Stek PPF
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 607
From: New York
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I’ve been researching this very subject because I’m getting it done at the end of this month. I chose a STEK installer because to me it seems like a superior product. From what I’ve read and watched, Xpel is 2 layers that are glued together. Because of this the glue causes a slight clarity issue. STEK is also 2 layers but the second layer is poured onto the first and bonds to it without glue. The clarity is amazing. In one video the installer used a very bright flashlight and showed the Xpel and STEK side by side and the light went from slightly blurry against the car finish to a pinpoint of light on the STEK. Also the STEK has a third hydroponic layer that repels water and bird droppings so you’re less likely to get water spots and etching in the film. They used a sharpie pen on each and it wrote easily on the Xpel and he had to rub very hard with alcohol to remove it. On the STEK the sharpie ink beaded up and was able to be wiped off with a towel. I was sold.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 325
Likes: 240
From: Canandaigua, NY
I had mine done in STEX two weeks ago and will be getting my 2022 back tomorrow afternoon. I had a 2017 that I had Xpel on it and wasn't really happy. So I can't wait to see the difference between the two...
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I am having trouble with GM sending us the correct stripes after we removed them for PPF prep
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 607
From: New York
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 607
From: New York
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I had an ‘07 Indy Pace Corvette and the PPF was done over all the decals and it still looked perfect 10 years later when I sold it. I think it’s more personal preference than a necessity.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 386
Likes: 167
From: Denver, CO
I had STEK put on both my C8s. The detail shop I use deals with high end exotics and has both STEK and XPEL on hand. He prefers the STEK as it is thinner and has less orange peel when installed versus the XPEL. It's not something you really notice if you look at XPEL on a car, but putting 2 sample pieces side by side, it was visibly better with the STEK.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,684
Likes: 1,193
From: Phila PA, Bonita Springs FL
So which is it? It sounds like YO-EL says that XPEL is thinner...? That's why they went with the thicker STEK.
STEK is thicker, more sturdy, (less pliable), and very very time consuming and much more difficult to install.
Even with pre cut pieces, the process is incredibly detailed.
The shop I used, Blast Brothers in Warminster PA has a good Instagram, where you can see videos of my car and many others getting done..
The gloss and clarity of STEK is beyond compare. That and the extreme protection is why I went with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 701
So which is it? It sounds like YO-EL says that XPEL is thinner...? That's why they went with the thicker STEK.
XPEL is thinner, cheaper and a lot easier to work with, for most shops.
STEK is thicker, more sturdy, (less pliable), and very very time consuming and much more difficult to install.
Even with pre cut pieces, the process is incredibly detailed.
The shop I used, Blast Brothers in Warminster PA has a good Instagram, where you can see videos of my car and many others getting done..
The gloss and clarity of STEK is beyond compare. That and the extreme protection is why I went with it.
STEK is thicker, more sturdy, (less pliable), and very very time consuming and much more difficult to install.
Even with pre cut pieces, the process is incredibly detailed.
The shop I used, Blast Brothers in Warminster PA has a good Instagram, where you can see videos of my car and many others getting done..
The gloss and clarity of STEK is beyond compare. That and the extreme protection is why I went with it.
But to clarify, STEK Dynoshield and standard XPEL Ultimate are both 8mils films. Stated right on their site, so YO-EL would be incorrect.
https://www.xpel.com/ULTIMATE-PLUS-P...-Custom-Length
https://www.stek-usa.com/dynoshield
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 325
Likes: 240
From: Canandaigua, NY
Stek
Well I went in to have Stek PPF done and while they had it I had them add the stripe and the high wing. I love the STEK PPF and the deeper gloss shine.. Titan Motorworks in Rochester NY did a great job. Thanks to all you guys for schooling me on STEK, it was definitely the right choice..
Last edited by Action Andy; Mar 18, 2023 at 09:10 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,684
Likes: 1,193
From: Phila PA, Bonita Springs FL
The other thing about STEK is its self healing properties!
I was skeptical beyond belief and wasn't going to fall for the BS, so they said watch this:
He took a wire barbecue grille brush and scraped and scratched a black Lambo SUV that was there..
Offered me to do it as well, which I did...
Trust me, you didn't have to look hard or close to see the scratches.
His brother then goes and takes a cup of hot water and poured it over the messed up area, and in like 2 seconds, everything was gone!!!!
Now after this, I got right up on the car like 2-3" away, there was nothing.
So when I came back a few days later with my car to get done, I went over to the SUV to take another look and it was still perfect...
They said you can also park in the sun, it would do the same thing..
This is absolutely not snake oil, I saw it up close and personal, and so did GlennM27!
Just another cool thing about STEK PPF....
I was skeptical beyond belief and wasn't going to fall for the BS, so they said watch this:
He took a wire barbecue grille brush and scraped and scratched a black Lambo SUV that was there..
Offered me to do it as well, which I did...
Trust me, you didn't have to look hard or close to see the scratches.
His brother then goes and takes a cup of hot water and poured it over the messed up area, and in like 2 seconds, everything was gone!!!!
Now after this, I got right up on the car like 2-3" away, there was nothing.
So when I came back a few days later with my car to get done, I went over to the SUV to take another look and it was still perfect...
They said you can also park in the sun, it would do the same thing..
This is absolutely not snake oil, I saw it up close and personal, and so did GlennM27!
Just another cool thing about STEK PPF....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,723
Likes: 1,088
From: NE OH
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
“Buy the installer, not the film” Go with whichever installer you feel most confident/comfortable with...both now and in the future. Differences in major PPF brands are relatively insignificant while the differences in installers can be very significant. All major PPF brands self-heals to a degree as well…it’s quite a nice feature although it is not miraculous and, like anything, has its limitations. Ceramic coating the PPF does not inhibit this feature.
C7 getting STEK Dynoshield: https://budgetplan1.wordpress.com/2019-corvette/
Cayman getting XPEL Ultimate: https://budgetplan1.wordpress.com/20...pray-ppf-more/
Equally pleased with both. The installer is the key to PPF Happiness before, during and, most importantly, after the job.
A bit of a deeper look into PPF installation on a C8: https://www.esotericdetail.com/c8-co...ramic-coating/
Some other info on ‘custom’ installs: https://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-...rs-arent-told/
Living with PPF: https://budgetplan1.wordpress.com/li...ek-dynoshield/
Enjoy!
C7 getting STEK Dynoshield: https://budgetplan1.wordpress.com/2019-corvette/
Cayman getting XPEL Ultimate: https://budgetplan1.wordpress.com/20...pray-ppf-more/
Equally pleased with both. The installer is the key to PPF Happiness before, during and, most importantly, after the job.
A bit of a deeper look into PPF installation on a C8: https://www.esotericdetail.com/c8-co...ramic-coating/
Some other info on ‘custom’ installs: https://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-...rs-arent-told/
Living with PPF: https://budgetplan1.wordpress.com/li...ek-dynoshield/
Enjoy!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 761
From: Houston, TX
“Buy the installer, not the film” Go with whichever installer you feel most confident/comfortable with...both now and in the future. Differences in major PPF brands are relatively insignificant while the differences in installers can be very significant. All major PPF brands self-heals to a degree as well…it’s quite a nice feature although it is not miraculous and, like anything, has its limitations. Ceramic coating the PPF does not inhibit this feature.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 325
Likes: 240
From: Canandaigua, NY
I agree it's all about the installer. I had Expel put on my C7 at Carlisle a few years ago and that taught me a lesson on installs. First off not a controlled environment to keep dust off the car and the install wasn't that great. I went back the next year and had a piece replace because it still had a water bubble after a year. The people were great and very apologetic and fixed no questions asked. But when you spend $2700 you want it one right. I just had Stek put on my C8 and installer did a awesome job on the install...