I am getting ready to pull the trigger on Xpel Ultimate for my 2006 triple black convertible. I purchased it a year and a half ago with 45,000 miles on it and it now has 47,000. The paint on the bumper and hood is near flawless. That's the only reason I'm considering it. Before I spend a bucket of cash to get this done, has anyone had PPF installed on their car and wished they had not spent the money to have it done?

For example: if I get a scratch in the clear coat on my hood , I can buff it out (usually). If I get a scratch in the PPF on the hood, can it be buffed out without burning through or distorting the PPF ? In fact, can you even used a buffer/polisher on PPF?
Thank you,
Bob

 

Should have done it sooner. Make sure to have paint "corrected" before and ceramic coat OVER the xpel if you're really trying to make it last.

 

The newer ppf products are self healing if you get a nick or whatever

 

I have the 3M equivalent (i.e., self-healing) on my Cayman S and it works great. Small "nicks" etc. will heal once ambient air temperature is warm (don't know exact temp). IMO, there's no point in putting ceramic coating over a film coating.

+1 on comment about doing paint correction before application (of PPF or ceramic coating).

 

I have heard the rumors that if you get a PPF ding from a hard tossed stone on the bumper, you can apply heat from a hair dryer and that will "heal" the mark ? Not sure if that means the mark or star disappears completely. But can a scratch on a flat surface like the hood be removed in the same manor as well?

 

The stuff is amazing, as everyone has stated above, self healing, warranty etc. The BIGGEST mistake you can make is the installed. Check XPELs web site for certified installers. I've had three cars done and just had my new truck done. Expensive, yes, no chips in paint, bird droppings, bug stains, priceless. The newest product is treated like paint as far as wax and the reflection depth is incredible. Can't go wrong, except for the installer...

 

Only regret I had is when I took it off. The film came off fairly easily with heat. The underlying adhesive didn't. Huge fight to get it cleaned up. That said, the film works just as advertised in protecting the paint from rock chips. Not a problem unless you keep the car longer than the film's useable life span (7yrs?). In my case I kept it on 10yrs which was a little too long. Once it starts to go bad, the longer you wait to replace it the more trouble it is to remove it.

 

I checked Xpel's website and the installer I spoke to is listed on their site.

TX

 

Had Xpel installed on my 2013 when new. The areas where it was applied still look showroom new.

 

I have PPF on all my cars. No regrets whatsoever. As stated above, installation is the key. Do your homework on that aspect, even if the guy is on XPEL's authorized list. Look at other cars he has done and check social media, consumer review sites etc. Get it done right and you'll be very happy with it.

 

Trebor,

We appreciate you considering XPEL protection for your beautiful C6. For your question about scratches and to your other comment, XPEL was the very first company to introduce a self-healing PPF (paint protection film) to the market back in 2011 with XPEL ULTIMATE. Currently, XPEL ULTIMATE PLU, ULTIMATE PLUS 10, and STEALTH PPF's are all self-healing, non-yellowing, and warrantied for 10 years. Parts and labor. To learn more about how self-healing works and other benefits of PPF, take a look at this video from YouTuber Engineering Explained where he goes in-depth on how PPF works including how self-healing works.


Fine swirls and surface scratches will go away from the heat of the sun, a heat gun, or a hot cup of water. Of course, PPF is not impenetrable, but for your every day wear and tear fine swirls and scratches, they should all self-heal. On the other end of the extreme should there be an accident, most insurance companies will pay to have the film replaced once the body is replaced/repainted.

If you're after extra protection, we recommend going with our newest PPF, ULTIMATE PLUS 10. This PPF is 10mils thick compared to the standard ULTIMATE PLUS (8mils thick), providing increased impact resistance and durability. The best part about it is that it's still extremely contourable and is able to be installed on any body panel, not just the front bumper.

We hope this info helps, don't hesitate to reach out should you ever have any questions or need anything.

 

Thank you for all the information from members and Xpel. I found 2 installers in my area that are listed on the Xpel.com website (one in Andover ,MA and the other in Sslem , NH). I saw that they install Xpel Ultimate, but I'm not sure if they install Xpel Ultimate Plus. I'll look into them further.

Thanks again

 

Something to keep in mind... regardless of how xclnt an installer is, there will be some ends/edges/etc where the edge of the material will be seen. Before you make a buying decision on Ult vs. Utl +, see some installed samples on the same type/make of rig so you can see how the install is handled with any sharp corners, panel joins, etc. etc. Over time, the edges could get a little dirty or discolored depending on the outdoor environment. Cleaning edges is possible... but for the cost of an install (materials & labor), you should be sure the "thickness" is something you can live with in the small areas where you'll be sure to see edges.

 

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OP, if you get someone who has done this for a while, they can actually wrap it around the edges versus stopping at the edge as stated above. I had the half hood when I bought the car which has half the fender also. I had the whole front done, around the edges, so no lines. More expensive but i have no regrets.

 

I had the XPEL film installed and it's been great. The self healing characteristics work, but there are limits. I have one small spot on my rocker panel where something hit and damaged the film to the point where it won't heal. However, the paint underneath is fine. It's not in a noticeable spot so I'll just leave it. The film can be replaced if it happens often enough. To some extent the film is a wear item, but better the film than your paint.

 

Like the other posters said, the only regret would be a poor installation

 

Thanks for the info. Considering getting it done. Any price info on combinations or separate -front, hood, bumper, etc?

 

Ask the installer if they are using the pre-cut kit or if they use whole sheets. I recently had my Z & my wife’s brand new ‘20 Grand Cherokee covered, full front including bumper, headlights, hood, fenders & side mirrors. Xpel advertises that the film is virtually invisible, it’s not. The shop I used & that was recommended used pre-cut kits, which leave a lot to be desired.

The kit on the front bumper of the C6 is in multiple pieces so you’ll have a vertical line just below each fog light. The kit also leaves a good amount of open space around the fog lights which is an area that can get hit with rocks/debris. The mirror kit has a relief line horizontal right in the center of the mirror which makes it easy to see. The same on the mirrors on my wife’s GC, they did them in 2 pieces with a very obvious seam on the top of the mirror and a good portion of the mirror is left exposed.

Maybe my expectations were too high, but for the price I expected better. As time has passed I don’t notice the seams as much. The other disappointing aspect was an Xpel rep was contacted re these issues and said that’s just the way the kits are cut.

So if you go into it understanding you’ll see some seams & not all the areas you think should be covered are covered, you’ll be alright.

One other thing - check with your insurance company to see if they’ll cover replacement if damage to the covered areas occurs. My wife’s GC got hit by a metal object that fell off a truck on the freeway resulting in the front bumper needing replaced. Our insurance, Allstate refused to cover replacing the Xpel. We had to fight with them & the body shop fought with them to finally get them to cover it. We’re still waiting for the reimbursement however.

 

The only regret I have about PPF is not using it sooner. I love driving my cars, including doing a lot of "back road" trips and road trips, which will absolutely leave a lot of damage to the front bumper cover, mirrors and occasionally some stuff on the hood/fenders. My previous '13 GS I didn't do it because it was "too expensive". I had a buddy that could repaint the bumper cover for $300, and I figured it'd be cheaper just to repaint whenever needed. While this was ultimately true (repainted it twice while I owned it), the $ alone doesn't tell the whole story as you have to live with all the damage between repaints and also dealing with the repaints (getting the car to the shop, being without it for several days, etc). On the next car (C7 Stingray) the first owner had done the front bumper cover already and it was great. For my '12 ZR1, the paint was flawless when I got it and I had the entire front half done (bumper cover, hood, fenders, mirrors, lights and hood window) and it's so nice not to have to worry about it. I also had ceramic coating put on top of the PPF and it's great as if I get bugs on the front, I can literally just wipe them off when I get home.

A few things to that I've found (and others may have pointed out above):

• Get the paint corrected before having PPF put on, as once it's on every little defect is there until you pull it off.
• Find a good installer that really takes his time and is proud of his work. It's worth it.
• Also, really good installers will often not use templates (or will oversize them) and trim everything for a perfect fit.
• For the best results, have all the emblems, grills, etc removed and then reinstalled on top of the film.
• Do NOT do a half hood (or any half panel for that matter). It looks like absolute crap and everybody will notice it. Personally, I would recommend either front bumper cover and mirrors only (if you are on a very limited budget), front half of the car (probably best value) or the entire car (very nice, but also big $$).
• Some may not agree, but I like having ceramic coating put on top of the PPF. It makes for much easier cleaning.

On my current ZR1 other than two small cut lines on the bottom of the front bumper cover (below the opening), you can't tell it has PPF. Everything is tucked away perfectly and all the emblems were removed and then put back on top of the PPF. It's honestly some of the best money I've ever spent on a car as I can drive it all I want (recently did a 2500 mile road trip) and just don't have to worry about it.