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What are your thoughts and recommendations on car covers. I may need to park the often and want to protect it.
Thanks,
Shaun
The problem with covers is that you need the car clean before you put it on, otherwise you will scratch the paint as the cover will rub the dirt into the paint.
Matt, I watched all of your videos and your car looks so good that I now am second guessing my plan to wrap with Suntek film from A-pillars forward and top coat with Cquartz. Unfortunately I live in a condo building in Miami Beach so washing/detailing myself is not really an option. My Jet Black Metallic (also from Porsche of Ocala) GT3 is scheduled for a late Dec/early Jan delivery and comments on RL have made me nervous about maintaining a black car. I thought that the partial film/ceramic coating option would be a good solution but now I am thinking about skipping the film and ceramic coating altogether or just going with Cquartz. I don't want to apply film and have the front half of the car not look as nice as the back. Anyway, thanks for the videos, really nice work. Looking forward to your Sharkwerks video too (will you do a before and after?) as I have had the bypass sitting in my closet since August and will be installing it right away.
Black is sure going to be fun. CQuartz is okay. I do like it better than Opti-Coat despite the fact that it's a multi-year coating rather than a permanent one. I just don't think you'll need clear film in MIA, although I was just down there and Miami Beach always seems to under construction.
I understand the dilemma, since you don't have a place to wash the car. I would have a hard time with that. So I'm basically saying, I don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes. I just really dislike clear film.
I didn't do a before the Sharkwerks bypass. I went out on Friday to shoot a video and the formerly abandoned community is being developed. I went out to find a new place to shoot today. I think I found a good one where I won't get arrested.
In my opinion, the Sharkwerks is not a permanent solution. I'm waiting for someone to come out with a PSE button switchable exhaust that isn't constantly opening and closing the valves below 4,000 RPMs.
Black is sure going to be fun. CQuartz is okay. I do like it better than Opti-Coat despite the fact that it's a multi-year coating rather than a permanent one. I just don't think you'll need clear film in MIA, although I was just down there and Miami Beach always seems to under construction.
I understand the dilemma, since you don't have a place to wash the car. I would have a hard time with that. So I'm basically saying, I don't know what I'd do if I were in your shoes. I just really dislike clear film.
I didn't do a before the Sharkwerks bypass. I went out on Friday to shoot a video and the formerly abandoned community is being developed. I went out to find a new place to shoot today. I think I found a good one where I won't get arrested.
In my opinion, the Sharkwerks is not a permanent solution. I'm waiting for someone to come out with a PSE button switchable exhaust that isn't constantly opening and closing the valves below 4,000 RPMs.
You are right about the construction in MB, and I commute to Brickell, where it is as bad or worse. Is there a different ceramic coating you recommend? Alternatively I could have someone do a nice paint correction and detail, then take it for a wash each weekend and hope that it holds up okay. I do think that I will pass on the film.
You are right about the construction in MB, and I commute to Brickell, where it is as bad or worse. Is there a different ceramic coating you recommend? Alternatively I could have someone do a nice paint correction and detail, then take it for a wash each weekend and hope that it holds up okay. I do think that I will pass on the film.
If you are going to pay for a correction it might be worth the film on the black. That way you are scratching the film when you get it washed, unless you are taking to someone who knows what they are doing.
I followed quite a bit of your C2S thread, and am interested in your feedback as a proponent of the wash and maintain method vs wrap strategy.
I'm really wrestling with the wrap, nano coat, nothing extras decision on a Carrara White car. While I really appreciate the effort you put in to maintaining your finish, I've just never been willing to allocate the time to maintain the finish of my cars like you do.
My car won't be a true daily driver nor a track car. It will be garage kept, and will be in storage for a few months a year due to snow. Those factors coupled with the fact that I don't want to sacrifice the appearance of the paint has me leaning towards not wrapping.
My priorities are
1) low maintenance while maintaining as nice a finish as possible (basically I'm after a unicorn; a great looking finish with little more than a wash, rinse, and a dry)
2 (tie) protection against scratches/swirls and bugs
2 (tie) no discoloring and minimal or no impact to the appearance of the paint (depth, pop, etc)
3) protection against bigger damage like chips
For those reasons, I'm leaning towards going with just CQuartz. I'm think that gives me the best shot at accomplishing 1 and both 2s. Not so much help with 3, but I think the answer to 3 (wrap) is a bit at odds with the discoloring/distortion priority.
Since I want to minimize time while maximizing the finish, would you agree something like CQuartz is going to get me as close to your finish as possible with minimal time (short of routinely paying a pro to do what you do)? Any other suggestions?
I think your analysis is solid. I would probably do CQuartz as well. I would have a detailer correct the paint and coat it for you. That will probably cost about $1,000. Then just be sure to take really good care of the paint while washing: Foam the car, two bucket system, sheeting method, blow dry, detail spray/light toweling. If you do that your white should be just fine. You'd probably only have to have the detailer touch it up every two-three years.
If you aren't driving it in the winter and are avoiding highways, your garage kept car shouldn't need to be wrapped. If you are going to be a weekend track guy, I think that's would make you want to wrap it.
I would also pick up a Dr. Colorchip kit to get any chips filled quickly so it doesn't make you regret not wrapping it.
Matt, what is your philosophy on license plate frames? I see you just have the plate naked on the back.
It's funny that you mention frames. I keep trying to find one I like. I don't like the typical frame that covers up a bunch of the lettering on the plate, so I've been looking for a slim frame.
I didn't like this one.
I just got one for my M3 from IND. I'm not sure plate frames are for me.
What are your thoughts and recommendations on car covers. I may need to park the often and want to protect it.
Thanks,
Shaun
I love car covers. As was mentioned, the main problem with them is that you can only put it on the car directly after a wash. As soon as you drive it, you shouldn't put the cover back on. This works for me, as I usually leave the car sit for several days after a wash, sometimes a week.
The cover keeps the dust and bugs off the car. You should never use a duster on the paint, EVER!
I have had an indoor only CoverKing Satin Stretch for several of my past cars. I haven't called them yet, but I don't think they have one for the GT3. I've been searching.
I really want this, but it will take up too much space in my garage. When I build my new garage (going to be epic), I'm getting one!
I am guessing you might like the slimline version of this PSDS frame shown here, but minus the wording, and maybe in black or carbon fiber. I am on the hunt for one like this.
No affiliation. You can even get covers with door access and other little trick features including piping, print and embroidery. As far as I can tell they are one of the highest end custom cover manufacturers.
I was just out of down for three weeks and I have a thin film of city dust on my car in the garage. Do I blow it off, drive it, water rinse it off, or ONR it off panel by panel?
11-08-2014, 05:17 PM
CQuartz is okay. I do like it better than Opti-Coat despite the fact that it's a multi-year coating rather than a permanent one. I just don't think you'll need clear film in MIA, although I was just down there and Miami Beach always seems to under construction.
