Paint Protection Film (Clear Bra)
#1
Paint Protection Film (Clear Bra)
What are your thoughts on paint protection film? My Ebony Black convertible arrives this month and I'm not sure what to do. I've only had it on one other car (a red 348 Spyder) and to me I could always tell it was there (like I was practicing 'Safe Sex' if you catch my drift). But I hear this is very soft paint that Jaguar uses and I shutter at the thought of the inevitable first hood chip.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
#2
What are your thoughts on paint protection film? My Ebony Black convertible arrives this month and I'm not sure what to do. I've only had it on one other car (a red 348 Spyder) and to me I could always tell it was there (like I was practicing 'Safe Sex' if you catch my drift). But I hear this is very soft paint that Jaguar uses and I shutter at the thought of the inevitable first hood chip.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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TXJagR (11-06-2015)
#3
Do a forum search. Many of us have Xpel Ultimate. Other than a VERY FEW spots on the complex front grill / bumper area, you simply cannot tell it is on the car. Professional installers also wrap the edges and can do a single sheet over the hood with no seams.
I had mine done by the dealer before I ever picked it up. Simply amazing stuff that has great protection and very easy to maintain. I had the entire front end of mine done. In hind sight I should have also had at least parts of the rear quarter panels done as well.
Should be cheaper than getting a body panel repainted, no need to worry about an exact paint match, and even with a respray you still might drive away and get a new chip a few miles later. I have over 12,000 miles on my 2016 including a cross country trip, and the ONLY paint flaw I have is in the edge of the side skirt that wasn't covered. (Get them doe as well. they collect all kind of debris!)
I had mine done by the dealer before I ever picked it up. Simply amazing stuff that has great protection and very easy to maintain. I had the entire front end of mine done. In hind sight I should have also had at least parts of the rear quarter panels done as well.
Should be cheaper than getting a body panel repainted, no need to worry about an exact paint match, and even with a respray you still might drive away and get a new chip a few miles later. I have over 12,000 miles on my 2016 including a cross country trip, and the ONLY paint flaw I have is in the edge of the side skirt that wasn't covered. (Get them doe as well. they collect all kind of debris!)
#5
#6
i have an Ebony Black 2015 Coupe R. PPF'd the entire hood, fenders, front bumber, splitter, side rockers, behind the rear tires, and the rear spoiler. Can't even see its there unless you know where to look and exactly what you're looking for.
10,000 miles later, I sometimes wish I did the entire car. The jaguar paint is soft. Virtually impossible to avoid swirl marks, which show easiest on pure black paint. No swirl marks on the surfaces that have been filmed, as the self healing properties of the Xpel are one of the great features of the product.
You can wax, use detail spray, or even apply Quartz paint sealers right over the film, which will punch up the gloss to another level, and harden any exposed paint.
#7
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#9
What happens if you get a door ding that needs to be removed - does it leave a crease in the Xpel?
What if the Xpel tears (from a ding or real nasty chip) Do they remove the whole sheet and reapply?
What if you need real bodywork from an accident - do you think insurance would cover the cost of new Xpel?
Lastly - wax really penetrates thru the Xpel? I would think once it's applied there'd be no further need for wax since the shine has been 'locked in'. I imagine you would never buff? (All new to me)
What if the Xpel tears (from a ding or real nasty chip) Do they remove the whole sheet and reapply?
What if you need real bodywork from an accident - do you think insurance would cover the cost of new Xpel?
Lastly - wax really penetrates thru the Xpel? I would think once it's applied there'd be no further need for wax since the shine has been 'locked in'. I imagine you would never buff? (All new to me)
#10
Don't pass go, don't collect the $200... Pick up your car and drive it straight to the Xpel installer of your choosing... Before you clock your first 20 miles.
i have an Ebony Black 2015 Coupe R. PPF'd the entire hood, fenders, front bumber, splitter, side rockers, behind the rear tires, and the rear spoiler. Can't even see its there unless you know where to look and exactly what you're looking for.
10,000 miles later, I sometimes wish I did the entire car. The jaguar paint is soft. Virtually impossible to avoid swirl marks, which show easiest on pure black paint. No swirl marks on the surfaces that have been filmed, as the self healing properties of the Xpel are one of the great features of the product.
You can wax, use detail spray, or even apply Quartz paint sealers right over the film, which will punch up the gloss to another level, and harden any exposed paint.
i have an Ebony Black 2015 Coupe R. PPF'd the entire hood, fenders, front bumber, splitter, side rockers, behind the rear tires, and the rear spoiler. Can't even see its there unless you know where to look and exactly what you're looking for.
10,000 miles later, I sometimes wish I did the entire car. The jaguar paint is soft. Virtually impossible to avoid swirl marks, which show easiest on pure black paint. No swirl marks on the surfaces that have been filmed, as the self healing properties of the Xpel are one of the great features of the product.
You can wax, use detail spray, or even apply Quartz paint sealers right over the film, which will punch up the gloss to another level, and harden any exposed paint.
#11
#12
What happens if you get a door ding that needs to be removed - does it leave a crease in the Xpel?
Not unless it tears the film, which is totally flexible
What if the Xpel tears (from a ding or real nasty chip) Do they remove the whole sheet and reapply?
XPEL has a self-healing property. Put it in the sun and small penetrations tend to disappear. However, if it's bad enough an entire sheet would have to be removed and reapplied.
What if you need real bodywork from an accident - do you think insurance would cover the cost of new Xpel?
As part of your insurance coverage, you can include after-market add-ons, but you must call your insurance company to do that, and they may ask you for proof of the value of the mod.
Lastly - wax really penetrates thru the Xpel? I would think once it's applied there'd be no further need for wax since the shine has been 'locked in'. I imagine you would never buff? (All new to me)
No, wax does not penetrate through the film, but the wax or coating protects the film the same way it protects the paint. Of course, the film itself protects the paint.
Not unless it tears the film, which is totally flexible
What if the Xpel tears (from a ding or real nasty chip) Do they remove the whole sheet and reapply?
XPEL has a self-healing property. Put it in the sun and small penetrations tend to disappear. However, if it's bad enough an entire sheet would have to be removed and reapplied.
What if you need real bodywork from an accident - do you think insurance would cover the cost of new Xpel?
As part of your insurance coverage, you can include after-market add-ons, but you must call your insurance company to do that, and they may ask you for proof of the value of the mod.
Lastly - wax really penetrates thru the Xpel? I would think once it's applied there'd be no further need for wax since the shine has been 'locked in'. I imagine you would never buff? (All new to me)
No, wax does not penetrate through the film, but the wax or coating protects the film the same way it protects the paint. Of course, the film itself protects the paint.
Best answers I can give you above in bold type.
#13
Wax/Detail with Xpel
Thanks Foosh - that helps. I will usually do a buff and wax/detail every 6 months to bring back that luster and glisten (and rid any swirl marks).
It sounds to me that wouldn't be necessary with Xpel since none of that would ever touch the paint.
So besides an extra level of protection - buff/wax wouldn't really do anything to enhance shine? What do you think?
It sounds to me that wouldn't be necessary with Xpel since none of that would ever touch the paint.
So besides an extra level of protection - buff/wax wouldn't really do anything to enhance shine? What do you think?
#15
All of these products have advantages and disadvantages, and, of course, using those test methods, 3M Scotchguard Pro appeared to have the edge. I'd don't know if that's a new product or not.
When I had XPEL applied more than a year ago, my installer said XPEL was more expensive, had better clarity, was more durable and resistant to tearing, and was a better "self-healer than 3M. He'd said he exclusively used 3M for years, still used it, said it also had a tendency to yellow over time, and that he much preferred XPEL. His labor rate was the same for either product, but his cost was higher for XPEL.
Perhaps that is a new and improved version of the 3M film, but who knows . . .
When I had XPEL applied more than a year ago, my installer said XPEL was more expensive, had better clarity, was more durable and resistant to tearing, and was a better "self-healer than 3M. He'd said he exclusively used 3M for years, still used it, said it also had a tendency to yellow over time, and that he much preferred XPEL. His labor rate was the same for either product, but his cost was higher for XPEL.
Perhaps that is a new and improved version of the 3M film, but who knows . . .
#16
#18
Here is a recent forum thread by some Ferrari owners regarding XPel versus 3M. Some of them have experience with both (the 3M Pro is their latest version).
The consensus seems to be that Xpel Ultimate is superior.
3M vs Xpel ultimate - FerrariChat.com
The consensus seems to be that Xpel Ultimate is superior.
3M vs Xpel ultimate - FerrariChat.com
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Balboa (11-08-2015)
#19
Thanks Foosh - that helps. I will usually do a buff and wax/detail every 6 months to bring back that luster and glisten (and rid any swirl marks).
It sounds to me that wouldn't be necessary with Xpel since none of that would ever touch the paint.
So besides an extra level of protection - buff/wax wouldn't really do anything to enhance shine? What do you think?
It sounds to me that wouldn't be necessary with Xpel since none of that would ever touch the paint.
So besides an extra level of protection - buff/wax wouldn't really do anything to enhance shine? What do you think?