Re: "TIL! Thanks for sharing"

• Honestly, im super satisfied with:
• STEK DYNOshield PPF for more gloss than others.
• WeatherTech MudFlaps No-Drill DigitalFit because they dont look tacky.

Like someone mentioned, black GM paint is notoriously soft. To stay under 3k, I would suggest focusing on the high-impact zones first:

• Apply SunTek Reaction Paint Protection Film to the bumper. It has a hydrophobic top coat which saves you from coating it later.
• Use Gyeon Q2 CanCoat EVO for the rest. It is way more forgiving on huge panels than high-solids ceramics.
• Get WeatherTech FloorLiner HP to protect the carpets before your trip.

In my experience with big black SUVs, that massive front end is a total rock magnet. Over the years, I've tried many DIY coatings on my old trucks, but for an Escalade, you really want film on that hood. Just go with XPEL for the front clip and skip the full wrap tho. For mud guards, honestly just get some from WeatherTech... they blend in way better than you'd think.

Quick reply while I have a sec. Honestly, black GM paint is a nightmare for marring, so you definitely need to be careful with DIY coatings on a panel that massive. I tried to do my own Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra 10H Ceramic on a Yukon XL last year and the flashing was so fast in the humidity that I ended up with high spots everywhere. It was a total disaster to buff out. If your budget is 3k, you might want to consider prioritizing the film. A pro-grade PPF like 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series on the full hood and fenders is basically mandatory for Dallas highways. For the mud guards, the Husky Liners Custom Molded Mud Guards actually fit the body lines better than the Cadillac OEM ones without looking bulky or tacky. TL;DR: Focus 85 percent of your budget on a professional front clip PPF install. Get the WeatherTech FloorLiner HP Black for your trip and skip the pro ceramic for now so you dont blow your 3k limit.

TIL! Thanks for sharing

Ugh, congrats on the ride but man, black paint is just a soul-crushing experience. I tried a DIY job on my last big rig and unfortunately it turned into a total streaky mess... really wasnt as good as I expected it to be. For a truck that size, youre gonna spend forever trying to get it perfect and probably regret it halfway through.

• Honestly just search Reddit for the black paint detailing threads, people there are obsessed.
• Check the Cadillac site for the accessory install guides to see if those guards look weird.
• Look for that one YouTube channel that does the 2024 Escalade walkthroughs. Basically just search for 2024 Escalade exterior protection on YouTube and its like the first result. It shows exactly why DIY is a bad idea for that massive hood... i think i saw a video on it just the other day. Good luck tho.