Paint Protection Films
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: New York
Paint Protection Films
Anyone have any experience with these films? I was looking into Xpel and 3M. Xpel has a 7 year warranty and #M has lifetime.
Anyone putting these on their cars? Does it change the look of the car at all?
Anyone putting these on their cars? Does it change the look of the car at all?
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,866
Likes: 394
From: Ohio
They don't always look obvious, but if it is not professionally applied by a technician with skill and experience, the film can be seen upon close observation. I just looked at a new Porsche that my friend mentioned had just had Xpel and Opticoat, and it took me a while to see the film line across the front of the hood. This car was dark blue. I saw another car, a white Hundai SUV, that had not been washed much, and the line was very dark from dirt, and the mirrors were done only with a rectangular patch rather than a mapped cutout. This job was terribly done and looked awful. I'm having my RC done next week, and will do the full hood, so there will be no line across the hood under any circumstances. Also, when done well, the edges are wrapped around the edges of the hood, etc. This was not done on the white car, and it looked like the film had shrunk or perhaps the film pieces were cut a few mm too small, additional evidence that this job was done on the cheap by someone with no pride in his work. Get it done right and it will protect the front of the car from paint dings and chips that will decrease its value.
Last edited by tfischer; Dec 12, 2014 at 07:54 AM. Reason: Removed references to the Jets season record.
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 39
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From: TX
I just had my 6th car wrapped (350 F Sport). I won't drive a car off the lot without protection. Most cars the line is not noticeable but I have eliminated that problem by wrapping the entire hood and both quarter panels. Not cheap, but worth it to me.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 399
Likes: 9
From: CT
For the most part you won't even know its there, where as the paint chips and scratches are very easily seen.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 811
Likes: 8
From: CA
My brother and I have been applying PPF to our cars for years. The job takes several hours and is best performed with two people; but, it is relatively easy. The results are fantastic. A good film will have a shiny surface like your new paint. The film will not change the look of the car. They really work well ... at least for our use in N CA. No one cares about searching for minor film lines so don't worry about that aspect. You can buy pre-cut kits online. The RC is a small car and this will make the job easier. Since the RC is a new model it may take a little time before kits become available online. Depending on how much of the car you want to do, plan on a price of somewhere between $250 - $350. If you go to an installer, prices usually start at $600 - $800, but full wraps like some are mentioning can run up to twice that amount.
Last edited by UCSB; Dec 12, 2014 at 12:02 PM.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
The films are definitely a necessity for all cars in order to avoid rock chips. I had it installed on my Ultra White IS 350 and I had a very hard time seeing the film even when I was 5 inches away from the car. On the other hand, I can see it clearly on my brother's obsedian IS 350.
I've only used Xpel bra, never 3M. Here's a fun fact: Xpel and 3M films are self healing, but in colder climates you can pour warm water over the Xpel film to accelerate the healing process. Not sure if 3M can do this.
I've only used Xpel bra, never 3M. Here's a fun fact: Xpel and 3M films are self healing, but in colder climates you can pour warm water over the Xpel film to accelerate the healing process. Not sure if 3M can do this.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: New York
I've been shopping around. One installer quoted me $1,000 for the front bumper, whole front hood, mirrors and the collision area on the rear bumper. The second installer quoted me much more: $899 for front bumper, bra, partial fender and mirrors, an additional $800 for the full hod and $300 for the rear bumper.
More importantly, I got a good feeling from the 1st installer about his work quality and experience - so I'm leaning toward using him - my only decision is IF I really want to do this. I've never done this type of film and I'm pretty meticulous about my car and if I see lines I'll be pissed.
More importantly, I got a good feeling from the 1st installer about his work quality and experience - so I'm leaning toward using him - my only decision is IF I really want to do this. I've never done this type of film and I'm pretty meticulous about my car and if I see lines I'll be pissed.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
I've been shopping around. One installer quoted me $1,000 for the front bumper, whole front hood, mirrors and the collision area on the rear bumper. The second installer quoted me much more: $899 for front bumper, bra, partial fender and mirrors, an additional $800 for the full hod and $300 for the rear bumper.
More importantly, I got a good feeling from the 1st installer about his work quality and experience - so I'm leaning toward using him - my only decision is IF I really want to do this. I've never done this type of film and I'm pretty meticulous about my car and if I see lines I'll be pissed.
More importantly, I got a good feeling from the 1st installer about his work quality and experience - so I'm leaning toward using him - my only decision is IF I really want to do this. I've never done this type of film and I'm pretty meticulous about my car and if I see lines I'll be pissed.
If you're pissed when you see lines, I wouldn't want to see how you look when you see rock chips on your car lol.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: il
Personal Experience
I had my white RC-F done with Xpel film. TH installer in St. Louis at clear auto bra of St Louis is known around the midwest as being one of the best. I had the hood, fenders, down the rocker panels, over the rear quarter to the body line and down the back bumper behind the wheel to the rear flair. You can't see it at all unless you know that it is on the car, the cost for this much film would usually be near 2000 but I am in the car business so he cut me a nice deal in attempt to get future business.
Here is a photo after the car was done.
Here is a photo after the car was done.