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He basically only uses the cutter to save time on the gross cutting so he can focus on detail work.
That seems a very wise approach. Every installer tries to show how their approach is the best, sometimes by true belief but many times to just push for their solution.
Those who do custom install by hand cut many times don't want to spend money on a plotter and cutting software. So they say that by manual cut they can bend the film around curved surfaces better with less seems/overlaps. And that is true.
On the other hand, that may lead to overstretched film, tucked film that may peel, more panel removal and, worst, cut the paint. And this is used by those who do plotter cut only or mainly, to say their approach is better.
And for the client it's difficult to travel tru this maze of contradictory information.
One thing appears clear to me. A guy that does mainly plotter cut cannot ask a lot of cash. The level of work and skill necessary is much less than a custom install.
My xpel installer tells me who uses the templates but extends them on his plotter so he can tuck everything. Every panel is customized and every panel is tucked. 10 year warranty parts and labor for any peeling / bubbling, worst case scenario for a rock chip replacement panel is his cost alone. Can PM me if in Houston.
When keeping chromes how do you guys turn them to matte? Vinyl? Can a matte ppf be placed on them, like window trims and door handles?
Yep, Xpel Stealth turns the chrome to satin silver that matches the wheel finish and the grille. It also hides fingerprints. Also had it applied to the chrome strip that runs across the tailgate. Looks MUCH better. I don't understand why they don't come this way from the factory. It matches the materials used in the front of the car much better.
Also, if you can't tell, everything but the glass, rims, and asphalt in these pictures is covered in either Xpel Ultimate or Stealth. I always hate when the black window trim starts getting scratched when washing the car over the years...so I had him wrap it too!
Yep, Xpel Stealth turns the chrome to satin silver that matches the wheel finish and the grille. It also hides fingerprints. Also had it applied to the chrome strip that runs across the tailgate. Looks MUCH better. I don't understand why they don't come this way from the factory. It matches the materials used in the front of the car much better.
Also, if you can't tell, everything but the glass, rims, and asphalt in these pictures is covered in either Xpel Ultimate or Stealth. I always hate when the black window trim starts getting scratched when washing the car over the years...so I had him wrap it too!
yeah, i think the same. simply can't get these design misses. if you are going to use a color/tone then use it consistently. that is why i am also planning to wrap those things also.
but those are not easy do wrap. small areas and some curved lines. have you had any issue with peeling after sometime in the door handles? i could find the cuts on the door handles, several ones, so it doesn't seems easy. and on the top image it appears to be peeling, or is just an illusion from reflections?
yeah, i think the same. simply can't get these design misses. if you are going to use a color/tone then use it consistently. that is why i am also planning to wrap those things also.
but those are not easy do wrap. small areas and some curved lines. have you had any issue with peeling after sometime in the door handles? i could find the cuts on the door handles, several ones, so it doesn't seems easy. and on the top image it appears to be peeling, or is just an illusion from reflections?
yeah, i think the same. simply can't get these design misses. if you are going to use a color/tone then use it consistently. that is why i am also planning to wrap those things also.
but those are not easy do wrap. small areas and some curved lines. have you had any issue with peeling after sometime in the door handles? i could find the cuts on the door handles, several ones, so it doesn't seems easy. and on the top image it appears to be peeling, or is just an illusion from reflections?
are the tires with Xpel also?
Must be reflections because they look fine in person.
Carac, do you have a pic of the back? My car is going in Monday and trying to decide between gloss black vinyl and stealth on the chrome strip. LIke the idea of wrapping the trim in gloss!
Originally Posted by Carac
Yep, Xpel Stealth turns the chrome to satin silver that matches the wheel finish and the grille. It also hides fingerprints. Also had it applied to the chrome strip that runs across the tailgate. Looks MUCH better. I don't understand why they don't come this way from the factory. It matches the materials used in the front of the car much better.
Also, if you can't tell, everything but the glass, rims, and asphalt in these pictures is covered in either Xpel Ultimate or Stealth. I always hate when the black window trim starts getting scratched when washing the car over the years...so I had him wrap it too!
Carac, do you have a pic of the back? My car is going in Monday and trying to decide between gloss black vinyl and stealth on the chrome strip. LIke the idea of wrapping the trim in gloss!
Carac, do you have a pic of the back? My car is going in Monday and trying to decide between gloss black vinyl and stealth on the chrome strip. LIke the idea of wrapping the trim in gloss!
Here is mine wrapped with Prestige I believe. At least that the film I have on the front, although not matte. I also have this on the handles. Sheen is exactly like the brushed or nickel sheen on the front grille portion. I considered a black wrap to match the night package, but I thought it looked odd.
Here is mine wrapped with Prestige I believe. At least that the film I have on the front, although not matte. I also have this on the handles. Sheen is exactly like the brushed or nickel sheen on the front grille portion. I considered a black wrap to match the night package, but I thought it looked odd.
Looks pretty good. That's selenite gray metallic, yeah? I have the wagon and going to tint the rear window so maybe the satin-look chrome bar + the dark back window will look good together (sorta how the grill is black and satin). I'm a fan of symmetry - even if I'm the only one who realizes it.
Here you go. I've got the night package and really like the contrast a satin finish you get wrapping the chrome trim in matte PPF, makes it a consistent material/color along the beltline of the car and the grille.
Xpel has become thinner because of the adhesive layer that came from 1.6mil to 1.1. Total 7.6mil
Llumar is the most thin of the 4 top dogs (Xpel, Suntek, 3M and Llumar). Has 1.2mil adhesive and only 0.26mil in the clear coat and healing layer. I think that this might explain the apparently lower healing capacity of Llumar PPF as far as i have tested.
Suntek Ultra keeps 8mil total. Both belong to the same mother company (Eastman Chemical Company) and have a bit more gloss and more hydrophobic layer. Don't know how the "new" Xpel Ultimate Plus is fairing at this level.
Xpel Stealth seems to be still based on Xpel Ultimate, so it seems to have the 8.1mil of that version.
Except for Llumar, all have 0.5mil clear coat and healing layer.
12-02-2018, 07:52 PM
