Question about wrappings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 70
From: Clyde, Tx
Question about wrappings
Didn't I read somewhere that Suntek was better wrapping than X-Pel because X-Pel would yellow over time? How would that affect a black vette? Also, would someone please explain the ceramic (?) wrapping I've been reading about on the forum? Thanks for patience and God bless you all.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 12
From: Louisville, KY
I have the full front installed on my black '17 GS
Last edited by Blackbird13; Aug 1, 2017 at 11:33 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 223
Likes: 15
From: The Villages, FL (unwillingly LOL)
also what does this cost?
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,057
Likes: 17,925
From: DFW Area TX
Xpel has the longest warranty in the business. As mentioned above, it is 10 years and that includes yellowing.
Ceramic is a coating, not a wrap. "Wraps" are officially Paint Protection Film. Ceramic coatings contain nano ceramic particles (and other nano particles) that work at the molecular level. Ceramic coatings are the latest version of "wax". After the various waxes, Rejex and Zanio were popular. They were polymer coatings. Now ceramic coatings are the rage.
Coatings and PPF serve very different purposes and are not mutually exclusive.
Ceramic is a coating, not a wrap. "Wraps" are officially Paint Protection Film. Ceramic coatings contain nano ceramic particles (and other nano particles) that work at the molecular level. Ceramic coatings are the latest version of "wax". After the various waxes, Rejex and Zanio were popular. They were polymer coatings. Now ceramic coatings are the rage.
Coatings and PPF serve very different purposes and are not mutually exclusive.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 137
Likes: 70
From: Clyde, Tx
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Blackbird, did you do the install yourself or have it done?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 771
Likes: 220
From: Saint Clair Shores Michigan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 1,039
From: Georgetown CA
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
XPel is on the forums, they do post, I'm copy / pasting some info they posted previously about cost below.
As many have said, it depends where you live depending on coverage areas...being Florida, with lovebugs and semi-okay roads..we'd still recommend a full front end and rocker panels.
It really comes down to the installer. We have many factory trained installers, but some will do a better job than others, just as any job market. Do some research and go with someone you feel comfortable installing on your brand-new baby.
Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
When you do find an installer:
- Be sure to ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning that the film will wrap over the edge of the panel)
- Visit their shop and look at some of their installations they've completed, as certain installers may do things differently
- Exam the installation to see if the visible seams are close the edge of the body panel
- You can ask them if they've wrapped your vehicle before, some installers may have wrapped a few, some may have wrapped a hundred...it's best to find an installer you feel comfortable leaving your pride and joy with.
As many have said, it depends where you live depending on coverage areas...being Florida, with lovebugs and semi-okay roads..we'd still recommend a full front end and rocker panels.
It really comes down to the installer. We have many factory trained installers, but some will do a better job than others, just as any job market. Do some research and go with someone you feel comfortable installing on your brand-new baby.
Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
When you do find an installer:
- Be sure to ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning that the film will wrap over the edge of the panel)
- Visit their shop and look at some of their installations they've completed, as certain installers may do things differently
- Exam the installation to see if the visible seams are close the edge of the body panel
- You can ask them if they've wrapped your vehicle before, some installers may have wrapped a few, some may have wrapped a hundred...it's best to find an installer you feel comfortable leaving your pride and joy with.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 68
From: Waverly Tennessee
XPel is on the forums, they do post, I'm copy / pasting some info they posted previously about cost below.
As many have said, it depends where you live depending on coverage areas...being Florida, with lovebugs and semi-okay roads..we'd still recommend a full front end and rocker panels.
It really comes down to the installer. We have many factory trained installers, but some will do a better job than others, just as any job market. Do some research and go with someone you feel comfortable installing on your brand-new baby.
Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
When you do find an installer:
- Be sure to ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning that the film will wrap over the edge of the panel)
- Visit their shop and look at some of their installations they've completed, as certain installers may do things differently
- Exam the installation to see if the visible seams are close the edge of the body panel
- You can ask them if they've wrapped your vehicle before, some installers may have wrapped a few, some may have wrapped a hundred...it's best to find an installer you feel comfortable leaving your pride and joy with.
As many have said, it depends where you live depending on coverage areas...being Florida, with lovebugs and semi-okay roads..we'd still recommend a full front end and rocker panels.
It really comes down to the installer. We have many factory trained installers, but some will do a better job than others, just as any job market. Do some research and go with someone you feel comfortable installing on your brand-new baby.
Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
When you do find an installer:
- Be sure to ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning that the film will wrap over the edge of the panel)
- Visit their shop and look at some of their installations they've completed, as certain installers may do things differently
- Exam the installation to see if the visible seams are close the edge of the body panel
- You can ask them if they've wrapped your vehicle before, some installers may have wrapped a few, some may have wrapped a hundred...it's best to find an installer you feel comfortable leaving your pride and joy with.
I tried searching the forum, but.... well, search XPel and see how many results there are haha.
Thanks again!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 200
From: Houston Texas
Three pieces of advice for you.
Find the best installer that you can even if it means a 3 month wait.
Find the best installer that you can even if it means a 3 month wait.
Find the best installer that you can even if it means a 3 month wait.
Find the best installer that you can even if it means a 3 month wait.
Find the best installer that you can even if it means a 3 month wait.
Find the best installer that you can even if it means a 3 month wait.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 1,039
From: Georgetown CA
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
The advance search can be your friend :-) Searched by username (Xpel) and costs for the word to narrow things down.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 12
From: Louisville, KY
You can find recommended cost here:
http://www.xpel.com/paint-protection-kits/
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 12
From: Louisville, KY
I wish I could take credit for doing the work, but there's no way I could have done it on my own. I took it to a Xpel certified installer. I watched the installer work for hours when I had my C6 done...it's easy to apply, but not at all easy to get right! It takes time, patience, and skill.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 378
Likes: 167
From: Eastern TN
Also be sure to get competing bids for the same work from certified installers using both Xpel and Suntek if possible. They should have photos of their work of vehicles such as yours to share. I just had the entire front clip, headlights, mirrors, doors, side skirts, a pillars, and rear quarter panels done in Suntek Ultra.
Last edited by Rsaodom; Aug 4, 2017 at 11:01 AM.