I don't know anything about this stuff but it sounds like something I'd like. What's the best, what brands, cost. Lexus has it as an option, is it the same or is it better to go somewhere else. Thanks in advance.

 

Go somewhere else. Look for a dedicated workshop. 3M is a solid choice, I believe they have a 6 year warranty on their wraps. I got my entire front hood, front fenders, and side mirrors wrapped. Should cost somewhere around 1.2k-1.5k plus tax depending on the shop. Materials are expensive and it is a labor intensive process.

 

The paint protection film option offered by Lexus only includes coverage of the front portion of the hood and front portion of the front fenders. That Lexus option is relatively inexpensive, but the coverage is minimal and, in my opinion, insufficient.

A more complete package would include the full front bumper, full hood, full front fenders, mirrors, and possibly things like the door edges and door handle cups. Not only does such a more complete package offer protection to vulnerable areas, but, on the hood and fenders, it avoids having a visible line where the film ends and where dirt, wax, etc. will collect.

In recent years, the quality of the films available has improved significantly, and companies that make high quality film, like Xpel and 3M now offer lengthy warranties against things like peeling and yellowing. Typically, the manufacturers offer multiple grades of film. I've had the highest grade of Xpel film on my last 2 cars. Not only is that grade a thicker film, but it comes with a 10 year warranty.

It is important to get a quality installation by a qualified installer to avoid things like dust particles and air bubbles being trapped under the film.

A complete PPF package with the highest grade of film will be expensive, but PPF is a high mark-up item. I've found that the best strategy to use to get quality film and complete coverage at a decent price is to include getting the film as a part of the negotiations when buying a car. I will first negotiate all aspects of the deal, including the price of the car, any fees, the trade-in, etc. Then, before signing any papers, I'll tell the dealer that "there is one more thing". And I'll tell them that I'll agree to the deal if they will sell me a complete paint protection film package at a highly reduced cost. Typically, you should be able to buy the PPF package for less than half of what the normal advertised price is because a dealer is not going risk losing a sale on a car just so that it can pad its profits by selling a paint protection film package at the normal and inflated price. (Of course, you should be checking out the installer that the dealer uses to make sure that you will get a quality installation.) I've found that using this approach not only allows me to get a good PPF package at a reasonable price, but it also means that the film will be on the car when I drive it out of the dealership for the first time and before I've had the chance to pick up that first stone nick.

 

Llumar is another one of the leading brands that offer grades with 10 year warranties. My car has llumar and my current RX and previous NX have/had Xpel. Both excellent products and cannot really tell a difference. I haven’t actually seen or used the 3M products so I have no opinion there.

Another benefit my Xpel installer suggested was that covering headlights offered some UV protection and would reduce the hazing we experience in modern plastic lenses. I don’t know if that is accurate or not, but that was what the installer claimed.

 

I had my 2021 RX350 done with SunTek at the dealer before delivery. They had an authorized SunTek installer wrap the bumper, entire hood, both fenders and side mirrors and the door cups. This delayed delivery of the car about a week. Just trying to minimize the stone chips. I specified that they wrap the film around the hood edge to hide the film edge. The color is Moonbeam Beige Metallic and the film is invisible. You can't tell where the film is or isn't on the car. The film also took the Turtle Wax Ceramic spray coating beautifully.