Protecting Big Front End

OldBlueMME

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So what is everyone doing to help with the rock chips, bugs on the solid front end without a grill? I'm planning on getting XPEL film on the front, mirror caps, headlights, door sills, edge of doors and door sills. It's self healing and I think I need to protect the front of the car as much as possible. Keeps the headlights looking like new no matter how long you own the car.
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fayt349

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I ordered a vinyl grill from struckendesigns that I will have a shop apply
 

Mirak

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Here you go....

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/paint-protection-film-ppf-such-as-xpel-for-mach-e.669/

I’m adding the same “partial clear bra” this coming week. I’m going with Llumar instead of XPEL but it’s pretty much the same stuff just maybe 10% cheaper. Then I’m having a detailer add a “10 year” two-coat ceramic treatment over the whole car, including the Llumar.

Normally I’d shudder at spending another $2k to add these protections, well I still do kinda shudder, but while I think Grabber Blue is gorgeous I do not think it is going to be forgiving when it comes to chips and scratches. Ironically, if I had gone with the cheaper Star White tri-coat I probably would have skipped the paint protection altogether. White is much more forgiving.
 

mdolan92869

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I'm have the front end wrapped in PPF this coming Monday. Going to get a ceramic coat on the rest afterwards
 

DanCoon

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I decided on getting Ceramic Pro. It doesn't help with the paint chipping as well as the clear bra, but with the tint and Ceramic Pro I'm planning to get... the clear bra will be out of my budget.
 


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OldBlueMME

OldBlueMME

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Here you go....

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/paint-protection-film-ppf-such-as-xpel-for-mach-e.669/

I’m adding the same “partial clear bra” this coming week. I’m going with Llumar instead of XPEL but it’s pretty much the same stuff just maybe 10% cheaper. Then I’m having a detailer add a “10 year” two-coat ceramic treatment over the whole car, including the Llumar.

Normally I’d shudder at spending another $2k to add these protections, well I still do kinda shudder, but while I think Grabber Blue is gorgeous I do not think it is going to be forgiving when it comes to chips and scratches. Ironically, if I had gone with the cheaper Star White tri-coat I probably would have skipped the paint protection altogether. White is much more forgiving.
I'm having a 5yr ceramic coating added on the 29th from a detailer that's a friend of mine. It's what he has been doing for 30yrs. I don't think Infinite Blue will be forgiving when it comes to rock chips either. Just hoping I can get all of this done before anything happens.
 

Mirak

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I decided on getting Ceramic Pro. It doesn't help with the paint chipping as well as the clear bra, but with the tint and Ceramic Pro I'm planning to get... the clear bra will be out of my budget.
I went back and forth on this because I really didn’t want to pay for both. Each one costs about a grand. But once you put down the ceramic it’s a lot harder to add PPF down the road. And as the OP noted, the MME has a lot of real estate up front presenting a big bullseye for rock chips, so I just couldn’t bring myself to skip the PPF. And once you add the PPF, it tends to collect dirt over time at the edges and possibly yellow unless you coat the whole thing in ceramic. If you give a mouse a cookie....
 

Maric

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I did XPEL for front end, hood, side mirrors and all fender flares.
 

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I did XPEL PPF on the whole front end, headlights, hood, mirrors, and partial A-pillar. VERY happy I did. It's warmed up here the past week and the bugs are out in full force, so the front end is plastered after 1 day of driving.
 

highland58

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I had XPEL ultimate done full front, I am getting ready to do Iron-X, clay bar, and Armor Shield IX over the rest, and also over the XPEL. So far the parts covered with XPEL look marvelous when clean. I also had a wrap put over the grill area, so two layers of protection there.
 

agoldman

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I'm looking away whenever I pass in front of the car. I'm not a fan of wraps, so I'm exposed. That said, my front already has some micro hits. (of course my roof was shattered, but hey, who's counting)
 
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OldBlueMME

OldBlueMME

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I did XPEL PPF on the whole front end, headlights, hood, mirrors, and partial A-pillar. VERY happy I did. It's warmed up here the past week and the bugs are out in full force, so the front end is plastered after 1 day of driving.
Looking forward to getting my car done next week. Hopefully won't have any micro chips or worse between now and then.
 

breeves002

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I did XPEL.

Ceramic coatings don't protect from rock chips guys. It will still chip. PPF is the only way to prevent rock chips.
 

ChasingCoral

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Marlin was supposed to be getting the clear bra followed by Ceramic Pro about now. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait for the paint to cure after the body work is finished. While factory paint curing is just a few weeks, the paint rep to the body shop recommends 30 days for ceramic and 90 for PPF. Hopefully that won't result in a bit bill for paint correction.

Fortunately, I'm supposed to get Marlin back with no front plate bracket!
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