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My used 2020 RLX paint seems to still be in near perfect condition, there were some light clear coat scratch which I corrected this past weekend. I now want to protect it. I got quotes for Xpel Clear bra and tint. What do you guys think of these quotes? I've done work with this guy before, he did PPF on our MDX. Completely trust his skills.
- Full front end (Full hood, full fender, headlights, side mirrors) - $1600
- 1/4 front end (1/4 hood, fender, headlight) - $800
- Tint two front windows $80
Prices for PPF can be regional. I only have a few installers that can do PPF and ceramic coating in New Mexico. I'm pretty much stuck with their prices and 2 weeks to 2 months out on the wait list. I started out with 3M clear bra for my 06 TSX for around $250 (1/4 front end+mirrors+HIDs back in 2006). I think I paid over $600 for 3M PPF for my 11 MDX back in 2014 for the same coverage areas.
I did Suntek Ultra on my 19 MDX for about $1800 on the same areas with the addition of the pillars on either side of the windshield up to the roof and rear bumper area below the hatch area. This installer didn't survive COVID shutdown and I had to go with another installer for my 18 RLX a few months ago. I used Xpel Ultimate on the painted surface of the entire vehicle and LED headlight for around $2000. Both PPF included color correction (the RLX needed more correction being dealership washed for over a year). I would add the pillars on either side of windshield and maybe a small strip on the top part of trunk. There isn't an easy way to close the RLX trunk without putting your hand on the trunk lid and eventually scratching the paint (always dusty and dirty in that spot for me). Both installers use a technique of tucking the PPF inside or behind the seams/gaps for 100% invisible look. Some installers cut the film about 1/8" from the seam/gap edge where wax/dirt can collect.
The installer should give you warranty information and register your PPF. Depending on your insurance, PPF should be included in the replacement cost if you have an accident or the RLX is totaled (might need to keep receipts and call insurance company).
The new installer offered me Exoshield clear bra for the front windshield to help against pitting, stars, and cracks for $200 per vehicle. It has the same hydrophobic properties as PPF and doesn't interfere with Acurawatch windshield cameras. My windshields of my 06 TSX, 08 RDX and 11 MDX all have badly pitted windshields, repaired stars/chips, and several replacement windshields because of long cracks with hwy speeds of 70-80 mph.
Thanks for the reply mrgold. That Exoshield clearbra for windshield sounds interesting, I'll ask about it. I did noticed a tiny rock pit on driver side of windshield already.
I asked him to throw in for free PPF front Acura emblem and rear bumper applique, he agreed. I'll see if he can add the A pillars too.
This guy does excellent work, he does wrap and tuck PPF on inside of seams/gaps. He does PPF for super cars all the times. I see Porches, Mercedes, and Ferrari all the times at his shop.
The installer couldn't put the fender Hybrid badge back on the fender after PPF because it wouldn't stick as well (I think XPEL also has ceramic coating hydrophobic properties within the film). He could sand down the PPF or cut it out an area large enough for the fender hybrid emblem to stick. The installer did the sanding thing and it seems to work.
The installer couldn't put the fender Hybrid badge back on the fender after PPF because it wouldn't stick as well (I think XPEL also has ceramic coating hydrophobic properties within the film). He could sand down the PPF or cut it out an area large enough for the fender hybrid emblem to stick. The installer did the sanding thing and it seems to work.
Funny, I was just thinking about those Hybrid badges. Wonder how he's going to deal with them. I'll ask. Thanks for the sanding tip!
My appointment is not until 10/31. Got to resist urge to drive the RLX until then to prevent getting any new paint chips. I clay bar and wax the hood and trunk lid yesterday. I believe PPF doesn't stick on waxed paint surface. Wonder if the installer will need to strip all wax on my hood before installation?
In LA I paid $1,600 for A pillar forward, so same quote you got.
I shopped around, all were very close in price
I went to ghost shield or something like that in Newbury Park. They did an immaculate job. Its invisible and you cant tell unless you look with a magnifying glass.
Also, DO NOT DO PARTIAL HOOD. Those look terrible years down the road and you can obviously see the film line partly way up the hood. Do the whole hood
Just dropped her off for PPF. I opted for full front protection package:
-Full Hood, Full Fender, headlights and mirrors
-Front Acura emblem
-Partial A-pillar
-Luggage ledge
-2" Bottom of Trunk lid so I have something spot to grab on to when closing without scratching the paint
-Also did full Windshield Exoshield for rock chip protection
-3M tint two front windows.
All this for $2060. Not cheap, but I trust my installer's work. He did PPF on our MDX 3 years ago, very nice job. Anyone in SoCal, I highly recommend Scott Kim of Advanced Auto Engineering in Fullerton. He have been in business for over 15 years. This guy is meticulous!
My RLX is a full wrap PPF with Paint correction, Ceramic Pro coating (on top of wrap, windows, and rims), Exoshield for front glass, and Ceramic Pro for cabin+trunk interior surfaces. The total price for everything was around $3700+tax. It took the installer a little bit more time to complete because there was a partial clear bra he had to remove, color correct almost +1.5 years of mechanical car washing damage, zero clay/waxing, and there was liquid paint protective covering I've never heard of that was applied (I think Zurich Shield). It looked like the clear bra was installed at a later date because the same paint swirl marks on the entire RLX were under the clear bra when viewed at certain angles in the sun. I would put the entire PPF around $2200-$2400; but, it could be higher depending on how much prep work is needed for color correction.
My PPF tech said full car wrap could cost up to $6K. Just depends on the car and how much paint prep is needed. Just not worth it for this car. It's no priceless supercar.
I figure it'll be easier to clean and care for with full ppf wrap. Sort of uniform surface for the whole car. as for cost, mrgold35's quote is the lowest I've heard of by far. Gonna inquire more price quotes
Go for ceramic coating. It will make cleaning much easier. I am somewhat of a hobbyist car detailer so I opted not to do the ceramic coating. He wanted $1,500 to do the whole car. For that kind of money I can buy products and do it myself.
The only thing with ceramic coating is upkeep compared to PPF. The XPEL Ultra PPF I have on the RLX is self healing in the sun with micro-scratches you would get from mechanical car washes (I only hand wash). Ceramic coating might take more work to maintain that glass like shine compared to regular wash/wax/clay bar routine:
- hand wash only with 2 bucket method with microfiber
- need to use ceramic soaps w/ or w/o ceramic booster
- touchless is preferred with water hose of pressure washer soap cannon to apply
- microfiber drying towels only
- never ever dry dust/wipe surfaces (have microfiber and ceramic solution in spray bottle for spot cleaning bugs/bird droppings)
- might need to clay bar as needed once a year or so
- might have to re-apply more ceramic coating after 3-5 years
If done right, you will have a perfect glass like shine on your vehicle for +5 years with no issues with tar, bugs, bird crap, sun damage, or environmental oils/gunk. Ceramic coating is the way to go the darker the color of your vehicle if you don't do PPF.
Got the car back. Scott did an amazing job. He wrapped film around edges, I can't even see where the film end and paint starts. I would take more detailed photos, but you can't see anything LOL. Tomorrow dropping it off at dealer to get some goodies installed (rear spoiler, splash guard and cargo net).
Entire front-end protected. Now ready for a road-trip.
Maybe Acura might give you the new TLX as a loaner while they work on the RLX.
I can't remember; but, I think the installer told me it takes a few days for the PPF to cure. Parking it in the sun will speed up the curing process and no washing during that time. I think I did about a week of sun curing and no washing. Acura might do a courtesy wash after the accessory installation. All my paint damage on my fresh off the transport 19 fathom blue pearl MDX was from the Acura wash bay when prepping the vehicle. I now tell them no washing after any service because they do so much damage.
Thanks for reminder. I'll definitely tell them not to wash the car today.
I'm going to ask for a newer MDX loaner. I've already ready tried the TLX (both 20 &21)
Stuff are installed. I really like the rear decklid spoiler and splash guard. Complete the look IMO. That cargo net is much smaller than I thought it would be, pretty useless to hold anything of great volume.
I really like the RLX with splash guards and rear spoiler! I have the same accessories. I ended up getting a 2nd OEM cargo net to lay flat attached to the the cargo tie downs. I used 4 carabiner for quick release instead of the OEM net plastic clips. Did the same for my MDX also with dual nets and 4 carabiner. I sometimes use one, the other, or both depending what I need to toss in the trunk.
Amazon Red Carabiner, $12: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FNJSYK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We went to BYOB (bring you own bag) or we will charge you in ABQ grocery stores. They eased up on the requirement because of the lockdown. It is a mix of cheap or re-usable plastic bags, paper, or BYOB depending on the store. Never know what I'm gonna get until I'm in line. I had to run out to car a few times to get my BYOB or put everything back in the basket without a bag. The net(s) and hooks come in handy to keep stuff from rolling around in trunk.
My car has been sitting outside in the hot sun to cure for 2 days now. I can't stand all the bird poop on it. Is it good enough curing time? I want to wash it so bad. Can't stand to see it full of bird crap.
You should consider it a great honor and a sign of respect with the amount of bird crap on the RLX. That is what I tell myself everytime I see a splat. I would think the PPF should have the same curing time as the window tint? I think they usually give 48-72 hours on average before being A-OK to hand wash. I gave it a week because I was doing a home remodel and the RLX was stuck outside because the garage was being used for storage.
@mrgold35 Time to wash the car. Is it safe to use 50/50 Vinegar/Distilled water on the Exoshield? That's all I use for glass on my cars and around the house.
My installer said use the same products and care like I would for interior tinted windows (no ammonia based glass cleaners or ammonia windshield wiper fluids). Being a PPF, I usually try limit my paper towel usage and use a microfiber towel. I just clean my inside/outer windows after a wash with same damp microfiber towel used to dry the car after a hand wash. I only had the Exoshield since the beginning of summer; but, not a lot of miles because of the lockdown. Haven't notice any damage on the windshield PPF from normal wiper usage. We only get 6-9 inches of precipitation all year on avg and this has been an extremely dry year. I use the wipers more for dust/dirt/pollen than for rainy days I never use wipers+fluid for bug guts. I spot clean those with Windex ammonia free wipes in trunk and then wiper+fluid if needed.
Gave her a good wash and several coats of Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax all over paint and glass. This stuff is tough to buff off especially in cooler weather. I will probably go back to Turtle Wax Ice Shield & Shine as it's much easier to apply and buff off and cheaper too. Let's see how long protection lasts.
Oh, it's raining here too, I barely finish coating the car when it started to sprinkling. I finished up in the garage late last night. Letting her sit for few days to cure. That Exoshield is taking forever to dry. I can still see water spots beneath film after 4 days sitting in the hot sun.
I saw the same with my Exoshield on both vehicles. It might have been a few weeks before I stopped noticing the squiggly looking water spots (this was summer time with 90-105 temps). Might take longer to dry in the fall/winter temps.
Saw YT video about Exoshield, installer said it could take up to 1 month to fully cure if parked inside garage without direct UV shining on it. I'm fine with that. Don't want to let the car sit outside anymore and have birds destroy my paint.
10-19-2020, 02:37 PM
