DCortez

Car built 10/19/15
Car delivered 10/30/15
Xpel installed 11/10/15

Need to have Xpel removed from the car (covered except for the hatchback, spoiler, and rear). Spoke to an Xpel certified installer who said there is a chance the paint and/or full length stripes could be damaged.

Do we chance it and live with the install as is (wavy gravy, boulders, bad cuts, etc.) or should we move forward with a new install?

Any facts, experiences, opinions, etc., would be appreciated.

Glen e

You are discovering why I don't put XPEL on my cars. Because after two or three years, I don't like the way it looks. Just my opinion.However I've had pretty good luck with no major damage using a heat gun, going very slow , and following up with either 3m adhesive remover or GooGone. Polish and re-seal.

jagamajajaran

From the Xpel website:

Removing the Film

Professional removal of the film is recommended. However, when professional removal is not possible, the film may be removed as follows:

Warm the film with a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the adhesive. 170° is the recommended temperature for this process. Keep the heat source moving to avoid melting the film or damaging the paint.
Peel one corner of the film up with your fingernail.
Pull the film towards you at a shallow angle less than 45 degrees (see figure 8a). This angle is important to ensure sure that the adhesive comes off with the film rather than staying on the paint. The film should “stretch” off the car.
If any adhesive is left on the car, use a general adhesive remover to help loosen it.

Vetteman Jack

Thanks for posting up the info from the Xpel web site. I have Xpel on my DD and while I don't plan on removing it anytime soon, it's nice to know the process.

TyBoo

It came off the fenders and hood of my black C7 without any trace of it having been there. I pulled it off the fully wrapped fenders myself and easily cleaned off any residue left from the adhesive. It took a good deal of pulling to get it to peel so I had the install shop remove it from the hood.

It had been on there for five months and there was no damage to the paint. I don't have any stripes so I cannot speak to that.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

XPEL

Hi DCortez, I talked with my Houston rep and the reason why he mentioned there is a chance of paint/stripe damage is because there are unknown variables from when your other installer, installed the film. The likelihood of the film removing paint/clear coat/stripes is low, but he and many installers will mention that because it CAN happen, it doesn't always mean it WILL happen.

If removed in the fashion as someone posted above from our website, it shouldn't damage the paint/clear coat. If there is leftover adhesive, it can be removed with an general purpose adhesive remover.

Ultimately it comes down to what you'd prefer. Our installers at our Houston shop do a phenomenal job installing paint protection film and would love to fix the issues on your corvette.

DCortez

My main concern is having this car in the shop again, and again, and again, and again.


We're going to go for it and see what happens. Good, bad, or neutral, we'll live with the results.