So I shopped around, and decided on XPel for a full front clear bra wrap (Hood, fenders, bumper, rockers, doors, mirrors, a-pillars, splash guard behind rear tires.) - pretty much everything except the rear fenders.

Had to return it for several places with bubbles (hope they can fix them). But there are a couple of flaws I am really concerned about:

Stretch marks (about 5" long) above the door handle and another which looks like "3 fingers" may have imprinted on the top of the bumper near the headlight.

Additionally, there is a dust pebble under the film in the middle of the door.

Lastly, there are a few very tiny bubbles in the window tint.

It has been about 2+ weeks since I had it done.

They looked like they were a professional shop (online portfolio and reviews) and through contact, they seemed to have the most knowledge of the product. I paid $3200, which near the top end of the 5 quotes I received. It turns out they were a young family business, and possibly a bit inexperienced - but motivated, and mostly detail oriented.

Now they claim that no job can be perfect, and some 'adhesive shift' is bound to happen, and dust imperfections may happen. They claim they can fix the numerous air bubbles quite easily.

Pictures don't pick up the imperfections too well - so I didn't post them. I'm inclined to believe them about the issues being normal (I admit I'm a perfectionist) and I believe they are good honest "kids", but DAMN, a brand new car and I go to protect the beautiful paint and it now looks like the paint job has flaws, and I paid 3% of the car's value to make it look worse.

Anyone with experience that could offer some advice?

 

Yes, the bubbles are easily fixed. Inclusions and fingerprints under the wrap, however, are totally unacceptable. That's why the wrap has to be applied in cleanroom like setting. It also has to be done in an environmentally controlled area so that apparent stretch marks do not develop. You should insist on the job being finished to your satisfaction.

 

Hey Unhingd - Thank you for the reply! You wouldn't happen to be an installer of clear bra? They do have a clean shop. Owner pointed out that when I tried to show him, we couldn't see it (the fingerprints on the bumper) - I couldn't find it in the overcast outdoor light at the shop. It is weird because in the right light & right angle it is quite visible - looks like 3 fingers. But disappears in overcast lighting. That is part of the reason I was wondering if I am being oversensitive.

I went to a "window tinters/clear bra" forum and looked at some topics of people who had questions similar to mine - and ALL of the 'experts' say "you get what you pay for" - but seems to be a wide disparity of whether it is acceptable - most say it is acceptable, and there is no perfect "full wrap" style clear bra. All of my quotes were within a few hundred bucks, but I didn't take the lowest. I actually took one that was higher then all of them for the bra, but the tint was cheaper, so it came in 2nd highest overall.

Anyhow, I dropped it off yesterday (and they are paying for a rental car for me & and are detailing the whole car and putting a 'protective coat' on the whole thing for my trouble) and sounds like they will redo the door with stretch marks, but since we couldn't see the 'fingers' they aren't going to fix that. I asked them to look at it when they cleaned it up. Re-doing the bumper is obviously a big job, so their eye will be biased. Hopefully they do the right thing, but unsure. I would push harder, but I don't want to be that "unreasonable" customer, so I appreciate the feedback.

 

No, I just happen to have developed a friendship with Rob at Proform Automotive in Ellicott City who has spent time educating me on the process.

 

Hi ScubaAddict,

It sounds like the shop is taking care of you, but if you still need assistance please send an email to one of my warranty specialist. Please let us know if you need help with anything or if it's a positive experience once they've made any adjustments. Support@xpel.com

Installing clear bra is certainly a difficult task, and while it is true, there is no job that's 100% perfect all of the time, we understand that with a new vehicle you want it to be done correctly.

 

I had my car done a week ago. My detailer did an excellent job. He even pointed out the areas which may be a flaw but I would have never noticed them if he didn't point them out. I would definitely demand that they fix the problems. The work isn't cheap so the shop should do what it takes to make you a happy cusomer. Is the company that you used a certified xpel installer? Certified installers are listed on Xpel's website XPEL Clear Bra Installer

 

+1 on F12guy's comment

You didn't shop for the cheapest price you wanted it done right. Kudos for you being a nice guy and all - I am the same - but I've learned if I ever wanted to get decent service for anything these days I have to channel my inner a-hole.

Nice people get crapped on across the board by service industries like this - 90% of their attention will be dedicated to doing the job right for the a-holes, not you.

 

I had a similar experience. My car ended up with multiple bubbles and some wrinkles to start. It was xpel with c quartz over it. The bubbles have not dissapated. Then my edges starting collecting dirt in various locations. I was going to give the installer the opportunity to fix the bubbles, but after the edges starting lifting and collecting dirt I balked. I only paid half up front and didn't pay the rest, but I think the most of the car has to be redone. Don't accept less than you contracted for, particularly at that price. It will aggravate you on a daily basis when you look at your otherwise beautiful car. If the car is a medium color the imperfections I have may not show. Mine is polar white.