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      08-28-2016, 08:53 AM   #1
doug_999
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Xpel Questions

To be honest, I always thought of Xpel as something akin to the clear vinyl covers my grandmother used to have on her dining room chairs.

Then my friend had it done to his 911.

I honestly could not even tell where it was done it was so perfect. And from what I've read, it really helps with the stone chips and what not.

But...
Does the rest of the car (that is not coated) fade differently? Obviously you can't wax it (well you can, but the wax won't touch the paint). So long term, do you end up with a car that looks .... weird?

My dealer (St. Louis) says he doesn't even have a source for it - as nobody does it.

and... I realize that posting this in the M2 forum is a strange place but you guys all seem to be doing it to your cars

PS - my M2 will replace my 650GC as my daily driver here in Chicago.
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      08-28-2016, 09:25 AM   #2
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From an xpel faq:

"Will XPEL ULTIMATE make the paint underneath the film fade at a different rate?"
No. XPEL ULTIMATE Paint Protection Film allows UV to pass through the film and fade the paint underneath at the same rate as the exposed paint.
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      08-28-2016, 10:03 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dabozo View Post
From an xpel faq:

"Will XPEL ULTIMATE make the paint underneath the film fade at a different rate?"
No. XPEL ULTIMATE Paint Protection Film allows UV to pass through the film and fade the paint underneath at the same rate as the exposed paint.
exactly - and that is what I worry about. The non-xpel area will be waxed and looking much better than the area that is "protected" and unable to be waxed.
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      08-28-2016, 10:08 AM   #4
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Go with something like this. Great protection and all paint fades the same. Note: some users report slight effect on drivability.
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      08-28-2016, 10:17 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
exactly - and that is what I worry about. The non-xpel area will be waxed and looking much better than the area that is "protected" and unable to be waxed.
Not everyone does it, but you can put a sealant like Opticoat or CQuartz finest on top of Xpel or 3M, and won't harm the film. Gives another layer of protection on the painted and film covered surfaces. On my previous cars that I've done this to there is no difference in the look between the different areas after 4 years.

I actually just picked up my car after getting Xpel on the full front end, and a synthetic glass coating over the entire car. Finish is super slick to the touch and wet looking...car stays cleaner between washes...bug guts wipes off with a tiny bit of quick detailer and no scrubbing

[IMG][/IMG]
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      08-28-2016, 10:17 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtodd_fl View Post
Go with something like this. Great protection and all paint fades the same. Note: some users report slight effect on drivability.
lol
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      08-28-2016, 11:10 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI View Post
Not everyone does it, but you can put a sealant like Opticoat or CQuartz finest on top of Xpel or 3M, and won't harm the film. Gives another layer of protection on the painted and film covered surfaces. On my previous cars that I've done this to there is no difference in the look between the different areas after 4 years.

I actually just picked up my car after getting Xpel on the full front end, and a synthetic glass coating over the entire car. Finish is super slick to the touch and wet looking...car stays cleaner between washes...bug guts wipes off with a tiny bit of quick detailer and no scrubbing

[IMG][/IMG]
wow...looking good! need sunglasses just to look at that pic
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      08-28-2016, 11:34 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI View Post
Not everyone does it, but you can put a sealant like Opticoat or CQuartz finest on top of Xpel or 3M, and won't harm the film. Gives another layer of protection on the painted and film covered surfaces. On my previous cars that I've done this to there is no difference in the look between the different areas after 4 years.

I actually just picked up my car after getting Xpel on the full front end, and a synthetic glass coating over the entire car. Finish is super slick to the touch and wet looking...car stays cleaner between washes...bug guts wipes off with a tiny bit of quick detailer and no scrubbing

[IMG][/IMG]
What glass coat did you go with?
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      08-28-2016, 11:53 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TucErDoc View Post
What glass coat did you go with?
I've had Opticoat on the car before which I liked, but this time decided to go with a coating with more silica in it, called 22PLE. Looks different...more glossy / wet look
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      08-28-2016, 11:54 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Dabozo View Post
wow...looking good! need sunglasses just to look at that pic
Thanks! In the sunshine yesterday it was gleaming....
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      08-28-2016, 02:04 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtodd_fl View Post
Go with something like this. Great protection and all paint fades the same. Note: some users report slight effect on drivability.
Lol. That's so awesome.
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      08-28-2016, 02:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI
Quote:
Originally Posted by doug_999 View Post
exactly - and that is what I worry about. The non-xpel area will be waxed and looking much better than the area that is "protected" and unable to be waxed.
Not everyone does it, but you can put a sealant like Opticoat or CQuartz finest on top of Xpel or 3M, and won't harm the film. Gives another layer of protection on the painted and film covered surfaces. On my previous cars that I've done this to there is no difference in the look between the different areas after 4 years.

I actually just picked up my car after getting Xpel on the full front end, and a synthetic glass coating over the entire car. Finish is super slick to the touch and wet looking...car stays cleaner between washes...bug guts wipes off with a tiny bit of quick detailer and no scrubbing

[IMG][/IMG]
This does look fantastic. Did you actually have the 22ple put over the Xpel as well? This looks great and surprisingly inexpensive for what you are getting.
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      08-28-2016, 02:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtodd_fl View Post
This does look fantastic. Did you actually have the 22ple put over the Xpel as well? This looks great and surprisingly inexpensive for what you are getting.
Yes, that's right. So the things I had done at the detailer was:
  • Minor paint correction to polish out some swirls left by the dealership PDI process
  • Xpel on the front end, so bumper, full hood and fenders
  • 22PLE over the whole car

In the end maintenance is easier since you don't have to wash it as much, and as long as you take a two bucket approach to washing, keeps the car looking shiny and swirl free.
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      08-28-2016, 02:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtodd_fl View Post
This does look fantastic. Did you actually have the 22ple put over the Xpel as well? This looks great and surprisingly inexpensive for what you are getting.
Yes, that's right. So the things I had done at the detailer was:
  • Minor paint correction to polish out some swirls left by the dealership PDI process
  • Xpel on the front end, so bumper, full hood and fenders
  • 22PLE over the whole car

In the end maintenance is easier since you don't have to wash it as much, and as long as you take a two bucket approach to washing, keeps the car looking shiny and swirl free.
Thanks. Two bucket approach obviously. What are we, animals?
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      08-28-2016, 02:57 PM   #15
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Mate do the whole car with Xpel and you wont regret it.

I had also few layers of CQuartz, and it really donesn't make much difference.

Xpel can be waxed if you wish, but it wont make much difference if you skip that part, as the wrap is so easy to maintenance that you wont believe it.

I had two track days sessions going bumper to bumper with rocks flying into my front bumper, and not a single mark can be seen on it so far.

Few weeks ago bloody garbage truck unparked into me, and it broke my rear right light and made a dent on bumper and few deep scratches on xpel wrap.

We removed the wrap, color was undamaged, heated the bumper to fix the dent, put a new xpel back on it, and it was like nothing happened.

Insurance covered everything and I didn't have to go through painful process of repainting of whole bumper at the stealership... and being without a car for weeks...

After damage:





After fixing it:

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      08-28-2016, 04:15 PM   #16
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You all should apply Xpel or Suntek to the front of your car. You cannot tell at all if installed properly - installation is the key. Also, you WAX the Xpel or Suntek just as you do the car. Thus, no "differnce" visibly at all. You will be glad you did it. I always install on front clip, hood, front fenders, mirrors, and rocker panels. No damage on my GT4 and well worth the $1,200 to $1,400.
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      08-28-2016, 06:45 PM   #17
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Dont install it if the paintwork is less than 90 days old. The paint has to release the gas within itself through its pores.
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      08-28-2016, 06:47 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Makman View Post
Dont install it if the paintwork is less than 90 days old. The paint has to release the gas within itself through its pores.
I have never heard of this, every detailer I have ever spoken to said get it as quickly as possible because 90 days you can already tear apart the front end with rock chips and would defeat the purpose..
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      08-28-2016, 10:58 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Makman View Post
Dont install it if the paintwork is less than 90 days old. The paint has to release the gas within itself through its pores.
Sorry but this is not an accurate statement according to the manufacture. Also modern paints cure in less than few days from the factory.
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      08-29-2016, 12:56 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pruettfan View Post
Sorry but this is not an accurate statement according to the manufacture. Also modern paints cure in less than few days from the factory.
Hi pruettfan, I see your in Arizona and I am hoping you can you recommend a shop in Phoenix that does Xpel for a reasonable price? My car should be delivered in October and I'm flying in to pick it up but don't want to drive it back to California without getting it protected. I have done some searches on Yelp but was hoping for a forum members opinion on where to go for the best price.
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      08-29-2016, 01:49 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI View Post
I've had Opticoat on the car before which I liked, but this time decided to go with a coating with more silica in it, called 22PLE. Looks different...more glossy / wet look
That's one of the nicest photos of an M2 I've ever seen. The wet look finish is amazing. May I ask how much it cost for the 22PLE ? Is that the name of the brand or is it a treatment offered by Opticoat ?
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      08-29-2016, 02:18 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pruettfan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Makman View Post
Dont install it if the paintwork is less than 90 days old. The paint has to release the gas within itself through its pores.
Sorry but this is not an accurate statement according to the manufacture. Also modern paints cure in less than few days from the factory.

Give me your source of info, and I will give you mine.

Mine is from a chemist working with cars and detailing.

(larry kosilla, ammonyc. Has a huge youtube-channel thats only about detailing. He also has a phD in chemistry)




watch the first four min and thank me l8
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