being far more important than avoiding scrubbing dust inside the cover. What a crappy (literally) choice to make! When I was parking in my son's driveway last month, the birds in the tree next to it bombed my car with droppings even bigger than a silver dollar; leaving a mark in the clear coat as an added insult. I moved my car out to the street, out from under any trees. I was fortunate that right across the street from his house was clear. But I'd have parked a block away if necessary.

 

[Gtecko]

anyone has any experience with Ceramic Pro ?