Protection Film or no Film

I got full body film on mine, removes all worries about just about anything. I drove on new asphalt edges the other day, the little pieces stuck to the door panels and rockers. Spray and wipe took them off without a trace. Good for peace of mind. I will be extending my warranty. I did not opt for the tire and wheel protection, but in NYC I would for potholes, especially if you get 20 inch wheels.

 

Interesting that UK warranty is 4 years....at least that's what my dealer told me. I'll need to double check now.

I got full protection film on mine. The finish is superb and if you get the paint corrected first it means you should maintain a pristine look (once you've washed the daily grime off!). I took the 3 year alloy and tyre warranty (my wife's a devil when it comes to dinging alloys) but at a cost of £600 GBP from my dealer in the UK. $3500 for this seems rather steep. You should check out prices from independent providers too.

 

You might look at when you have to buy the extended manufacturers warranty. My imperfect understanding is that it may be purchased anytime while the original is in force. Thus if you still own it in a few years it might make more sense than spending the money now.

 

Id definitely get the wrap

 

I just did it on my Alfa 4 c in advance of drive I'm doing around the southwest.

Imo it's worth it. The new films today are pretty remarkable. No one can tell it's there.

Mine ran 2800 for the front bumper, the hood, the door handles, the headlights, the lower body, and the CF tub inside the door. I also added a film to reduce heat coming in from the windshield.

 

We just took delivery of a 2016 Porsche Targa 4 GTS for my wife today (ok, I MAY be driving it from time to time...). We are doing Clay Bar cleaning, paint correction/polish, Xpel self healing film on all the forward facing surfaces, Opti-coat Pro protection on all painted, filmed and wheel surfaces (but not glass or lenses -- apparently Porsche says not to), and some kind of leather/alcantera protection for all the interior surfaces. $2400 in the Boston area by an highly regarded shop. Picking it up in time for the weekend... can't wait.

 

Peter, can you share the name of the shop and how the results go? I am looking for someone locally.

Apparently, lifting the film can remove the UV coating on the headlight lenses on the Porsches, which is why it is not recommended.

 

Happy to - Unique Car Care in Stoneham, MA. I spoke with Rick, who I believe is owner/principal. They come highly recommended by a friend who had them film his M3 and GT3. When I got there today, they were working on an original Ford GT40, a new GT3, and several other interesting cars. Unique Car Care | Luxury & Exotic Car Detailing & Clear bra Installation - Stoneham, MA

 

Thanks Peter. Rick has a terrific reputation, did not know he does film, as well.

 

I was sold on Xpel, but looking at some of the YouTube videos comparing Xpel with 3M and Sun Tech, now I'm not sure. Is there anyone out there who really knows how these perform, and which do you recommend.

 

You already posted one thread about this. I doubt very much that you'll get any different answers...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/california/486816-film-wrap.html

 

Just trying to get more information. Sorry I wasted your time on FChat.

 

Skip 3M, the other two are so close it becomes more a matter of what your local Expert Installer uses. Once you shrink wrap your car the paint underneath gets locked in, swirls and all. So having the paint look as good as possible is the first goal. Second goal is a great installation. What you wrap it with, Imo, is not as critical as the first two. The odds are slim that you will own the car so long that the wrap quality matters.

 

Alright guys, remember Jennifer Aniston ? Would you rather see her nude, or nude wrapped with clear plastic? After 100,000 miles driving four different Ferraris I probably have had 15 stone chips total to fill, three or four per car. DrColorChip.com filled them easily. I'm the one guy here that says leave her naked (the Ferrari). Now if I lived in the desert with all the blowing sand I might think differently but her in NW Ohio we only have winter salt to worry about, and who is silly enough to live in the desert?. To same money last year many areas now mix tiny stones with the salt. Even with all that (yes I drive both cars in it every day) I still have had few chips. Stay away from the rear of any trucks, that will help too.

 

What is the cost to do full car and any suggestions on installers ?

 

How do you like the Alfa??

 

All our cars have at least the front wrapped. Hard to find flaws. The cross country FF got the full body wrap for traversing the desert where all kinds of stuff flies around. Don't leave home without it.

 

It helps a lot. My talented detail man told me, "I can tell what kind of driver you are by the condition of the front, wrapped or not." Just hang back a bit. You will still have fun.

 

I got a full body wrap in Xpel Ultimate for about $5K. Glad I did it. Did not go for the 2 year warranty extension though