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Mine is in the shop right now having SunTek Ultra on over half of the car and Quartz coating. I've had it for over 10 months with 2,000 miles, totally garaged, and no bad weather driving, but they still advised doing the fullest paint correction (which surprised me, since I do all of the washing), before applying the film and quartz coating.
But since it's black, it probably makes sense since the film won't hide any blemishes from what I understand.
From: Slower than a speeding bullet................ Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mine had Sun Tek Ultra (bumper to bumper) and a ceramic coating already on it when I bought it from first owner.
Shines like crazy, but has less than 800 garaged/covered miles, so barely outside.
Did the CAN COAT application along with a touch up with Surf City Garage's SPEED SHINE ceramic coat prior to my drive to Florida in November. I taped the front of the car before the drive and used detail spray and microfiber towels after arriving to clean the car (No washing with soap and water). The following pictures will give you an idea of how well the ceramic held up, even though the CAN COAT is only supposed to last for 2-3 months.
If you have a Dark car then Xpel is definately worth it as the paint chips show white . As told by a detailer,if you garage the car and it's not your DD then go with the lesser of the Ceramic Pro packages if you must do it..
If you have a Dark car then Xpel is definately worth it as the paint chips show white . As told by a detailer,if you garage the car and it's not your DD then go with the lesser of the Ceramic Pro packages if you must do it..
On a dark car the chips show as white, but a friend says on his 2019 white C7 the chips show as black! Maybe only on some parts???
If deciding between ceramic coating and PPF, do the PPF. The PPF actually prevents rock chips and scratches. Ceramic coating does NOT prevent scratches, no matter what someone says. It provides some protection but rub up against the car too hard with your jeans or catch a piece of debris with a microfiber towel and it will scratch your paint. It doesn't stop rocks either. I had my whole front bumper, lip, mirrors, A pillars, hood, rear quarter panels, side skirts, and front 1/4 panels covered. I have done track days and my windshield is beaten up. Front of the car still looks new. I then go the car ceramic coated and besides washing being easier, I don't think it's worth the $1K (average price). I had my brakes and wheels done, not sure it made a difference as I use low dust pads.
For what I spent on ceramic coating, I would have rather gotten the doors and roof protected with PPF. PPF is 110% the more important thing to do between the 2.
Did the CAN COAT application along with a touch up with Surf City Garage's SPEED SHINE ceramic coat prior to my drive to Florida in November. I taped the front of the car before the drive and used detail spray and microfiber towels after arriving to clean the car (No washing with soap and water). The following pictures will give you an idea of how well the ceramic held up, even though the CAN COAT is only supposed to last for 2-3 months.
Wait. What was the purpose of this tape job again??
Will ceramic coating the wheels protect the chrome as well as make dust cleaning easier?
Yes, it makes dirt and grime harder to attach itself to the surface making it easier to keep clean. Detail shops also use ceramic coating on brake calipers as well. You want to spend more time driving your Corvette then cleaning it.
I used painter's tape and a Novistretch bra when I picked up my Corvette from the NCM last month. It is inexpensive, very easy to install and offers industrial scale protection from road debris much better than PPFs. If you are going on a long trip this is the way to do it if you care about your vehicle's paint.
^^^ Please don't take this personally, but I would rather have the rock chips on my car. To me, that looks a lot worse than a few rock chips would look. I guess I feel that way because that is why I bought my Corvette in the first place. For how it looks. But if it is a show car, or something like that, and it can't be towed in an enclosed trailer. That would work.
Last edited by joemessman; Dec 18, 2018 at 02:03 PM.
^^^ Please don't take this personally, but I would rather have the rock chips on my car. To me, that looks a lot worse than a few rock chips would look. I guess I feel that way because that is why I bought my Corvette in the first place. For how it looks. But if it is a show car, or something like that, and it can't be towed in an enclosed trailer. That would work.
It's just temporary Joe. You can do this in about 20 minues. If you are driving to Florida in warmer weather you need this or your car will look like crap. Numerous trucks will kick up stones and debris on the highway too. The tape is easy to remove also. Just do this on long trips.
I used painter's tape and a Novistretch bra when I picked up my Corvette from the NCM last month. It is inexpensive, very easy to install and offers industrial scale protection from road debris much better than PPFs. If you are going on a long trip this is the way to do it if you care about your vehicle's paint.
Proof of this supposed better protection offered by tape?....'cause I sure haven't seen it. Here's one for PPF...
Not to mention the fact that PPF protects all the time, not just when someone sticks tape on for a road trip, PPF doesn't peel off due to wind and age, PPF has no sloppy effects from rain, PPF never has to be removed, PPF self-heals so you don't get swirls, and last but certainly not least, doesn't look like crap driving down the road.
It's just temporary Joe. You can do this in about 20 minues. If you are driving to Florida in warmer weather you need this or your car will look like crap. Numerous trucks will kick up stones and debris on the highway too. The tape is easy to remove also. Just do this on long trips.
Oh. Wait. It wasn't a one time thing? You do this often? I'm finding this method not only extreme, but a bit on the crazy side. You're serious?
I've had No Problem with Pinnacle Souveran which is a carnauba wax. You'll just wax more offen..
Nice shine on your car but carnuba wax will not protect a car from rock chips, swirls, or scratches. Carnuba will protect the paint from uv rays for a while ( weeks to months)depending on where you live
I have Xpel on 80% of my C7's surfaces along with a ceramic coating. I use Reload after a wash and I really like the protection and shine. The key to the ceramic coating and Xpel is pain correction before either is applied.
Proof of this supposed better protection offered by tape?....'cause I sure haven't seen it. Here's one for PPF...
Not to mention the fact that PPF protects all the time, not just when someone sticks tape on for a road trip, PPF doesn't peel off due to wind and age, PPF has no sloppy effects from rain, PPF never has to be removed, PPF self-heals so you don't get swirls, and last but certainly not least, doesn't look like crap driving down the road.
I know all about PPF so your vid was not necessary. You need to go to a race track sometime. Many racers will use Trak Tape or Track Armour or similar products. Painter's tape offers more protection than PPF as it is thicker and you can easily do multiple layers in high impact areas. PPF is better for city driving. You're crazy if you think Expel is great for a race track or even for long trips. It's OK for small pebbles and sand blasting not chunks of tire debris, car debris, and stones. It has it's limitations. Stop drinking the kool-aid of slick marketing otherwise you'll be disappointed some day.
Oh. Wait. It wasn't a one time thing? You do this often? I'm finding this method not only extreme, but a bit on the crazy side. You're serious?
Nothing crazy about protecting your paint. I have learned PPF can so only do so much. PPF is not a cure all for rock chips. I don't care how you think this looks. Many use this method. It works. It's inexpensive and very easy to do. You don't have to drop the car off and leave it at a shop for a day. Like I said before, I do this only on occassion when I am going on a long trips with much time driving on Interstates. I am not doing it to impress you.
and you can't tape over that.
