Coating

[AUDIOGUY]

What kind of coat are you talking about? If you are referring to a 3M clear bra or the likes, this is worth the money. Any product that is a paint sealer or wax is definately a waste of money and certainly wont last long term. Only a 3M type coating will protect your paint from stone chips. Regardles of what type of chemical or wax you put on your car, none will protect from stone chips that I know of.

You should look in the the Clear Bra and give that a shot before spending money on a paint sealant or similar.

Best of luck,
Joe
01S
Triple Black

[threpwood]

This isn't the clear bra. They explained that the coating is a "gel" that goes above the paint (paint sealer?) and made from a mix of silica and fluorine polymers that when dried form a hard and clear gel (about 4-5 mm) above the paint. It is supposed to make the paint and wheels looking like a glass (reflective and shiny).

The work takes 3-4 days to complete.

The best grade can last up to 5 years and recommend a yearly maintenance to smoothen out the gel from chips etc (I think all they have to do is to buff it).

I looked at the clear bra and indeed it can be a good alternative. The only downside is that the shrinkwrapping film makes the paint less reflective, but of course it is a lot better than having to do a paint job later.

I'm planning to keep the Boxster for a while and the paint is the area that I am most worried about.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by threpwood

This isn't the clear bra. They explained that the coating is a "gel" that goes above the paint (paint sealer?) and made from a mix of silica and fluorine polymers that when dried form a hard and clear gel (about 4-5 mm) above the paint. It is supposed to make the paint and wheels looking like a glass (reflective and shiny).

The work takes 3-4 days to complete.

The best grade can last up to 5 years and recommend a yearly maintenance to smoothen out the gel from chips etc (I think all they have to do is to buff it).

I looked at the clear bra and indeed it can be a good alternative. The only downside is that the shrinkwrapping film makes the paint less reflective, but of course it is a lot better than having to do a paint job later.

I'm planning to keep the Boxster for a while and the paint is the area that I am most worried about.

Hi,

If you're planning on keeping it awhile, then accept that paintchips and a 5 year respray are part of the bargain. Forget the Coating and put the money toward the respray which will be necessary, to whatever degree, in 5 years. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim '99

[threpwood]

Thanks for the advice, but the car is already in the shop so I can't back down now (they probably have applied the first coat). It will be completed this Friday. Hopefully it turns out ok!

[AUDIOGUY]

Keep us posted with your results! It is an interesting concept.

Kindly,
Joe
01S
Triple Black

Threpwood, when you pick-up your car, ask them if you can or should apply any wax/polish as part of your maintenance (once or twice per year). And if they recommend a wax/polish, which one.

How many other Boxsters do you see in your area?

[threpwood]

Will get back to you about the wax/polish this Friday.

I asked them before about car wash and they recommended to wash the car with water only (no soap), and use soap once in 3 times of washing. For example, if I wash the car 3 times a month, once must be washed with soap. And, if I wash the car 6 times a month, twice of them must be washed with soap, etc. So complicated just for washing a car

I have only seen one Carrera, and another boxster in my area. Boxsters can be spotted more often around Tokyo, and my area is about 4-6 hours from Tokyo (depending on traffic).