Xpel or Ceramic Coating; Help Me decide
08-24-2018, 12:01 PM
#3
Pro
08-24-2018, 12:15 PM
#4
Scraping the splitter.
Use Xpel on the high risk areas for rock chips such as the nose, lower hood, rockers, etc.. Everywhere else can be ceramic coated. The guys who do my cars do not like to ceramic coat areas where the clear bra will be applied because it apparently negatively effects the adhesion of the clear bra to the car.
S.
S.
08-24-2018, 12:19 PM
#5
Instructor
I would do the ceramic coating, and do it myself, especially with a new car where there should be no significant paint correction required. Basically, ceramic is a layer of diamond hard clear coating on top of the existing paint, so if the paint is imperfect you are clear coating over an imperfection that you will still see and then cannot correct once coated, Not a real issue with new paint, or at least minimal to correct with a small buffer before applying the ceramic. If rock chips are a concern, xpel the nose and rear quarter where prone to chips. In my opinion, to expel the entire car is cost prohibitive. From what I have been quoted, it would be cheaper to repaint the car. If its a daily driver, I think I would just drive it and not worry too much about chips... spoils the experience.
08-24-2018, 12:43 PM
#6
Spent $3k+ on full frontal XPEL on my ZR1 and after approx 1000miles I have two fairly serious rock chips THROUGH the XPEL. Waste of money IMO, I will likely not be applying it to future cars.
Ceramic coating is awesome however for keeping the car clean and gives a very glossy finish. Does nothing to protect from impacts but well worth the $500-1000 it costs.
Ceramic coating is awesome however for keeping the car clean and gives a very glossy finish. Does nothing to protect from impacts but well worth the $500-1000 it costs.
08-24-2018, 12:55 PM
#7
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Spent $3k+ on full frontal XPEL on my ZR1 and after approx 1000miles I have two fairly serious rock chips THROUGH the XPEL. Waste of money IMO, I will likely not be applying it to future cars.
Ceramic coating is awesome however for keeping the car clean and gives a very glossy finish. Does nothing to protect from impacts but well worth the $500-1000 it costs.
Ceramic coating is awesome however for keeping the car clean and gives a very glossy finish. Does nothing to protect from impacts but well worth the $500-1000 it costs.
Xpel is not meant to protect from something that damaging but it can protect from many abrasions/ light impacts.
Good stuff but like all clear films, it has its limitations.
Last edited by vrybad; 08-24-2018 at 12:55 PM.
08-24-2018, 02:12 PM
#8
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PPF saved my Z after a few scrapes. PPF on front, ground effects and mirrors. Maybe will do rear quarters on ZR due to Cups. Ceramic Pro over that. 3 seasons later no wax ever, high gloss, black trim etc pops and much easier to clean.
Zr Should not require paint correction. Check around on prices, materials and process. Most of all use someone highly recommended.
Zr Should not require paint correction. Check around on prices, materials and process. Most of all use someone highly recommended.
08-24-2018, 04:21 PM
#9
Dare to Compare
I had ZR1 #1 front end covered with PPF, #2 ZR1 was purchased used with 8 coats of ceramic. I was always a PPF fan, but after seeing the ceramic on #2, it has a couple little pits from rocks, but it honestly looks better than the PPF. I buffed out the small pits in the ceramic and I still have some very small bubble spots in the PPF which drives me nuts.
08-24-2018, 05:42 PM
#10
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I had 3M on my last Z06 and when I tell you, it stopped a very serious abrasion from getting thru to the paint, I am not kidding.
I would have had to repaint the entire hood had it not been for the clear film.
I'll go with the film every time, based on my experiences.
I would have had to repaint the entire hood had it not been for the clear film.
I'll go with the film every time, based on my experiences.
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DebRedZR1 (08-25-2018)
08-24-2018, 05:46 PM
#11
08-24-2018, 06:08 PM
#12
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Depends on where you live and drive, ceramic offers no stone or chip protection, just makes maintenance MUCH easier, have used clear plastic protection since 2003, has made resale much easier, if the plastic is in good shape I sell the car/truck with it, if not I remove the plastic and the car/truck is brand new, my last 4 vette's have been 100% wrapped, works for me
08-24-2018, 06:27 PM
#13
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Depends on where you live and drive, ceramic offers no stone or chip protection, just makes maintenance MUCH easier, have used clear plastic protection since 2003, has made resale much easier, if the plastic is in good shape I sell the car/truck with it, if not I remove the plastic and the car/truck is brand new, my last 4 vette's have been 100% wrapped, works for me
08-24-2018, 06:30 PM
#14
Both
08-25-2018, 10:38 AM
#15
I did both on my 488 and have just Xpel on both Corvette's. From actual experience, my carbon road bicycle fell over and the end of the handle bar hit the side of the 488 just in front of the wheel. After returning to a normal heart beat, I found a tear in the protective film with no marks on the paint. I scheduled a new front panel and you cannot see any marks. There is absolutely no yellowing on my 2014 Corvette and all the panels are just like new as installed. I will not have a sports car without this protection! Washing is so easy and fast too, I might add.
Last edited by Racerdj; 08-25-2018 at 10:39 AM.
08-28-2018, 02:19 PM
#17
Both...ppf...then ceramic coating over top of the film to give that hyperbolic property as well as bring some more shine back to the paint.
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AZ Car Guy (08-30-2018)
08-28-2018, 02:20 PM
#18
Use Xpel on the high risk areas for rock chips such as the nose, lower hood, rockers, etc.. Everywhere else can be ceramic coated. The guys who do my cars do not like to ceramic coat areas where the clear bra will be applied because it apparently negatively effects the adhesion of the clear bra to the car.
S.
S.
Last edited by D'ZR1 Messiah; 08-28-2018 at 02:20 PM.
08-29-2018, 09:37 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
I put Xpell ultimate on my 14 Z51. Best money I ever spent. I did the entire front end and fenders, the rear fenders, splitters, exterior mirrors, and the first third of the top and the vertical windshield frames.
4 years and 26,000 miles of dealing with Florida gravel trucks later the paint is still perfect.
I got 2 different major rock strikes (hood and mirror) at speed that actually ripped the film but saved the paint.
Make sure you find the installer that is doing the Ferraris etc in your neighborhood as the install is 99% of it looking good. And covering all the angles on the front clip of the ZR is not something for an installer that hasn't done something like that before. If the installer stretches it in order to make it fit (distorts the reflection) or if he doesn't wrap the ends it will look like crap.
When it gets here my ZR will sit until the paint fully cures and then the next stop will to be covered.
PM me for the best installer in Central Florida if that helps anyone.
4 years and 26,000 miles of dealing with Florida gravel trucks later the paint is still perfect.
I got 2 different major rock strikes (hood and mirror) at speed that actually ripped the film but saved the paint.
Make sure you find the installer that is doing the Ferraris etc in your neighborhood as the install is 99% of it looking good. And covering all the angles on the front clip of the ZR is not something for an installer that hasn't done something like that before. If the installer stretches it in order to make it fit (distorts the reflection) or if he doesn't wrap the ends it will look like crap.
When it gets here my ZR will sit until the paint fully cures and then the next stop will to be covered.
PM me for the best installer in Central Florida if that helps anyone.
Last edited by Repo Pilot; 08-29-2018 at 09:39 PM. Reason: Spelling
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DebRedZR1 (08-30-2018)
