[DarkCydeCA]

Hi all - I need some expertise/opinion/education on the pros and cons of paint correction and ceramic vs. full/partial wraps.


Base - What I'm working with currently.

The previous owner took decent care of the car but I'm guessing they weren't as careful with washing as some of us are; the paint has pretty significant swirling and it kind of punches you in the face because it's straight black (code GBA). I'm assuming they also did a lot of highway driving because there's a lot of road rash on the rear quarters plus the normal nicks, scratches, coverups, etc. So, I'm planning on getting it fixed.
This car is my daily driver from about mid-April to mid-October (about 3000 mi/5000 km) and gets stored inside in the winter.



Option 1 - Paint correction and ceramic coating
Pros:
- keep the factory paint
- have all the life experience fixed up correctly
- possibly get a new coat of clear

- looks amazing, super deep gloss, etc. etc.


Cons:
- there is nobody who does this locally, nearest reputable shop is about 4 hours away
- could take up to a week depending on paint issues
- ceramic lasts 3-5 years before reapply is required, I've heard
- need to buy ceramic boosters, etc. for washing
- ceramic helps mitigate but won't prevent stone chips, scratches, etc.
- adding PPF is expensive

- process is relatively expensive for a quality top to bottom correction and ceramic (I expect something in the $2000 - $4000 range)


Option 2 - wrap
Pros:
- can pick from a variety of colors, create design schemes, etc.
- paint correction not required (?)
- wrap helps absorb/prevent some of the chips/road rash
- have nearby providers (2 hrs)
- shorter application time (?)



Cons:
- not sure how durable wraps are; 2 years?
- potential damage to paint/panels underneath?
- original color "seams" around the trunk, hood and doors
- other issues?



Thanks in advance for the info.

[2SS Capt]

I would NOT add a new coat of clear, it'll never be as durable as the factory clear and you may end up with clouding/pealing down the road... Repainting would be my last choice of anything...

[franksredhot]

I agree that adding a layer of clear coat is not something you should consider. If you just have chips and light scratches, I would not consider re-painting any panels. If someone can tell it was repainted, you lowered the value of the car. It sounds to me like you have flaws that could be handled with touch up and paint correction. On top of that you can do sealant and wax or ceramic. I would not spend $4K for correction and ceramic on a daily driver. If your car is in a garage half the time and during the whole winter you will do well with good sealants and spray ceramic wax. In regards to wraps, I think they only make sense for a color change. They start looking beat in two years. Clear wraps are not a bad idea but very pricey to do the whole car after a correction.