I have never had a vehicle with a clear bra except on a couple of motorhomes...and that was on the front end only. I am considering a full wrap on the wife's GTC while the paint is still unblemished. I would like feedback on whether I should go with a full body coverage or just "leading edge" type coverage. All opinions welcomed.

Robin

 

Hi there


I got the half bonnet film put on a year ago. It covers the front face and maybe a third of the bonnet basically, plus the mirrors. That's like a $500 deal. It works. You can see the line across the bonnet where it finishes, but it doesn't jump out at you. I had it on a previous car too.

I just got my vehicle detailed at Vive Houston, https://www.facebook.com/vivehouston and Anson Lau and the gang did a great job with my paint correction and 2 coats of CQuatrz ceramic coating.

I was also booked in with their partner company at the same site www.evsmotors.com to put on a new film product over the front half of the car. Xpel self healing paint protective film. Basically on the front end, bonnet, and wings. The film was impressive and thicker than the current one. The main selling points seem to be its toughness, longevity, and the fact it doesn't change the color of the car at all, so you can't actually see its there. Lasts 10 years kind of deal. At $2k (fitted) it was a bit too rich for me and I changed my mind. Perhaps if I had a new car, or I was having it for X years I might have stuck with it. No doubt I will consider it again when the current film gets to the end of its life.

A couple of options for you anyway.

Cheers.

http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ul...ction_film.asp

http://www.cquartz.com/

 

Thanks BMT. I was quoted aprox. $5,000 for a full car wrap in XPEL-Ultimate. I like the side coverage idea being that this is a new car and it is my wife's daily driver. I hope that the film will protect the paint from side impacts from other car doors opening against it. If it was only a "Sunday driver" I would probably only consider leading edge coverage. The price of the full wrap stunned me but after looking at the work involved and the product cost I suppose it is in line with other installers....not many to choose from in my area that I would trust with this car.

 

If you're planning to keep her car for a long time, then it's probably money well-spent. The car should look brand new even when it's 5 years old.

I had the full front done on my new 911 and that costs $1900. But, that's only the full front, not the whole car. If I recall correctly, your wife's car is a GTC so there's even less sheetmetal to cover and I should think that the real price should be around $3500 and they're charging extra because it's a Bentley. You can find out if this is true by having someone call them and get a phone quote to do a 2013 Corvette convertible using the same Xpel and see what they quote.

 

Good idea SS...I think I will do just that. Thanks

 

Just received a written quote from the area XPEL installer....drum roll please.....$6,500 with tax!!!!! OUCH!!....Seems a bit outrageous but I'll try quoting a corvette as Sanibel suggested. This may get interesting. I guess I will need to do more homework on this one before I pull the trigger.

 

PM sent.

 

I considered the clear wrap both partial and full but have not done it yet. My car does have some marks on it but the issue still remains wether to let it get worse or not?

I have seen a few high end cars treated to this clear wrap and it was not overall cosmetically pleasant. Kind of weird to put on something that does not look great to keep it looking good. Know what i mean?

 

I've never done a clear bra before but did so on my new 911 and made sure there would be no visible lines by having them do the entire bonnet. You'd never know there was a clear film on the car unless you touch it with your fingernail and feel the softness of it, but visibly it just isn't there.

 

I could live with that. When I was talking to an installer I told him visible lines would ruin it for me. Do they bead water and prevent scratches like we get in clear coat?

 

It's a Bentley - protect your investment. I did full frontal wrap on my 911. Custom "over the edge" deal from the cowl panel forward. (full hood, bumper, headlights, fenders and even the carbon door sills) It's wrapped over the edge and underneath the hood emblem. Can't see it and it works wonders. Xpel Ultimate.

 

I will be getting a polish over the winter and will inquire about costs, thanks guys.

 

I plan on using X-pel Ultimate. A revised quote of $2,700 for the front end from front of doors forward is still a bit higher than expected and a talk with the manufacturer's rep led me to believe that was about twice the average for that job. I am looking into a local installer, that has used other products, to do the job with the E-xpel. If his quote is a bit lower I will consider a full wrap. I also will get with a member who does mobile service and see if I am within his travel radius. I will also contribute to the official photo thread once I get the chance to shoot the car in good light.

Robin

 

You should be able to get a full clear wrap for approx $3500 or less. Don't pay more. Perhaps be more open to a brand other than X-Pel...
BTW, get the WINDSHIELD covered with a nice clear and thin film too, it will help any scratches from rock chips/sand from occurring and you being able to see them in direct sunlight and you can always easily replace it down the line too with a fresh piece of film pretty cheaply/easily since its just right over the windshield.

 

Thanks Fantasma....I am open to other films and I like the windscreen idea.