Most Scratch-Resistant DIY Paint Coating?

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thefuturenow

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So, I purchased a BMW i3 brand new from the dealer and have been absolutely mental about parking it anywhere until the exterior is protected to my standards. As it is a new car it means a lot to me to keep it flawless, and the paint is in prime condition to be coated.

Above all, what I am really looking for in a paint coating is scratch resistance. I understand paint coatings won't be scratch-proof, but I want the confidence that the majority of scratches will at the very worst only penetrate into the clear coat. I would prefer to apply the coating myself, so that rules out some of the higher-end products I was looking into. Right now my top find is the Gyeon Q2 Mohs, although it is one of the more expensive options so if I can achieve similar or better protection with another product then by all means please let me know!

Thanks for the help. I hope to keep the i3 looking as good or better than the day I bought it for years to come.
 
Gtechniq Crystal Serum light. Very easy to apply and one of the tuffest on the market available when talking of both pro and no pro products. But keep in mind that at the very best all paint coatings when correctly applied will form a barrier that is so thin that it's good only for light swirls. Many coatings out there promises marvels about being anti-scratch but all of them end up falling short from their promise in real world situations.
 
Billy Baldone said:
Why not get you whole car wrapped in Expel?
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To be frank the i3 is leased so the cost-to-value ratio just isn't there. I'll need to settle for the next best protection, which through extensive Googling seems to be a paint coating.

If I do purchase a Tesla Model 3 for my next car though, then that will probably get the Xpel treatment.
 
DaC said:
Gtechniq Crystal Serum light. Very easy to apply and one of the tuffest on the market available when talking of both pro and no pro products. But keep in mind that at the very best all paint coatings when correctly applied will form a barrier that is so thin that it's good only for light swirls. Many coatings out there promises marvels about being anti-scratch but all of them end up falling short from their promise in real world situations.
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I know paint coating isn't a miracle protection against scratches but if it can prevent a deep scratch from going into the primer, that's all I can ask.
 
The Guz said:
Coating's won't do this.
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Not to come off as ignorant but I just want the thickest, hardest coating for extra peace of mind.

Based on what I've heard here the scratch test videos on YouTube are probably exaggerated but I've heard from other experience that a good coating has saved a car/truck from a significant amount of damage and the coating does make a difference for scratch repair as well.
 
thefuturenow said:
Not to come off as ignorant but I just want the thickest, hardest coating for extra peace of mind.

Based on what I've heard here the scratch test videos on YouTube are probably exaggerated but I've heard from other experience that a good coating has saved a car/truck from a significant amount of damage and the coating does make a difference for scratch repair as well.
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It's not a tempered glass smartphone screen protector.😉
 
thefuturenow said:
To be frank the i3 is leased so the cost-to-value ratio...
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Since that's the case, then:

Initially...
-Wash/dry the vehicle; then:
-Polish with this AIO-Sealant:
Finish Kare 215 One Step Cleaner & Surface Sealant, cleaner wax, paint cleaner and paint sealant, finish care

To Maintain:
-Perform regularly scheduled wash/dry sessions
-Note:
After 30 days has expired from the above
initial AIO-Sealant application (and after a
scheduled wash/dry session, of course)...

-Apply a coat of this Sealant:
Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax, high melt polymer car wax, Finish care auto wax

•Now, IMO:
-Except for continuing the wash/dry sessions;
and reapplying the FK1000P around each
following 6 month period, or so...
-You're all set for the entire Lease's time period!!


Bob
 
I'd never coat a leased vehicle. As long as the car isn't damaged they don't give a damn if you wash the car let alone protect the paint when you turn the vehicle back in.
 
Polish Angel Glasscoat Invincible Primer 50 ml.

Polish Angel Glasscoat Cosmic 50 ml.

"Once treated with Polish Angel Glasscoat Cosmic, your vehicle will be resistant to scratches, swirl marks, water spots, bird droppings, sap, road grime, and just about any other environmental contamination that it faces on the roadways. The finish remains flawless, crystal clear, and incredibly shiny for upwards of two years. If you want to protect your vehicle with a two-part system, look no further than Polish Angel Glasscoat Cosmic coupled with Polish Angel Glasscoat Invincible Primer."

Coated my Coupe a couple weeks ago:
(2 step application took me a little over an hour not including curing time)





 
I'm in Jersey as well. I used Opti-Coat Pro on my leased Accord. I will try to post pictures when I get to a computer. Not working from my phone right now.
 
No coating on the market will do that, no matter how many layers they apply to the vehicle
 
The coatings will provide resistance to wash induced marring, but not scratches. The coatings are only a few microns thick. Need to readjust your expectations
 
The only product that will yield a noticeable difference in scratch/swirl protection, in my opinion, is self healing paint protection film/clear bra. Based on my experiences, no coating will provide a noticeable level of resistance to even slight marring.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
The only product that will yield a noticeable difference in scratch/swirl protection, in my opinion, is self healing paint protection film/clear bra. Based on my experiences, no coating will provide a noticeable level of resistance to even slight marring.
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Good to know. Thank you Zach!
 
I refer to the coatings as a sacrificial layer. If you have a scratch that is 4 microns deep, and you have a coating on the paint that is 2 microns deep, you just decreased the amount of clear you have to remove by 2 microns. To me, saving clear is paramount, and is significant. No, they are not the answer to all evils and don't do a damn against stone chips, but are great for what they do.
 
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