Paint protection and Xpel
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C63s
Paint protection and Xpel
Ok, so car arrives and I'm doing both of the above.....i was told that the xpel should be applied first, but this seems counterintuitive to me... I would think the Opticoat should go first???
Thoughts and experience?
Thoughts and experience?
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C43
The XPEL goes on last to help make it easier to clean the protection.
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I don't even see the point of applying wax to the PPF. It's replaceable, and although it's a lifetime warranty, I'm pretty sure after 2-3 years, it could use a refresh anyways.
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So most of you are saying Xpel only, which is different from my past experiences with OptiCoat. It saved my paint in a few situations, from rocks and from chemicals. But, if you're all saying that I can get the same long term shine and durability from Xpel, then I'll give that a shot...
What have you all paid for a full wrap?
I was quoted $2500 for Tint (photosync) and full front hood, full bumper, full fenders, full rockers.
What have you all paid for a full wrap?
I was quoted $2500 for Tint (photosync) and full front hood, full bumper, full fenders, full rockers.
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I paid $3500 for full Xpel Stealth PPF wrap, bumper to bumper.
I had the unlucky experience of dealing with a semi pulling almost-empty-but-not-quite gravel hoppers, one of which was left open.. spewing gravel across the entire freeway as he trucked along last week.
Constantly heard the gravel pelting my car.. all the cars in front of me were swerving at least 2 lanes away from the truck.
Got to work, did a full inspection.. not one ding. Lots of dusty residue and places where the gravel hit the Xpel dead on.. and pretty much did nothing to my paint and body. I hosed down the car when I got home and walked away.
EDIT: I did get 2 windshield dings, but both ended up on the passenger side so I'm a bit less annoyed.
I had the unlucky experience of dealing with a semi pulling almost-empty-but-not-quite gravel hoppers, one of which was left open.. spewing gravel across the entire freeway as he trucked along last week.
Constantly heard the gravel pelting my car.. all the cars in front of me were swerving at least 2 lanes away from the truck.
Got to work, did a full inspection.. not one ding. Lots of dusty residue and places where the gravel hit the Xpel dead on.. and pretty much did nothing to my paint and body. I hosed down the car when I got home and walked away.
EDIT: I did get 2 windshield dings, but both ended up on the passenger side so I'm a bit less annoyed.
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
I paid $3500 for full Xpel Stealth PPF wrap, bumper to bumper.
I had the unlucky experience of dealing with a semi pulling almost-empty-but-not-quite gravel hoppers, one of which was left open.. spewing gravel across the entire freeway as he trucked along last week.
Constantly heard the gravel pelting my car.. all the cars in front of me were swerving at least 2 lanes away from the truck.
Got to work, did a full inspection.. not one ding. Lots of dusty residue and places where the gravel hit the Xpel dead on.. and pretty much did nothing to my paint and body. I hosed down the car when I got home and walked away.
EDIT: I did get 2 windshield dings, but both ended up on the passenger side so I'm a bit less annoyed.
I had the unlucky experience of dealing with a semi pulling almost-empty-but-not-quite gravel hoppers, one of which was left open.. spewing gravel across the entire freeway as he trucked along last week.
Constantly heard the gravel pelting my car.. all the cars in front of me were swerving at least 2 lanes away from the truck.
Got to work, did a full inspection.. not one ding. Lots of dusty residue and places where the gravel hit the Xpel dead on.. and pretty much did nothing to my paint and body. I hosed down the car when I got home and walked away.
EDIT: I did get 2 windshield dings, but both ended up on the passenger side so I'm a bit less annoyed.
$3500 for the whole car? I got quoted 6k for Xpel Ultimate on the whole car at Sticker City
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Yeah, 3500. The place I took it to is right next to my work, so it was one of those situations where I'd drop it off for the day, and take it home after work. It took two weeks and during that time my car was in various states of gloss/matte and missing emblems. So basically they did it during their downtime.. they're a tint shop.
Material cost is about $1200 for a full roll (60" x 50') so what you're paying for is labor.
Material cost is about $1200 for a full roll (60" x 50') so what you're paying for is labor.
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
Yeah, 3500. The place I took it to is right next to my work, so it was one of those situations where I'd drop it off for the day, and take it home after work. It took two weeks and during that time my car was in various states of gloss/matte and missing emblems. So basically they did it during their downtime.. they're a tint shop.
Material cost is about $1200 for a full roll (60" x 50') so what you're paying for is labor.
Material cost is about $1200 for a full roll (60" x 50') so what you're paying for is labor.
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Which somehow doesn't make much sense to me.. the fact that PPF has a soft upper layer for self-healing, and the coating supposedly hardens whatever surface it's on, seems counter productive.
If the coating products did what they supposedly do, shouldn't it be the other way around as a 'final' protection if something gets through the PPF?
And then your coating would be intact if you had to replace the PPF?
Seems almost like a scam.
If the coating products did what they supposedly do, shouldn't it be the other way around as a 'final' protection if something gets through the PPF?
And then your coating would be intact if you had to replace the PPF?
Seems almost like a scam.
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This is exactly why I posted the question in the first place, because it seems counterintuitive to me and I've been told the same thing - PPF first and then the coating. I don't buy it. Although, I've heard the coating actually soaks into the film, because the film is semi-permeable, and helps to actually enhance it.... But then, once again, it is counter intuitive to me because how does it prevent etching from bird droppings and the like??? I'm just confused...
So for those of you with PPF - have you had problems with etching from bird droppings, chemical etching or does this wipe right off?
So for those of you with PPF - have you had problems with etching from bird droppings, chemical etching or does this wipe right off?
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We love all makes and models.
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
So most of you are saying Xpel only, which is different from my past experiences with OptiCoat. It saved my paint in a few situations, from rocks and from chemicals. But, if you're all saying that I can get the same long term shine and durability from Xpel, then I'll give that a shot...
What have you all paid for a full wrap?
I was quoted $2500 for Tint (photosync) and full front hood, full bumper, full fenders, full rockers.
What have you all paid for a full wrap?
I was quoted $2500 for Tint (photosync) and full front hood, full bumper, full fenders, full rockers.
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
If you do choose to go with a Ceramic Coating, be sure it is applied AFTER your paint protection film has been installed. If you have the coating applied first, and then film on top of the coating, it can cause adhesion issues, which would cause premature lifting of the film. Film first, coating second(if you choose to use a coating)
You are 100% correct
That is a bit low, Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
That price is not bad considering they're doing window tint and rockers for 2500.
You are 100% correct
That is a bit low, Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
That price is not bad considering they're doing window tint and rockers for 2500.
Is there a difference in protection between Stealth (Satin) and Ultimate (gloss)?
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We love all makes and models.
The film STEALTH and ULTIMATE are both 8 mils thick. STEALTH is ULTIMATE with a satin-finish top coat.
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If you do choose to go with a Ceramic Coating, be sure it is applied AFTER your paint protection film has been installed. If you have the coating applied first, and then film on top of the coating, it can cause adhesion issues, which would cause premature lifting of the film. Film first, coating second(if you choose to use a coating)
It would seem that XPEL is more than enough protection in itself that if it required replacement of the film from impact, it's likely a coating wouldn't do anything 'more'.
The glossy XPEL Ultimate PPF seems to provide showroom shine with minimal upkeep already.
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We love all makes and models.
So, while you state that IF you choose to use a coating.. what do you guys think about coatings with your XPEL PPF? Regardless of applied before or after.. is there even a point?
It would seem that XPEL is more than enough protection in itself that if it required replacement of the film from impact, it's likely a coating wouldn't do anything 'more'.
The glossy XPEL Ultimate PPF seems to provide showroom shine with minimal upkeep already.
It would seem that XPEL is more than enough protection in itself that if it required replacement of the film from impact, it's likely a coating wouldn't do anything 'more'.
The glossy XPEL Ultimate PPF seems to provide showroom shine with minimal upkeep already.
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I'm asking if there's even a point to using the coating, as XPEL seems to provide all the protection you'd need...
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We love all makes and models.
Can't speak for all the properties of all the different coatings on the market, but it has the same effect it does on a bare painted surface. So depending on the coating, it will make the film even easier to clean, more hydrophobic, etc. The top coat of the film is an automotive clear, so it will react nearly the same.
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I have also heard that protection film ends up embedding a lot of dirt and debris if you travel frequently on highway with lots of blowing debris. As a result, the front end film needs replacement every 1-2 years.
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Can't speak for all the properties of all the different coatings on the market, but it has the same effect it does on a bare painted surface. So depending on the coating, it will make the film even easier to clean, more hydrophobic, etc. The top coat of the film is an automotive clear, so it will react nearly the same.
Thanks. I'll stick with your product exclusively and just replace the sections that need replacing over the years.
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Indeed, it seems counter-intuitive to provide protection to the protection.
I have also heard that protection film ends up embedding a lot of dirt and debris if you travel frequently on highway with lots of blowing debris. As a result, the front end film needs replacement every 1-2 years.
I have also heard that protection film ends up embedding a lot of dirt and debris if you travel frequently on highway with lots of blowing debris. As a result, the front end film needs replacement every 1-2 years.
