Clear protection, has anyone done it?
03-21-2015, 12:41 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
I had my C6, 427 and my C7 Z51 all entirely wrapped with EXPEL. I won't do it again. All my cars are black and I did it primarily to prevent swirls. I like to clean/wax my cars a lot and the wrap...no matter how well installed, developed imperfections and Swirls. The orange peel was made worse. There is nothing like working your paint and developing a deep shine. The wrap may protect the paint...but only for the next owner!
03-21-2015, 12:44 PM
#25
Got my car in the garage and want to get clear protection. I used a guy before for my other car. He used Xpel. I have had no issues. I contacted him again and he wants $2100 to the the whole front, hood and side rockers all the back to before the rear tires.
Seems a bit high.
Anyone do it yet and how much did it cost. I live in Newtown PA. The guy I use comes to the house and does it in the garage.
thoughts?
Seems a bit high.
Anyone do it yet and how much did it cost. I live in Newtown PA. The guy I use comes to the house and does it in the garage.
thoughts?
03-21-2015, 12:47 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
I'm getting the 3M pro applied next week to the whole front clip including the entire hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, side skirts, rocker panels, and rear quarter panels ... it's going to run me about $1600 installed, which is A LOT less than the Xpel film.
From all the research I've done with this new film 3M has resolved some of the issues their old film used to have with yellowing. I saw it being applied to a 4C (nice little car) in person while I was at the shop and even though it only had the from half of the hood done I could not see the seam until about 6" away. It has a 7yr warranty anyway so I'm going to use the 3M over the Xpel.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...293812589&rt=d
From all the research I've done with this new film 3M has resolved some of the issues their old film used to have with yellowing. I saw it being applied to a 4C (nice little car) in person while I was at the shop and even though it only had the from half of the hood done I could not see the seam until about 6" away. It has a 7yr warranty anyway so I'm going to use the 3M over the Xpel.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...293812589&rt=d
I also suggest applying a sealant on top of the film to protect the film's surface and help with the gloss/shine factor.
03-21-2015, 12:49 PM
#28
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My installer is doing full paint correction first and then Xpel Ultimate on full front, ground effects, side to rear quarters and spoiler for 3800. I've used it before and if done properly you can't see it. In fact, the way they do the paint correction first makes the car look better than they day it is delivered.
03-21-2015, 12:53 PM
#29
Burning Brakes
My installer is doing full paint correction first and then Xpel Ultimate on full front, ground effects, side to rear quarters and spoiler for 3800. I've used it before and if done properly you can't see it. In fact, the way they do the paint correction first makes the car look better than they day it is delivered.
03-21-2015, 12:57 PM
#30
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03-21-2015, 01:11 PM
#32
Pro
I dont know what it is....but when i saw it on my car in the showroom, it sure looked good to me - i wish they still offered the front bumper option on the options list
03-21-2015, 03:00 PM
#33
Melting Slicks
Had my White C7 Z51 done in the 3m by some of the best in the industry. after a year of the product on the car the valleys of the hood turned dinghy and would not clean. The onslaught of dirt and rain over and over created issues that would not wash off. it turned quite ugly to say the least.
I have had 2 ZR1s (JS blue, Inferno orange) with the same product but this is the first white car. After one year of being on the car it was turning slightly yellow from the sun. It basically looked terrible!
Just recently had it removed last week and set me back $1,100.00. this crap is not designed to come off and is difficult and costly! Car looks like new now though. Worst decision I have made on a light colored car will not do it again.
Sum it up:
$1400 install and $1100 removal = $2500 for one year of paint protection. think I Could paint it for cheaper.
I have had 2 ZR1s (JS blue, Inferno orange) with the same product but this is the first white car. After one year of being on the car it was turning slightly yellow from the sun. It basically looked terrible!
Just recently had it removed last week and set me back $1,100.00. this crap is not designed to come off and is difficult and costly! Car looks like new now though. Worst decision I have made on a light colored car will not do it again.
Sum it up:
$1400 install and $1100 removal = $2500 for one year of paint protection. think I Could paint it for cheaper.
I hate to tell you but it's very easy to remove. Just heat a corner with a heat gun and slowly, but with a decent pressure, pull the film away from that area. If the film appears to 'stick' and not want to release anywhere, heat it with the heat gun again which will loosen the glue.
If you have a second person help one can operate the heat gun continuously whilst the second person pulls the film. This really helps to get the glue to release leaving less to clean up. Cost: $0.
Lastly, the 3M product has had a bad and well deserved reputation for yellowing for years and this shows up on light colored cars more so. That's why there are generally only two products mentioned as being top of the line: Xpel Ultimate and Suntek.
Bish
03-21-2015, 03:25 PM
#34
Having the whole car done in xpel so I don't have seams. I plan to keep the car a long time. I agree with the others that the prep and installer are the most important part. After seeing some of the pics here of gravel/track damage and the fact the Z06 tires throw up stones doing the whole car made sense. I have 3m on my summer DD and will be replacing it with xpel. The hood seam and discoloration drive me crazy!
03-21-2015, 03:41 PM
#35
Alcoholics Unanimous
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Fuuuuuuuuu ...
You guys are making me reconsider the 3M.
Maybe I'll just pocket the money and tracwrap for the track and play rock roulette on the street.
Ugh!
You guys are making me reconsider the 3M.
Maybe I'll just pocket the money and tracwrap for the track and play rock roulette on the street.
Ugh!
03-21-2015, 04:04 PM
#36
Melting Slicks
Bish
03-21-2015, 04:52 PM
#37
Drifting
03-21-2015, 10:29 PM
#38
Intermediate
I did xpel, the whole car, headlights, splitter, ground effects, mirrors, except roof, rear hatch and rear bumper. $3500 installed
I'm going to do track days and these z07 tires throw the stones.
I'm going to do track days and these z07 tires throw the stones.
Last edited by j schwartz; 03-21-2015 at 10:32 PM.
03-22-2015, 08:37 AM
#39
Racer
I had my C6, 427 and my C7 Z51 all entirely wrapped with EXPEL. I won't do it again. All my cars are black and I did it primarily to prevent swirls. I like to clean/wax my cars a lot and the wrap...no matter how well installed, developed imperfections and Swirls. The orange peel was made worse. There is nothing like working your paint and developing a deep shine. The wrap may protect the paint...but only for the next owner!
