Hi all,
Long post - sorry! I've searched and tried to read most of the threads here about PPF and Ceramic coatings, but I still have some questions. Would appreciate your feedback on this as I will be getting my new X5 in approximately a month's time.Thanks ahead of time for the forum members' support here.
Have gone for Carbon Black 40i (M-sport) + Ivory Merino extended leather on the interior. 21" staggered tires setup. Based in Dallas, TX.
1)
Prep: I will be taking this straight from the dealer to a detailer and will be starting with paint inspection, detailed prep and polishing as the first set of steps (among others as needed)
2)
PPF: After comparing STEK versus SunTek Ultra versus XPEL , I plan to go with the
STEK Dynoshield film. *Claimed* warranty of 10 years against delamination,
yellowing, bubbling and cracking.
I like it because of its smooth finish, high gloss and built-in hydrophobic properties. I am not fond of potential orange peeling from the XPEL being added to some pre-existing baseline orange peeling in the factory paint. there are reports of it being reduced/fixed in the latest version (XPEL ultimate plus), but I am not fully convinced and don't wish to take a chance.
So in order of personal preference, I am prioritzing the PPF films as follows: STEK > SunTek > XPEL
[skalberti, thanks for your data points here and on #6!]
3)
Ceramic coating: Next, I plan to have the
GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra applied (professional application only; 10h rating, *claimed* 9 years) topped with
EXO v4 coating for a combined effect of further enhanced gloss and enhanced hydrophobic properties.
Because I am a complete novice at detailing, I want the first steps to be done right and by a professional who knows what they are doing. My hope is to able to do this myself in 2-3 years when these ceramic coatings have to be reapplied. Plan is to buy the supplies and then apply it myself at my garage. This way, I have an upfront (high-ish) cost but a lower cost to sustain and preserve the coatings.
4)
Windows: can I get some recommendations please? thinking of clear tint with UV protection in the front windshield and in back windows + back windshield [ the latter are pre-tinted anyway], and then have the front two days tinted to match the rear if possible.
TX laws have a > 25% light transmission requirement, so I don't know if this will limit being able to match the rear tint. I've read reports of the back windows being at 15-20%, and if so, I may have to live with the fronts being a little lighter than the rear - which is how it comes from the factory anyway - so this is not a huge show stopper.
But need a film with good UV and heat rejection properties to deal with the heat here in the south.
5)
Grille: thinking of replacing factory grille with an IND one (chrome outline, black slats, and mid-section painted CB) . Given the small surface area - does it make sense to even bother PPF-ing this ? If I have chips on the black front slots, will it expose the chrome underneath? If so, is it better to wait from BMW factory M parts till end of next month?
6)
Installers (DFW region):
Looking at DFW Clear Bra based on skalberti's positive feedback [thanks!]. But open to other recommendations as well!
Also the STEK website lists this same company and same address under a different name/URL (
http://www.clearcoatfilm.com/) - this is the only STEK listing AFAIK in the DFW area.
7)
Interior care: ( will be doing this myself)
Leather: Going to use BMW products suggested at the beginning and then switch to either Sonax or Zaino for subsequent applications. [Thanks Mystro!]
Trim: I have chosen the Fineline wood glossy trim: any recommendations to protect and preserve this?
Goals in priority order:
a)
Maximize and preserve overall paint gloss and finish.
b) Minimize highway chips ( PPF is expected to help here). I know this should be #1, but I am being honest here!
c) Make it reasonably easy to wash and maintain it clean - without need for extensive detailing (ceramic to help here). Hope on paint maintenance is to wash it off with water and wipe down with good quality towels or air-dry with a leaf blower, and maybe add a suitable product once a month to keep up the shine - I hope this isn't too naive !?! I need to see if my preferred touchless car wash nearby uses PH-neutral soap, in which case there might be bonus of using just a basic wash and air-dry wash package without any brushes or chemicals to ruin the coatings.
Questions:
1) Any holes in this approach ?
2) Does it make sense to PPF the whole car ($5k) or just focus on the front half of the car? (~$1.5k) including front doors and everything forward of it, including mirrors)
3) If i use the latter approach above, then won't it create an uneven paint finish/gloss on the car? Will this unevenness be further amplified when I ceramic coat the whole car?
4) 7 years from now, if me or someone else tries to remove or reapply the PPF, will it leave a bad residue?
5) Does STEK film include the adhesive (like Suntek) or is it separately added and installed (like XPEL used to have it)?
6) how difficult is it to remove an existing ceramic coating and reapply a new one? If i use Crystal Serum (pro applicaton only), can I downgrade to a more consumer grade version down the road? or given the plan, should I stick to consumer grade products right from the beginning ( = replace Crystal Serum Ultra above with CS Light?)
Thanks for reading all this
and for any feedback!