paint protection films and sprays.

[DeWitt Harrison]

Sorry, Mike. I did not understand that you were
looking for chip protection. I thought you were
concerned about your paint in general. I guess I
should have steered you to http://www.xpel.com/
for protective films and headlamp protection. Sorry.

Imho, you will not find anything that comes from a
spray can that will protect you from road debris
that doesn't look like s**t. What you want would have
to come in precut film or diy sheet form. See if xpel has
a kit for your car. They provide both headlight and
front 'bra' type clear protection film products that are
diy.

I recently installed xpel shields over my new car's
headlights since they cost $1000 each to replace. The
installation was tricky since it was necessary to mold
the flat, precut protection material over an extremely
complex headlamp shape (seemed like 4-dimensional
shape!!) On the older Audi headlamps such as my Audi
200 Euro style, it would be totally trivial. On the newer
Japanese headlights, one must almost be a present day
Rodin. But one can be such,  given a little skill and a little
determination and a very complete understanding of the
supplied instructions.

If you go with xpel, or similar, I will be glad to share
my experience. (I got two multi-compound curve
headlight lenses covered correctly the first try.)

Best,

DeWitt

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "mike posner" <posne at cox.net>
To: "DeWitt Harrison" <six-rs at comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 7:37 PM
Subject: Re: paint protection films and sprays.


>
>
>
> Thanks, De Witt for the quick response. I did download the information
and
> will consider this product . I want to explore the protective film to see
if
> its claim of  deflecting
> front end rock damage can be validated and  whether this offsets  the
flawed
> appearance of the paint at close distances and certain angles. This hardly
> seems a
> tolerable side effect of that option!
>
> I suspect the $1000  estimate  to havethe "spray product done  may refer
to
> a similar product.  Thanks again for your help.   Mike
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "DeWitt Harrison" <six-rs at comcast.net>
> To: <posne at cox.net>
> Cc: "Quattro List" <quattro at audifans.com>
> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 5:24 PM
> Subject: Re: paint protection films and sprays.
>
>
> > On Mon, 2 Oct 2006 13:52:34 -0700
> >        "mike posner" <posne at cox.net> wrote:
> >
> >> Anybody out there trying to sort out  the actual value of  the
> >> various methods to protect our car's paint, ie : Venture Tape, Paint
> >> guard
> > ,llumar,Beckart, Scotchguard, etc?  > I can't retrieve any good source
> > comparing these other than an article in European Car(November, 2005, pg
>
> > 96 aptly called
> >> "The Shield".
> >>
> >> I find it hard to see how $1000  is charged to spray your
> >> panel or two at your home. The PPGs (Paint Protective Films)  appear a
> > more technical demanding feat to do
> >> right but it seems a crap shoot as to who will be arriving in your
> > driveway to do the job.  Any btdt
> >> experiences will be
> >> appreciated,  TIA  Mike
> >
> > What you want, if you are prepared to expend a little elbow
> > grease is the Zaino ZFX system. The Zaino main page is
> > http://www.zainostore.com/ and the product page of interest
> > is
> >
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ZFX
> > There is an overload of information on these pages - a result of too
> > much exuberance on Mr. Zaino's part - but if you stick with
> > it, all will eventually become clear to you as to exactly what
> > you need and how to apply all the products. The cost to you will
> > be on the order of $30-40 plus shipping for everything you
> > would need to put an excellent polymer coating on your car, with
> > material to spare for the next round. The thickness and visual
> > depth of the final finish is up to you in terms of the number
> > of coats applied. I went with three. If anyone is interested, I
> > can go into the file to report exactly what I bought. Btw, hand
> > application works great. No need for power tools.
> >
> > I speak only as a very satisfied customer. My last Fall's application
> > is still holding up (on a newer car). The water still beads off the car
> > when it's washed but since it's Fall again, I'm preparing to add a
> > few layers before the bad weather hits in order to keep the
> > protection in good condition over this winter as well.
> > You can email Mr. Zaino directly with questions. He's
> > usually the one who responds to their "contact us" link.
> >
> > One caviat: this system absolutely does not restore damaged paint.
> > The Zaino system(s) is(are) merely designed to preserve and
> > wonderfully display the exact condition your paint was in on
> > the day you applied it. If your paint needs help, do all the
> > necessary polishing and swirl removal and whatever required
> > before applying the Zaino products. If you apply Zaino coatings
> > over dull or swirl marked paint, that dullness or those swirl
> > marks will be beautifully preserved and brilliantly displayed.
> > "'My goodness! What brilliant swirl marks!" It's like taking what
> > you have and putting it under glass. Get the idea? But if
> > you want to preserve and even flaunt your paint, try it out.
> >
> > DeWitt Harrison
> > '88 5kcstq (not quite ready for Zaino)
> >
> >
> >
>
>