Windshield phobia
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,153
Likes: 1,767
From: Colorado
G550
It's the glass. My 2016 Jeep Wrangler has been hit 4 times really hard and none of the chips will spread so I can have it replaced. My G was hit by a grain of rice and it spread top to bottom within 2 miles. The G cost $3400 to replace. The Jeep is only about $300 -- I might just pay for it myself at the end of winter.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 84
From: Utah and California
2024 G 63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
My G 63 windshield got hit with a rock large enough that it caught my eye just before it hit (sounded like a gun shot). The windshield was undamaged (small marf in the film). But, I got hit a second time with a similar rock, and this time it cracked the windshield. My car insurance (State Farm $0 deductible comprehensive) paid for the new windshield. Still a hassle, but I would have had to do it twice without Exoshield.
It's the glass. My 2016 Jeep Wrangler has been hit 4 times really hard and none of the chips will spread so I can have it replaced. My G was hit by a grain of rice and it spread top to bottom within 2 miles. The G cost $3400 to replace. The Jeep is only about $300 -- I might just pay for it myself at the end of winter.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 274
Likes: 167
From: USA
G63, F12, 911 50th
Talking to different local detailers, seems like I have choices between Clearplex, Exoshield, and XPEL as mentioned above now has their own windshield protection film
Will definitely try one of the above after a 2nd glass replacement in as many years, and it being a pain to replace and then re-tint the windshield etc every time
Will definitely try one of the above after a 2nd glass replacement in as many years, and it being a pain to replace and then re-tint the windshield etc every time
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 84
From: Utah and California
2024 G 63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
Let us know what you learn about Xpel windshield film. I was interested in trying Xpel, but it wasn't available last year, so I wanted to use Exoshield again because I was satisfied with the performance from my previous G 63. But, the shop I was going to use had some kind of relationship with Xpel, and they discouraged them from using Exoshield. I ended up using Ultrafit because nobody near me had Exoshield at the time for some reason. I haven't had any rock hits...yet, so I don't know how well Ultrafit will work.
Talking to different local detailers, seems like I have choices between Clearplex, Exoshield, and XPEL as mentioned above now has their own windshield protection film
Will definitely try one of the above after a 2nd glass replacement in as many years, and it being a pain to replace and then re-tint the windshield etc every time
Will definitely try one of the above after a 2nd glass replacement in as many years, and it being a pain to replace and then re-tint the windshield etc every time
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 305
Likes: 127
C63BS, G63, Ferrari Challenge Stradale, Ferrari 458, and others
I wasn't aware of Xpel window film but have their PPF on couple of my cars - will have to try it on my next car. I have Clearplex on one of my Ferrari's and it has saved my windshield several times but the first install had major distortion so installer had to redo it. I think this was due to install and not the product itself. I have Expel on my Black Series and prefer it over Clearplex in terms of film being less obvious from driver point of view.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 84
From: Utah and California
2024 G 63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
I've had Clearplex on my 458 Speciale for 10 years (and 7,000 miles). Perfect. No distortion at all. I like Xpel Stealth PPF on my G 63 Black Magno paint. I can't see the film at all, even though I know it's there! I was also very happy with Exoshield windshield film on my 2020 G 63 (perfect...no distortion). I bet Xpel windshield film will be good. It's been around for about a year, so there should be user feedback by now.
I wasn't aware of Xpel window film but have their PPF on couple of my cars - will have to try it on my next car. I have Clearplex on one of my Ferrari's and it has saved my windshield several times but the first install had major distortion so installer had to redo it. I think this was due to install and not the product itself. I have Expel on my Black Series and prefer it over Clearplex in terms of film being less obvious from driver point of view.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 274
Likes: 167
From: USA
G63, F12, 911 50th
Talked with my XPEL detailer and he said for the G because the windshield is easy glass to work with, he actually recommends Clearplex above all other products for protection
Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside
Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside
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Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 205
Likes: 56
From: Kentucky
2021 G63; 2018 Aston Martin DB11
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 282
Likes: 70
2017 C63S Coupe
My local Exoshield installer does not recommend film on the inside and Exoshield on the outside. Said layering films can cause issues? Exoshield blocks UV like tint/film (protects dash) but does not block heat like tint/film (kind of a bummer). Anyway, if I have to choose, I'll be doing Exo
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 84
From: Utah and California
2024 G 63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
Good feedback. I had good experiences with ClearPlex, but it's sometimes difficult to find an installer. Same with Exoshield. Very good experience with their windshield protection film, but sometimes hard to find an installer.
Talked with my XPEL detailer and he said for the G because the windshield is easy glass to work with, he actually recommends Clearplex above all other products for protection
Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside
Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 278
Likes: 84
From: Utah and California
2024 G 63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
I had Exoshield windshield protection film on my 2020 G 63 for four years, and I never had any issues at all. Everything worked fine.
Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 77
Likes: 51
25 G63
Talked with my XPEL detailer and he said for the G because the windshield is easy glass to work with, he actually recommends Clearplex above all other products for protection
Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside
Once my windshield is fixed and cured, will be going with re-tinting interior 80% tint and then add Clearplex to outside
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 274
Likes: 167
From: USA
G63, F12, 911 50th
My local Exoshield installer does not recommend film on the inside and Exoshield on the outside. Said layering films can cause issues? Exoshield blocks UV like tint/film (protects dash) but does not block heat like tint/film (kind of a bummer). Anyway, if I have to choose, I'll be doing Exo
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 60
Likes: 27
From: Jupiter, FL
2025 G550 - Twilight Blue with Night Package. 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
Well, I have officially joined the cracked windshield club today. With only 392 miles on the odometer of my 2025, a small chip developed after something hit it on way home from Atlanta airport, and just looked again and it is now over 1 1/2 feet long. Just e-mailed my dealer service department to get information on replacement cost/logistics. Hadn't had time to get the exoshield with Holidays/travel/etc. Looks like I will be submitting my first insurance claim, ever.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 406
Likes: 75
From: TX & HI
1998 Land Cruiser, 2003 SL500, 2024 G63
I found out that I only had interior tint and no exterior protection! So having the XPEL dealer install it during my annual check.
Pretty nice, they are replacing all of the panels that have any bubbles in them. I have a couple in the crease areas. They are removing the entire piece and reinstalling. Then ceramic coating the vehicle. All under warranty!
Just paying for the windshield protection and where a rock went through the film on the passenger side A pillar.
Pretty nice, they are replacing all of the panels that have any bubbles in them. I have a couple in the crease areas. They are removing the entire piece and reinstalling. Then ceramic coating the vehicle. All under warranty!
Just paying for the windshield protection and where a rock went through the film on the passenger side A pillar.
Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 165
Likes: 26
Gl450
Exo
I have exoshield for over a year. I don’t drive the G as often and can’t say if it has protected the glass or not from any rocks yet. But there is no issue with visibility and one can’t tell it is there. Only issue I ran in to was wiper chatter. That got solved by replacing them with windy wipers 
. Thanks to @dcarrer0 .
. Thanks to @dcarrer0 .
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 274
Likes: 167
From: USA
G63, F12, 911 50th
Still weighing this out and doing my own research. All Clearplex installers (which have said it is the best given all pros and cons) have said it needs to be replaced every 12-18 months which is pretty crazy to me, as UV light causes it to yellow and get opaque... no one has come out and said this is a great solution for Wagons, its protection vs cost of replacing this every 12-18 months and keeping it waxed for the wiper blades, etc... surprising!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 406
Likes: 75
From: TX & HI
1998 Land Cruiser, 2003 SL500, 2024 G63
Still weighing this out and doing my own research. All Clearplex installers (which have said it is the best given all pros and cons) have said it needs to be replaced every 12-18 months which is pretty crazy to me, as UV light causes it to yellow and get opaque... no one has come out and said this is a great solution for Wagons, its protection vs cost of replacing this every 12-18 months and keeping it waxed for the wiper blades, etc... surprising!
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 205
Likes: 56
From: Kentucky
2021 G63; 2018 Aston Martin DB11
Still weighing this out and doing my own research. All Clearplex installers (which have said it is the best given all pros and cons) have said it needs to be replaced every 12-18 months which is pretty crazy to me, as UV light causes it to yellow and get opaque... no one has come out and said this is a great solution for Wagons, its protection vs cost of replacing this every 12-18 months and keeping it waxed for the wiper blades, etc... surprising!
Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 77
Likes: 51
25 G63
How much was the XPEL install and how long did it take if you don't mind me asking?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 406
Likes: 75
From: TX & HI
1998 Land Cruiser, 2003 SL500, 2024 G63
PS: same day to overnight. They said they needed make sure that they got the window spotless before applying the film including using a razor blade if needed.
Last edited by SLS; Jan 10, 2025 at 03:42 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 274
Likes: 167
From: USA
G63, F12, 911 50th
YMMV, I'm just relaying what 3 different well reviewed shops told me over the phone, and now personally evaluating pros vs cons as I'm on my 2nd full glass replacement in as many years for a G63...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 305
Likes: 127
C63BS, G63, Ferrari Challenge Stradale, Ferrari 458, and others
For those that might be considering XPEL. I have Clearplex and Exoshield on my cars and recently decided to give XPEL windshield film protection a try on my G63. So far I'm impressed - can't even tell that its there, either from inside or outside. XPEL did a real nice job with the product and the installation.
