[DreamDetail]

Hey everyone,

Wanted to ask a few questions to see where everyone is looking to go with their new cars.

-What is it that you are looking for in new-car protection?
-What has your experience been with new-car protection in the past?
-What are your plans for enhancing & maintaining the appearance of your ST?

 

[mrtn]

I'm going back and forth between a clear bra. I got one on an old car I had but I didn't care for the line in the hood. I decided not to get it on my current car and got a chip out of the hood after a month.

 

[DreamDetail]

I'm going back and forth between a clear bra. I got one on an old car I had but I didn't care for the line in the hood. I decided not to get it on my current car and got a chip out of the hood after a month.

There are other options besides clear film for rock chip protection. Coatings like 22ple, Polishangel Cosmic 9H, & Cquartz do have a slight amount of rock chip resistance but actually enhance the look of your vehicle and make it much easier to clean without the look of clear film or the eventual 'yellowing' that takes place.

 

[mrtn]

There are other options besides clear film for rock chip protection. Coatings like 22ple, Polishangel Cosmic 9H, & Cquartz do have a slight amount of rock chip resistance but actually enhance the look of your vehicle and make it much easier to clean without the look of clear film or the eventual 'yellowing' that takes place.

Hm never heard of it! I'll have to look into it. How much does that cost and how long does it last?

 

[DreamDetail]

Hm never heard of it! I'll have to look into it. How much does that cost and how long does it last?

SiO Coatings are the future of car care. They are also referred to as Ceramic or Glass coatings that protect paint. Professional detailers charge anywhere from 500-1000 to lightly polish & then apply the coating to your vehicle. The coating's are typically advertised to last 18-24 months. Most coatings on the market cure to a 7h pencil hardness & Polishangel Cosmic cures to a 9h pencil hardness and even has a slight amount of self-healing capabilities. Cosmic can also be order to match a specific paint code for additional benefits like a 30% increase in color brilliance.

Here is a picture of a typical coating that I let cure in a cap and then crushed up to show the crystallization:

 

[mrtn]

Certainly looks good and would love to try it. But $65-$250 is a little rich for me...

 

[DreamDetail]

Certainly looks good and would love to try it. But $65-$250 is a little rich for me...

Understandable. I know the clear-film prices are going up for quality work. Full frontal wraps plus mirrors & rocker panels are going for $2k+ in some areas.

 

[DirtyBlueshirt]

I'm going back and forth between a clear bra. I got one on an old car I had but I didn't care for the line in the hood. I decided not to get it on my current car and got a chip out of the hood after a month.

Lucky. I got one on week 3.

 

[D1JL]

I currently have an open appointment and plan to go directly from the dealer to the shop to have the clear bra put on.
In addition to protect the car from me, I plan to wear a "Full Body Condom".


Dave

 

[DirtyBlueshirt]

In addition to protect the car from me, I plan to wear a "Full Body Condom".


Dave

 

[brian]

I'm just starting to get into detailing "seriously". My plan is to use my current dd to work on technique before getting the FiST.

I picked up a da from griots garage, a few bottles from Adams Polishes (various compounds and wax), and a sealant from Ammo NYC. The next product I'll get will probably be Sonax full effect wheel cleaner.

I've been looking at the GTechnique product line a lot and am very interested, mostly in the sealants for their extreme water beading (although I hate the way they name their products). It's not available locally, and I'd only buy 1-2 products at a time (due to cost) and would end up taking a bath on shipping fees!

What other products would you recommend, or would stay clear of? The Fiesta ST will be my daily driver, parked outside most of its life, in Ohio near the snow belt (salt belt).

Thanks!

 

[DreamDetail]

I'm just starting to get into detailing "seriously". My plan is to use my current dd to work on technique before getting the FiST.

I picked up a da from griots garage, a few bottles from Adams Polishes (various compounds and wax), and a sealant from Ammo NYC. The next product I'll get will probably be Sonax full effect wheel cleaner.

I've been looking at the GTechnique product line a lot and am very interested, mostly in the sealants for their extreme water beading (although I hate the way they name their products). It's not available locally, and I'd only buy 1-2 products at a time (due to cost) and would end up taking a bath on shipping fees!

What other products would you recommend, or would stay clear of? The Fiesta ST will be my daily driver, parked outside most of its life, in Ohio near the snow belt (salt belt).

Thanks!

The best combination I have found with the Griot's is to use the W67DA backing plate from Meguiar's with Meguiar's 5.5" Microfiber cutting discs for heavy correction and the Lake Country Low Profile Hydrotech pads for finishing. The Low Profile is very important as it makes work with the DA much easier and more controllable.

There are many other coating brands besides Gtechniq. I personally think of the 7h SiO coatings, 22ple is the easiest to use & looks the best. Other coating brands include POLISHANGEL®, Max Protect, CarPro Cquartz, Wolf's Chemicals & Optimum.

Many have probably seen my video of Gtechniq's EXOv2, however I will be replacing EXOv2 on my ST with Polishangel's Color-Matched Cosmic 9h coating:
While polishangel products are expensive, they are all hand made to order and shipped straight from Germany.

If you are really looking to protect your vehicle from weather related damage like salt & such, coatings are the way to go, sealants just don't hold up. While not available in the US (yet) Max Protect's UNC-R looks to be a very good product which I will be testing soon:

 

[brian]

Awesome info, thanks! I'll defiantly look into these companies as I'm not familiar with most of them. I've heard of wolfs and optimum but haven't tried anything from them yet.

 

[DreamDetail]

(although I hate the way they name their products)

Can't hate the product names coming from Polishangel with things like:
-carnaubaflockencreme™ or Snowcake
Along with that, most all of their products have the most intoxicating smells making them even nicer to work with

 

[D1JL]

As I have stated before, I am going to do the clear bra thing.
Personally I need the support.
I have decided to use Xpel Film.
After seeing the damage to my current car and to a friend's brand new 2014 Fiesta.
I am doing their complete front package.
This includes:
Complete Bumper
Complete Hood
Partial fenders
Headlights
Mirrors

I am also having the rear bumper top done.

I will have all this professionally installed but it is not cheep.
It should be about $1K.

Dave

 

[Bdud]

As I have stated before, I am going to do the clear bra thing.
Personally I need the support.
I have decided to use Xpel Film.
After seeing the damage to my current car and to a friend's brand new 2014 Fiesta.
I am doing their complete front package.
This includes:
Complete Bumper
Complete Hood
Partial fenders
Headlights
Mirrors

I am also having the rear bumper top done.

I will have all this professionally installed but it is not cheep.
It should be about $1K.

Dave

I went that route with my white Focus ST but it is already taking a beating at 10k miles. White seems to show easy and it may even be starting to yellow.
With my wife's black Focus ST I sprayed the complete hood, bumper and 1 door mirror with the 3M Paint defender spray on clear film. It looked horrible while spraying and as it was drying it had a blue tint to it. Now it has dried it looks very good. I sprayed the mirror first and that looks best. The bumper I sprayed in 2 sections the left then the right. This did not turn out so good. It could have been a mixture of overspray or not enough paint as it looks quite orange peelie. The hood was next but I overdid it with paint on the far edges of the hood and got runs.
I also sprayed the hood lengthways, much better.
Overall pretty impressed and used maybe 1.5 cans. The kit and 2 cans came to about $70. Only supposed to last a year or so but clear bras look shabby after a while anyway.

 

[Zormecteon]

I'm fluctuating between Griot's Paint Sealant, and Griot's Paste Carnuba Wax. As i don't have the car yet, I have a few more days to decide. I have both products in my possession now so it's just a matter of deciding. Most likely I'll go with the Sealant, as the car will never have the luxury of a garage, and I should last longer than the wax. I have an orbital polisher for the application process.

 

[mr rooney]

Hi guys! I've just joined up as I fancy a Fiesta ST.
I used opti coat 2.0 paint treatment on my current car with good effect and also use the ONR wash system which is excellent . Surprised no ones mentioned it with it being a US product. There seems to be hundreds of different paint protection products available so it must be tough to find the perfect one. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBYQFjAB&url=http://prodetailing.blogspot.com/2012/04/optimum-opticoat-review-after-2-years.html?m=1&ei=h3HAUsPhCaXY7Ab1u4CoBg&usg=AFQjCNFAI-1ao1BiWO1glW4a_3rOQr7SnA&sig2=lD9EjBCUjbg4cUOFw7zJRQ

 

[silvertoy]

Does anyone know of a precut clearbra specific to the ST that is available yet? I've had them on pretty much every car I've had with nothing but positive results. Usually 3m. But I'm willing to try xpel.

 

[D1JL]

Does anyone know of a precut clearbra specific to the ST that is available yet? .

Patterns are available.
Most installers will have them.
If you wish to install it yourself, you will just need to find an installer that will cut it for you.


Dave