Topaz Detailing
Author
Discussion

RMJ891

Original Poster:

171 posts

116 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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My local OPC uses Topaz Detailing for any protection work you get on your new car. The benefits of this are that they appear to be one of the best-renowned companies for what they do, and they can do the work before you collect your car.

However, they are EXTREMELY expensive. To wrap the front of a 718 GTS would be £1,500 plus VAT, or £3,600 plus VAT for the whole car. This would be fine on a Zonda or La Ferrari, but seems steep on a Cayman.

Has anyone had any luck in getting deals or discounts on this sort of thing (paint protection film applied by a third party) through their OPC?

I’ve found Bellissimoto in London too - they appear to be cheaper but not sure if that’s because the standard is different, and they also wouldn’t be able to do the work pre-collection.

Insights or experiences would be very welcome!

Maxige

327 posts

226 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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Zonda or Cayman the quality of their job, the price of the materials and the cost of their staff is the same...

Going for a cheaper alternative probably means that you'll have to do it again in the future.

Go for the best now, it is totally worth it!!

RMJ891

Original Poster:

171 posts

116 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
Well sort of - on their videos on YouTube, the real exotica has more creases, inlets, wings and so on (i.e. generally a more complicated shape), but I take your point.

Would just be interested to hear if anyone has negotiated a deal, or interest free payments or something.

paralla

5,023 posts

157 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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Topaz did full cover on my GT4 when it was new in March 2016. They emailed me a few weeks ago offering a complimentry valey and inspection of the film to see if there were any lifting edges or other dammage which I thought was good of them. I took it in they cleaned it thoughroughly and informed me they conldn't find any defects so happy days.

Discounts are available, Shop around and ask them to match or at least come down a bit to match cheaper quotes you have. I paid a lot less than you have been quoted.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

287 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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on a normal car why even bother, are you keeping it 15 years ?

did you cash buy it or on a PCP plan ?

RMJ891

Original Poster:

171 posts

116 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
I'm doing PCP, and planning to keep it 4 years (though I'm not yet managed to keep a car for its full term, as I've switched it).

My reason is that I live in London and keep my car in an underground car park, but next to a vent through which all kinds of muck etc. comes through. I also don't have running water near my space.

As a result, the car quickly gets dirty, and I love a clean car, so I'm hoping this means that a blast at a local jet wash and a towel dry will be enough, with a film in place, to keep the car looking 'as new'.

moonigan

2,203 posts

263 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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RMJ891 said:
I'm doing PCP, and planning to keep it 4 years (though I'm not yet managed to keep a car for its full term, as I've switched it).

My reason is that I live in London and keep my car in an underground car park, but next to a vent through which all kinds of muck etc. comes through. I also don't have running water near my space.

As a result, the car quickly gets dirty, and I love a clean car, so I'm hoping this means that a blast at a local jet wash and a towel dry will be enough, with a film in place, to keep the car looking 'as new'.
What is the cost of a front end respray in 4 years time? I dont see the point of putting PPF on a car that isnt:

- Long term keeper
- Going anywhere near a track

If its on a PCP just drive it and give it back. That's the whole point. As for keeping it clean £1500 buys you a lot of valets.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

287 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
RMJ891 said:
I'm doing PCP, and planning to keep it 4 years (though I'm not yet managed to keep a car for its full term, as I've switched it).

My reason is that I live in London and keep my car in an underground car park, but next to a vent through which all kinds of muck etc. comes through. I also don't have running water near my space.

As a result, the car quickly gets dirty, and I love a clean car, so I'm hoping this means that a blast at a local jet wash and a towel dry will be enough, with a film in place, to keep the car looking 'as new'.
yep PPF is not the product for you imo.

buy a £30 tub of wax :-) and pay some one to clean your car.

MrBarry123

6,084 posts

143 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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I'm with the majority here. If it's on a PCP and will be returned, I can't see the point of spending the money on getting PPF applied.

If you're really worried about handing it back when the time comes, £300-£500 will get you a full detail and will mean the car looks better than 99% of the cars your dealership has returned.

ETA: LOL at how a dealership is recommending Topaz for "protection work". Of course they are, it means they're suckering their customers into paying for PPF which ultimately only the dealer benefits from* when they have a pristine car returned to them at the end of any finance agreements. laugh

*I'm going to assume that the cost of the PPF work isn't going to be added to the GFV on any agreements.

Edited by MrBarry123 on Tuesday 31st October 09:53

RMJ891

Original Poster:

171 posts

116 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
Fair enough - these are good (and money-saving) opinions! So you guys don't think that it would keep the car any noticeably shinier / new-looking than a weekly visit to the Esso garage (taking time out for proper detailing seldom works with my schedule, and the handwash folk at the local Tesco keep their wash mitts on the carpark floor...)?

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

287 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
moonigan said:
What is the cost of a front end respray in 4 years time? I dont see the point of putting PPF on a car that isnt:

its a London car, stone chips are the least of his worries,

£4320 to PPF the car so you can jet wash it just sounds crazy. it's a high speed protection film to protect the car from stone hits/

I would look into a self healing coating like https://www.feynlab.com/ 1/4 of the cost

philnotts

705 posts

222 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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Have to agree, no point in PPF. I have it on my Spyder but i am keeping it forever hopefully!

If it was me, i would be looking into a mobile valet per week instead. No idea if these are any good but mini valet is £14 per visit for example - http://www.handcarwashlondon.co.uk/price-list/

Phil

WG

1,051 posts

148 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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I have to agree that I do not see the point of PPF for the comlplete car. But I would support it for vulnerable areas like front bumper (possibly incl headlights) wing mirror caps and rear of rear wheel arches. I have had these aras covered on my Spyder for the last 8 years and they still look good with just a hint of yellowing now developing but I am selling it now so that is an issue for next owner. It cost me less than £500 at the time and I think was worth the investment and as an alternative to a possible front end respray. I will again be fitting it to my replacement t

I too believe Topaz to be very expensive . Have a look at Paintshield in Cambridgeshire much more reasonable and I have seen examples of the work of both companies next to each other in the showroom. Couldn't tell the difference.

Taffy66

5,964 posts

124 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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Porsche911R said:
its a London car, stone chips are the least of his worries,

£4320 to PPF the car so you can jet wash it just sounds crazy. it's a high speed protection film to protect the car from stone hits/

I would look into a self healing coating like https://www.feynlab.com/ 1/4 of the cost
Just had a quote to ''feynlab'' my GT3 whole body and comes to £1800+VAT.This includes a fully comprehensive paint correction programme and the wheels/tyres. This coating does not offer any stone chip protection but the guy i spoke to sounded very genuine and professional.

SV_WDC

1,088 posts

111 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
RMJ891 said:
My reason is that I live in London and keep my car in an underground car park, but next to a vent through which all kinds of muck etc. comes through. I also don't have running water near my space.
Car cover?

lowndes

833 posts

236 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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Taffy66 said:
Just had a quote to ''feynlab'' my GT3 whole body and comes to £1800+VAT.This includes a fully comprehensive paint correction programme and the wheels/tyres. This coating does not offer any stone chip protection but the guy i spoke to sounded very genuine and professional.
I've just sent you a pm

rbh

290 posts

154 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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lowndes said:
Taffy66 said:
Just had a quote to ''feynlab'' my GT3 whole body and comes to £1800+VAT.This includes a fully comprehensive paint correction programme and the wheels/tyres. This coating does not offer any stone chip protection but the guy i spoke to sounded very genuine and professional.
I've just sent you a pm
Was this through the Slough detailers ?

Rob

_Superleggera_

2,014 posts

219 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
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If it was me I would just PPF the bumper and then ceramic coat the car.

RMJ891

Original Poster:

171 posts

116 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
I've heard very mixed things about ceramic coatings, Gtechniq etc.

Some swear by it, others say it only lasts a few months (which seems unreasonable at £1,000+).

stebbo

100 posts

121 months

Tuesday 31st October 2017
quotequote all
RMJ891 said:
I've heard very mixed things about ceramic coatings, Gtechniq etc.

Some swear by it, others say it only lasts a few months (which seems unreasonable at £1,000+).
If a ceramic coating fails after a few months then it was not done properly. I did my daily driver 18months ago with Gyeon Prime. It is still going strong.