[cobrar97]

I'm looking to order a '25 X5M Competition and I'm most-considering the Frozen Gray color. I just can't decide on the OEM wheel choices. I was going to go with the black 818, but I've seen alot of complains about the dusting on the black. So...I was then considering the 809, but I don't want to get away from the aggressive look (and maybe the 809 doesn't).
I didn't see alot of X5MC in that color on here, so I was hoping there's more people who want to show them off.
The BMW configurator doesn't show any of it very well.

[cobrar97]

Nobody? Hmmm...is the Frozen Gray not a good color option?

[nZtiZia]

I’m a fan of the frozen look but not the paint itself as there are drawbacks to matte paint. do a quick search and you’ll see…

if you want the matte look without the headaches, I suggest choosing a base color you like then getting it wrapped in satin/matte/stealth ppf. Frozen Grey is a BMW Individual color, so the order process and timeline are at least 11 weeks longer than non-Individual orders

here’s my G05 in Arctic Grey wrapped in stealth ppf

[cobrar97]

I have another vehicle wrapped in Stealth. My question is this...what would Frozen paint have that's a disadvantage over Stealth PPF? I'd think the PPF would be the more-difficult thing to deal with; not sure what the advantage of PPF over paint would be...if both are matte.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by cobrar97

I have another vehicle wrapped in Stealth. My question is this...what would Frozen paint have that's a disadvantage over Stealth PPF? I'd think the PPF would be the more-difficult thing to deal with; not sure what the advantage of PPF over paint would be...if both are matte.

ppf and matte paint are very different from each other.

once matte paint has a blemish, you can’t buff it out or repair that one spot cuz it’ll shine in the former and mismatch in the latter; you’ll have to address the entire panel for uniformity purposes, but even then there’s risk the panels won’t match exactly.

ppf is protective and easy to care for especially if it’s ceramic-infused or coated. for small blemishes, its self-healing process may make it disappear altogether. if damage is extensive to the ppf itself, it’s still likely less cost and time-consuming to replace one panel with ppf than repaint an entire panel.

mine is 3 years old and still looks new and uniform even after I damaged the ppf on the left front bumper and fender trim. luckily, no damage to the underlying paint; the ppf took the brunt of it all. the repair took only a day and under $200

[Gladiator1972]

nZtiZia is correct, if you get a scratch on the matte paint, it's very difficult to buff it out or paint correct because of a lack of clear coat.

[cobrar97]

Originally Posted by Gladiator1972

nZtiZia is correct, if you get a scratch on the matte paint, it's very difficult to buff it out or paint correct because of a lack of clear coat.

That is understandable. At the same time, if you were to PPF the entire car, it's a $7000 (approx) job. It would take a handful of paint damage/repaints to cover that. If the car is a daily-driver or sits outside all the time, I totally get it. For a garage queen, I'm just not sure though.

Honestly, I agree that the Xpel Stealth (or similar) is pretty easy maintenance.

What about just PPF'ing the hood and front bumper? But would using Stealth PPF over Frozen Dark Gray make an obvious color difference from the non-PPF fenders in this scenerio?

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by cobrar97

…
What about just PPF'ing the hood and front bumper? But would using Stealth PPF over Frozen Dark Gray make an obvious color difference from the non-PPF fenders in this scenerio?

i think they would look different as the light likely won’t reflect the same off their respective surfaces despite both being matte

one guy protected his Frozen black Vermilion Edition with stealth ppf. overkill? maybe, but he has much less worry over the integrity of his Frozen look now

[cobrar97]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

i think they would look different as the light likely won’t reflect the same off their respective surfaces despite both being matte

one guy protected his Frozen black Vermilion Edition with stealth ppf. overkill? maybe

Right...that's what I'm afraid of. And if matte PPF'ing over frozen, my question becomes...why pay for Frozen and not just get a gray-of-choice and then matte PPF it?

[nZtiZia]

https://chemicalguys.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-maintain-matte-car-paintwork#:~:text=Matte%20cars%20don't%20rely,chal lenging%20to%20clean%20and%20maintain.

pros and cons. debatable depending on who you talk to (even myself). there’s a video debunking matte paint myths maybe worth checking out

its a lot of money either way, so you gotta be happy where it goes