Best paint protection (sealant/ceramic/PPF/wrap/GOOP)

[CarlSeattle]

Trying to find the best protective coating to cover the dull, matt paint on my '94 80. This is my huntin' rig/BOV, and I am trying to protect it against light brush scratches, lots of rain, mud, etc.

The paint is not shiny now, it never will be shiny, I don't want it to be shiny...so please don't suggest wax or some other shiny product. I'm looking for PROTECTION.

I've searched here and found a lot of threads from 100 and 200 model owners talking about how they want to spend their weekends lovingly buffing their hoods to be-dazzle astronauts in low-Earth-orbit....that's not me. I'm looking for some thick goop that will stick like...glue to my paint and fight like **** against any brush or rain or sun that dares come near my favorite attack wagon. Ideas?

Here's my rig. You can see how very, very important shiny paint is to me

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Why not use a product like monstaliner or other liner. It works great for me and I think we are both in the same category.

Although if there was a product that would make it easier to wash mud off the vehicle that would be something I would also be interested in.

 

[baldilocks]

Monstaliner rolls on and the finish is like an orange peal to a little bit courser. The finish is hard and cures to dull sheen that hoses/washes off quite easily. It will take some hard hits and bend with the body. However, I have caused some damage to mine where the monstaliner came of and brought the factory paint with it. If the liner comes off it always brings the paint with it. It’s bonds very tightly. If you won’t be bouncing off of rocks that should never be a problem. I’m in south west Washington and go out boonie bashing deep in the Gifford Pinchot forest forcing my way down over grown forest roads rubbing against large branches hard and the monstaliner has held up well to that sort of abuse. It’s a tough “paint job” you can apply in your driveway for $250-$300. You’ll need a two galling kit and also order several extra rollers and read up on the application process anywhere you can find info first. There is a “monstalined 80’s thread” here on Mud.

 

[WhitePhoenix]

Have to agree with the guys above. A sealant/ceramic coating won't offer you protection on your paint from scratches, they only help with a longer duration to protect your paint from the fading of the sun/dirt accumulation/making washes easier if properly maintained. A PPF (aka clear bra) is what you would be looking for to help protect from minor scratches, only issues is that it won't stop a good nick from a branches; mostly the very minor pin stripping your see from peoples excursions. PPF is also quite expensive to have installed professionally, around the 500 starting but prob more with the size of our vehicles and that is if a shop will do it with the damage I see you have sustained in the photo. Generally shops installing PPFs have typical customers with higher end exotics and top of the line luxury imports (G wagons, C63 amg's, etc) so pricing will match that kind of customer base.