Xpel experience
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Joined: Jan 2014
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Xpel experience
Based on recommendations on this forum I had planned on installing Xpel on my C7 to protect against paint chipping. After driving the car a couple of weekends and 1,000 miles, I have noticed that the clear film that comes on the car from GM seems to absorb oily droplets and they will not come out, no matter how hard I scrub. I have the Artic White, so they really show up and I don't like it. Question, is does the Xpel absorb the oil as well? If so, I would rather get the occasional chip that can be touched up than have a clear film that holds oil spots. Thanks!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 7
Expel doesnt absorb.
I just had the car detailed last week with Opticoat Pro and I have Expel from the museum deliver. They noticed that my expel was installed really well, they said that usually when they see a car come in with a clear bra, they find lotsa bubbles. I had only one small on the bumper. I did the front bumper, hood, mirrors and rockers and fenders.
Now what you will notice is that if you ever detail the car properly, that the expel does have some orange peel accentuation from the factory paint.
And that a car that is properly Opticoated will really gloss more than the clear bra can.
I dont mind that. I'd rather have the paint protected from chips than have a high gloss hood where you can see the chip or chip repair.
And for those that have black rims- I had them polish mine and coat the rims too. Wow!
I just had the car detailed last week with Opticoat Pro and I have Expel from the museum deliver. They noticed that my expel was installed really well, they said that usually when they see a car come in with a clear bra, they find lotsa bubbles. I had only one small on the bumper. I did the front bumper, hood, mirrors and rockers and fenders.
Now what you will notice is that if you ever detail the car properly, that the expel does have some orange peel accentuation from the factory paint.
And that a car that is properly Opticoated will really gloss more than the clear bra can.
I dont mind that. I'd rather have the paint protected from chips than have a high gloss hood where you can see the chip or chip repair.
And for those that have black rims- I had them polish mine and coat the rims too. Wow!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Expel doesnt absorb.
I just had the car detailed last week with Opticoat Pro and I have Expel from the museum deliver. They noticed that my expel was installed really well, they said that usually when they see a car come in with a clear bra, they find lotsa bubbles. I had only one small on the bumper. I did the front bumper, hood, mirrors and rockers and fenders.
Now what you will notice is that if you ever detail the car properly, that the expel does have some orange peel accentuation from the factory paint.
And that a car that is properly Opticoated will really gloss more than the clear bra can.
I dont mind that. I'd rather have the paint protected from chips than have a high gloss hood where you can see the chip or chip repair.
And for those that have black rims- I had them polish mine and coat the rims too. Wow!
I just had the car detailed last week with Opticoat Pro and I have Expel from the museum deliver. They noticed that my expel was installed really well, they said that usually when they see a car come in with a clear bra, they find lotsa bubbles. I had only one small on the bumper. I did the front bumper, hood, mirrors and rockers and fenders.
Now what you will notice is that if you ever detail the car properly, that the expel does have some orange peel accentuation from the factory paint.
And that a car that is properly Opticoated will really gloss more than the clear bra can.
I dont mind that. I'd rather have the paint protected from chips than have a high gloss hood where you can see the chip or chip repair.
And for those that have black rims- I had them polish mine and coat the rims too. Wow!
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 7
Not a chance its Xpel.
its a clear plastic that is designed to be hard enough to protect the paint and panel from stones and other minor debris.
It is removeable and you can put on Xpel if you want.
I left it as is b/c I figure if an issue came from it, its warranty until it expires then I can do whatever I want.
The Expel installer can actually work with the existing factory plastic and you can protect the entire rocker.
The main advantage of Xpel is that it is a self healing film. Minor scratches heal with water, sunlight and time.
Its not a rip off.
If you apply Opticoat, that is a harder bond, similar to your clear coat and a little harder when it cures.
It resists very nicely most scratches
its a clear plastic that is designed to be hard enough to protect the paint and panel from stones and other minor debris.
It is removeable and you can put on Xpel if you want.
I left it as is b/c I figure if an issue came from it, its warranty until it expires then I can do whatever I want.
The Expel installer can actually work with the existing factory plastic and you can protect the entire rocker.
The main advantage of Xpel is that it is a self healing film. Minor scratches heal with water, sunlight and time.
Its not a rip off.
If you apply Opticoat, that is a harder bond, similar to your clear coat and a little harder when it cures.
It resists very nicely most scratches
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Not a chance its Xpel.
its a clear plastic that is designed to be hard enough to protect the paint and panel from stones and other minor debris.
It is removeable and you can put on Xpel if you want.
I left it as is b/c I figure if an issue came from it, its warranty until it expires then I can do whatever I want.
The Expel installer can actually work with the existing factory plastic and you can protect the entire rocker.
The main advantage of Xpel is that it is a self healing film. Minor scratches heal with water, sunlight and time.
Its not a rip off.
If you apply Opticoat, that is a harder bond, similar to your clear coat and a little harder when it cures.
It resists very nicely most scratches
its a clear plastic that is designed to be hard enough to protect the paint and panel from stones and other minor debris.
It is removeable and you can put on Xpel if you want.
I left it as is b/c I figure if an issue came from it, its warranty until it expires then I can do whatever I want.
The Expel installer can actually work with the existing factory plastic and you can protect the entire rocker.
The main advantage of Xpel is that it is a self healing film. Minor scratches heal with water, sunlight and time.
Its not a rip off.
If you apply Opticoat, that is a harder bond, similar to your clear coat and a little harder when it cures.
It resists very nicely most scratches
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 7
just make sure your installer removes with 'care'.
If he doesnt take precautions, he could literally give your rockers a bikini wax of the paint.
You dont know how strong the paint bond is between the body and the paint and the adhesive bond is to the paint.
whichever is stronger will stay adhered.
A little heat gun application of heat might be advisable to soften the plastic's adhesion vs the paints adhesion to the body.
If he doesnt take precautions, he could literally give your rockers a bikini wax of the paint.
You dont know how strong the paint bond is between the body and the paint and the adhesive bond is to the paint.
whichever is stronger will stay adhered.
A little heat gun application of heat might be advisable to soften the plastic's adhesion vs the paints adhesion to the body.
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Great info - the Xpel sounds like a very good product.