How to protect the paint

[W288SH]

I have a G80 on order expected to arrive within the next few weeks.

I live in an area with a lot of construction (fast growing metro) and rocks / debris on the highways. My F80 did not have any paint protection and ended up with some painful rock chips (and two replaced windshields).

I'd like to do something to protect the paint on my G80.

Can someone tell me about options and pros / cons?

Bonus if anyone can recommend providers in the Raleigh area.

Thanks!

[pcai]

I'm quite OCD when it comes to rock chips on my car. It's inevitable if you drive the car. The only way to protect the car against rock chips is PPF. Note: once you get rock chips, it's an extremely difficult process to "correct" the chips out and requires wet sanding and re-applying paint by hand to the chips and I can't begin to imagine what price detailers will charge for that. A simple touch-up won't remove the dimple from the chip and those will only get magnified by PPF. So if you want to get PPF it is important to basically go straight from dealer to detailer.
I would at least do the front bumper, fenders, and the section of rocker panel and lower door that's right behind the front wheels as your wheels kick up a lot of road rash onto that area and it becomes damaged just as bad as the front bumper. I've noticed the hood is relatively untouched by chips.

Ceramic coating won't help with physical damage like chips. Also, are you leasing? If so, then forget about any paint protection lol. Even a partial PPF install will cost like $1-2K.

[SickGTR]

Clear wrap the entire car!! If you bought the car and are planning on keeping it, to me it's a must do. Both my cars are wrapped ( then ceramic ) and it's the best thing ever. Perfect paint all the time. Super easy to wash and maintain. No more waxing. Spend the 5 G's and never look back

[gurns]

Per Pcai’s input I literally took my G82 to the detailer and had a PPF coating applied. This is the first time I ever had this done. I don’t think I will be disappointed with the protection against rock chips it will provide. I had the full hood, front bumper, mirrors, headlights and rocker panels coated: $ 1,5000. Lifetime guarantee.

[Nettles]

Originally Posted by gurns

Per Pcai’s input I literally took my G82 to the detailer and had a PPF coating applied. This is the first time I ever had this done. I don’t think I will be disappointed with the protection against rock chips it will provide. I had the full hood, front bumper, mirrors, headlights and rocker panels coated: $ 1,5000. Lifetime guarantee.

$15k is a lot of money bro. You might want to ask for some money back.

[pcai]

Originally Posted by Nettles

$15k is a lot of money bro. You might want to ask for some money back.

Think thats a typo, he probably meant 1500.

[Nettles]

Originally Posted by pcai

Think thats a typo, he probably meant 1500.

Sarcasm is my favorite language

[Jbrown7403]

I couldn’t agree more about PPF on at least the front half of the car. I bought my F82 used with around 15K miles and the previous owner had the front half, mirrors and CF roof PPF’ed. I now have around 35K and the car is still chip-free and looks pretty much brand new (ish). At a minimum, I would say front bumper and hood is a must for such an investment. You won’t be disappointed!

[gurns]

PCAI had it correct. I made a typo. $ 1,500.00 for the PPF app.