2002 Maxima SE -- Brag and Question(Xpel)

[2002 Maxima SE]

Just a Sunday wash with TurtleWax Wash-N-Wax and Eagle One Wax-As-U-Dry (a good every day product, but doesn't last long).




I used some 3M Swirl Remover for Dark Cars and PUPP on my side skirts. They are plastic and the paint tends to get hazy/scratched quite easy.

Did a good job if I do say so myself. :



^^^
As you can see...I still need an all-dayer to fix the hazy/swirl on the rest of the car. Should be getting to this next weekend while the wife is out of town.

[2002 Maxima SE]

Now the question, I have some pitting and scratches on the rear of the skirt. Right next to the rear tire. All the sand and rocks tend to hit this area. One guy on Maxima.org was going through the snow/salt in upper Pa and had the paint come completely off the car. I want to get some pieces of Xpel to cut and put over this area. The piece would need to be in the shape of an isosceles to fit right, but part of the xpel would go over a bump that rises up on the skirt. When laying xpel, how do you compensate for bumps and ridges? Will it stretch to fit?

[Dean]

Great pics of your Maxima. That black is very shiney and deep.

However, I'm sorry to say that putting Xpel (i.e. clear bra, 3M Scotchcal, Stongard,etc.) over that type of damage is really futile. The film only accentuates the defects. This brings out the importance of installing the clear bra film EARLY in the car's life.

As a 2003 Maxima SE owner, I can sympathize with you. You're no doubt aware of the huge discussion on maxima.org about the paint chipping problem. I installed Xpel on my Maxima with less than 100 miles on the clock. Best investment in the car I've ever made.

Here's a pic from maxima.org about how severe this problem really is:



My 2002 WRX has now had the Stongard kit for nearly 3 years. Not a single chip on the front end:



Even my garage queen 350Z has the Xpel kit:

[2002 Maxima SE]

Yeah, if I could go back and do it I would. Next car without a doubt. Nissan seems to have a real problem with this. My car looks just like the picture you posted...well maybe not as bad on the hood, but the front bumper is pretty bad up close.

The problem with the rear skirt is very small right now. You can rub your hand across it and feel the pitting. I think if I wait any longer to put this on the skirt it will be come even more noticeable. Wish I could find the pics of the guys white Maxima that went through the snow, it was just primer back there.

[2wheelsx2]

If you are going to go to the expense of putting Xpel on it, why not just have that portion of the car repainted, and then put the Xpel on it? Xpel is not cheap, and to just paint the skirts would be only a couple of hundred dollars, wouldn't it?

[2002 Maxima SE]

Originally posted by 2wheelsx2
If you are going to go to the expense of putting Xpel on it, why not just have that portion of the car repainted, and then put the Xpel on it? Xpel is not cheap, and to just paint the skirts would be only a couple of hundred dollars, wouldn't it?

To repaint both skirts would probably cost around $200. Thats a lot for less than a 2" by 4" section that is slightly pitted (see above pic).

Xpel is only expensive if you buy the entire kit. I'm only looking to cover the these two sections. I can get a 12" by 4" sheet of 8mil Xpel (3m sheet) for $2.50. Eventually, if I keep the car 8 - 10 years I will have the appropriate places repainted and get the Xpel kit to cover it, but being that the car is only 3 years old...$2.50 ain't bad.