[Veydrin]

So the days are getting closer and within 4-6 weeks I should have my new M2. I just had 2 different contractors come out to look at getting a carport or detached garage built, but because of it being a historical craftsman home and particular city code I may not be able to get a structure built. I was going to do track PPF and ceramic coating but now might just do full PPF. I've heard on these forums to avoid any sort of car cover since even if you buy one that says scratch proof it can still scratch. Without a garage or carport I'm looking for more advice here on what I can do for protection besides the PPF and ceramic coating. Thanks in advance!

[ednir98]

I've been using a car cover on mine in the garage and it hasn't been scratching. It's black too so I would definitely notice.

[KC87ZB]

Car covers work great but you have to ensure car and cover are both clean when they come in contact or there will be scratches. Here are my thoughts for your situation.

Paint scratch protection - only thing really you can do is a full PPF. If not worried about anything coming in contact with the car then less than full PPF is reasonable.

Ceramic Coat - I would get a very high quality ceramic coat installed, including wheels and glass. Lots of options and costs associated with them. Won't protect against scratches but makes getting it back to clean really easy.

Tint - Tint the glass and seriously consider windshield (non tinted) protection. Should be high quality ceramic tinting in your environment. This will seriously help with interior heat and breakdown of plastics.

Tint and ceramic coating are about UV protection and ability to easily clean the car with minimal possible scratching.

Since you live in Florida I'm sure you were planning to tint anyway so in my mind ceramic coat is the thing you need to add.

As with anything I put on these forums - these are just my opinions.

[Whytar]

Agree with the above regarding PPF and ceramic. Also, if you keep your car outside in the elements all the time, it helps to be smart about where you park it.
I NEVER park under trees (falling branches, debris and of course bird crap).
Don't leave your car in hot sun for long periods either.

Then, because the car is getting dirtier quicker than a garaged car, washing it more regularly is important. (Using a proper 2 bucket hand wash method of course).
Again, as above - just my $0.02 worth.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Whytar

Agree with the above regarding PPF and ceramic. Also, if you keep your car outside in the elements all the time, it helps to be smart about where you park it.
I NEVER park under trees (falling branches, debris and of course bird crap).
Don't leave your car in hot sun for long periods either.

Then, because the car is getting dirtier quicker than a garaged car, washing it more regularly is important. (Using a proper 2 bucket hand wash method of course).
Again, as above - just my $0.02 worth.

Also recommend using a foam cannon and a product like Gyeon Foam pre wash which helps remove the layer of dirts/pollen/dust/sand etc.

[Mech Spec]

You could put up a temporary car port. Eyesore but in most places they can't really tell you not to.

Problem is, they are usually pretty narrow making long coupe doors pretty damn hard to get in/out.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Mech Spec

You could put up a temporary car port. Eyesore but in most places they can't really tell you not to.

Problem is, they are usually pretty narrow making long coupe doors pretty damn hard to get in/out.

OP lives in Florida. If they live in an HOA community they absolutely can and most likely will say you can't have it.

[Mech Spec]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

OP lives in Florida. If they live in an HOA community they absolutely can and most likely will say you can't have it.

Yeah I kind of inferred from the mention of historical craftsman means no HOA.

The issue seems to be with city code, and temporary structures usually fall outside building restrictions.

[Kayger12]

Ended up in the same boat. After having a two car garage my entire adult life, we bought a house on the water that I absolutely love, but... no garage. Local code precludes a carport, detached garage, or adding one to the main structure.

So here's the unfiltered review if you're an anal-retentive car person like I am....

It sucks.

I'm able to park her where she's in the shade for the peak sun time of the day and there are no trees around, but I feel like the car is just always dirty.

I hand wash her once a week (two bucket), and feel like she's good for about 5 minutes, lol. The only thing I can equate it to is owning a black car. Car cover isn't an option here as it's windy a lot of the time and I feel like that would beat the sh!t out of the paint more than just the daily exposure to the elements.

That said, I figure I'm living on the water, have my boat in my back yard, and I'm driving an M2. That helps make it suck a little less.

But it still sucks.

[ourlee]

No boat pic, not cool bro

[Kayger12]

Originally Posted by ourlee

No boat pic, not cool bro

Lol, my bad. Nothing crazy. '22 World Cat 255DC.

[Mech Spec]

Big boats are big work. That looks like a great time.

[ourlee]

I love it very much.


.

I use this to bar hop on the c&d canal..

[techwhiz1]

If you can't build a carport, there are temporary garages that are pressurized.

There is always the temp car port like at costco. Not attached and no permits normally needed

[motorknut]

I’ve seen my neighbors use this umbrella style shield for their cars that are parked on the street. It has suction mounts for the car roof, and secondary secure tie ropes.

We get a lot of sun where I live, and the UV is terrible on rubber trim/seals and even the paint. Any additional protection helps.

You can find these on AliExpress, in manual or automatic versions. I’ve never tried it, but a few of my friends do use them.

[Mech Spec]

LMFAO!!!

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by Mech Spec

LMFAO!!!

Car hat!!!!😂🤣😂🤣

[KC87ZB]

That's hilarious. I don't recall what winds are like in Tampa but no way that would stay attached here in Kansas City. I park my MC outside during the summer, covered, and it was so windy here last spring that it pulled the bike over and pulled it down the driveway.

[Kamryn007]

get a inflatable paint booth and use it

[Veydrin]

Thank you guys all for the recommendations. That car hat is hilarious lol. So I'm going with 12mil suntek full PPF that has ceramic coating in the film too (12 year warranty) along with ceramic tinting to include the windshield. Shop is going to PPF all my carbon parts separately and then install them too so that's nice. No HOA on the home but yea super strict code. Gonna brave the elements for a bit and prob get that foam cannon too and wash my car a lot lol.

[Veydrin]

Also, sweet boat!