GLE 450 clear masking on leading edge of front hood
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 356
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2021 GLE 450
GLE 450 clear masking on leading edge of front hood
Have a 2021 on order. The dealer told me owners have put a narrow strip of clear 3M type masking on the leading edge of the hood to prevent stone chips?
Wonder if you can have issues over time with the masking fading or feeling? It could bubble maybe if water gets behind or am I wrong here?
Is this a good idea and what have others on this forum done?
Toban
Wonder if you can have issues over time with the masking fading or feeling? It could bubble maybe if water gets behind or am I wrong here?
Is this a good idea and what have others on this forum done?
Toban
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 203
Likes: 103
From: Tucson, Arizona
2004 CLK320 Cab, 2020 GLE350
Have a 2021 on order. The dealer told me owners have put a narrow strip of clear 3M type masking on the leading edge of the hood to prevent stone chips?
Wonder if you can have issues over time with the masking fading or feeling? It could bubble maybe if water gets behind or am I wrong here?
Is this a good idea and what have others on this forum done?
Toban
Wonder if you can have issues over time with the masking fading or feeling? It could bubble maybe if water gets behind or am I wrong here?
Is this a good idea and what have others on this forum done?
Toban
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
From: Calgary, Alberta
GLE 450, SLK 350
Have a 2021 on order. The dealer told me owners have put a narrow strip of clear 3M type masking on the leading edge of the hood to prevent stone chips?
Wonder if you can have issues over time with the masking fading or feeling? It could bubble maybe if water gets behind or am I wrong here?
Is this a good idea and what have others on this forum done?
Toban
Wonder if you can have issues over time with the masking fading or feeling? It could bubble maybe if water gets behind or am I wrong here?
Is this a good idea and what have others on this forum done?
Toban
My GLE had the entire hood, front end, fenders, headlights, A pillars, backs of mirrors, rockers panel done the day after I picked it up ($1900 Canadian dollars for the package). I have had this film applied to half a dozen vehicles over the years. No issues with yellowing, peeling, bubbling etc. Unless you are standing right beside the vehicle you cannot tell the film has been applied to the paint. It can be removed without damaging the paint in the event of needing some bodywork.
This web link is for the shop that I used get the paint film protection applied - they have more information on 3M in the event you are curious.
https://www.calgarypaintprotectionfilm.ca
Brian
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Atlanta
2022 Mercedes EQS 580
I would do the front end of the car. I have pretty much got this done on every car I have owned for the past 10 years. I don't like rock chips which are inevitable if you don't get it done.
I would not do just the edge. That is only going to protect a small portion of the area that gets chipped. Plus it will look bad. When you do an entire body panel, it is totally invisible. I do hood, fenders, front bumper, rear bumper, A pillars, mirrors and rocker panels. Usually costs about $1800. Car stays new looking.
I would not do just the edge. That is only going to protect a small portion of the area that gets chipped. Plus it will look bad. When you do an entire body panel, it is totally invisible. I do hood, fenders, front bumper, rear bumper, A pillars, mirrors and rocker panels. Usually costs about $1800. Car stays new looking.
Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 82
Likes: 31
From: Calgary, AB
2021 GLE63S
I would do the front end of the car. I have pretty much got this done on every car I have owned for the past 10 years. I don't like rock chips which are inevitable if you don't get it done.
I would not do just the edge. That is only going to protect a small portion of the area that gets chipped. Plus it will look bad. When you do an entire body panel, it is totally invisible. I do hood, fenders, front bumper, rear bumper, A pillars, mirrors and rocker panels. Usually costs about $1800. Car stays new looking.
I would not do just the edge. That is only going to protect a small portion of the area that gets chipped. Plus it will look bad. When you do an entire body panel, it is totally invisible. I do hood, fenders, front bumper, rear bumper, A pillars, mirrors and rocker panels. Usually costs about $1800. Car stays new looking.
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
There is no fading and it can be removed...it's cheaper than a paint job. Even if you are happy with chips-when you sell it will drop the value. I have done a partial front years ago but do the full front now. They wrap the edges so that the wax lines aren't an issue. With a partial it requires a little extra extra care when waxing go keep from a build up on the edge.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 21
From: Arizona
'21 GLE 580, '20 Cayenne Turbo
We just did a full custom Xpel PPF on my wife's new 580, but it is a massive price jump from the front-only treatment ($6500 after discount, extra for the ceramic coating). It's very labor intensive because they wrap the edges over every panel gap so that there are no edges showing. Took them a week to do. I ended up doing this because (1) her paint color is brilliant blue and will show scratches and chips (2) her last car accumulated an incredible number of scratches and chips over just three years, and there were as many / more on the sides and back as on the front. It's as much for my peace of mind than hers, it drives me crazy seeing a dirty and nicked up car.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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A gaggle of MB's
"PPF" = Paint Protection Film can be readily installed for Front Nose + Mirrors + Rocker Panels behind wheels.
Based on any prior SUV experience you have - you can decide "how far back up the hood" that you want that protection to go.
All the PPF films are "okay" - probably Xpel is the most widely used - 3M has become a bit less common.
No yellowing - self adhering with pro application - removeable later it is ever a problem (a bit of low heat aids the removeable).
Putting the "full car enthusiast wrap" - the Basic Package Hood/Mirrors/Rockers in my area by a Experienced Installer (experience is key) is about $600-$800 and "most" use a computer template to pre-cut the sections.
Top Installers - especially the Full Vehicle Enthusiast/Exotic Guys "hand cut" larger sections for best fitting - and trim to wrap the edges - time and $$ intensive.
Keep the beat !
Based on any prior SUV experience you have - you can decide "how far back up the hood" that you want that protection to go.
All the PPF films are "okay" - probably Xpel is the most widely used - 3M has become a bit less common.
No yellowing - self adhering with pro application - removeable later it is ever a problem (a bit of low heat aids the removeable).
Putting the "full car enthusiast wrap" - the Basic Package Hood/Mirrors/Rockers in my area by a Experienced Installer (experience is key) is about $600-$800 and "most" use a computer template to pre-cut the sections.
Top Installers - especially the Full Vehicle Enthusiast/Exotic Guys "hand cut" larger sections for best fitting - and trim to wrap the edges - time and $$ intensive.
Keep the beat !
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 554
Likes: 146
From: USA
2021 GLE450W4 SUV
We just did a full custom Xpel PPF on my wife's new 580, but it is a massive price jump from the front-only treatment ($6500 after discount, extra for the ceramic coating). It's very labor intensive because they wrap the edges over every panel gap so that there are no edges showing. Took them a week to do. I ended up doing this because (1) her paint color is brilliant blue and will show scratches and chips (2) her last car accumulated an incredible number of scratches and chips over just three years, and there were as many / more on the sides and back as on the front. It's as much for my peace of mind than hers, it drives me crazy seeing a dirty and nicked up car.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 554
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From: USA
2021 GLE450W4 SUV
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 21
From: Arizona
'21 GLE 580, '20 Cayenne Turbo
I think it's that ceramic coating gives a high gloss and helps the car stay cleaner longer, and makes it easier to clean when it gets dirty. The film is primarily there to protect against chips and scratches.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
As far as "how far up the hood," it seems that if I do an 18", the rock hits at 19." 24" and the rock hits at 25." My next might be the whole hood, but I prefer the look of paint.
I clay the car before having the film applied. Makes the film look less "applied."
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 51
Likes: 21
From: Arizona
'21 GLE 580, '20 Cayenne Turbo
Ceramic is not there to protect the film, but primarily for the hydrophobic properties (helps keep the car clean). Sorry if I implied that it was protecting the film, that was not my intent. At any rate, the ceramic coating was a small add-on compared to the cost of the PPF itself.
Too bad the top end Burmester upgrade was not an option in 2021 on the 580, dropped just like E-ABC, and the other cost cutting measures like dropping the sport brakes. Still, it's a very nice car that we expect to be in the family for some time.
Too bad the top end Burmester upgrade was not an option in 2021 on the 580, dropped just like E-ABC, and the other cost cutting measures like dropping the sport brakes. Still, it's a very nice car that we expect to be in the family for some time.
Last edited by TempeAndy; Feb 17, 2021 at 10:02 PM.
