tenaciousFD

Look into a product called ArmorCoat. It's a spray on permanent clear bra. I have it on the front end of the S including the lip. The only issue is that you have to remove all of it to repair any minor paint damage since it can not be blended or painted over.

Zacreth

I know of a guy that had his GT3 done at a shop in Ohio. The whole car was done and it was flat black so you really couldn't tell it was on the car. At least from pictures of what I saw.

Black Knight

Sounds like a decent idea and I have thought of the same thing before, but I have yet to put 3M film on any car I've owned because I don't think it lets the real color and gloss of the paint be seen, plus you can see the seams if entire panels aren't covered and I don't think that looks good.
I echo the statement that cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed, and in the process a few rock chips are going to happen no matter how careful you are. The factory paint quality is a big factor as well--I've never been impressed w/ Honda/Acura paint, and have seen many chips on the 6 Honda/Acura vehicles I've owned, much more than I would think should occur. The GLK is the first Mercedes I've owned, and the paint quality on it is FAR superior to my S2000, so it's to bad that Honda's paint process doesn't stack up (the 3 Acura's I've owned were just as bad or worse than the Hondas, something I don't think should happen w/ a "luxury" brand)

How do you take care of the 3M film when it's on the car? Waxing, etc.? Does it scratch up and have swirl marks like paint?

dammitjim

There is another 3M product you can get that goes over the clear bra to protect it.

Sabre

Why not just foil-tape the car into a whole new color.
That way it's protected AND "new"

yes I know this is a repost
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/06/bmw-own...ar-to-white/#at

TommyDeVito

First of all, get VentureShield, it's better than the 3M shit as that shit yellows.

2nd, a friend does all my bikes (clear bra) and cars. I did the hood, front bumper, mirrors, quarter panels behind the wheels, and a few other places on my STi. While completing my car, Trey got a call from a new GTR owner who wanted the whole car done. He complained about the price as he thought $1500 was enough to do the whole car (material costs that much or more) but in the end he paid Trey's price and did it. Trey has done whole cars before but mostly Ferrari's and Lambo's.

As others mentioned above, just get your key areas done. You can do the whole car but you are going to be $2000+ for that kind of work. IMO, it's not worth it unless it's some rare exotica like an Enzo, McLaren, etc.