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How hard is it install xpel on the front end of a 16 Vette? Just got the Vette yesterday and would like to put some type of protection on the front end before I start driving it regularly. I am looking at getting the precut kit and doing it in my garage. It looks like the local installers are charging $500 to install the kit. I have put xpel on the rocker panels behind the front and rear wheels on other cars will little problem. Installed the Clearstatic film on my old 73 as well. Just wondering if there is anything hard about the fitting around the emblem or head lights or whatever.
I just had my 2016 front end, rockers, mirrors, and wheels done by a certified Xpel installer. I talked to them about the installation as I thought about trying it. From what I learned it is not easy as it looks, especially the front end nose sections as there is stretching and a test gun required to get it flat.
Also the other item that is most important is the paint correction prior to the Xpel installation.
^^^^ I was going to get mine done at a car show. But after seeing the type of job this place did on the prep work on the paint are should I say the not doing much work on the prep.
I am still looking for a good shop tat does go prep work so it doesn't have a ton of trash & marks in under the film after it is on the car.
I was almost convinced to get my front bumper & mirrors done at the local XPEL installer for about $1200.00 before my buddy said to me, "Why would you do that when you can get the same area repainted for $300.00?" So I decided to hold off.
I was almost convinced to get my front bumper & mirrors done at the local XPEL installer for about $1200.00 before my buddy said to me, "Why would you do that when you can get the same area repainted for $300.00?" So I decided to hold off.
$300.00! Hmmm........ I wonder how good of a paint job that would be. The nice thing about Xpel is it is continuous protection. I had a car repainted some years ago and had rock chips on it before I got it home. It's your money, do what works for you.
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I watched a pro installer put Xpel on my DD. They made it look easy, but it is not something I would feel comfortable doing. Would hate to mess up an expensive bunch of the film.
On a scale of 1- 10, it is an 11. Unless you have considerable experience I would not attempt it. The cost of the material is much less than the labor to have it done right. There are numerous threads about poor installs. Don't shop for price alone.
On a scale of 1- 10, it is an 11. Unless you have considerable experience I would not attempt it. The cost of the material is much less than the labor to have it done right. There are numerous threads about poor installs. Don't shop for price alone.
Prep work and just getting the paint to look good is a big part of the job. Then getting it on the car to make it look like nothing is on it also a big part.
How hard is it install xpel on the front end of a 16 Vette? Just got the Vette yesterday and would like to put some type of protection on the front end before I start driving it regularly. I am looking at getting the precut kit and doing it in my garage. It looks like the local installers are charging $500 to install the kit. I have put xpel on the rocker panels behind the front and rear wheels on other cars will little problem. Installed the Clearstatic film on my old 73 as well. Just wondering if there is anything hard about the fitting around the emblem or head lights or whatever.
I installed xpel on my lower 1/2 of the hood and rocker panel with no problem on my grand sport 2 years ago.Thinking this is easy..it was a freakin' nightmare doing the front bumper and basically gave up ruining the film and paying clearbra of ohio (who i highly recommend if your within driving distance of Cincinnati). The front just had to many angles,you really have to stretch and work,not to mention it takes 2 people imho to do that area.
How hard is it install xpel on the front end of a 16 Vette? Just got the Vette yesterday and would like to put some type of protection on the front end before I start driving it regularly. I am looking at getting the precut kit and doing it in my garage. It looks like the local installers are charging $500 to install the kit. I have put xpel on the rocker panels behind the front and rear wheels on other cars will little problem. Installed the Clearstatic film on my old 73 as well. Just wondering if there is anything hard about the fitting around the emblem or head lights or whatever.
$500 to install it...WOW...I paid $395 to have installed SunTek, self-healing film...front bumper only. Warranted for five years. Perfect job; and yes, they prepped the front bumper.
Semper Fi
Last edited by Former USMC; Jun 14, 2016 at 06:54 PM.
I recently installed Xpel on a few high impact areas (rockers, rear brake ducts, side skirts, mirrors, etc.) without any previous experience in using the product and it came out perfect. It is very forgiving and you can peel and reposition the pieces if necessary as long as you keep it wet. I used a spray bottle of water, several drops of Dawn, and a small amount of isopropyl. I also used a few high quality squeegees in different sizes.
I definitely would not attempt to cover the entire car myself, but would feel comfortable installing precut pieces on the front clip.
There are several YouTube tutorials that might be able to give you a general idea of the installation process...
I spent 8 hours applying Xpel's TracWrap temporary film to protect until I get my professional installation next month. (I bought two 6 inch by 40 foot rolls.) I found it extremely tedious and was left with many air and/or water bubbles. I would not even think about trying to do the permanent job myself.
Originally Posted by RMS73
How hard is it install xpel on the front end of a 16 Vette? Just got the Vette yesterday and would like to put some type of protection on the front end before I start driving it regularly. I am looking at getting the precut kit and doing it in my garage. It looks like the local installers are charging $500 to install the kit. I have put xpel on the rocker panels behind the front and rear wheels on other cars will little problem. Installed the Clearstatic film on my old 73 as well. Just wondering if there is anything hard about the fitting around the emblem or head lights or whatever.
I was almost convinced to get my front bumper & mirrors done at the local XPEL installer for about $1200.00 before my buddy said to me, "Why would you do that when you can get the same area repainted for $300.00?" So I decided to hold off.
Ridiculous statement. You aren't getting any quality paintwork done for 300 bucks, and between now and the time you get your "$300" repainted front end you'll have all the stone chips to look at... Plus all the new ones in your resprayed bumper shortly thereafter.
Maybe, but, I already have stone chips and the last thing I want to do is put expensive film over top of them on a white car and have it yellow after a couple of years.
Xpel installation--How hard?
So I decided to hold off.
Prep work and just getting the paint to look good is a big part of the job. Then getting it on the car to make it look like nothing is on it also a big part.
