458 XPEL areas to cover

The rear wheel well area is important. Its very prone to getting stone chips from small rocks being kicked up from the tire tread. We have our whole car wrapped as a precaution, but I would for sure do this to your car.

 

To be honest, just do the entire car. You can't imagine what it will save you!
I just side-swiped a speed reduction sign in my wife's G-Klass and if it weren't for the protection on he wheel wells then i would not only be repainting but replacing the one I hit

 

I wouldn't put Xpel, or anything like it, anywhere except possibly the inner rims of the wheel wells.

Covering paint with a plastic sheet alters optical properties at the plastic-paint interface. You may prefer looking at paint rather than oddly shiny plastic.

Just drive the car and don't turn it into a plastic sheathed garage queen. If you get a little patina, then so what? It's a car, not the Mona Lisa.

I have 17,000 road miles on my 458 Italia with no plastic sheeting. There are a few pinhead chips if you look for them up very close. This is in contrast to a plastic covered car, in which the seams and chromatic aberrations of the plastic can be seen from 20 feet away.

Plastic sheeting also runs the risk of trapping moisture, with potential for adverse effects on your paint. In climates with a broad range of humidity and temperatures, such as you have in your location, I think you are asking for trouble if you cover the car with plastic.

 

On paper what you say might make sense. I have every single car wrapped and there is zero distortion of paint

Please also see Traveller's new TDF pictures --- not a sign of it.

Lastly, these PPF's rely on moisture to attach itself to the paint - so no chance of moisture getting "trapped" beneath

Maybe 1,2, or 3 generations ago of these plastic protection might have had the issues you highlight. But not latest gen

 

Thanks for your comments, F12KID. Have you looked at triple layer paint, or even metallic paint cars that are partially covered with plastics? I think you will have to admit that the difference between covered and uncovered areas is readily apparent and supports my assertion that the optical properties of paint are altered by plastic covering. This is pure physics of light. Materials of different densities refract, reflect, and diffract light resulting in chromatic aberration.

I don't care what anyone does with his car though. Just making a comment. Do as you like and have fun!

 

I have a triple layer paint, Rosso Maranello, and it's easy to see the difference between the XPEL-covered areas and not.

Why spend $30k on paint and then cover it up?

 

My F12B is triple layer, pictures speak for themselves
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I have regular Rosso Corsa. The front bumper, hood, front fenders, rockers, mirrors, and bottom of my doors are already covered in 3M film. I love having it on the car - so much so that I'm getting the rest covered too with Xpel Ultimate.. Quote was about $2200 for the rest of the car (full doors, rear fenders, rear wing area, rear bumper - I'm getting the rook/pillars in satin black).

As far as being able to see the film from 20' away, I highly doubt anyone even notices on cars with "normal" paint. In fact, the only time anyone has mentioned it at all is when they are right up on it, within a few feet. Most people never notice unless I tell them.

And getting it covered isn't something you do to make it be a garage queen - I'm covering mine for exactly the opposite reason. I don't want to worry about the paint every time I'm on a bad road, or every time I'm stuck behind some kinda truck. I also don't want to worry about the paint when I wash the car.

 

Full front (fender/wings/bonnet/lights)
Wing mirrors
A-pillars/windscreen surround
Side sills
Rear bumper

Leave the roof, rear deck, rear wings, and doors naked.

 

Although it seems I'm in the minority, I agree with this 100%.

Anyone who says it's invisible is either in denial or has poor vision, IMO.

 

I'd do that for sure.. my car already had it there.

Did you do behind the front/rear wheels where the fenders wrap around? If not, get that done too.

 

Yes - that section is critical as the front wheel kicks up stones that impact along that area. Mine originally had the PPF option as an original factory install from spec. Ferrari covered the leading edge of the aero winglets as part of the package.

 

I had this area done on my car along with front fascia,hood and mirrors
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I would have the highlighted areas done for sure. For me I will also do the full door.
I got a dent on my previous Fcar and if it was not because of the film I would need to repainted the door. Triple layer paint.

 

100% agree - wrap the car.

 

It is a huge business, and I am astounded as to how many people rush to cover their cars with plastic film. In addition to altering the optical properties, all plastic film will turn somewhat yellowish with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

 

Of course, but when you look at the cost to have the whole car re-wrapped vs the cost of the car it's nothing.

 

The issue is you aren't getting the value of it when you sell. If you buy one at 230 and sell at 200 some day, the 6K whole wrap cost seems to be a bit too much.

 

I just purchased my 458 and decided to do the entire front side view mirrors and the rocker panel on the side which are carbon fiber I don't really like covering the car I feel it takes away from being able to wax it and put one's own touch to it but those rock chips are killers