First Maserati

[Bobby Dandruff]

A few pictures attached of the new lady in my life. It took a long time for me to find one with the colour combination I wanted, but it was worth the wait. We all like different things and styles of course, but for me this is the best combination. Though I have to say the blue exterior is a gorgeous colour too.

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Very nice. And in fact the same colour combination as mine! ;-)

I wanted a blue one as well, but couldn't wait.....

 

[Vampyrebat]

Thank you for all the kind, welcoming comments. Very much appreciated.

If I can ask a question regarding the car....on the Granturismo the sills flare out quite a bit as they near the rear wheel arch. The paintwork on this flared section seems to suffer badly from stone chips and pitting. I had this section of paintwork done just after I bought the car to bring it up to the standard of the rest of the car. But already, after a relatively short period of time, the paint on the flared section is all chipped again.
Can you recommend a product that would would offer decent protection to the paint on this part of the car for when I get the paint brought back to like new again, probably in the spring?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Steve
Welcome aboard and may I say your car looks stunning!
I have had the same problem with my near-side rear arch (as this side picks up more debris) to the point that the lacquer has started to peel away. I have noticed that on 911's they have a protective clear vinyl sheet for this reason and I was thinking of getting a small sheet of this and trying to fabricate some myself. You can get this clear vinyl from any sign company. you can also get a frosted finish also to hide further pitting............I have not tried it yet myself as I need to get the area re-done first..........Hope this helps!

Stu

 

[Vampyrebat]

Thank you for all the kind, welcoming comments. Very much appreciated.

If I can ask a question regarding the car....on the Granturismo the sills flare out quite a bit as they near the rear wheel arch. The paintwork on this flared section seems to suffer badly from stone chips and pitting. I had this section of paintwork done just after I bought the car to bring it up to the standard of the rest of the car. But already, after a relatively short period of time, the paint on the flared section is all chipped again.
Can you recommend a product that would would offer decent protection to the paint on this part of the car for when I get the paint brought back to like new again, probably in the spring?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ebenezer]

There's matt black vinyl on the front of the rear wheel arches of my QP - presumably, hiding bad road rash - but it's unobtrusive and does the job fairly discretely
Eb

 

[Contigo]

My car has a clear protective vinyl (like PPF) on it around both rear arches, really helps with stone chips and as soon as I get round to fitting some spacers it will help even more!

 

[CatmanV2]

My car has a clear protective vinyl (like PPF) on it around both rear arches, really helps with stone chips and as soon as I get round to fitting some spacers it will help even more!

Standard on the GT

C

 

[Vampyrebat]

My car has a clear protective vinyl (like PPF) on it around both rear arches, really helps with stone chips and as soon as I get round to fitting some spacers it will help even more!

Were these an off-the-shelf product that you fit yourself or did you make them up yourself?.......Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of them to see what they look like if you get a chance.

 

[CatmanV2]

Were these an off-the-shelf product that you fit yourself or did you make them up yourself?.......Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of them to see what they look like if you get a chance.

Standard on the GT:

http://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/m...lds-trims-and-covering-panels-43232/920002085

Part 40

C

 

[drewf]

Standard on the GT

C

Standard on the QP too. Doesn't work though...

 

[bigbob]

Standard on the QP too. Doesn't work though...

+1 for the GranT. it's about a third of the area it needs to be. They didn't bother telling me that when I got the nose film fitted.

 

[cheshiremaserati]

911 guys use a company called Paint Shield (a company that is a sponsor on 911uk).
They have nationwide fitting centres. I've never used them myself but people who have speak highly about their product and service. I can inform you they are not cheap and that was one of the reasons why I did not go for this product after I elected a full front respray on my turbo this year (a car that is very prone to stone chips on the front and the rear three-quarters area shown in the photo).

There are other providers of film protection that you can speak to.

 

[Corranga]

I had paint protection film applied to my Elise 6+ years ago following a respray, and it's lasted really well (though the car has only managed 25-30k miles in this time, they have been fairly hard miles, and the Lotus is probably lower than a GT).

Being in Scotland, the company that fitted it for me is likely too far for you... Defendall in Perth - part of Russell Patterson Morgan (RPM). It cost somewhere around £750 for half front clam, front bonnet, whole sill plus a bit higher, wing mirrors and small pieces on the rear clam too.
Things to keep in mind.. The film will more or less stop chips where it's applied. It obviously won't help where it isn't.
Big stones can tear it.
It can make chips elsewhere stand out more.

I've heard of lots of guys just buying a roll on eBay or similar and self applying. Make a template with some paper / masking tape. Mark and cut the film. Apply with a water and fairy liquid spray to allow it to move around, then use a heat gun or hairdryer to set it (watch youtube videos..) The 3M stuff is supposed to be the best I think.

 

[Stevec63]

Thanks again for all the kind comments re my car. I've been away from home for the last 4 weeks working and have another 2 to go, so am looking forward to getting as many miles done as I can when I get home before the winter sets in.
I came across this company called Custom Coats ( http://www.customcoats.co.uk/ventureshield-paint-protection-film ) that are close to me who use the 3M protection film. I'll be giving them a call when I get home so will come back with what they say and how it goes.

 

[w5pwr]

I had my Stradale done following collection by AutoStore Cambridge and they fitted self-healing Xpel Film and I am very happy with the end result. I have attached a link to the Xpel website who have made stencils for most Maserati's and you can choose which panels you want protecting....

http://www.xpel.com/paint-protectio...rucks/2016/Maserati/Gran_Turismo/Coupe/Sport/


Any approved Xpel fitter will have access to the database and cut their own film.