This RDX did not come in for a small clear-bra job. The owner wanted to keep the Liquid Carbon Metallic color but take away the factory shine.
He lives in Ukrainian Village and drives through West Town, downtown Chicago, and I-90/I-94. We did the work at our shop at 2720 W Grand Ave B, Chicago, IL 60612, inside Tinting Chicago.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | 2025 Acura RDX A-Spec Advance |
| Factory color | Liquid Carbon Metallic |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder |
| Power | 272 hp |
| Drivetrain | Super Handling All-Wheel Drive |
| Length | 187.4 in |
| Width | 74.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Main use | Daily city use and highway trips |
| Owner area | Ukrainian Village |
| Shop | 2720 W Grand Ave B, Chicago |
| Package | Full Car PPF |
| Film | LLumar Platinum Matte |
| Finish | Matte Liquid Carbon Metallic |
The 2025 RDX has a 272-hp turbo engine, a 10-speed automatic, and standard SH-AWD. The A-Spec Advance also has 20-inch Shark Gray wheels, Jewel Eye LED headlights, and dark exterior trim. Acura listed this trim from $55,050. The SUV is 187.4 inches long and 74.8 inches wide.
When you book a Full Front or Full Car PPF Wrap
The issue was not with Liquid Carbon Metallic. In shade it appears dark gray, but in direct sun it looks lighter. The color was liked by the owner.
He wished there was less glare on the hood, doors, and back sides of the car. He didn’t want vinyl or a complete color change. He wanted the Acura paint to have a smoother finish and offer real impact protection.
That’s why matte PPF was a good choice.
Owners of RDX vehicles are aware of the areas where wear and tear may appear first. The nose is broad. Above a big grille, there is a hood. The bumper has many bends and holes. The Dark A-Spec trim may display wash marks, and the glossy black pillars should be cleaned with caution.
One owner in a Reddit thread about a new RDX wrote:
“Paint protection film will help to prevent stone chips.”
The same post says ceramic coating helps more with wash care than with rock hits. Read the RDX discussion on Reddit.
The first choice was Full Front PPF. It will protect the front bumper, entire hood, complete front fenders, and the headlights.
That package would be suitable for clear gloss film. Matte film didn’t work.
The hood and fenders will be matte while the doors will be glossy. The back part of the RDX would maintain its original shiny condition. The finish would stop at the line in front of the door when viewed from the side.
Full Car PPF solved that issue. Each painted part of the car has a matte finish, from the front to the back.
The cost for our Full Front PPF for a CUV is currently around $1,800. Full car paint protection film for a crossover starts at around $5,500. Of course, the total price may increase because of the film, paint preparation, panel shape, and additional trim work. So, the typical price range of $5,000 to $10,000.
| Option | Coverage | Look | Price point | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Front Clear | Front only | Factory gloss | From $1,800 | Wrong look |
| Full Car Clear | Painted body | Factory gloss | From $5,500 | No finish change |
| Full Car Matte | Painted body | Matte factory color | $5,500 and up | Selected |
| Color PPF | Painted body | New color | Custom quote | Too much change |
See real PPF installations on individual body panels. We show our process, common errors, and professional tips so you know exactly how your vehicle is protected.
The owner wanted to know if ceramic coating could give him the same result for a lower cost.
You’ve probably heard that a ceramic coating helps protect your car from water, dirt, insects, bird droppings, and during washing. Still, it doesn’t provide the same level of protection against gravel or light contact.
A lot of Acura owners often talk about that difference. One person wrote in a RDX thread:
“If you want to protect your paint from rock chips and scratches, you need paint protection film.”
A professional ceramic piece usually ranges from $600 to $2,500 in cost. It costs less than full PPF, but it serves a different purpose.
This amazing film changes shiny paint to a smooth finish while keeping the original color visible! The top layer of HydroGard repels water and prevents stains. LLumar provides protection from things on the road like rocks, salt, dirt, bugs, and oil. It fit this RDX for three simple reasons:
Matte film needs the right care. A shiny polish should not be used on one spot because it can leave an uneven patch. The owner will use a safe hand wash and remove hard stains early.
A new Acura can still arrive with light wash marks. Dealer prep and tunnel washes may leave swirls, mainly on dark paint and gloss-black parts.
That issue came up in a Reddit post about a new RDX. One owner said:
“The piano black will scratch with rubbing a microfiber on it.”
Another commenter suggested paint correction and PPF. We found a few light wash marks on this RDX, so our team corrected them before film went on. PPF should not seal visible defects under the surface.
The gloss-black pillars stayed glossy. They are trim, not painted body panels in the standard Full Car package. The owner liked that contrast and did not add a trim package.
Our West Town shop at 2720 W Grand Ave B serves Ukrainian Village, Noble Square, West Loop, and nearby Chicago areas.
The install list was short and busy:
The RDX has sharp lines around the fenders and doors. Matte film can show poor panel-to-panel matching, so we checked the finish from several angles.
“If I had a car like that, I would do the same thing as this guy. The luxury looks amazing, so I would do whatever it takes to keep it. For this car, I kept the Liquid Carbon color, but took the shine down across the whole body. Full-car matte was the only way to make it look right from every side.” – Yurii, PPF Installer
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