Front Body Protection

[Panther]

Howdy All,

I know this is going to show my age, but I've been looking at getting something
to protect the front body panels, headlights, and front part of the hood. I've only had my White Mica CX-5 for a little
over 5 weeks now, have 250 miles on it and already have a few spots on the lower bumper
portion and a "Chip" in the hood about the size of then end of a pencil lead.

I know the new/ better looking thing is to have the clear protective film, and had plans
on getting it put on before our first long roadtrip, but after pricing it here locally it was
a lot higher than I thought on the pricing. Just the bumper kit was almost 500 dollars and
add in the hood and headlights and that's another almost 600 dollars. Also there's isn't but one of two
installers near where I live.

Price XPEL
H0337-1 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Headlamp and Fog Lamp Kit 4 1 264
P0337D 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring A-Pillar and Roof Kit 1 1 184
P0337C 2013-2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Luggage Area Kit 1 1 139
P0337F 2015-2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Hood, Fender and Mirror Kit 2 1 391
P0337G 2015-2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Hood, Fender and Mirror Kit 2 1 377
P0337H 2015-2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Full Hood, Fender and Mirror Kit 3 1 874
P0337I 2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Bumper Kit 3 1 484

I'm afraid that is just more than I want to spend so.....................

Here's my question, what's y'alls opinion about getting one of these Mazda Masks to just put on
for extended drives or long roadtrips? Have any of y'all had one on, or have one now? I know they're
Oldschool in a way, but my thought was I can put it on and take it off while home and just use it for the long
Highway trips. Here's the link to the Mask.

http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-cx5-front-mask.html

Thanks and Take Care,

Craig

 

[Sekmor]

The problem with the masks, is they collect fine dirt and debris underneath. Dust/dirt on the hood gets wet and runs down. The underside will have to be cleaned all the time. All the grime will sand away at your paint finish.
As for the 3M or Xpel, the pricing you found is pretty high. Not sure what you have listed there, are those prices for the film kit?. Up here, the going rate is around $6-700, for a full meal deal, bumper, hood, headlights, fogs, mirrors, installed. Most places that do window tint, will also do the film package. I would check around a little more in your area.

And if you plan to do this, do it soon. No use adding film protection after there are multiple chips and dings. FWIW, I did mine before we took it off the lot

 

[Mike5809]

I am in the same boat; just put 200 miles on my CX-5 and I want to get the clear bra installed. I had it on one of my BMWs and the car looked great after many years. I didn't install it on my other (which was 4 years newer) and it looked much worse than the older one with the bra.

I just got a quote from a local tint shop and he quoted me $800 for the full 3M "self healing kit" installed. I think it is a bit expensive but we plan to keep the vehicle for ~10 years so in the end it is worth it.

 

[Panther]

Morning Sekmor,

Thanks very much for your Reply, and comments. I'd read exactly the same things about
the Masks, but didn't know if the short term trade off for the Road Protection would
be worth I guess what I was hoping was the Minimal amount of abrasion. I may have
been underestimating the amount of damage for having it on for say a 1 month road trip
then take it off.

I think I'll call the Shop and see what their actual cost would be, the rates listed
were on their website and was really, really high from what I'd read from Folks online
I'd like to have the front end, lights, and front part of hood done and maybe incombination of
getting some window tint they might have a package deal.

Thanks for your Reply and help, Take Care,

Craig

The problem with the masks, is they collect fine dirt and debris underneath. Dust/dirt on the hood gets wet and runs down. The underside will have to be cleaned all the time. All the grime will sand away at your paint finish.
As for the 3M or Xpel, the pricing you found is pretty high. Not sure what you have listed there, are those prices for the film kit?. Up here, the going rate is around $6-700, for a full meal deal, bumper, hood, headlights, fogs, mirrors, installed. Most places that do window tint, will also do the film package. I would check around a little more in your area.

And if you plan to do this, do it soon. No use adding film protection after there are multiple chips and dings. FWIW, I did mine before we took it off the lot

 

[JbCalg]

Ditto, as soon as we started showing off the new wheels - car guys asked - when are we getting the 3M ??

scouted around and found an excellent detail shop (yay Sammy@MrDetail in cowtown!) who did all the front stuff (1/2 hood/fender/mirrors and bumper packages) for $750 Cdn (before tax), threw in the after job proskin kit for free
- and they actually have their prices on the website! none of this "call for a quote" business
- been back a couple times for dumbazz newbie questions and always a smile and helpful after care info

was offered the package through the dealership, but pretty sure they farm it out - prefer to deal directly with whoever is doing the job

so definitely check out some of the local detail, tint shops - go in and see their shop, past projects, customer service etc (surprisingly, most websites are sizzle without the meat LOL)

then spend the Zen time later on with a good bottle of cleaner and wax as necessary to keep it fresh and shiny

money well spent IMO

edit: you might have to travel a bit depending where you are - googled and found one or two that have mobile service (they come to you, but should have a garage available for dust etc)
even if you need to travel a bit and hang out at a local mall for a while, still well worth it

 

[Ride92]

I had the PPF applied to the front of the car 2 weeks after getting the vehicle and the shop I used used the prices that are listed on xpel's website. The film wasn't the xpel film cause the guy didn't like the stuff, said it was harder to work with and was slightly orange peely for his liking. I trusted him since at the time he had an M3 and SLS in the shop getting PPF applied. If it's good enough for those titans of automobiles it's good enough for my daily driver. Anyhow, Basically the guy had a giant printer like machine that would cut the patterns he downloaded from xpel, he said xpel has the best patterns. I did the hood, fender mirrors and front bumper for a total of about $640 plus he threw in the door cups free of charge. You should be able to find a good shop that can get close to those prices.

 

[76brian]

I was thinking of a DIY solution with clear plastidip and the plastidip glossifier. Not sure how it would turn out.

I think I would avoid the headlights though, as the heat from the projectors could damage the plastic housing if it can't "breathe". I've heard of Mazda denying warranty coverage on headlight housings that melt because of clear bra application.

 

[Panther]

I am in the same boat; just put 200 miles on my CX-5 and I want to get the clear bra installed. I had it on one of my BMWs and the car looked great after many years. I didn't install it on my other (which was 4 years newer) and it looked much worse than the older one with the bra.

I just got a quote from a local tint shop and he quoted me $800 for the full 3M "self healing kit" installed. I think it is a bit expensive but we plan to keep the vehicle for ~10 years so in the end it is worth it.

Howdy Mike,

Thanks for the reply, it made me feel a little better,
and I think I'll try to find a few more places, there's not
a lot of them close by, we're kind of outside the City.

I agree on the wanting to protect it, as this might be my last
car so want to take really good care of it.

Thanks !!!!

 

[Panther]

Ditto, as soon as we started showing off the new wheels - car guys asked - when are we getting the 3M ??

scouted around and found an excellent detail shop (yay Sammy@MrDetail in cowtown!) who did all the front stuff (1/2 hood/fender/mirrors and bumper packages) for $750 Cdn (before tax), threw in the after job proskin kit for free
- and they actually have their prices on the website! none of this "call for a quote" business
- been back a couple times for dumbazz newbie questions and always a smile and helpful after care info

was offered the package through the dealership, but pretty sure they farm it out - prefer to deal directly with whoever is doing the job

so definitely check out some of the local detail, tint shops - go in and see their shop, past projects, customer service etc (surprisingly, most websites are sizzle without the meat LOL)

then spend the Zen time later on with a good bottle of cleaner and wax as necessary to keep it fresh and shiny

money well spent IMO

edit: you might have to travel a bit depending where you are - googled and found one or two that have mobile service (they come to you, but should have a garage available for dust etc)
even if you need to travel a bit and hang out at a local mall for a while, still well worth it

Howdy JB,

So is Calgary called Cowtown as well as Fort Worth? I like that !!!

Thanks for you thoughts and wished that Sammy was a little closer<G>

I don't mind paying the 600 or so, but the prices that I'd found for 1100 just were
a tad too much for me right now.

Had to smile, I've already waxed it a couple of times while it sat in the Garage !!!

Thanks again !!!!

 

[Panther]

I had the PPF applied to the front of the car 2 weeks after getting the vehicle and the shop I used used the prices that are listed on xpel's website. The film wasn't the xpel film cause the guy didn't like the stuff, said it was harder to work with and was slightly orange peely for his liking. I trusted him since at the time he had an M3 and SLS in the shop getting PPF applied. If it's good enough for those titans of automobiles it's good enough for my daily driver. Anyhow, Basically the guy had a giant printer like machine that would cut the patterns he downloaded from xpel, he said xpel has the best patterns. I did the hood, fender mirrors and front bumper for a total of about $640 plus he threw in the door cups free of charge. You should be able to find a good shop that can get close to those prices.

Howdy Ride92,

Thanks for the info and sounds like from all of y'all suggestions the pricing that I had seen was about 30-40% too high, so
I'll check into a few more places, I might have to drive an hour or so to get it done, but it will be worth it though.

I've seen those printers that print out the lines for the cuts, those are pretty cool.

Thanks!!! Appreciate it !!!

 

[Panther]

Howdy All,

Well, I checked with a local guy that I'd talked to before I got my CX-5 delievered about Tinting
but he didn't adverstise doing the Clear Protective Coating but I thought that I'd just call to check
and sure enough they do it there. I'd seen a lot of very nice automobiles there when I'd stopped by
to check several months ago.

I'd asked for a quote and based on front Bumper, headlights, and 1/4 hood and they quoted 799. That's a
little higher than what I wanted to spend, but will see if I can maybe get my 2 Front Windows and Sunroof
maybe thrown in?

 

[pdlpsher]

Wow. I didn't know clear bras are that expensive. Here's a stupid question. Would it be cheaper to have the front end paint buffed out every year than getting a bra? I have never had a bra on any of my cars and the damages are very minor based on my personal experience.

 

[MikeM.]

Wow. I didn't know clear bras are that expensive. Here's a stupid question. Would it be cheaper to have the front end paint buffed out every year than getting a bra? I have never had a bra on any of my cars and the damages are very minor based on my personal experience.

Another option is to not worry about the inevitable little dings unless they build up to the point you can't look beyond them and then just buy a new bumper cover. Only $200. I looked up the price because I drive through some pretty deep wash-outs to the point where the chin spoiler (which is part of the bumper cover) drags through gravel and rocks and I wanted to know how much $$ I was risking if I tore it off. Now that I know it's only $200, I don't worry about it. Yesterday I nailed it twice hard on the ground at about 5 mph and it snapped right back, no damage except for scuffs and scratches underneath where they are not visible.

Nice!

 

[pdlpsher]

Nice to know on the low cost of the bumper cover. It should come painted which is even nicer.

 

[Panther]

Another option is to not worry about the inevitable little dings unless they build up to the point you can't look beyond them and then just buy a new bumper cover. Only $200. I looked up the price because I drive through some pretty deep wash-outs to the point where the chin spoiler (which is part of the bumper cover) drags through gravel and rocks and I wanted to know how much $$ I was risking if I tore it off. Now that I know it's only $200, I don't worry about it. Yesterday I nailed it twice hard on the ground at about 5 mph and it snapped right back, no damage except for scuffs and scratches underneath where they are not visible.

Nice!

Howdy Mike,

WOW, Thanks, I have to say I never even thought of that as an Option. To know that the Bumper Cover
is only 200 or so kind of makes it a little easier to not worry about it. Or at least not quite as Much

Thanks Mike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MikeM.]

Howdy Mike,

WOW, Thanks, I have to say I never even thought of that as an Option. To know that the Bumper Cover
is only 200 or so kind of makes it a little easier to not worry about it. Or at least not quite as Much

Thanks Mike !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But pdlpshr brings up a good point. I had assumed it would be painted but when I was checking prices I didn't notice any color options.

 

[ocinsomniac]

Wow. I didn't know clear bras are that expensive. Here's a stupid question. Would it be cheaper to have the front end paint buffed out every year than getting a bra? I have never had a bra on any of my cars and the damages are very minor based on my personal experience.

Buffing out the front end won't do a damned bit of good if you have stone chips that go right down to the primer layer as many of them do.

 

[pdlpsher]

Buffing out the front end won't do a damned bit of good if you have stone chips that go right down to the primer layer as many of them do.

Agreed but hopefully most of the chips are shallow. If a big stone hits the front-end I doubt a 3M clear bra will be much help anyway.

The $200 cover wouldn't be a good deal if one has to spend several hundreds more to get it painted.

 

[Panther]

But pdlpshr brings up a good point. I had assumed it would be painted but when I was checking prices I didn't notice any color options.

ruh roh, Might be a little different story, Probably would be closer to the cost of the Film protection.

Still is another viable option to the cost of the having the Clear Film installed.

I'm probably making too much of all of this but after seeing that little chip after only the small amount
of miles I had I could just envision after our upcoming 3-4 thousand mile trip !!!

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Unless you have a white CX-5 I would get a clear bra if you are concerned about chips. IMO...probably a lot harder to see dings to primer on any white vehicle.