[ChevyRules]

As some are aware, an egg hit my car( pure chance or intentional, I don't know) and did some scratching.

Today took the car in to a local detailer. The scratches from impact are too deep for paint correction and would need a whole repaint. So that's out due to the blending issue.

What they were curious about was whether Xpel would hide it so they took it back and put a small piece where the scratch is and it does hide it better. Since the scratches are deep, the Xpel goes into markings of the scratch, but it looks like dirt is under the film and can't be spotted unless up close to it. If I end up doing Xpel, I would also have them put it on the rocker panels as well. So the front bumper+rocket panels would be $1150. Obviously the further benefit of that would be added protection from rock chips, etc. I am still interested in doing the ceramic coating which would be another $1199( and more due to probably needing paint correction as their are some hairline scratches they couldn't see due to the rain).

But now comes the balancing act. I obviously could do the Xpel and ceramic coating in stages( Xpel first then coating later), could do both, just one or the other, or nothing at all. I need to balance between keeping the car in as good of shape as possible and accepting **** will happen to it since it is my daily driver. I am leaning towards just doing the ceramic coating since for the money, it is protecting more of the car than the Xpel is. Though obviously the Xpel will do a better job at protecting the actual car( since it is taking the damage of rocks, etc where the coating is just more resistant to damage due to being harder vs the clear coat).

[wrankin]

I did the whole paint correction thing and then applied CarPro CQuartz. While it does help dust and dirt from clinging to the paint making washing much easier, I don't think there is much in the way of scratch and chip prevention. Go with XPEL or 3M film on the rockers and a Novistretch bra on the front for $140 until you can swing the film protection.

Bill R

[ChevyRules]

Oh I don't think the ceramic coating will prevent scratching and chipping. But from what I gather, it will be a bit more resistant to it, but know it is still very possible to get scratching in the ceramic coating( but no protection from chipping).

I am also trying to prevent the damage that bird crap and egg can do to the paint.

I know if I do one or the other, it's a trade off of protecting the car against one thing while leaving it exposed to other types of damage.

I have the $1200 to do both the bumper and rockers for Xpel, but my bigger issue is the value in it. For a relatively small area of the car, it does cost a lot to put Xpel on it. If it was the entire front end and the rockers, maybe I could justify the $1200 a bit better. Guess I am not seeing that $1200 going far enough in terms of coverage.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

I'm curious about your detailer. I understand that some scratches are too deep to remove, but their appearance can be greatly diminished by rounding the edges of the scratches with a light pass of 2000 grit wetsand, followed by a compound to remove haze.

I bought my 2012 used and have one spot on the front of the hood that had a bad spot like this. Though it isn't completely gone, you can't see it in the shade at all, and only from certain angles in direct sun. It took me all of 20 minutes to "fix" this area.

Did he even use a gauge to measure the paint in the affected area?
Dirt should be completely removed from the surface before applying XPEL. Did he clean and clay the area, then wipe it down with IPA before covering? He couldn't have or no dirt would be visible.

My car is a DD as well, so I realize I cant keep it 100% perfect. I polish it once a year and it's 95% defect free.

$1200 for just coating is very high.

If you drive the car on the highway, the XPEL on the front is a good idea.

You can protect the rockers, doors, and rear quarters by putting some rock guards behind your front tires. Very easy to do. 2 torx screws, 3M 2 sided tape, and some IPA to clean before the 3M tape.

You could get a polisher (Griots Garage 6"), a 3/12" backing plate for 4" pads, all the pads you need, and all the products you need to compound (if needed), polish, coat, seal, microfibers, pressure washer, foam cannon, clay alternative product and lube, iron and tar decontaminate, 3 buckets with grit guards, rinseless for when the car isn't very dirty, for about 1/2 to 3/4 of what he wants just to coat it.

I'd put the Xpel on after the paint is corrected, but based on seeing dirt in the spot he put some on, I'd find someone else to do that.

[ChevyRules]

Dirt wasn't under the film, but the deep scratch made it look like it was dirt under the film, not that it was actual dirt. It was just how the scratch looked like under the Xpel.

Here is a picture of the scratch. Probably hard to tell how deep it is, but it is something that can be felt when running your finger across it.

https://i.imgur.com/63TYXKa_d.jpg?ma...&fidelity=high

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

You have divots in your paint from the shell of the egg, someone threw it very hard. These are basically just like rock chips. It will have to be repainted to look new again. Sorry for your misfortune.

Have you checked with your insurance company? If you have comprehensive they will cover it.

If not you could use Dr. Colorchip on it, while it won't be perfect, it will make it much less visible.

[ChevyRules]

Don't want to get insurance involved.

It's why I am considering the Xpel. Not only will it protect the front end from rocks, etc it will hide the scratch and make it less noticeable.

Ideally I want to do both Xpel and the Opticoat. But $2400 is a lot of money and that will have to be put towards winter rims and tires this fall.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

I'd get the Dr Colorchip then, the basic kit. I think it's around $39.

It will hide it even more then the Xpel.

Here's a good application video. You can also wear a nitrile glove (non-powdered) and dip your finger in the bottle and spread the paint that way too.

Your paint code is WA139XG7Q