[thompstl1]

I’d like to start coordinating with my clear bra installer about all the places I’d like protection when my ZL1 arrives. Any particular or unusual places you guys are seeing chips?My 1LE was terrible about chipping in front of the rear tires (for example).

Any experience with ceramic coating?Does it eliminate the need for clear bra?

Any other thoughts on initial protection for our cars?

[neenja_jenkins]

Man, I need to know this EXACT thing. I'd like to get a paint correction/polish/etc done right way, then hopefully some kind of protection applied.

My 1LE has Opticoat, but I'm not sure if it really protected enough. I still have tons of chips back near the gills. I hear good and bad things about 3m protection. It obviously protects better, but some owners say you get a dust/lint build up around the edges of each piece, which would drive me crazy.

Hoping for some great responses in here.

[Sven59]

On my 5th gen I have the entire front clip, in front of hood, A pillars, mirrors and behind front wheels below door and up covering gills. No rock chips anywhere.

[big50]

I am not sure if you guys had heard of Xpel. That's what I have used to wrap my cars with great success. They have kit pieces that can wrap the entire Zl1 or you can choose pieces as you see fit. See below.

http://www.xpel.com/paint-protection...et/Camaro/ZL1/

Big50

[KLR ZL1]

Awesome. Xpel is what I had on my 2012 ZL1 and I'm planning on putting the same on this one. Glade to see that they already have kits.

[DDP98]

I just spoke to an installer about this yesterday. I am planning on getting the full front end, including full hood, bumper, full fenders, mirrors, door cups and the area by the rear wheels. I have used clear bra on all my cars except one and I have nothing but positive things to say. It's definitely worth the investment if you're interested in preventing rock chips. If you hate rock chips, the film will work! Xpel and Suntek seem to be the preference from my research. A few installers have mentioned they don't like working with 3M.

I'm also going to use CQuartz Finest. I have it on my Roadster and it is completely hydrophobic, water just beads and rolls right off. This coating does not protect the paint from stone/rock chips. Installers also usually apply it to your wheels and you would be amazed how much brake dust comes off with just water! I am going to have it applied to prevent the dreaded swirl marks I have read on this forum. I never take my cars to car washes and only hand wash my cars, but many people on here have talked about GM's paint and how it is easily damaged, not sure how much truth is in that but I'm not going to take a chance. Also, this coating makes washing your car so much easier, since nothing sticks to the surface. Even bird droppings come right off. As soon as I get the car, I'm going to have it done immediately. The installer does a full paint correction and then seals it with a CQuartz Finest coating to lock in that Black Metallic shine...can't wait!

Disclaimer, I know some people wouldn't take these steps and don't mind their paint getting damaged. This is only intended to provide some perspective to those who are considering getting it done.

[mkorgan]

This is what I have on my car. Very pleased.

http://usa.gtechniq.com/

[ZL1_Craig]

I dropped my car off to a local ceramic pro installer yesterday. They had a car there with 2 coats and I was impressed by the water shedding after they poured a bottle of water on it. The water shed right off the car like glass with rained. I'm going with ten coats a Lil expensive but should keep my car awsome.

https://youtu.be/FHLONODqE5U

A video I found

[ZL1_Craig]

Rainex*

[ELS1]

Is the ceramic coating applied first then xpel? is the xpel noticable?

[Doughboy7474]

Originally Posted by ELS1

Is the ceramic coating applied first then xpel? is the xpel noticable?

A clear bra will not stick once ceramic coating is applied. Clear bra would need to be applied first, then ceramic coating to the other areas without the bra.

[MoreSpeed]

I autocross quite a bit. I would like to protect the rockers, but how are these films with cone scuffs and marks? Past films that I used had issues with this type of activity, and after a while, I would have to replace those hit sections. Any experience with this?

[Glen e]

Don't ever confuse a nano ceramic coating with paint protection film. They are two different animals. No type of coating can protect your car against rocks like a film can do. Ceramic coatings are to keep the car from getting swirled and minor scratches that are hard to see. I personally think, having used both many times, it's ridiculous to put a ceramic over a film, a simple sealant works fine. Where you don't apply paint protection film, put on the ceramic.

[hawk02]

I have an appointment at the end of the month to have Suntek film protection applied to the full hood, front fenders, side rockers and rear diffuser. The installer is going to do their new car paint correction prior to applying the film.

From my research, Xpel seems to be the market leader. Two installers I contacted, however, preferred Llumar over Xpel. I had never heard of Llumar until I contacted these installers. I had also never heard of Suntek prior to my research. The online reviews I found gave Suntek high praise for ease of installation and it's near invisible finish.

I think the differences between all three films is minuscule. The installer plays the biggest role in the quality of the product. I went with an installer that has the ability to custom laser cut film and they just happen to be a Suntek dealer.