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Old May 23, 2016 | 07:41 PM
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I am considering having my car Xpel-ed front bumper, hood and front fenders done. Any recommendations? What should I lookout for?
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Old May 23, 2016 | 07:49 PM
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Installer is critical. Price is secondary. Use Expel Ultimate.

Last edited by rmorin1249; May 23, 2016 at 07:49 PM.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 07:53 PM
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Xpel is a great product. Check out their website and user the installer locator at the top of the page to locate a factory trained installer. They also use little car icons to show how much work they do with Xpel at that particular shop. The more cars the better. You can use Yelp to get reviews on the shops listed by Xpel. You should also post this in the regional forum for NJ and ask folks for referrals to installers that have done good work for them.

Me personally, I'd recommend Xpel Ultimate for the full front end, A pillars, and the removable roof. Don't forget to have them do the headlights.

Good luck,
Mike

Last edited by mcoomer; May 23, 2016 at 07:54 PM.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mcoomer
Xpel is a great product. Check out their website and user the installer locator at the top of the page to locate a factory trained installer. They also use little car icons to show how much work they do with Xpel at that particular shop. The more cars the better. You can use Yelp to get reviews on the shops listed by Xpel. You should also post this in the regional forum for NJ and ask folks for referrals to installers that have done good work for them.

Me personally, I'd recommend Xpel Ultimate for the full front end, A pillars, and the removable roof. Don't forget to have them do the headlights.

Good luck,
Mike
Mike Thank You!
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Old May 23, 2016 | 08:02 PM
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Good choice! I have had 3M, VentureShield (now also 3M) and Xpel Ultimate, and Xpel is my favorite. In my opinion the 3M had an uneven surface, VentureShield was prone to stretch marks (but easy to install) and Xpel was about perfect.


I would talk to the installer just to confirm what their patterns will be, and also to make sure they include a wrap (like front edge of the hood) when possible.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by rmorin1249
Installer is critical. Price is secondary. Use Expel Ultimate.
I know first hand that using an experienced installer is top priority. I didn't and now regret having the film put on in the first place. Not at all happy with the install and Xpel says they don't warranty bad installs. If you use Xpel's installer locator make sure you pay attention to the "cars" they use for rating. I didn't know about this rating system at the time, if I had I would have taken my car elsewhere. I just clicked on my state and picked the closest installer to me. I now regret that.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 09:38 PM
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I agree the installer is most critical part and price is secondary.

Whichever one you go with it's ABSOLUETELY mandatory you have the car clay barred before application, whether you do it yourself or the installer does it.

Personally, I prefer 3M Pro Series. Had it installed on both my cars.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by rmorin1249
Installer is critical. Price is secondary. Use Expel Ultimate.
Exactly, find the best installer, don't worry about the price. You get what you pay for.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 09:55 PM
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Check out Leeberbs in Hillsboro NJ. He did my car, full hood, fenders, headlights, 1/2 mirrors, and rockers. Lee did a FANTASTIC job, very professional and does all the high end cars in the area. He has a facebook page where you can look at his work. Any questions PM me and I can give you some more info.
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Old May 23, 2016 | 11:38 PM
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I just had expel done and agree with the advice posted. Good luck!
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Old May 24, 2016 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by rmorin1249
Installer is critical. Price is secondary. Use Expel Ultimate.
Above all...do not let your installer down sell you to another brand! Some of the other brands are thinner and easier to install so the installer may try to convince you they are just as good or better. I was convinced to use Suntek and it did not hold up as well. Not self-healing as advertised.....
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Old May 24, 2016 | 08:08 AM
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One thing that is real important is the cleanliness of the install garage.

Any airborne dust (etc) that is in the room can be sealed in under the expel.
Inspect the installation garage before committing to a vender.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 09:55 AM
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Agree on installer. 100% the right installer makes a difference.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Fasteners201
I am considering having my car Xpel-ed front bumper, hood and front fenders done. Any recommendations? What should I lookout for?
Many have chimed in, and most are correct, find an installer you feel comfortable working on your vehicle. Where are you located? Check out our install locator here: XPEL LOCATOR. Once you find one near you, go check out their installations. See their attention to detail, if they wrap edges of the film (where possible), install quality, and most important of all if you feel comfortable with them working on your vehicle.

Regarding what to look for, wrapped edges where possible, pre-cut kits (reduces the need to cut the film on the car), install quality. The cheapest is not always the best.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by XPEL
Many have chimed in, and most are correct, find an installer you feel comfortable working on your vehicle. Where are you located? Check out our install locator here: XPEL LOCATOR. Once you find one near you, go check out their installations. See their attention to detail, if they wrap edges of the film (where possible), install quality, and most important of all if you feel comfortable with them working on your vehicle.

Regarding what to look for, wrapped edges where possible, pre-cut kits (reduces the need to cut the film on the car), install quality. The cheapest is not always the best.
Xpel - Thanks for the feedback and information.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Scoobydoobydoo
Check out Leeberbs in Hillsboro NJ. He did my car, full hood, fenders, headlights, 1/2 mirrors, and rockers. Lee did a FANTASTIC job, very professional and does all the high end cars in the area. He has a facebook page where you can look at his work. Any questions PM me and I can give you some more info.
Thank you for that referral and I had done some research last night and he has great reviews. I have him on my shortlist.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 07:53 PM
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Thank you everybody for this great detail and information. I will post pictures when completed.
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Old May 24, 2016 | 10:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Phanni
One thing that is real important is the cleanliness of the install garage.

Any airborne dust (etc) that is in the room can be sealed in under the expel.
Inspect the installation garage before committing to a vender.

Although no installer is going to have a clean room like we have at our Intel chip factories so airborne dust will be impossible to eliminate
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