[Kromans1]

Are you all planning to have your X1s ceramic coated or use some other paint protection? Do dealers generally offer something like this? Mine is San Remo green and will live outside, but off-street, with no garage in New England. What do you think it will need?

[vinny84]

I’m just doing Xpel front clip. My dealer offers this but they take it to a local Xpel dealer that does them. I’ve had ceramic coating on two of my previous cars and they are worth it if you’re planing on daily driving it. My X1 will not be a daily driver fwiw

[FlashMonkey929]

I've been debating doing a ceramic coat, but with this X1 being a lease, I'm not sure the money is worth it. I'm debating on just doing it myself if I can find 48 uninterrupted hours to prep, apply, and cure.

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

I've been debating doing a ceramic coat, but with this X1 being a lease, I'm not sure the money is worth it. I'm debating on just doing it myself if I can find 48 uninterrupted hours to prep, apply, and cure.

Yeah if I was leasing, I wouldn’t do either Xpel or ceramic coating. Save the money in that case

[igott]

If I were still going with the frozen color, I'd have done full frontal clip. Now that I'm going with blue lagoon, I'll be getting it ceramic coated and tinted.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by igott

If I were still going with the frozen color, I'd have done full frontal clip. Now that I'm going with blue lagoon, I'll be getting it ceramic coated and tinted.

How would you do a PPF on a frozen paint job? I would think it would change the look of the finish, unless they have some new film that I haven't heard about. I love the frozen finishes, but know I'm not diligent enough in cleaning the car to not mess it up

[kavatski]

I’m a big believer in PPF and always get it done, even on a lease. It just works so well, and I’m a stickler for keeping the car looking as close to new as I can. I recommend doing the full hood if you’re considering PPF on the front end.

Ceramic coatings I’ve never bothered with — I wax as needed, but I’ve also got the time to do that and our cars don’t spend much time sitting outside, so I’m not concerned about environmental damage. If I had to park outside 24/7/365, though, I’d definitely consider going ceramic.

[igott]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

How would you do a PPF on a frozen paint job? I would think it would change the look of the finish, unless they have some new film that I haven't heard about. I love the frozen finishes, but know I'm not diligent enough in cleaning the car to not mess it up

There's a stealth ppf that leaves a satin finish instead of gloss so it's not as noticeable.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by igott

There's a stealth ppf that leaves a satin finish instead of gloss so it's not as noticeable.

Interesting, good to know!

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by kavatski

I’m a big believer in PPF and always get it done, even on a lease. It just works so well, and I’m a stickler for keeping the car looking as close to new as I can. I recommend doing the full hood if you’re considering PPF on the front end.

Ceramic coatings I’ve never bothered with — I wax as needed, but I’ve also got the time to do that and our cars don’t spend much time sitting outside, so I’m not concerned about environmental damage. If I had to park outside 24/7/365, though, I’d definitely consider going ceramic.

Judging by your location, I'm pretty sure you have much harsher weather than I have here in Hawaii lol. I think for the most part, ceramic coatings here are more for convenience and maybe a little UV protection. PPF I think would help with rock chips, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much cash on a car I probably won't keep after 3 years. I park in a structure at home, but being that I work all over the island, I can't always choose the ideal spot to park. I'll see what my funds look like after taking delivery and go from there.

[igott]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Judging by your location, I'm pretty sure you have much harsher weather than I have here in Hawaii lol. I think for the most part, ceramic coatings here are more for convenience and maybe a little UV protection. PPF I think would help with rock chips, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much cash on a car I probably won't keep after 3 years. I park in a structure at home, but being that I work all over the island, I can't always choose the ideal spot to park. I'll see what my funds look like after taking delivery and go from there.

If leasing is the route you're going, I'd just purchase the BMW lease protection from the dealership, honestly. Unless it's different in Hawaii, it's great protection for things that are an almost guarantee for most people, like tires.

[kavatski]

Originally Posted by FlashMonkey929

Judging by your location, I'm pretty sure you have much harsher weather than I have here in Hawaii lol. I think for the most part, ceramic coatings here are more for convenience and maybe a little UV protection. PPF I think would help with rock chips, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much cash on a car I probably won't keep after 3 years. I park in a structure at home, but being that I work all over the island, I can't always choose the ideal spot to park. I'll see what my funds look like after taking delivery and go from there.

It’s an interesting question — I’m frequently in the tropics and I’ve always thought the strength of the sun and UV damage alone is harsher on cars than anything we have here. PPF is great for those paint chips, which seem to happen so easily that I can justify the expense to myself, but it’s definitely a serious investment.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by kavatski

It’s an interesting question — I’m frequently in the tropics and I’ve always thought the strength of the sun and UV damage alone is harsher on cars than anything we have here. PPF is great for those paint chips, which seem to happen so easily that I can justify the expense to myself, but it’s definitely a serious investment.

The UV exposure here is pretty intense, and the salt air is another factor, and is a factor in premature rusting depending on how well the car is painted. I've been considering trying to ceramic coat the car myself, but that's a lot of prep work and I don't have a dust free garage that I can store it in while it cures. My condo's parking structure is covered, but breezy, so that's not a good solution. Otherwise, I got quoted $1700 to ceramic coat the whole car, but that also includes maintenance cleaning and refreshing every 3 months for 2 years, and includes the wheels being coated as well.