[maziatr]

Hi all,

I have already decided that at a minimum I am getting the full frontal XPel protection film applied to my yet to be delivered 340i. The nearest XPel installer to me doesn't offer Gtechniq Crystal Serum. Instead they offer Opti-Coat, which I have never heard of before and I am not sure how it compares to CS.

I am now a little confused as what I should do:

1- Go for full body film protection. This would depend on the cost, If it is under £2000 then I might consider it, but I am not sure if it is worth it.

2- Go for the full frontal film protection and get CS applied. The problem with this is I would like one detailer doing both, but I can't find anyone that offers both near me.

What do you guys think?

How much does it cost to get CS applied?
Anyone heard of opti-coat? Is it any good?
Dose anyone know a mobile detailer in Maidenhead/Slough area that can apply CS for me at dealer (assuming they allow it)?

Cheers,

[mbanks21]

Opticoat is very popular in the states. It's considered one of the best protection products on the market. I actually have a vial from before they stopped selling it to the public and only to authorized installers

[Tengocity]

I have my car with full frontal, bonnet, front wings done with ventureshield and then a long term sealant over it all and it has worked well. My detailer is starting to do Xpel installs but he doesn't use g-techniq and he doesn't do mobile work.
Next time round I'd do the same but Xpel rather than VS, due to the scratch self healing properties.
I'd still take my long term sealant though as only now at 2 years/60k miles later do I think it's needing done again, and nobody would have a clue looking at my car that it's done any more than delivery miles.

[Senna]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I have my car with full frontal, bonnet, front wings done with ventureshield and then a long term sealant over it all and it has worked well. My detailer is starting to do Xpel installs but he doesn't use g-techniq and he doesn't do mobile work.
Next time round I'd do the same but Xpel rather than VS, due to the scratch self healing properties.
I'd still take my long term sealant though as only now at 2 years/60k miles later do I think it's needing done again, and nobody would have a clue looking at my car that it's done any more than delivery miles.

Do you still not get the small pock marks in your front spoiler ?
I really looked after mine but it had loads when I sold it,always avoided tail gating but still got em.

[225]

Im going for crystal serum light and exo over the top. I spoke to g techniq and they said this is better than c2 they do. Im sure paint film has moved on since I had any 13 odd years ago but I can't help but think its noticeable.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Senna

Do you still not get the small pock marks in your front spoiler ?
I really looked after mine but it had loads when I sold it,always avoided tail gating but still got em.

Nope, front looks brand new still!

I do have a couple of parts where the front has taken a whack from something big and there is an actual small tear in the VS.

I can really tell the difference the VS makes (apart from knowing what previous cars have looked like) from the the windscreen which has lots of small pock marks which can be seen when it's clean and you've got a low sun in front of you.

Any car I owned worth decent money and doing either high miles or I expect to keep for a while will get fitted with a paint protection film. Fitting this plus the long term ceramic sealants has made this car just a simple wash and forget.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

On the basis Terry and I have done similar miles and mine is unprotected, I can tell you it's worth it.

The front of my car is shocking - covered in chips etc.

[maziatr]

Thanks for your responses. Anyone else wants to comment on opti-coat and how it compares to CS?

[mbanks21]

Here's a video of Opticoat after 2.5 years

[subsy]

Originally Posted by maziatr

Hi all,

I have already decided that at a minimum I am getting the full frontal XPel protection film applied to my yet to be delivered 340i. The nearest XPel installer to me doesn't offer Gtechniq Crystal Serum. Instead they offer Opti-Coat, which I have never heard of before and I am not sure how it compares to CS.

I am now a little confused as what I should do:

1- Go for full body film protection. This would depend on the cost, If it is under £2000 then I might consider it, but I am not sure if it is worth it.

2- Go for the full frontal film protection and get CS applied. The problem with this is I would like one detailer doing both, but I can't find anyone that offers both near me.

What do you guys think?

How much does it cost to get CS applied?
Anyone heard of opti-coat? Is it any good?
Dose anyone know a mobile detailer in Maidenhead/Slough area that can apply CS for me at dealer (assuming they allow it)?

Cheers,

Have you considered Mulgari Automotive in Bracknell?

They're the only approved G-Techniq centre in the UK as far as I know (meaning its a g-techniq training centre)

Went to see them last week in prep for my 340i and they have a brilliant facility.

Michael there is clearly very passionate about detailing.

http://mulgari.com/

If you give him a shout let him know Ben sent you his way

[maziatr]

Originally Posted by subsy

Have you considered Mulgari Automotive in Bracknell?

They're the only approved G-Techniq centre in the UK as far as I know (meaning its a g-techniq training centre)

Went to see them last week in prep for my 340i and they have a brilliant facility.

Michael there is clearly very passionate about detailing.

http://mulgari.com/

If you give him a shout let him know Ben sent you his way

Many thanks. Will do.

[335d Touring Xdrive]

I was going to have the front end of my car fitted with Xpel PPF right up to the day my car was delivered to my detailer. Having read report after report on all the forums from Lotus to Ferrari to Mclaren etc etc, I decided to go with Llumar self heal PPF. The reasons why is, Llumar gives a better shine, it is easier to apply, and doesn't give the orange peel effect that Xpel gives. My car was then given the full Swissvax treatment at their headquaters in Knarsborough.
You won't get your entire car covered for 2k.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by subsy

Have you considered Mulgari Automotive in Bracknell?

They're the only approved G-Techniq centre in the UK as far as I know (meaning its a g-techniq training centre)

Went to see them last week in prep for my 340i and they have a brilliant facility.

Michael there is clearly very passionate about detailing.

http://mulgari.com/

If you give him a shout let him know Ben sent you his way

They're not the only approved centre, there's a map on their website: http://gtechniq.com/detailing-services/

[Danny Fireblade]

http://www.exclusivecarcare.co.uk/po...o/2015-bmw-m5/

This is where I had my stuff done. It's a little bit far from you but def worth the drive.

I also know he does do a mobile service.

[t5pilot]

If you fancy saving a fortune, check out The Chemical Guys Jetseal 109. I looked into the Crystal Serum stuff, that does look really good, but venu & cost was just prohibitive for me... I got some Jetseal 109 from 2 friends recommendations. All I can say is that it's a doddle to put on & so far (6 months) it's still doing exactly what it says.
The definite secret here is preparation, I spent about 5 hours preparing the car. Application probably didn't take an hour. I was lucky, you need to let it cure with no chance of getting it wet & I had use of an indoor car park at work. But it really is good stuff. Really good!

[Senna]

Originally Posted by t5pilot

If you fancy saving a fortune, check out The Chemical Guys Jetseal 109. I looked into the Crystal Serum stuff, that does look really good, but venu & cost was just prohibitive for me... I got some Jetseal 109 from 2 friends recommendations. All I can say is that it's a doddle to put on & so far (6 months) it's still doing exactly what it says.
The definite secret here is preparation, I spent about 5 hours preparing the car. Application probably didn't take an hour. I was lucky, you need to let it cure with no chance of getting it wet & I had use of an indoor car park at work. But it really is good stuff. Really good!

When you say prep was 5 hours is that because the car was not new and you spent more time removing swirl marks etc; than you would have with a brand new car, potentially?

[subsy]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

They're not the only approved centre, there's a map on their website: http://gtechniq.com/detailing-services/

As I clarified in my original post:

Difference between somewhere/someone being approved to apply gtechniq, and being a proper centre where they train people to be approved to apply it

[maziatr]

I have had a quote from a place in Ascot for £1500 for full frontal XPel and CS for the rest of the car. I have ask for a discount and I am currently waiting for a response. They mostly do high end cars

[335d Touring Xdrive]

You might get 10% discount if you are lucky, but Xpel set the prices or recommend what to charge for each car.

[Louda0801]

Originally Posted by maziatr

Hi all,

I have already decided that at a minimum I am getting the full frontal XPel protection film applied to my yet to be delivered 340i. The nearest XPel installer to me doesn't offer Gtechniq Crystal Serum. Instead they offer Opti-Coat, which I have never heard of before and I am not sure how it compares to CS.

I am now a little confused as what I should do:

1- Go for full body film protection. This would depend on the cost, If it is under £2000 then I might consider it, but I am not sure if it is worth it.

2- Go for the full frontal film protection and get CS applied. The problem with this is I would like one detailer doing both, but I can't find anyone that offers both near me.

What do you guys think?

How much does it cost to get CS applied?
Anyone heard of opti-coat? Is it any good?
Dose anyone know a mobile detailer in Maidenhead/Slough area that can apply CS for me at dealer (assuming they allow it)?

Cheers,

Concours detailing. I had CS done to my 335 with great results

[maziatr]

Originally Posted by Louda0801

Concours detailing. I had CS done to my 335 with great results

Thanks

[t5pilot]

Originally Posted by Senna

When you say prep was 5 hours is that because the car was not new and you spent more time removing swirl marks etc; than you would have with a brand new car, potentially?

Yes, that's right. Sorry, I should have been clear with that.