Stealth Trim vs Platinum Experience

[donfenn]

I have about four months left on my lease and am thinking about getting another Air, possibly with the Stealth trim instead of the Platinum trim on my current car. My only hesitation is that a lot of the Stealth cars I see seem to look a little more tired over time if they are not kept detailed, especially when it comes to wheel dirt, rim rash, and the darker trim pieces. My current car is Fathom Blue with Platinum, and it has honestly been very easy to maintain and keep looking sharp.

For those of you who have lived with the Stealth package for a while, do you have any second thoughts? Are you still happy with it long term, or does it seem to take noticeably more effort than Platinum would to keep it looking good?

 

[socktucker]

Stealth looks amazing but the chrome is plastic and chips off

 

[Chrome]

I have a '25 Stealth with about 25,000 miles. I can comment on wear, but not fading from sun exposure (garage-kept).

One very limited analysis later, I've identified 5 unique Stealth elements on the front of the Air:
[Not my photos]

Part #1: This is an extremely thin layer that coats (what seems to be) a truly-Platinum component. I did not opt for a PPF, and there are a lot of tiny chips in that film at this point. The LUCID script itself is still in good shape, but not perfect.

Part #2: This consists of the lateral light bar. The only damage I've seen here is from the frunk lid contacting the outermost point while opening, leading to a small piece flaking off. It holds up fine, otherwise.

Part #3: More of a matte finish, and still looks great. There's a strip that runs just above the headlights and LIDAR which is very similar.

Part #4: No issues with the DRL/turn signal assembly.

Part #5: Specifically the section that runs beneath the intake vents. Easily the most-damaged part, presumably because its lower height leads to tumbling rock impacts on the interstate. That said, I haven't seen any "peeling"; just dozens of small, silver dots. They're hard to spot unless you're inspecting the car.


My wheels are the 20" Aero Lite. I removed the aero covers as soon as I received the stealth lug caps and center caps; you can request these from your nearest SC. I've heard that the aero covers can cause scratches by the way of the clips that attach them to the wheel. In other words, probably best to remove them immediately or keep them permanently. I preferred to see the rotors & calipers at the cost of range. I get about 400 miles of the 480 advertised.

My mirror caps pick up a ton of bug impacts, but no damage. My roof frame (A-pillar to C-pillar) looks flawless. No issues with the bow. No issues with any rear or side skirt elements.

I don't regret going with Stealth at all. I do regret listening to my local tint shop's suggestion to avoid PPF (they warned me of yellowing and dirt collection on the edges). At the very least, I'd consider covering Parts 1, 2, and 5 if I had another opportunity.

 

[donfenn]

I have a '25 Stealth with about 25,000 miles. I can comment on wear, but not fading from sun exposure (garage-kept).

One very limited analysis later, I've identified 5 unique Stealth elements on the front of the Air:
[Not my photos]

View attachment 38314

Part #1: This is an extremely thin layer that coats (what seems to be) a truly-Platinum component. I did not opt for a PPF, and there are a lot of tiny chips in that film at this point. The LUCID script itself is still in good shape, but not perfect.

Part #2: This consists of the lateral light bar. The only damage I've seen here is from the frunk lid contacting the outermost point while opening, leading to a small piece flaking off. It holds up fine, otherwise.

Part #3: More of a matte finish, and still looks great. There's a strip that runs just above the headlights and LIDAR which is very similar.

Part #4: No issues with the DRL/turn signal assembly.

Part #5: Specifically the section that runs beneath the intake vents. Easily the most-damaged part, presumably because its lower height leads to tumbling rock impacts on the interstate. That said, I haven't seen any "peeling"; just dozens of small, silver dots. They're hard to spot unless you're inspecting the car.


My wheels are the 20" Aero Lite. I removed the aero covers as soon as I received the stealth lug caps and center caps; you can request these from your nearest SC. I've heard that the aero covers can cause scratches by the way of the clips that attach them to the wheel. In other words, probably best to remove them immediately or keep them permanently. I preferred to see the rotors & calipers at the cost of range. I get about 400 miles of the 480 advertised.

My mirror caps pick up a ton of bug impacts, but no damage. My roof frame (A-pillar to C-pillar) looks flawless. No issues with the bow. No issues with any rear or side skirt elements.

I don't regret going with Stealth at all. I do regret listening to my local tint shop's suggestion to avoid PPF (they warned me of yellowing and dirt collection on the edges). At the very least, I'd consider covering Parts 1, 2, and 5 if I had another opportunity.

It appears that you find the stealth to be an added dark chroming or overlay--somewhat susceptible to chipping... whereas the platinum is less vulnerable

 

[Chrome]

It appears that you find the stealth to be an added dark chroming or overlay--somewhat susceptible to chipping... whereas the platinum is less vulnerable

For all I know (since I haven't owned a Platinum model), they're both equally vulnerable. But it essentially comes down to the fact that there's shiny stuff underneath certain Stealth materials on the fascia, whereas I doubt there's dark stuff underneath the Platinum materials. I'd need someone to chime in on what the front of a 25,000mi+ Platinum Air looks like (without PPF).

 

[donfenn]

For all I know (since I haven't owned a Platinum model), they're both equally vulnerable. But it essentially comes down to the fact that there's shiny stuff underneath certain Stealth materials on the fascia, whereas I doubt there's dark stuff underneath the Platinum materials. I'd need someone to chime in on what the front of a 25,000mi+ Platinum Air looks like (without PPF).

I have 24,000 miles on my Platinum air and no noticeable chips or issues on trim... Of course I have a bit bit of curb rash on rims, but nothing that stands out like the rash on black stealth rims...

 

[socktucker]

I have 24,000 miles on my Platinum air and no noticeable chips or issues on trim... Of course I have a bit bit of curb rash on rims, but nothing that stands out like the rash on black stealth rims...

Oh yeah the stealth black rims get IMMEDIATELY damaged by the cars own aero caps. Chipped and scratched day one because of the bad design. I forgot about that.

 

[Adnillien]

For all I know (since I haven't owned a Platinum model), they're both equally vulnerable. But it essentially comes down to the fact that there's shiny stuff underneath certain Stealth materials on the fascia, whereas I doubt there's dark stuff underneath the Platinum materials. I'd need someone to chime in on what the front of a 25,000mi+ Platinum Air looks like (without PPF).

I have 36,000 miles on my Air with platinum trim and there are no issues with it. It still looks great.

 

[Miami_Lucid_Man]

Normally I like the stealth motifs on cars but given the way they seem to deal with the trim pieces here (painting over the chrome), as well as the dulling of the front intake "blade", which is the Air's standout design feature, I actually prefer the non stealth setup for the Air.

 

[MGRMLN]

I generally like the blacked out look on most cars but on the Air, I prefer the Platinum look.
I had the entire front end wrapped in Xpel+ and it's left the front perfect.

 

[socktucker]

I generally like the blacked out look on most cars but on the Air, I prefer the Platinum look.
I had the entire front end wrapped in Xpel+ and it's left the front perfect.

I like it when it makes it a stark two tone. Looks awesome on black and zenith red too. Zenith red platinum was the first Lucid I ever saw and I stopped to talk to her about it because it looked so striking.

 

[bmair]

Definitely a personal preference issue, other than any potential difference in long term wear and tear, which didn't even cross my mind when I bought a month ago. For me, it's stealth all day long.....car looks sportier, more modern, more sleek. I just don't care for a shiny chrome look on anything.