Xpel Ultimate question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 532
From: Witness Protection Program Somewhere, USA
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
Xpel Ultimate question
Getting Xpel Ultimate installed on my 16 Z06. Anyone covered the headlights? My installer said that the film tends to diffuse the light pattern and it bothered some people and some not so much.
Like to hear pros/cons from those who have done it. Also any input from installers is appreciated.
Like to hear pros/cons from those who have done it. Also any input from installers is appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
From: Long island New York
Getting Xpel Ultimate installed on my 16 Z06. Anyone covered the headlights? My installer said that the film tends to diffuse the light pattern and it bothered some people and some not so much.
Like to hear pros/cons from those who have done it. Also any input from installers is appreciated.
Like to hear pros/cons from those who have done it. Also any input from installers is appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 906
Likes: 62
From: Seattle WA
If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for 100% coverage? I got a few quotes and thought they were a bit high.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 440
From: Fonthill Ontario
I am in Canada...paid 4200 but it was the first installation here and the installer told me that he under quoted himself and t should have been 1 k more considering what was done including the Stage 2 aero.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,436
Likes: 977
From: Overland Park KS
If you buy the old style headlight protection films they could cause issues with diffusion because they were so darn thick. But when you have your installer simply use a piece of the Xpel Ultimate to cover the headlights you'll have no issue and won't even know it's applied; if your installer is decent.
Bish
Bish
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 11
From: Omaha
The most important thing I can tell you is to get 3 references from your "installer" and see if the customers were happy with the "workmanship". I used a company here in Omaha called "Auto Trim Design" and I was very "Unhappy" with the installers workmanship. He made two rub marks just under the passengers headlight and didn't have enough "pride" to see them and buff them out. I won't go back there again. Check out the installer carefully.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 625
Likes: 1
From: Aledo Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
The most important thing I can tell you is to get 3 references from your "installer" and see if the customers were happy with the "workmanship". I used a company here in Omaha called "Auto Trim Design" and I was very "Unhappy" with the installers workmanship. He made two rub marks just under the passengers headlight and didn't have enough "pride" to see them and buff them out. I won't go back there again. Check out the installer carefully.
Find a good experienced installer! Have seen some very bad results due to bad installer. Had my Z06 headlights done with Xpel, no problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,590
Likes: 1,615
From: GREER SC
I had my last Z, avatar pic, lights covered with no ill effects. I'm not going to have my 16 done when it comes in. I was disappointed in it on my last car. It really didn't protect it as much as I thought it would and it got very dirty around the edges. It was AW so maybe that's why. But my 16 is going to be AW as well. Maybe it doesn't get that way on dark colors. IDK And anything more than a very small object still got into the paint as well and it was always kind of dull, especially in sunlight. Just couldn't get it to shine the way it should. But I also don't know what to do to protect the new car yet. Still researching.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,301
Likes: 959
From: in the country North Carolina
I had my last Z, avatar pic, lights covered with no ill effects. I'm not going to have my 16 done when it comes in. I was disappointed in it on my last car. It really didn't protect it as much as I thought it would and it got very dirty around the edges. It was AW so maybe that's why. But my 16 is going to be AW as well. Maybe it doesn't get that way on dark colors. IDK And anything more than a very small object still got into the paint as well and it was always kind of dull, especially in sunlight. Just couldn't get it to shine the way it should. But I also don't know what to do to protect the new car yet. Still researching.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,590
Likes: 1,615
From: GREER SC
What film did you use? My car is VY and not white but I haven't had any problems. I'm using xpel ultimate and the installer told me not to use wax and to be careful of the edges and be sure to clean them well. My car is actually glossier now than it was before the xpel.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,301
Likes: 959
From: in the country North Carolina
Thanks. I know there are issues with white vehicles that don't seem to be a problem with other colors and the edges do get dirty faster than the rest of it. I wash mine often and that probably is why I don't have a problem with that. I put on a synthetic sealant and I honestly have more gloss than before I put the xpel on. Hopefully you'll be happer with the 16 than you were with the 15. Good luck and enjoy.
