Would you Stongard a non-daily driver and risk the loss of color depth and clarity?

scooby2 · 10-09-01, 10:19

Ok, I have read all the threads on Stongard and Xpel and have no doubts about their protective qualities. I am taking delivery of a red S2000 and will be using the combination of AIO/SG/Souveran. This car is not a daily driver and will not see much if any driving in the rain. But I guess paint chips can happen any time and any where. Since I've also read all the comments about the depth of color using Souveran, wouldn't it be distracting to see the panels with Stongard on it? Obviously there will be a difference in the reflectivity of the color. I guess it is a trade off, paint protection vs. color clarity. The kit for the S2000 isn't cheap, about $500, so I don't want to apply it, hate it and end up pulling it off. What do you think?

Brad B. · 10-10-01, 06:23

As much as I appreciate the Xpel I would not put it on the top of the hood of my S4 because I didn't like seeing the "line" where the Xpel stopped. I did not put it on the Boxster for the same reason...it has a long smooth seamless front end and to add a line would be unsightly.

I WOULD add it to any car that had some sort of natural cutoff or body line that made the Xpel line look more natural. Going from the vertical plane to the horizontal plane of a bumper, for instance. Or where there is a sharp contour line on the body. The S2000 seems to be a design that might lend itself nicely to Xpel. You would have to see where the kit fits.

I am just REALLY picky about such things. Many more of my friends are quite happy with the kit no matter where it fits.

adjulian · 10-10-01, 09:02

and yes, at certain angles you can see the line where the xpel stops, but personally, I would rather see that line than several rock chips on the hood. I don't see a drop off in shine/clarity where the xpel is applied IMO. I treat the xpel like a painted surface and protect it with a sealant just like any other part of the car. I use Zaino on the BMW (silver) with the xpel on it and am extremely happy with it.

scooby2 · 10-10-01, 01:17

Thanks for the input. Only thing I see (yeah pun intended) is that both of your S4 and 330i are silver and the Xpel is less noticeable on that color than on a black or red car. I like the idea of leaving the panel off the hood and at least eliminating that seam line.

adjulian · 10-10-01, 01:28

for some pics of other colors and different cars.