M4 Partial Satin Clear Bra - Opinions Please

[SaMaster14]

Hi All:

I'm considering doing a clear bra/satin clear bra on my 2020 M4 (which is a lease).

Considering estimates are anywhere from $5k-$8k for the full car, I wouldn't do the full car on a lease.

Wondering if it would look weird if I had the satin clear bra done only on the hood and trunk (materials, labor, time, would arguably be MUCH less than having to do the whole car, especially since those seem to be pretty easy components to wrap vs the doors, bumper, etc.)

Would it look weird if only the hood and trunk were matte?

Even so, I'm sure it would look find with just a regular clear bra (would be as if nothing was there).

Any estimates on what I'd be looking at pricing wise for just the hood and trunk?

Pic for attention:

[White340]

I wouldn't even bother spending money on a clear bra for a lease unless I can diy it for cheap.

[x.shell]

So many weird questions in this post. In short, yes, it would look weird to matte PPF just the hood and trunk.

But why would you PPF just the hood and trunk? Those are not the areas most in need of PPF; especially the trunk.

The areas that need PPF the most are: front bumper, mirrors, rear fender panel.

[N1rve]

Wouldn't clear bra a matte color on certain areas only. Would look out of place.

Clearbra recommended areas from experience is the following:

1) Front Bumper
2) Hood
3) Fenders
4) Rear Quarter Panels
5) Side Skirts
6) Mirrors
7) Window Trim

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by x.shell

So many weird questions in this post. In short, yes, it would look weird to matte PPF just the hood and trunk.

But why would you PPF just the hood and trunk? Those are not the areas most in need of PPF; especially the trunk.

The areas that need PPF the most are: front bumper, mirrors, rear fender panel.

I don't care that much about parts of the car I can't really see (and it's a lease).

But when one bad car wash can do this to a 3 month old car, causing the need for an $800 swirl removal... my mind starts to wonder.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

I don't care that much about parts of the car I can't really see (and it's a lease).

But when one bad car wash can do this to a 3 month old car, causing the need for an $800 swirl removal... my mind starts to wonder.

It's lease, so why bother?

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by N1rve

It's lease, so why bother?

Because looking at those swirls makes me pretty sick... I'm clearly going to take care of the car (although this happened at a rebuttable hand wash, no machines or drive thru).

And I'm not inclined to spend $800 ever 4-5 months because the car swirls that badly.

Hopefully I can take further preventative measures now that I know, but I was considering clear bra as an option if it would be less expensive in the long run over 3 years

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

Because looking at those swirls makes me pretty sick... I'm clearly going to take care of the car (although this happened at a rebuttable hand wash, no machines or drive thru).

And I'm not inclined to spend $800 ever 4-5 months because the car swirls that badly.

Hopefully I can take further preventative measures now that I know, but I was considering clear bra as an option if it would be less expensive in the long run over 3 years

A further preventative measure is to wrap the entire car in PPF

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by N1rve

A further preventative measure is to wrap the entire car in PPF

But why would I spend $5-$8k if it would be significantly less expensive to just do the hood and trunk, where the swirls are most noticeable, in a clear bra?

I was asking because I was wondering what I would be quoted. Clearly if it's still going to be $3-$5k, I wouldn't bother on a lease and I'd continue being careful after I get the swirls removed

How is that not an alternative preventive measure? Not like one option is the be-all-end-all...

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by SaMaster14

But why would I spend $5-$8k if it would be significantly less expensive to just do the hood and trunk, where the swirls are most noticeable, in a clear bra?

I was asking because I was wondering what I would be quoted. Clearly if it's still going to be $3-$5k, I wouldn't bother on a lease and I'd continue being careful after I get the swirls removed

How is that not an alternative preventive measure? Not like one option is the be-all-end-all...

Because you'll get swirls else where, such as door, quarter panel, etc. This will be more obvious on a darker color car.

I got my M4 full body wrapped for 4K for FYI.

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Because you'll get swirls else where, such as door, quarter panel, etc. This will be more obvious on a darker color car.

I got my M4 full body wrapped for 4K for FYI.

Funny you say that since I had my mineral gray M3 for 4.5 years (and that car went through it all - travelled from Baltimore, to Los Angeles, to Notre Dame, Indiana (where it went through hail storms/snow/crappy car washes/etc), back to LA, and there wasn't a swirl on the car (except for a bit on the shadowline trim which was barely noticeable).

I couldn't believe what I saw on my 2020 M4 3 months after picking up the car with 11 miles on it. And the swirls are most prominent on the hood and trunk, not so bad on the doors, etc.

Again, I'm probably overthinking because I must have really had a shitty car wash where the "hand wash" used a very dirty rag or something truly negligent.

I posted for opinions and inquiring about price the clear bra. Thank you for your contribution/discussion.

[nioh_lbbm2]

If you're so worried about swirls then just wash the car yourself using proper techniques. I agree with everyone else here. The questions you're posing in your first post don't make any logical sense

[TurboSid]

Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2

If you're so worried about swirls then just wash the car yourself using proper techniques. I agree with everyone else here. The questions you're posing in your first post don't make any logical sense

quoted to drive the point home

[swagon]

800 bucks for the whole car incl. ceramic coat I presume?

[SaMaster14]

Originally Posted by swagon

800 bucks for the whole car incl. ceramic coat I presume?

Yes - not a full paint correction, but full "swirl removal" - full day's worth of work from a mobile detailer.

He came highly recommended from a very close friend who deals in the auto industry

[ntg44]

Just my opinion, but as always, if you want it done right, do it yourself. Dark colors are tough. But what I would do with my gloss black S4 was find a touchless car wash to get 90% of the dirt off the car quickly, then head home and do a quick rinse/wash/dry. It still takes a while, but it's the only way to keep it looking nice and not like those photos.

There's a reason our washes take considerably longer than something at a local car wash. Mine take an hour and a half including prep, wheels, and equipment clean up. You'd be charged $100 for a wash like that at a car wash. Which nobody would pay.

[Spun Crankhub]

Take the money that you would spend on ppf and hit up chemical guys for a bunch of proper care car products.

[TopJimmy]

Dude! It's a LEASE...

Skip the PPF altogether on a lease, and partial matte would look silly. If you owned it I'd say do the WHOLE car for sure, but nothing on a lease car. Before you turn in the lease just pay for a chip fix, and then a detail with a hand wax.

Those swirls...I'd say someone blind AND stupid used a damn scouring pad. I'd be so pissed. Sorry for you man. I'd take that to the dealer to get fixed, and then go to that Sh!tty car wash with the bill and my lawyer.

After you get that paint fixed you're almost stuck with hand-washing. It's such a pretty color but that deep blue shine shows imperfections easy (which is why my M3 is white). Like ntg44 mentions about drive-thrus (if you must) only use no-touch, then wipe down with a clean hot damp towel...windows, uppers, lowers, jambs, then wheels. My dad would bring a cup of red hot water in a thermos or igloo to hot wipe his 67 Sting-Ray.

Once your paint is right you can do Ceramic yourself for under $100 easy (Armor Shield IX, one bottle is plenty, wheels too). Just need a garage for two solid days, one to do all the prep and coating, another full day to cure. The one coating will probably last one full year. For a lease this is where my effort would go.

-TJ