A Killer Croc - My Cayman GT4 Ownership Journal
09-03-2015, 12:22 AM
#106
Dropped the GT4 off this evening for clear wrap. Installer is going to do Suntek on the front and Xpel on the rockers at his suggestion. My sister-in-law took some photos of what else they are working on. The other GT4 there was apparently flipped by a 918 owner who also owns the RS in the photos. He bought both cars and flipped the GT4. I'll try to refrain from giving my opinion on that...
The silver GT3 has Xpel on the front and up the rockers. The Maserati had Suntek and the paint looked so deep it was impossible to tell it was wrapped. The Carmine GT4 had Suntek on the front which again I didn't even notice was already applied. You could not tell it was there on the panels he wrapped edge to edge.
The silver GT3 has Xpel on the front and up the rockers. The Maserati had Suntek and the paint looked so deep it was impossible to tell it was wrapped. The Carmine GT4 had Suntek on the front which again I didn't even notice was already applied. You could not tell it was there on the panels he wrapped edge to edge.
Xpel, Suntek or Premium Shield Elite.
You said that with the Suntek you could not tell the film was on the car it looked that good?
09-03-2015, 12:33 AM
#107
Burning Brakes
No worries! I'm sure the wrap will help a little and - more importantly - you know it's always fixable in the future, should it continue to nag you. In the meantime it will be nicely protected by the wrap.
Here's a link to the best video I've seen on the topic. I outlined below my own opinion why professional body shops almost can't do this as well as amateurs.
I personally found that the sanding step often isn't necessary as you generally don't have flaky surrounding paint (maybe with older paint or a bigger impact). Likewise I found that waxing the whole area before applying the paint was unnecessary because those EZ Dabb things enable you to be surgically precise with paint application (and, anyway, you sand off what overflows). Also, applying heat dries it, but I personally find that paint continues to shrink for DAYS after application in some cases, so even if you head-dry and sand completely flat on day 1, it may look like a shallow bowl on day 4 after shrinking. I think this slow, multi-day process is why pro shops often don't do a good job... Economics dictate that they must do 'whatever' in an hour, or at least the same day. Us amateurs have the luxury of being able to take days in between steps if we really want to. It's our car and our time.
Cheers,
Andy
Here's a link to the best video I've seen on the topic. I outlined below my own opinion why professional body shops almost can't do this as well as amateurs.
I personally found that the sanding step often isn't necessary as you generally don't have flaky surrounding paint (maybe with older paint or a bigger impact). Likewise I found that waxing the whole area before applying the paint was unnecessary because those EZ Dabb things enable you to be surgically precise with paint application (and, anyway, you sand off what overflows). Also, applying heat dries it, but I personally find that paint continues to shrink for DAYS after application in some cases, so even if you head-dry and sand completely flat on day 1, it may look like a shallow bowl on day 4 after shrinking. I think this slow, multi-day process is why pro shops often don't do a good job... Economics dictate that they must do 'whatever' in an hour, or at least the same day. Us amateurs have the luxury of being able to take days in between steps if we really want to. It's our car and our time.
Cheers,
Andy
09-03-2015, 09:59 PM
#108
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
So in my case, he recommended Suntek front and Xpel on the rockers for track protection. On the red GT4 and the black Maserati the Suntek looked spectacular. I thought they hadn't done the fenders on the GT4 yet but they had. Looked amazing.
I haven't researched Suntek but I had seen it mentioned here and when he suggested it for my car I just decided to trust him on it.
09-04-2015, 11:50 AM
#110
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The Suntek/Xpel combo is done. The installer was kind enough to take pictures for me during the process. Unfortunately I cannot pick up the car yet because my wife's water broke and I'm now at the hospital. Probably my first major shift in life priorities 
09-04-2015, 12:31 PM
#111
Rennlist Member
Hey that's a good thing( no great thing) congrats and best of luck! Two babies delivered in less than 3 weeks
09-04-2015, 12:40 PM
#112
Burning Brakes
Wishes for health, prosperity and aloha for you, your wife and your child.
PS - the car's cool too
09-04-2015, 02:41 PM
#113
You'll pass the GT4 down to him/her someday
When you live under MY roof, you will learn how to drive manual
When you live under MY roof, you will learn how to drive manual
09-04-2015, 03:00 PM
#114
Race Director
A Killer Croc - My Cayman GT4 Ownership Journal
Originally Posted by Da Hapa
Cars are awesome... fatherhood is a whole new level of awesome! I hope you find being a dad even half as incredible as I have because if so, you're in for a hell of a ride.
Wishes for health, prosperity and aloha for you, your wife and your child.
PS - the car's cool too
Wishes for health, prosperity and aloha for you, your wife and your child.
PS - the car's cool too
09-04-2015, 03:07 PM
#115
With genetic engineering and allele selection, my next baby will have eventually brains of a doctor and built like a linebacker and looks of Channing Tatum. Just hope some of those alleles are actually in my gene pool...
09-04-2015, 03:20 PM
#116
09-04-2015, 04:13 PM
#117
Congrats on the new arrival! Post pix of the bundle of joy too...
09-04-2015, 07:25 PM
#119
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
We are all good! Thanks! If he has blue eyes we will have succeeded in getting the exclusive contrasting vision option. Quick process! I'll be back to GT4 updates soon.
09-04-2015, 07:33 PM
#120
