Clear Bras
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
The installer is key and this is clearly a case of you get what you pay for. Unless I point it out, you don't see mine and the finish is mirror like. I've seen jobs where people have paid half as much and you see bubbles, dirt, and finger prints under the film.
I did have a bird bomb me and the crap etched the film. For the most part, it polished out but on black, I can see it if I look at just the correct angle. That's what is supposed to be good about Xpel....it self-heals and you don't get the etching.
Last edited by 96GS#007; Jan 21, 2014 at 04:18 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 2
From: Gurnee IL
Good to hear about Xpel because I've been doing the research on clear bra ever since I parked my new 427 back in November. I'm sold on that brand. Totally agree it appears that it boils down to the installer. Some use pre-cut pieces others have the machine to be able to cut bulk material. Some have shops other do mobiles.
Now I'm looking for a quality installler in IL (for the springtime when the car comes back out). Trying to figure out installer's reputation. Ck their website to see what kind (makes and models) and how many cars they've done? Can you always assume that just because they've done many high end exotics that they're the best? Ask for references and call them (although they probably wouldn't give you and bad ones --right)?
How do you "prep" your car prior to installation? Wax before? Strip wax off? Does installer prep? Don' want to get dirt trapped underneath bra.
Great info here. Keep it coming. This topic is of great interest to me also.
S -
Thx.
Now I'm looking for a quality installler in IL (for the springtime when the car comes back out). Trying to figure out installer's reputation. Ck their website to see what kind (makes and models) and how many cars they've done? Can you always assume that just because they've done many high end exotics that they're the best? Ask for references and call them (although they probably wouldn't give you and bad ones --right)?
How do you "prep" your car prior to installation? Wax before? Strip wax off? Does installer prep? Don' want to get dirt trapped underneath bra.
Great info here. Keep it coming. This topic is of great interest to me also.
S -
Thx.
Last edited by Lerxst; Jan 21, 2014 at 08:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 51
From: Englewood OH
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
I am happy with Xpel and agree with all about the importance of a good installer. I would also check out the installers place of business. Mine was ok but not as clean as I would have liked. I've heard of some installers doing it outside which to me is just asking for trouble. One thing I did in preparation was to remove the emblem from the front bumper using a little WD40 and fishing line. Once the film was installed I replaced it with a new GM part from Ebay which cost about $35. My wife and I installed 3M film on the sides of the car from a pre-cut kit we bought from a forum vendor . That was a real test of our marriage but it came out good. Having a lift was an advantage to be able to get the car to a workable height.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 106
From: Newburgh,IN
Now I'm looking for a quality installler in IL (for the springtime when the car comes back out). Trying to figure out installer's reputation. Ck their website to see what kind (makes and models) and how many cars they've done? Can you always assume that just because they've done many high end exotics that they're the best? Ask for references and call them (although they probably wouldn't give you and bad ones --right)?
How do you "prep" your car prior to installation? Wax before? Strip wax off? Does installer prep? Don' want to get dirt trapped underneath bra.
How do you "prep" your car prior to installation? Wax before? Strip wax off? Does installer prep? Don' want to get dirt trapped underneath bra.
They do all the prep work and two to three of them worked on my ZR1. They also give discount pricing at the event. They book up earlier so if you want a good installer at special event pricing for a great clear bra product, consider the VetteFest this year.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
Likes: 2
From: western springs illinois
Come to the VetteFest in Effingham, IL this summer and there will be professional installers with all their shop productss and equipment. You can register and schedule a date and time in advance to get it done. That is what I did last summer. They use Xpel products and the the installers are from the St. Louis area. Great guys that are very careful and do a great job. I watched them the whole time and they took the time to educate me and answer all my questions. You won't be disappointed.
They do all the prep work and two to three of them worked on my ZR1. They also give discount pricing at the event. They book up earlier so if you want a good installer at special event pricing for a great clear bra product, consider the VetteFest this year.
They do all the prep work and two to three of them worked on my ZR1. They also give discount pricing at the event. They book up earlier so if you want a good installer at special event pricing for a great clear bra product, consider the VetteFest this year.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 777
Likes: 5
From: Irvine California
XPEL Ultimate. All about the install. Good work isn't cheap.
Had my entire car custom wrapped in it, i.e. they took off the plastic trim, seals, vents, even pressed it into the Corvette lettering in the bottom right hand corner of the rear fascia and sucked out the bubbles with needle.
pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-ultimate.html
Had my entire car custom wrapped in it, i.e. they took off the plastic trim, seals, vents, even pressed it into the Corvette lettering in the bottom right hand corner of the rear fascia and sucked out the bubbles with needle.
pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-ultimate.html
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,236
Likes: 451
From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26
Went with Xpel and I am very happy. During the installation I found out the person who was doing the install works at the museum and installs Xpel for them when they are backed up.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 32
From: Los Angeles CA
Installer is more important than brand. Research the installer and talk to them about how they approach the install. Do they use a pre-cut kit or do they remove the badges and install and customize non pre-cut material? Will the buff out imperfections before the install? Have they done many C6's? Can you see photos of their work on C6's? Etc.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 2
From: Gurnee IL
Come to the VetteFest in Effingham, IL this summer and there will be professional installers with all their shop productss and equipment. You can register and schedule a date and time in advance to get it done. That is what I did last summer. They use Xpel products and the the installers are from the St. Louis area. Great guys that are very careful and do a great job. I watched them the whole time and they took the time to educate me and answer all my questions. You won't be disappointed.
They do all the prep work and two to three of them worked on my ZR1. They also give discount pricing at the event. They book up earlier so if you want a good installer at special event pricing for a great clear bra product, consider the VetteFest this year.
They do all the prep work and two to three of them worked on my ZR1. They also give discount pricing at the event. They book up earlier so if you want a good installer at special event pricing for a great clear bra product, consider the VetteFest this year.
Looks like maybe pre-cut (to your specific car) maybe better? Avoids installer using knife or razor near paint surfaces. Agree?
S -
Last edited by Lerxst; Jan 22, 2014 at 09:52 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 2
From: Kennesaw GA
Xpel
I have XPEL Ultimate. I think its really good and it's all about the application. Expensive but good. And it's saved me several times. Got backed into. No damage to fender paint!! Just had to replace film on that fender. I went to Ferrari Maserati Atlanta to see what they were installing on customers cars when I was researching films. They only use XPEL Ultimate.
Last edited by rhathawy; Jan 23, 2014 at 09:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 55
From: SoCal
I have XPEL Ultimate. I think its really good and it's all about the application. Expensive but good. And it's saved me several times. Got backed into. No damage to fender paint!! Just had to replace film on that fender. I went to Ferrari Maserati Atlanta to see what they were installing on customers cars when I was researching films. They only use XPEL Ultimate.
Had the front bumper and headlights covered. Took some pretty major rock hits after 8k miles.
Had the film removed and the paint underneath was perfect!
Replaced with the same brand 'Suntek' but I wrapped the entire car.
In addition to the protection, the film makes maintenance so much easier.. It's self healing so - no scratch or swirl marks to worry about.
It's really clear, so you can't tell it's there.
If going through an installer or reseller. There's a lot or room in the film and labor. So, make your deal accordingly.
Gl