KenHorse

So I've had it installed on my C7 for almost 7 months now and I must report that it really doesn't seem to do what Xpel claims as far as being self-healing.

Specifically, swirl marks and other light scratches don't heal, despite warm (and hot) ambient temps. Bug stains leave a mark and, when removed according to Xpel's instructions (using 99% isopropyl alcohol) leaves the finish hazy and scratched looking. And it doesn't heal either.

Now, I have been able to polish these things out using normal techniques but that's really not my point as Xpel says nothing about having to polish the finish out.

Anyone else notice the lack of Ultimate's "performance"?

redstar299

I have swirl marks too I was wondering the same thing

Pocket Aces

I'm guessing you both have Cyber Gray or Black cars which makes me wonder if the swirl might have been there before the install. I avoid buying any dark colored cars since my first brand new car which was a black 1998 Trans Am. The paint was never perfect and showed every scratch and swirl. I have Xpel on a Crystal Red Cruze which is my daily driver and it is everything it's been advertised to be. Much better than 3M film and swirl free. If you have a Black or Cyber Gray car I think its more a function of the color than the Xpel film. I would not buy anything other than Xpel from my own experiences.

By the way I'm regularly purport-er.

00247

I installed Suntek film and while I don't have swirls there will be residual marks from larger bug splats if they are left on for a few days. If I pour hot water over them they mostly disappear. If I leave them alone they disappear in a few days as do the marks left after hot water. The grasshoppers have been bad this year, but this film is so slippery even dried on bugs come right off with washing or using a spray polymer. Do your bug marks disappear with time?

mpuzach

Kenhorse's car is Laguna Blue. From his posts on this forum, he strikes me as a pretty meticulous guy; as such, I highly doubt that his car's finish had any swirls before being wrapped.

mpuzach

This report is very disturbing to me since I'm supposed to be dropping my car off at your installer's shop this weekend for a complete Xpel installation.

VETJAZZ

I haven't noticed any problems with mine. 5,600 miles.

1hawk

Had it installed on my GS 2012 Torch Red & C7 Cyber Gray, no issues would do it again, maybe purchased the lighter grade material.

2vetteEd

Interesting observations as I'm about to have the Xpel put on my Laguna Blue convertible next week.

I live in South Florida, and you don't have to travel far to cause the death of a number of bugs. I usually try to remove these pesky creatures before their body acids have a chance to take hold and do any damage.

My favorite method of removal is to hit em with Showtime detailing spray followed up with a microfiber towel. The spray pretty much loosens the died on bodies, and the towel picks up the residue.

The spray helps prevent any dry scrapping and scratches, and also waxes at the same time. After I have the Xpel installed, I'll probably use the same method, or I might just mix a good car wash in a spray bottle with water, and apply the same way.

WKMCD

I have Gtechniq and EVOv2 over the Xpel Ultimate on my car. Bugs, etc seem to come off very easily with a little detail spray and microfiber. No swirl marks but I'm very careful about touching the paint only in long lateral motions. I use Reset car wash and have tried the Turtle Rinseless Wash and Wax also which works well if the car is not too dirty.

MarkC

I installed Xpel on my VR Z06 last year, whole front end. The paint looks better with the Xpel except I had a few pieces of lent under the Xpel. The lent doesn't show up until it completely dries out. Anyway, on the way up to Carlisle a rock hit my left front fender and cut the Xpel. It created a little flap. I had the Xpel dealer replace the fender at Carlisle. There was no damage to the paint. If I had not had the Xpel, I am sure I would have been painting the fender.

Kyflyer

Good thread and thanks for the inputs. I do not have any of the treatments on our C7 or the mini, but was considering it for the next mini as we do a lot of twisties with it on backroads and gravel is a problem particularly following a car in the twisties. Do the Xpel, et. al. repair places in the film free or is there a charge?

LooseScrew

How is the healing process on rock dings that don't tear the material? Does it disappear? Also, if the film didn't tear and left a mark that doesn't heal, is that covered under warrantee?

Whatever I have on my 2013 protects the paint but leaves a mark on the film until I replace it. Not crazy about that.

Stan0324

I just had 3M Pro series installed on my car. Its only been a week so its hard to give a good review. Saw a few cars with Xpel and thought the car looked a bit dull. Then I saw a car with 3M Pro at Carlisle and you could not tell the difference from the painted areas to the treated areas. So far I have only done the front bumper, headlights and mirrors. Going in next week for the entire hood.

USe-car

Is there any better luck with the factory Xpel-like product that is an option upon ordering?

Stan0324

My understanding is that the factory option is not yet available.

Glen e

my understanding is the option is permanently cancelled....

SevenTurns

Ken,

I was able to remove swirl marks with a blow dryer set on high heat. Disappeared instantly.

KenHorse

Right you are mpuzach. The car was completely polished out before the film was applied and as flawless as possible sans a wet sand.

I have a call into Xpel directly about this and hope to get a call back from their CS guy this morning. I'll report back what they have to say but the issues are not just swirls but rather nothing about the material seems to match the claims of Xpel. Well, as far as the self-healing properties are concerned anyway.

And while I'm not going to make this leap quite yet, it is possible the installer didn't actually install Ultimate I suppose.....

SSTG

Hot water poured over the bra or a heat gun will remove scratches and swirl marks.