Anybody ever had this done to their car? Our's is black. Would be nice to protect the paint better now.

Anybody know good auto detailers in the orlando area?

On another note, buying the car and dealing with the add-ons they want to push is brutal. Especially the "LuxoCare" protection package. I declined all but they really push hard.

 

I went this route, for the money it is well worth it. Love bug season sucks! This is actually my vehicle :-)
http://clearbraofjax.com/gallery/?album=157&gallery=137

 

How much did they charge you?

 

It was $380.00 installed. He used 3M and it has a 5 year warranty. He also offered Xpel and Avery clear for $100.00 more with a lifetime warranty. I have a hard time holding on to a vehicle for more than 5 years, and like 3M products so that what I went with. If you look on here is was $499.00 just for the protection film, so I am happy with the deal.
http://www.xpel.com/products/paint_protection_kits.asp

 

Oh ok. That's not opti-coat. But I have been thinking about that plastic covering just for the front of the car. What does the warranty cover? What happens if rocks chip the plastic coating?


Opti-coat is some special "permanant" paint sealer. It actuallys bonds to the paint. They don't recommend DIYers put on because it is most important to make sure the car paint is in as perfect condition as possible before putting on.

http://optimumcarcare.com/ocoat1.php

 

The warranty covers cracking, pealing, yellowing, or damage to paint when removed. It is a flexible plastic so it can be damaged by road crud, rocks, ect. The point of it is to protect your paint, yes it might get damaged over the years, but when you remove it the paint will be in good shape (hopefully) I am sure a rock of a decent size will damage either system. That Opti coat seems to shed the water very well, it seems to be really good stuff but I am sure it can chip too. They seem to advertise it as a second clear coat. I can tell you that the "love bugs" if left on your vehicle in the sun will etch your clear coat, will they do the same to that, not sure. I guess I like the idea of something semi permanent, as it gets old and nicked up I can peal it off and hopefully have some brand new, smooth paint under it. Let us know which way you go and what you think about it. Good luck

 

Ok, that's good.

But the "plastic wrap" doesn't cover the whole car, or at least that would be very expensive. I was thinking opti-coat for the whole car (that's how they advertise it) and then just the plastic wrap for the very front.

Did you plastic wrap the hood too? If not, where do you have the edge for your plastic? Can you post some pics?

Love bugs (and others) is exactly what I'm worried about. This post is what has me thinking opti-coat: http://optimumforums.org/index.php?showtopic=1145 . It seemed to do very well with lovebugs. He (hoping he really is independent and doesn't work for the company) did a long term test and it's amazing how well it's stil there even after 1 YEAR.

 

True, it does not cover the entire paint, they sell it for basically the "impact" points of the paint. I agree total protection would be very nice. I have not done the hood yet, but will be getting it done soon, they can either do the complete hood or just the 1st 15 inches or so. If you look in the fist link that I posted you can see the edges in the pics. It is VERY hard to tell it is even on, the second to last pic is where you can see the edge of the film, it would be the right most panel that has been covered. I also cut some out and apply it to the back door wheel wells (read kids dragging stuff in and out) and also behind the door handles so nails, rings and such do not scratch up the paint. I have used it for years now, but oddly enough I have never removed it because all the people that have purchased my old vehicles wanted to keep the protection there. It sounds like if you do both of them you should be set with the best of both worlds! It is funny you posted that link as it was one that I looked at when I googled it.

 

I would really like to get the front bumper and hood done because down here in central Florida the love bugs are outrageous. There like aliens coming to run out our race there's so many of them lol.

 

Came across another person that "tested" opti-coat with equally impressive results.

http://thedetailers.blogspot.com/201...st-by-kcs.html

Just need to find somebody in central fl area and get a quote.