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Old Jun 30, 2024 | 03:52 PM
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Default Stealth PPF USB

I will be getting my car fully PPFd after I take delivery and am wondering if anyone has done stealth PPF to USB or seen photos of this color with the stealth film? This is the xpel film that gives a satin/matte look once applied over the factory paint.

I love the USB as is so I am not even sure I want to do it, but I do want to consider it because 1) I've seen it on other similar blues from tesla or BMW and it looks good, 2) it would be even more of a unique look, but I am not sure how it looks and am having trouble visualizing and 3) the last "pro" in the list is that years from now if I want a different look it's as easy as removing the stealth PPF and enjoying pristine USB from that point forward, for a new look at basically no cost (at that point I would likely ceramic only over the USB and not ppf again).
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Last edited by np20412; Jun 30, 2024 at 04:07 PM.
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Old Jun 30, 2024 | 04:37 PM
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I had thought about this. But part of the USB awesomeness is the shine so I went with gloss PPF.
perhaps you can ask the installer to do half panel of the hood in matte and gloss and let you decide. And pay for the extra.

Last edited by NickL; Jun 30, 2024 at 04:42 PM.
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Old Jun 30, 2024 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by NickL
I had thought about this. But part of the USB awesomeness is the shine so I went with gloss PPF.
perhaps you can ask the installer to do half panel of the hood in matte and gloss and let you decide. And pay for the extra.
Yep. I've reached out and asked if we can lay a big flat piece of it to visualize before making a choice. Waiting for response. I suppose it'll likely cost a bit more too, it's probably harder to lay properly.
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Old Jun 30, 2024 | 04:58 PM
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I think the best place to see it in the rear quarter panel. also probably the hardest panel to do.
The hood isn’t exactly sophicated but the rear quarter panel is where all the curves and lines are. Just do a matte on that panel and decide. If you like it, they can keep it and you won’t have to pay for waste. No need to do a gloss for comparison since the gloss PPF should be the same as your clear coat.
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Old Jun 30, 2024 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by NickL
I think the best place to see it in the rear quarter panel. also probably the hardest panel to do.
The hood isn’t exactly sophicated but the rear quarter panel is where all the curves and lines are. Just do a matte on that panel and decide. If you like it, they can keep it and you won’t have to pay for waste. No need to do a gloss for comparison since the gloss PPF should be the same as your clear coat.
Good advice, thank you!
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Old Jun 30, 2024 | 05:02 PM
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I guess I also didn't really consider what happens when you get small chips etc. The factory gloss might shine thru on that spot if it got thru the film enough while the rest around it is matte... How will that look in a couple year after the front end has taken some highway abuse?
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Old Jul 1, 2024 | 04:20 AM
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I found this over on the RCF forum... Not sure if it's USB or structural blue but looks like it's pretty close to what it might look like with stealth. I think it looks good but after seeing this I'm less inclined to use it and will probably just stick with gloss film.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...l#post11091579
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Old Jul 1, 2024 | 06:33 AM
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Given that the LC500 pics were posted in 2021, it’s structural blue.
SB is very similar to USB. I have a pic I took back in 2018 with the launch edition SB LC500 side by side with USB RCF. That was the moment I made up my mind about USB being the color choice for me. USB is slightly deeper blue and has more depth IMO. Again, you have to see it side by side. I guess if you have a SB and live it every day, you can probably distinguish between the two easier. But SB is such a unicorn, most people will think USB is SB and vice versa.
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Old Jul 8, 2024 | 05:22 AM
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I personally wouldn't dull down USB or especially SB, those colors pop so nice in gloss. Opinions and mileage will always vary.
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Old Jul 8, 2024 | 05:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Beachtyme
I personally wouldn't dull down USB or especially SB, those colors pop so nice in gloss. Opinions and mileage will always vary.
Agree I've decided to just go with gloss PPF
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Old Jul 10, 2024 | 08:23 PM
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Default I say do it!

I think the satin blue Lexus did for their RCF was USB satin paint. Xpel stealth on USB should look similar.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...lue-satin.html

I’ve also done Xpel Stealth on my blue Porsche and it came out awesome. You should do it!


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Old Jul 11, 2024 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Geebs
I think the satin blue Lexus did for their RCF was USB satin paint. Xpel stealth on USB should look similar.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rc-...lue-satin.html

I’ve also done Xpel Stealth on my blue Porsche and it came out awesome. You should do it!

The stealth on your GTS does look sweet, no doubt! I just keep going back and forth. The more I look at the structural blue LC with stealth below the more I really like it, but at the same time, I know stealth PPF can be a little more difficult to keep properly clean and is less forgiving when showing damage/scuffs/etc. I also wonder how bad it would look if something were to etch itself or stain the PPF in such a way that it can't be cleaned well. I have experienced this with satin-finish carbon fiber wrap in the past, and basically had to re-wrap. I get a similar risk exists with gloss PPF but it would be more forgiving in that it is not going to be as noticeable as it would be with a satin/matte finish.

To complicate matters, I also really love the USB in gloss so that makes the decision that much tougher. I will probably make the decision the day I drop it off for PPF once I can see both in person directly.


Last edited by np20412; Jul 11, 2024 at 07:17 AM.
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Old Jul 11, 2024 | 07:21 AM
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It’s all reversible. Pick one and redo if you don’t like it.
It’s just money.
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Old Jul 11, 2024 | 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by NickL
It’s all reversible. Pick one and redo if you don’t like it.
It’s just money.
Ha $8k don't grow on trees like that around here!!!!
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Old Jul 11, 2024 | 08:02 AM
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Some more road killed remnants.
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