Protect the paint

[Amoroso6]

So ive been to talk to one of the higher end detailers about taking care of my X90D when it comes in. They have a waiting list of 5 weeks so i wanted to meet them early. the company is the Shine-shop Automotive and the protective coating is Ceramic Pro which you can see here

Shine Shop Automotive Reconditioning & Detailing Greensboro

any have any experience with this product. Im doing the gold package which is 5 layers and carry's a lifetime warr on the finish. They are also doing the wheels and a mat finish on the backs of the seats. I haven't decided on window tint yet, I'll just have to wait until I get in the car. The unfortunate thing is that they will need the car for a week to cure each layer, oh well i guess it will be worth it for the protection.

 

[ernies]

You can get a different type of protection if you do Xpel and a single coat of Ceramic Pro on top. Xpel has far more protection and there is an element of self healing. I had a slight scrape on the spoiler after an encounter with a garage door. Physical scrape residue, possibly from the Ceramic Pro and the scrape was visible for a couple of days. Scrape is completely healed now. Just my experience which matches what the detail shop said prior to application.

 

[Amoroso6]

You can get a different type of protection if you do Xpel and a single coat of Ceramic Pro on top. Xpel has far more protection and there is an element of self healing. I had a slight scrape on the spoiler after an encounter with a garage door. Physical scrape residue, possibly from the Ceramic Pro and the scrape was visible for a couple of days. Scrape is completely healed now. Just my experience which matches what the detail shop said prior to application.

thanks for the info

 

[SilverUnicorn]

I need to do this. Sucks... less than 2 weeks (almost 1k miles though) and a rock kicked up from vehicle in front and now I have a ding of missing paint on my hood. And tesla doesn't have extra paint. Sigh....

 

[madodel]

I need to do this. Sucks... less than 2 weeks (almost 1k miles though) and a rock kicked up from vehicle in front and now I have a ding of missing paint on my hood. And tesla doesn't have extra paint. Sigh....

In case you didn't know, the same paint as the Model S can be ordered online at http://shop.teslamotors.com/collections/model-s/products/model-s-touch-up-paint but it does list several colors out of stock. I ordered one a while ago just in case I ever need it but my X is being XPELed and then coated with CQuartz this week.

Currently unavailable in the new Midnight Silver Metallic (New Metallic Grey - PMNG), Titanium Metallic (PPTI), Deep Blue Metallic (PPSB), and Obsidian Black Metallic (PMBL)​

 

[SilverUnicorn]

Thanks madodel (I saw this info) but I have the new silver metallic, so no dice.

 

[goneskiian]

Thanks madodel (I saw this info) but I have the new silver metallic, so no dice.

Uh, oh. That's my color too. Guess I'll be getting it wrapped straight away after all!

 

[EV-lutioin]

In case you didn't know, the same paint as the Model S can be ordered online at http://shop.teslamotors.com/collections/model-s/products/model-s-touch-up-paint but it does list several colors out of stock. I ordered one a while ago just in case I ever need it but my X is being XPELed and then coated with CQuartz this week.

Currently unavailable in the new Midnight Silver Metallic (New Metallic Grey - PMNG), Titanium Metallic (PPTI), Deep Blue Metallic (PPSB), and Obsidian Black Metallic (PMBL)​

You are getting both XPEL and CQuartz? As I understand it one is a film and the other is a coating... I am so confused by all these products: Clear bra, Sun Teck, Ceramic films, ceramic coatings, nano coatings, crystal glass coatings. Which should I choose? According to my orientation specialist, "Tesla paints are very soft, so I recommend a coating".

 

[ernies]

Wrapping, in my opinion, gives the most protection but is not by its makeup hydrophobic. Hence the Ceramic Pro or CQuartz on top. I love the way the two performed for me. Then the topping is to get the Costco de-ionizer and you are done with water spots.

About one week after I had my car with the Xpel on the entire painted surface (plus the lamps, but not the chrome or wheels) I scraped the spoiler and saw material come up and a scratch remained. In several days the damage had "healed"...no visible damage.

 

[madodel]

You are getting both XPEL and CQuartz? As I understand it one is a film and the other is a coating... I am so confused by all these products: Clear bra, Sun Teck, Ceramic films, ceramic coatings, nano coatings, crystal glass coatings. Which should I choose? According to my orientation specialist, "Tesla paints are very soft, so I recommend a coating".

As @ernies explained they both do different things. I am getting the EXPEL because I looked at all the paint on the front of my X and know it will get lots of rock/gravel strikes so the XPEL will protect the full front. I also got the XPEL on the rest of car because I know the spoiler will get banged, already has on the garage door a couple times and those big beautiful doors as well. My detailer keeps asking me about different things and I finally just told him to do the whole outside. I'm not getting the seat backs done because I don't have young children.

The CQuartz is just a very thin ceramic coating that has to be repeated every couple years. It will hopefully keep the car cleaner looking. That is important since it is inadvisable to take an X through a car wash and in the 3 months I have had it I have only been able to hand wash it a couple times since it is almost always raining when I have time.

It isn't cheap, but it is worth it to me as this is probably the last car I plan to buy so I want to keep it looking as nice as possible as long as possible. If you do decide to get this done try and find someone in your area that has done a Tesla before or at least has done high end cars and has references. A bad EXPEL job pretty much defeats the whole purpose. You want them to cover everything completely so there aren't edges to lift up and collect dirt and look bad.

 

[EV-lutioin]

As @ernies explained they both do different things. I am getting the EXPEL because I looked at all the paint on the front of my X and know it will get lots of rock/gravel strikes so the XPEL will protect the full front. I also got the XPEL on the rest of car because I know the spoiler will get banged, already has on the garage door a couple times and those big beautiful doors as well. My detailer keeps asking me about different things and I finally just told him to do the whole outside. I'm not getting the seat backs done because I don't have young children.

The CQuartz is just a very thin ceramic coating that has to be repeated every couple years. It will hopefully keep the car cleaner looking. That is important since it is inadvisable to take an X through a car wash and in the 3 months I have had it I have only been able to hand wash it a couple times since it is almost always raining when I have time.

It isn't cheap, but it is worth it to me as this is probably the last car I plan to buy so I want to keep it looking as nice as possible as long as possible. If you do decide to get this done try and find someone in your area that has done a Tesla before or at least has done high end cars and has references. A bad EXPEL job pretty much defeats the whole purpose. You want them to cover everything completely so there aren't edges to lift up and collect dirt and look bad.

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, it is pricy stuff, I got a quote for a full wrap with ClearGuard Nano SR and it came to $8,595.00. Is that in the same range as your quote?

 

[ernies]

$9500 for full Xpel and Ceramic Pro...I will have to verify that, but that is my recollection. That included all metal, wheels, etc. I am back next week for front side windows tinted to 45. If I can find another Seattle area X owner who wants to do the front windshield I will spring for that also, but the piece they have to buy fits two cars. Then there will be the seat backs in matte finish. Then the leather. (Maybe in reverse order) When I get done, maybe $14-15,000. Much better investment than Ludicrous. BUT...you never know. My ship might come in and......

After research, Xpel is the "best", but the applicator is almost as important. Price does not rule. Doing it on your premises is a VERY bad sign. Go to their facility and see what they do. It is an art form and if they work out of a van they cannot see all the imperfections which comes from special lighting at the correct color spectrum.

Seat backs...agree...if you get them scuffed up you can always put a black film on them and the dings go away.

 

[X Girl]

I just had a full wrap done on my new X. ClearGuardX. Highly recommend. $10,000 for the full wrap.

 

[loganintx]

Full wraps in Texas cost about $4500. Xpel, Suntek, etc.

 

[X Girl]

Full wraps in Texas cost about $4500. Xpel, Suntek, etc.

Wow that's a great price. I paid 10k in California

 

[Matt Stanley]

What is the cheapest way to protect the paint? Would it be a clear bra?

 

[Tech_Guy]

Wow that's a great price. I paid 10k in California

Thats crazy expensive for the X, for my future Model S I've called just about every manufacture recommended shop within 100 miles about 30 or so different shops and got quotes between 4500 and 6500 for a full wrap in xpel or 3m...

 

[ernies]

Full wraps in Texas cost about $4500. Xpel, Suntek, etc.

Beware of such inexpensive pricing. Even the high volume shops in Seattle using non-certified applicators charge almost double that price for 'FULL'. Full might mean one thing to one shop and another thing to the second. Also, the fit is very important and can only be seen in and under special lighting conditions. I believe you get what you pay for.

 

[Tech_Guy]

Definitely, you want wrapped edges wherever possible and preferably shops that are listed on the film manufactures website. Here are some links to Xpel and 3M Authorized Installers, these would be a good starting point for quality work in your area.
XPEL PPF and Clear Bra Dealer Locator
Where to Buy 3M™ Paint Protection Film

 

[loganintx]

Beware of such inexpensive pricing. Even the high volume shops in Seattle using non-certified applicators charge almost double that price for 'FULL'. Full might mean one thing to one shop and another thing to the second. Also, the fit is very important and can only be seen in and under special lighting conditions. I believe you get what you pay for.

These are the prices at every shop in town across all brands of material and at the authorized dealers. You definitely get what you pay for but here you just don't have to pay as much.