Porsche— to clear bra or wrap?

[ruffa]

I’ve been debating this for a while but don’t have experience with wraps or clear bra. My car is getting fresh paint next week and I want proper paint protection. I’m leaning towards clear bra to keep an OEM look. Wraps are cool on other people’s car I might consider it but I have not a clue which wrap would look proper on a classic turbo p-car.

Has anyone here wrapped or clear bra’d their entire car? What would something like that cost? I’m assuming ~3k for a full clear bra?

Attached a photo of my car just in case the enthusiasts here might have some suggestions.

IMG_3726.jpg

[blassy]

If you want the entire paint to stay pristine. Full wrap. No question.
Ask around your area for a GOOD installer. That price is probably close to the over/under number but can’t compare to clear bra.
You’re still going to get chips if you just wrap the hood.
Those tires kick up a lot of rocks.
Check out places like Rennlist or perhaps someone here is from your neck of the woods and can recommend a good installer.
Nice pcar btw.
Metzger for the win!
Seth and a few others will be along shortly with suggestions.
I did a full wrap on my 997 but I’m up here in Canada.
Lots of options. I did XPEL and I’m really happy with the results.
Black will show everything so make sure it’s a quality shop
Mine is guards red. Same problems.

[Jabbo84]

...more like 6-7 for a good job. Consider your paying the P tax.
By the way, that’s a fantastic car.

[Clinton Ave]

Great looking ride. My opinion is to say screw it, get rock chips and periodically fill them in.

I can't imagine getting a new paint/clear bra job and STILL getting rock chips.

[jaisonline]

I don't fault people for wrapping. Heck, I did before marriage

Filling in chips is 100% possible. I know people who do it all the time for the occasional chip. Just takes a ton of time, practice, and patience in-between stages.

For folks w/ cash to allocate for this, go for it. I would just wrap the front bumper, full hood, door handle area, and fender panels.

Originally Posted by Clinton Ave

Great looking ride. My opinion is to say screw it, get rock chips and periodically fill them in.

I can't imagine getting a new paint/clear bra job and STILL getting rock chips.

[superdog]

You can’t fill in rock chips. It doesn’t work that way. Facts.

Protect it. Do a full expel or 3M wrap. Clear. Save the paint and keep it perfect. Do a ceramic coating on top of it.

Spend the money. You already spent it on the car. Protect it.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by superdog

You can’t fill in rock chips. It doesn’t work that way. Facts.

Protect it. Do a full expel or 3M wrap. Clear. Save the paint and keep it perfect. Do a ceramic coating on top of it.

Spend the money. You already spent it on the car. Protect it.

Completely agree. If you’re keeping the car, take care of it. Contact an xpel dealer in your area, they are the best at covering a whole car with their product.
Especially on a black car, it’s a bitch to keep looking good. A full body xpel will take all the worry and stress out of paint maintenance.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by superdog

You can’t fill in rock chips. It doesn’t work that way. Facts.

Protect it. Do a full expel or 3M wrap. Clear. Save the paint and keep it perfect. Do a ceramic coating on top of it.

Spend the money. You already spent it on the car. Protect it.

PPF and Ceramic

[jc212]

Originally Posted by superdog

You can’t fill in rock chips. It doesn’t work that way. Facts.

Protect it. Do a full expel or 3M wrap. Clear. Save the paint and keep it perfect. Do a ceramic coating on top of it.

Spend the money. You already spent it on the car. Protect it.

This. Please research and consider this option!

[G8RDPM]

I miss my 997 Turbo badly!
Listen to Seth above.

[gnuyork]

I did had Suntek PPF done to my car, I didn't do the entire thing, but front bumper, hood, fenders, and rocker panels, and some bits inside on the door sill (which is painted). Had a huge rock hit my hood this summer on the highway at around 80ish and the PPF saved it. Amazing. No paint damage, though I need to replace the hood film now... haven't yet. For my car (2018 MX5) it was just under $2k for the front of the car and rocker panels.

My Lotus came from the factory with star shield (clear) which is holding up fine so far.

I would highly recommend doing it to your car... Suntek or Expel...whatever the installer recommends and is comfortable using.

[037]

Ask your painter how long it takes that particular paint to off-gas. Don't wrap or bra it before then.

I'd vote clear either way. 3M PPF or XPEL are solid choices.

Good luck!

[ruffa]

Thanks all. I can't live with paint chips anymore--especially on a black car. My previous car was a black and after putting 6k miles on the car, my front end was sandblasted.

I'm thinking possibly clear bra the entire car. Is it really going to cost 6-7k? Wondering if someone here had their entire car done.

[drgoro]

If you’re tracking do a full wrap. If you’re just cruising front end should be fine

[MichaelFlash]

I did expel on hood, lights, partial door, side view mirrors, etc and ceramic coat over the wrap for my Panamera and Cayenne. Expect to pay easily 6k or more for full xpel down right with wrapping the edges to minimize seems.

[bondtoys]

I‘ve protected my hood only with clear 3M wrap.

The entire bumper is made of plastic so imo not worth protecting it and you can‘t wrap the headlights here.
Works ok for me

[Razorsedge1]

Definitely clear bra. I don't think it is worth money to do entire car. I see you are in SC. Check out Atlanta Protective Films in Georgia. Derek is a real ace. He does all the Ferraris for local dealership. I think he charges about $2000 for full front, bumpers and mirrors.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by Razorsedge1

Definitely clear bra. I don't think it is worth money to do entire car. I see you are in SC. Check out Atlanta Protective Films in Georgia. Derek is a real ace. He does all the Ferraris for local dealership. I think he charges about $2000 for full front, bumpers and mirrors.

Yes, I *should* have gone here, but I couldn't last the 6 week wait (he had at the time) on my brand new car just sitting in the garage, so I went to a private guy who has done cars in the past (including Lotus)... But the guy I ended up using was a little flaky and did not have his own space and was asking me if he could do it in my garage (I said no)... should have been a red flag. Anyway, not super happy with the job, but the film is doing it's job protecting the paint...

* The moral of that story is find a good installer with a good reputation and be patient if there is a wait... use whatever film he likes to work with (also important), I think Derek at Atlanta uses Suntek (which is what I have)... Suntek is supposedly a little thinner, but is more clear to show a truer color of the paint, which I thought was important since I wasn't doing the whole car and I *really* like my car color.

Not sure what a full install on a 911 would be, but the Miata would have only been around $3k ish, smaller car, but I did hear the newer Miata was not such as easy install because the car is more angular... but do give Derek a call, he can give you a quote. I'd be surprised if it was $6-7K, but I really don't know... Also I think either Suntek or Expel have estimators on their website...choose your make and model and what you'd like done...

[ruffa]

My car is black and swirls bother me most here in the sunny south. They are inevitable unless you protect your paint somehow. If it were any other color then I would consider protecting just the front.

Just found a local shop that does clear bra. They are an Expel dealer. I will call them up for a quote.


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[Pawalu]

Keep it in the garage and don’t drive it. Every time you look @ it, it’s beautiful. Thank you.

[ruffa]

Originally Posted by Pawalu

Keep it in the garage and don’t drive it. Every time you look @ it, it’s beautiful. Thank you.

No, thank YOU for the expert advice. I forget, that’s why we buy such cars in the first place—to park them in our garages and not drive them.


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[PackPride]

Not sure where you are in SC so this may be too far. But if your in the upper part of the state it might be worth the drive. Solid reviews from a few friends that have used them. No experience myself but, a good reputation.

https://www.shineshopautomotive.com/

[1FINE99]

I had the front bumper, both front fenders, the hood the headlights and the mirrors done on my c-7 vert out here in Ca. for $2100. They said they could do the whole car for around $4500 . Probably cheaper in S.C.

[ruffa]

Originally Posted by 1FINE99

I had the front bumper, both front fenders, the hood the headlights and the mirrors done on my c-7 vert out here in Ca. for $2100. They said they could do the whole car for around $4500 . Probably cheaper in S.C.

I agree. I’m guessing it should be around 4K for a good job in my area. We don’t have exotics here like Miami does. Those shops charge 7k because majority of their work is exotic cars. I will call the local xpel installer for a quote tomorrow and report back.

[5Zigen]

Xpel and ceramic coat on top, you won’t be disappointed (as long as the installer does a good job).

I go on 2 car rallies a year, I wouldn’t dare take my car to these without the protection. Rocks and debris the sticky tires kick up are no joke to the paint. Xpel does the job protecting it.

[ruffa]

Originally Posted by 5Zigen

Xpel and ceramic coat on top, you won’t be disappointed (as long as the installer does a good job).

I go on 2 car rallies a year, I wouldn’t dare take my car to these without the protection. Rocks and debris the sticky tires kick up are no joke to the paint. Xpel does the job protecting it.

That’s what I’m looking to do. Is xpel the best out there? For me, if 3M is an option, it always seems like the best option to go with. Don’t know who else can beat their stuff.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by ruffa

That’s what I’m looking to do. Is xpel the best out there? For me, if 3M is an option, it always seems like the best option to go with. Don’t know who else can beat their stuff.

Don't know about 3M but have used Suntek and xpel. Xpel worked best for protection in my opinion, I think it's some micro something amount thicker. I also like that you can find an actual xpel owned install shop. Suntek is more popular in some instances because supposedly it's easier to install/work with.

[5Zigen]

Originally Posted by ruffa

That’s what I’m looking to do. Is xpel the best out there? For me, if 3M is an option, it always seems like the best option to go with. Don’t know who else can beat their stuff.

I can't comment on 3M but after researching and talking to car enthusiasts at car meets, rallies, etc. all use Xpel. Like others here mentioned, Xpel has the self-healing technology. If there are minor scuffs, scratches to the film it will 'heal' under heat/sunlight (this works - first hand experience).

If you put a ceramic coat on top, tar, bird doodoo, tree sap, etc will easily wash away.

I have heard good things about Suntek too but I have a certified Xpel installer near me so I went that route.

[Toxicant]

I had a black 996 with a clear bra and hated it. I would just drive it and enjoy and when you don't like the patina it develops sell it and get another one.

[ruffa]

Originally Posted by Toxicant

I had a black 996 with a clear bra and hated it. I would just drive it and enjoy and when you don't like the patina it develops sell it and get another one.

What about it did you hate? Was it the good stuff?