cyi1

So I drove my car home Saturday and left for work in the daily driver. I finally pulled it out 30 minutes ago to wash and noticed these mark. I honestly have no idea what could have caused it. Nothing I know of hit my car.

The tiny dots appear to be under the film. The large mark is strange. I don't know how I would have missed it at pickup but running my finger across it, it feels like something is under the film.

The last one is definitely lint under the film.

mig1980

Wow, a lot of imperfections. Looks like delivering a quality result is not this company's strength.

I would take it back and have them redo it.

cyi1

Yea... This will be attempt 3 on the bumper. Worst part is they're about 40 minutes away, I have 1 day off a week owning a restaurant, and they need it for more than a day usually.

23/C8Z

call Xpel. i'll pm you an email. should help you out. that sucks. xpel is a fantastic product. installer is the key.

case in point check it out. Saw this at a cars n coffee other day...

You wouldn't believe what car this was on lol

cyi1

My car had that issue when I first picked up. They corrected it along with some lifting along the edge of the fender vent area.

This next time I pick it up I'll be looking the car over very closely. When I picked the car up the last 2 times, I was so anxious to get behind the wheel of the car so I overlooked these issues.

hcvone

I did my diamond white Escalade about 6 years ago and found out how hard it was to get it 100% perfect and keep the dust and dirt from getting under the film, and at that point I said I would never do it again. Since then I have had sections of cars clear plastic filmed, but wanted my Z06 to be 100% wrapped, every paint part, ground effects and spoilers included. They had the car for 5 days, tinted windows too, didn't have to go back for any touch ups, and looks fantastic. I see a lot of cars being in the car care business, and there are a lot of shops installing clear plastic, and some are just much better than others, be careful when shopping for this service, it's expensive and can make your car look crappy if not done correctly.

LAYNLOW

Every XPEL pic on this thread is unacceptable. XPEL is a great product, a little thicker than others and not as clear. Has a better warranty, but does not install as easy as other brands.
There is now way in hell these installers shouldn't make this right.
Good luck!

cyi1

Luckily the shop has been really great about getting it perfect. The owner of the shop CALLED ME this morning to personally see that his gets corrected and that he stands behind his product. He said to never be shy about any concerns that I ever have with the work they've done. Made me feel a lot better.

mikegaan

There's a lesson here. Researching the best protective film is only half the battle. Equally important is researching the installer.
(full car coverage on 2015 Z - great installer in St. Louis area).

23/C8Z

I would argue more important on who installs it thwn what they install lol.

LAYNLOW

cyi1

I still don't know if this hassle was worth it.

They wrapped my mirrors in carbon flash but I'm starting to see peeling already. It's been a week and less than 150 miles.

Had to find rides twice to drop my car off. It's an hr away with traffic. Have to drop it off again.. And who knows if it'll be right the 3rd time.

mig1980

Personally, if you are having second thoughts on them being able to perform the work well at all, ask for your money back and go somewhere else.

I hear you, no one has infinite time to be dealing with issues like this. It is frustrating because you pay for results.

23/C8Z

Mirrors are the true test of a vinyl wrap specialist. Have yet to see one do it to perfection.

better off painting them.

sTz

I agree, it’s the installer. I’m no expert, but have installed Xpel on several vehicles. The most basic step is to ensure that the surface is clean, which obviously was overlooked in the OP’s case.

rikhek

IMHO, better of by-passing the PPL altogether. I had full coverage on my 15 C6Z and had issues. Nothing significant, just annoying and cost me some time.

On my 17 I decided to do nothing. If it gets bad enough it's easier and not much more, if any to just repaint.

cyi1

Went in for window tint & hood stinger stripe and ended up doing the mirrors/polish/ppf/ceramic.... If only I could go back in time lol

rikhek

I might as well rub it in and give you something else to think about in hindsight. I really dislike the factory vinyl Stinger sticker. I couldn't see putting a vinyl sticker on the car. I also dislike how the factory sticker makes a sharp angle from the hood line to meet the top of the hood vent. IMHO, looks silly and half assed.

GM does this as it would be difficult to get a sticker to go around the hood vent following the lines of the hood.

I had my painter paint a stinger in carbon flash on my car. Cost was $500, about the same as the vinyl sticker when ordered from the factory. Also, I don't have the vinyl transition "line" you can see and feel with your fingernail. My painter did it the proper way by clearing the entire hood after painting the stinger.

I really like the way it turned out especially compared to a sticker.

Also, before the naysayers come out with the argument that the sticker can be removed when selling the car and the painted stinger can't I'll add; When ordering my car I didn't specify my build or mods based upon what some future buyer might, or might not like. I ordered and modded based upon what I want(ed).

cyi1

luckily the hood was striped and wrapped in xpel without any blemishes

cyi1

Friend pointed out a couple more pieces of lint under the film inside small bubbles.. The front bumper needs to be redone for 3rd time