Xpel
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 926
Likes: 211
From: Sammamish Washington
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
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 178
Likes: 31
From: Sayreville NJ
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
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
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,485
Likes: 1,028
From: MN
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 196
From: Sullivan Illinois
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,613
From: Southwest Florida
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.
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 311
From: Gainesville, Ga
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 51
From: Georgetown TX
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.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
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.
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.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 947
Likes: 272
From: San Antonio TX
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 178
Likes: 31
From: Sayreville NJ
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 178
Likes: 31
From: Sayreville NJ
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,613
From: Southwest Florida
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 