Yep I'm a cheapo, I'll skip both xpel and opticoat.
I just cannot justify the price, and while I feel xpel offers great protection, it does have some downsides too.
So, my feeling is, if you want xpel - you have to go with a professional installer.
Opticoat and similar, I think you can do yourself. I've done a lot of DIY research, and will post my results here as I go through this 'experiment'.
My goal is to not recreate xpel - you can't, unless you get a condom on your car. That condom offers best protection, but we all know its not as much fun.
And only xpel or similar will protect from rock chips. Y'know, take a walk outside, look at older cars, and see how many rock chips they really have.
Its not THAT much of an issue (unless you have black paint or drive around trucks a lot). And fine, I'll use touch up paint if necessary.
But I think with some work and patience, you can recreate the equivalent of opticoat.
Short term - get a glass like coating on the car.
Long term - hand wash at home.
So here is the shopping list for your new Tesla and Tesla care. I've put in a lot of research into specific products, which are linked as below,
1. Liquid Glass LG-100. I plan on doing 4 coats of this on my brand new Tesla, and another 2 coats before winter sets in. Beyond that, every year I will do 1 coat every 3 or 6 months (depending upon how well it beads). Or I may switch to wax later. There are other similar alternatives to this product, but I went with this based on reviews.
2. Armor All wheel protectant. Search youtube for Brian Greenstone - he uses this on his Aston Martin. I used it on my Acura, with fantastic results. I think #1 + this = shiny wheels.
3. Clay Bar.
4. Leaf Blower.
Ongoing maint + first time wash -
1. Wash mitt.
2. 2 bucket wash kit (I already have 1 bucket).
3. California car duster.
4. Applicator Pads.
5. Low pressure pressure washer.
6. Compatible foam cannon.
7. Microfiber cloth.
So here is the deal.
When you get the car from the dealer, (or your existing car).
#1 - hand wash it well (that doesn't mean lots of strength, but get all the dirt off). Proper washing, is a technique. But here is the short version - do it fast so the water doesn't have a chance to dry up on surface (foam cannon + pressure washer are your friends), and use the 2 bucket wash method. Lots of youtube videos for self education.
#2 - Dry it with #7 water magnet.
#3 - Get rest of the water out with the leaf blower (#4).
#4. Then, move the car into the garage (optional but recommended).
#5. Clay the surface (takes time, watch some youtube videos, probably not necessary on a brand new car)
#6. Then apply #1 - very important, do so in straight motion, not swirls. Apply it to the whole car, and then buff it off. Apply using #4 in the list above, and buff it off with a very clean and soft old tshirt or microfiber cloth.
#7. Leave the car in the sun to bake (4 hours or so).
#8. Repeat steps #6 and #7 for 4 coats.
And wash regularly (I'm thinking every 2 weeks to 4 weeks depending upon season/how dirty etc.) using the pressure washer and foam cannon.
With the pressure washer and foam cannon, the whole wash process will be around 15-30 mins - so not a lot of work I feel.
Yeah initially its gonna take some time and effort. But its good exercise (I need it), and your Tesla needs it, and I'll be $2k richer at the end of all this.
Plus I'll have decent equipment to maintain the car long term.
So ... thats what I'm gonna do. I'll post pictures and updates of my 'experiment' as it goes along
.. getting my car, most probably next week.
I just cannot justify the price, and while I feel xpel offers great protection, it does have some downsides too.
So, my feeling is, if you want xpel - you have to go with a professional installer.
Opticoat and similar, I think you can do yourself. I've done a lot of DIY research, and will post my results here as I go through this 'experiment'.
My goal is to not recreate xpel - you can't, unless you get a condom on your car. That condom offers best protection, but we all know its not as much fun.
And only xpel or similar will protect from rock chips. Y'know, take a walk outside, look at older cars, and see how many rock chips they really have.
Its not THAT much of an issue (unless you have black paint or drive around trucks a lot). And fine, I'll use touch up paint if necessary.
But I think with some work and patience, you can recreate the equivalent of opticoat.
Short term - get a glass like coating on the car.
Long term - hand wash at home.
So here is the shopping list for your new Tesla and Tesla care. I've put in a lot of research into specific products, which are linked as below,
1. Liquid Glass LG-100. I plan on doing 4 coats of this on my brand new Tesla, and another 2 coats before winter sets in. Beyond that, every year I will do 1 coat every 3 or 6 months (depending upon how well it beads). Or I may switch to wax later. There are other similar alternatives to this product, but I went with this based on reviews.
2. Armor All wheel protectant. Search youtube for Brian Greenstone - he uses this on his Aston Martin. I used it on my Acura, with fantastic results. I think #1 + this = shiny wheels.
3. Clay Bar.
4. Leaf Blower.
Ongoing maint + first time wash -
1. Wash mitt.
2. 2 bucket wash kit (I already have 1 bucket).
3. California car duster.
4. Applicator Pads.
5. Low pressure pressure washer.
6. Compatible foam cannon.
7. Microfiber cloth.
So here is the deal.
When you get the car from the dealer, (or your existing car).
#1 - hand wash it well (that doesn't mean lots of strength, but get all the dirt off). Proper washing, is a technique. But here is the short version - do it fast so the water doesn't have a chance to dry up on surface (foam cannon + pressure washer are your friends), and use the 2 bucket wash method. Lots of youtube videos for self education.
#2 - Dry it with #7 water magnet.
#3 - Get rest of the water out with the leaf blower (#4).
#4. Then, move the car into the garage (optional but recommended).
#5. Clay the surface (takes time, watch some youtube videos, probably not necessary on a brand new car)
#6. Then apply #1 - very important, do so in straight motion, not swirls. Apply it to the whole car, and then buff it off. Apply using #4 in the list above, and buff it off with a very clean and soft old tshirt or microfiber cloth.
#7. Leave the car in the sun to bake (4 hours or so).
#8. Repeat steps #6 and #7 for 4 coats.
And wash regularly (I'm thinking every 2 weeks to 4 weeks depending upon season/how dirty etc.) using the pressure washer and foam cannon.
With the pressure washer and foam cannon, the whole wash process will be around 15-30 mins - so not a lot of work I feel.
Yeah initially its gonna take some time and effort. But its good exercise (I need it), and your Tesla needs it, and I'll be $2k richer at the end of all this.
Plus I'll have decent equipment to maintain the car long term.
So ... thats what I'm gonna do. I'll post pictures and updates of my 'experiment' as it goes along
.. getting my car, most probably next week.
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