Xpel on GS
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 820
From: Bay Area, CA
Taking off the badges would allow for a cleaner install, however it is not necessary. For mine, I soedudnt want them to remove the badges so they just used the precut and modified the pattern to extend out so they can wrap around the edges of the car. When they remove the emblems they’ll do a bulk wrap custom cut to the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 1,051
From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had the entire front end of mine done, and the PPF went right over top of the fender stripes. If you look up close, you can see a small lip where the PPF goes up and over them, but nothing that looks bad or sticks out, IMO. I like that they are protected. Since mine has the satin stinger stripe, the PPF goes up to edge of the stripe, but not over it, as I didn't want the gloss of the film to change the satin finish of the stripe. If I had a glossy stinger stripe, I would have covered that as well.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 348
Likes: 175
From: Central Texas
I have Suntek over my fender hash marks, no problem and looks good, but I don't have the stripe so no opinion on that. Removed all the chrome badges and reinstalled them over the film, looked perfect. Later removed the chrome badges and switched to carbon flash, no damage whatsoever to the film. Find a GOOD installer and they'll guide you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 28
From: bronx ny
I had the entire front end of mine done, and the PPF went right over top of the fender stripes. If you look up close, you can see a small lip where the PPF goes up and over them, but nothing that looks bad or sticks out, IMO. I like that they are protected. Since mine has the satin stinger stripe, the PPF goes up to edge of the stripe, but not over it, as I didn't want the gloss of the film to change the satin finish of the stripe. If I had a glossy stinger stripe, I would have covered that as well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 28
From: bronx ny
I have Suntek over my fender hash marks, no problem and looks good, but I don't have the stripe so no opinion on that. Removed all the chrome badges and reinstalled them over the film, looked perfect. Later removed the chrome badges and switched to carbon flash, no damage whatsoever to the film. Find a GOOD installer and they'll guide you.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 264
Likes: 73
From: CT
I have most of the car wrapped in Xpel except the roof, and rear. My installer cut around the fender stripes and did not cover the center stripe. They said there’s a chance of having air bubbles at the decals. You have to look closely & at the right angle to see the edges.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 348
Likes: 175
From: Central Texas
Many people have said that a good film is a good film and the key is to find the best installer and use what he sells. My guy installs SunTek and he is really good so the job he did is awesome. A bad installer can ruin it. If you want to do it I advise going to his shop and look at a few completed cars and watch him work. This guy's shop has amazing lights and is super nice and clean. I kid you not my GS was just about the cheapest car he did. I saw Bentleys, Porches, Maseratis and just an abundance of awesome cars. I picked him, not the film.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 1,051
From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Many people have said that a good film is a good film and the key is to find the best installer and use what he sells. My guy installs SunTek and he is really good so the job he did is awesome. A bad installer can ruin it. If you want to do it I advise going to his shop and look at a few completed cars and watch him work. This guy's shop has amazing lights and is super nice and clean. I kid you not my GS was just about the cheapest car he did. I saw Bentleys, Porches, Maseratis and just an abundance of awesome cars. I picked him, not the film.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 164
Likes: 19
My installer was telling me Expel lost their production supplier a few years back and has had some quality issues. Lumar and Suntek are the same company with the same film now. Heres a few clips of mine all done. Not bad for $600!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 1,040
From: Georgetown CA
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
Another GSCE person here but it sounds like mine was done a little differently than the others.
I didn't want to lose the satin finish on the black center stripe either so my installer used the stealth film over the center stripe
The hash stripes on the fender were covered. It does leave a little air gap around the edges doing it that way.
The combo of fender stripes and a satin center stripe does create challenges but as you can see in this thread there are a few different ways to approach. Each are good, depends a little on your installer and your desires.
I didn't want to lose the satin finish on the black center stripe either so my installer used the stealth film over the center stripe
The hash stripes on the fender were covered. It does leave a little air gap around the edges doing it that way.
The combo of fender stripes and a satin center stripe does create challenges but as you can see in this thread there are a few different ways to approach. Each are good, depends a little on your installer and your desires.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 705
Likes: 138
From: NH
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Winner -- Unmodified
My GS corvette was used as a demo for Xpel at the January 2017 Barrett Jackson Auction. The entire front end was covered, to include the fenders and CF front splitter, CF Side skirts and rear brake ducts. Highly recommend those rear brake ducts getting covered since they take a beating from the tires. My rear quarter was done also as to protect the car when on display to the public. My Xpel installer recommended that you don't cover other vinyl decals or stripes since it does create an air gap. My side hash marks are cut around so the Xpel just meets the stripes creating a smooth finish You can't even see the transition if the installer is trained well. I did not cover the statin hood stipe and the badges were left on and cut around. You have to really look hard to see the edges. Just my thoughts. I am looking now to cover my lower rocker panels since most people recommend that as well.
Here are a couple of pictures of my hood and hash stripes,
Here are a couple of pictures of my hood and hash stripes,