Paint Protection-Options etc

[stevo68]

Hey All,

Im being philosophical in that I did buy my beastie for the main intent of taking it offroad, despite the 6 figure sum that I was slugged for the privilege :wink: . Having just got the beastie detailed ( yeah yeah Im spoilt 8O ) today after my run up to Ormeau hills ( as per pics in gallery) I have noticed a little to my dismay the light scratchs/ marks no doubt from a section of track that we drove through that had brush etc. Now I intend to keep this beastie for sometime and gradually turn it more and more into an offroader/traveller ie bullbar/winch/roofracks/tyres/etc but what can be done to minimise damage to paint. Obviously one is "dont go offroad" but screw that 8) . Any tips/ thoughts/ products etc would be great to know. I feel that the current marks may polish out as they seem to be surface scratches/marks, but as they say prevention is better than the cure,and for potential resale value down the track minimising paint damage maybe an advantage. The floor is open,

Regards

Stevo

[Steinzy]

There are products that you can spray on your car that puts a protective skin on the paint, but this product only last for a few days and washes.

IMHO the best thing to do is use your car for its intended purpose and when comes the time for resale spend a few $$$ and get the car resprayed.

[PCH]

Stevo,

I had the same concern but I got over it when I have so many scratches that wouldn't buff out and I got used to the sad state of my paintwork and plastic bits. You just going to have to live with it if you want to use it off-road.

I have only one advantage over you and that is I bought white for the simple reason is that you don't see scratches as easily. For a 10 month old 4bee it now looks like a very scratched 20 year old c4bee. My plastic flares, sills, mirrors are so scratched and marked that the D3 looks like it is really abused. I've even thought that when it comes time to sell it I might get the sides repainted and replace the flares https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ just to make it less obvious that the D3 has been used a lot offroad.

I have seen a product that you can roll on the panels which can stay on for up to 3 months which might help to prevent light bushes from scratching. It was advertised in 4WD mags maybe 1 year ago. I've not seen it in any recent mags. Your D3 might look a bit funny with this coating on it but then once it is covered in mud you won't notice it too much :wink: .

Chris

[one_iota]

Is the vehicle to be seen in or is it a vehicle to see things?

I would think the latter if you are posting here.

Black is a difficult colour and I see people commuting in their black Hondas and BMW's struggling to maintain elegant and ideal appearances these days as water restrictions forbid the washing of cars on a daily basis.

Black is a fashion statement https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ :wink:

[LandyAndy]

Hi Stevo
Have a look in the latest 4WD Monthly,there is a write up on just such a product.$50 for enough to treat the car,they treated a pootrol before a Kimberly trip.It seems they were impressed with the stuff.
ScratchPRO AP60.
Have a GOOGLE and see what you come up with
Andrew

[stevo68]

Thanks all for the feedback, it is mainly to see things, but Im not complaining about being seen in it https://www.aulro.com/afvb/, she is a beautiful beastie. I just picked up 4wd mthly this morn and about to sit down and read it. Ive only had it 7 wks so still a bit in the precious stage so if there is something that can assist for the time being, great https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ ,

REgards

Stevo

[Lotsalux84]

Did a google and found this that might work.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_U...hgard-PPF/Home/ (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard-PPF/Home/)

This stuff looks pretty thin and may not be too sutable for the more adventurous trails. My boss uses some sticky stuff that appears to be much thicker, as it certainly isnt clear, and is intended to be removed after the wheelin fun is over. He covers his Sahara in it and it does a fiine job of keeping the scratches away. He swears by it. Will get the details off him and post them for your consideration. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Captain_Rightfoot]

personall i doubt any of those products will really work https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

However you can get a clear film that goes over the paint and that stuff does work. However it's normally only used for protecting the front of the bonnet and the like so is quite expensive.

you can't really see the stuff when it's on, and you can peel it off at anytime. These are some guys that do it. They are not in QLD but I know them and they do a good job https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

http://www.ozicozi.com.au/

[FenianEel]

In reality, there's sweet FA that's really effective if you want to USE the vehicle Stevo.
To keep your paint i tiptop condition, you need to:
Use plenty of polish and a thorough clean when you get back.
Avoid state forests and the bush (lantana and growth everywhere).
Keep the thing in the garage
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Trust me, the more you get out there in it, the less important that "pretty" stuff will seem, and the less you'll worry, the keener you'll be to push the envelope.

Unfortunately, using your beasty and getting a "few" scratches, etc, are unavoidable.

[stevo68]

Thanks for the info and feedback. Im going to check out Scratch Pro, apparently from the review in 4WD mthly it works a treat. Now I know you purists advocate its a 4bie what do you expect https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ , and to an extent I concur. I also understand that any type of offroad is going to possibly incur some sort "damage". That said with it being only 2 mths old and quite expensive if there is something I can do that will help prevent damage, then yahoo 8) . Ill let you know how it goes on any future trips where the likelihood of scratches will occur and do a review. Would be interested also Lotsalux84 on what your boss uses on his sahara.

Regards

Stevo