Excessive Xpel pitting
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
@JABCAT See post above. (And I'd like to know also.)
I’ll post an update if/when I ever receive a response from Xpel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,511
Likes: 926
From: Alaska
That’s not nice of Xpel. I had xpel installed on 4 different cars and was only completely happy once. I am on the fence right now to get the front end of an incoming car done.
This time if I do decide to get it done I’ll have the installer agree to no bubbles, wrinkles or dust spots before I pay.
This time if I do decide to get it done I’ll have the installer agree to no bubbles, wrinkles or dust spots before I pay.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
That’s not nice of Xpel. I had xpel installed on 4 different cars and was only completely happy once. I am on the fence right now to get the front end of an incoming car done.
This time if I do decide to get it done I’ll have the installer agree to no bubbles, wrinkles or dust spots before I pay.
This time if I do decide to get it done I’ll have the installer agree to no bubbles, wrinkles or dust spots before I pay.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
I'd have to disagree as the PPF has been installed for over a year without any issues. The entire front end now has these blisters or pits in it, which to me indicates a problem with the film itself. I did finally receive an email back from Xpel that simply said take it back to the installer & start a warranty claim. So now the issue is going to be finding time to do that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,511
Likes: 926
From: Alaska
Three different shops, 4 different cars, only happy once. Quote on my new car is almost $3000 for the complete front end. This is why I am on the fence. Plus it is a 100 mile drive each way and wife would have to follow me to take me home and back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,511
Likes: 926
From: Alaska
I'd have to disagree as the PPF has been installed for over a year without any issues. The entire front end now has these blisters or pits in it, which to me indicates a problem with the film itself. I did finally receive an email back from Xpel that simply said take it back to the installer & start a warranty claim. So now the issue is going to be finding time to do that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,431
Likes: 298
From: MN-C3, AZ-C7
Not too many years ago Xpel was on line here and took care of a few issues by arranging other shops to cover warranty issues etc. They were out front to make sure people had a good experience. Apparently new people are in place who think differently.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
I'd have to disagree as the PPF has been installed for over a year without any issues. The entire front end now has these blisters or pits in it, which to me indicates a problem with the film itself. I did finally receive an email back from Xpel that simply said take it back to the installer & start a warranty claim. So now the issue is going to be finding time to do that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
Well, thats obvious. But the installer who did the car I was 100% happy with no longer works at the shop.
Three different shops, 4 different cars, only happy once. Quote on my new car is almost $3000 for the complete front end. This is why I am on the fence. Plus it is a 100 mile drive each way and wife would have to follow me to take me home and back.
Three different shops, 4 different cars, only happy once. Quote on my new car is almost $3000 for the complete front end. This is why I am on the fence. Plus it is a 100 mile drive each way and wife would have to follow me to take me home and back.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
I will definitely follow through. The issue is that my wife needs the GC for work & we're down to my Z06 as our only other vehicle currently. So unless my wife takes a day or more off, we can't take the vehicle back to the installer. I'll figure something out.
* This will be the 3rd time back to the installer with this vehicle. The other times were installer issues with film coming undone on different areas. I will say for the cost, I'm not impressed with Xpel's pre-cut kits. They either don't fit the respective areas correctly or they don't cover the entire area leaving some of the area exposed.
* This will be the 3rd time back to the installer with this vehicle. The other times were installer issues with film coming undone on different areas. I will say for the cost, I'm not impressed with Xpel's pre-cut kits. They either don't fit the respective areas correctly or they don't cover the entire area leaving some of the area exposed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
I will definitely follow through. The issue is that my wife needs the GC for work & we're down to my Z06 as our only other vehicle currently. So unless my wife takes a day or more off, we can't take the vehicle back to the installer. I'll figure something out.
* This will be the 3rd time back to the installer with this vehicle. The other times were installer issues with film coming undone on different areas. I will say for the cost, I'm not impressed with Xpel's pre-cut kits. They either don't fit the respective areas correctly or they don't cover the entire area leaving some of the area exposed.
* This will be the 3rd time back to the installer with this vehicle. The other times were installer issues with film coming undone on different areas. I will say for the cost, I'm not impressed with Xpel's pre-cut kits. They either don't fit the respective areas correctly or they don't cover the entire area leaving some of the area exposed.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 247
From: Seattle, WA
I read that you hand wash this vehicle and maybe I missed it, but any chance your wife went to a carwash? For lack of another cause, maybe the drive thru brushes did this or one of the towel-off workers sprayed a harsh chemical on the ppf? For this to show up suddenly, some event had to cause this. Keep us posted if you discover the cause.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
I read that you hand wash this vehicle and maybe I missed it, but any chance your wife went to a carwash? For lack of another cause, maybe the drive thru brushes did this or one of the towel-off workers sprayed a harsh chemical on the ppf? For this to show up suddenly, some event had to cause this. Keep us posted if you discover the cause.
I agree that it is very unusual for it just to pop up. As someone mentioned previously maybe she was behind another vehicle that was leaking/spraying something, I don't know. Trying to find time to get it down to the installer so they can start the warranty process. Will talk to them to find out if they've seen anything like this before. The new GC will need ppf as well, and I'm really on the fence about going with Xpel again or another brand.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
*Update* I received an email back from Xpel instructing me to return to the installer and have them file a warranty claim. Contacted the shop who said "wow that looks awful, I've never seen film look like that". They asked for us to bring the vehicle down so they could look at it, which my wife did. She said almost immediately the installer claimed it was from how the vehicle was washed & that I must be using harsh chemicals on the vehicle. The manager stepped in and said, no it's hand washed with Adams products and detailed the same as the owner's other vehicles. Then the other guy told my wife she must have driven through something and it's not a warranty issue. When she got home and told me that, I sent the shop the email from Xpel stating it the shop should file a warranty claim & then the shop said, "oh we'll take care of you & get it on the schedule". 
The other interesting part is during my communication with the shop I asked for a quote for my new BMW three times, and they didn't give me a quote. Not sure if they just don't want our business, but I'm now looking elsewhere for the BMW, and the wife's new Grand Cherokee that should be delivered in the next month or so.
The other interesting part is during my communication with the shop I asked for a quote for my new BMW three times, and they didn't give me a quote. Not sure if they just don't want our business, but I'm now looking elsewhere for the BMW, and the wife's new Grand Cherokee that should be delivered in the next month or so.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 69
Likes: 52
From: Naples, FL
Well, that's crappy about it all, however it appears it will get corrected and that's good. If it helps, I can't seem to get people to even come give me a bid for a mini split AC system for my garage nor to tint my house windows in a few bedrooms. Nobody wants to take business anymore. (end rant)
I remember reading on Rennlist or the BMW forums I think (maybe it was here, not sure) about a plumbing supply company or landscaping truck that had a bottle of PVC glue go flying and spray a car's PPF with that and it literally looked the same as yours. Not saying that's what happened, just tossing it out there as a possibility.
And wtf...do they think you're washing it with pool acid? I shake my head.
I remember reading on Rennlist or the BMW forums I think (maybe it was here, not sure) about a plumbing supply company or landscaping truck that had a bottle of PVC glue go flying and spray a car's PPF with that and it literally looked the same as yours. Not saying that's what happened, just tossing it out there as a possibility.
And wtf...do they think you're washing it with pool acid? I shake my head.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Well, that's crappy about it all, however it appears it will get corrected and that's good. If it helps, I can't seem to get people to even come give me a bid for a mini split AC system for my garage nor to tint my house windows in a few bedrooms. Nobody wants to take business anymore. (end rant)
I remember reading on Rennlist or the BMW forums I think (maybe it was here, not sure) about a plumbing supply company or landscaping truck that had a bottle of PVC glue go flying and spray a car's PPF with that and it literally looked the same as yours. Not saying that's what happened, just tossing it out there as a possibility.
And wtf...do they think you're washing it with pool acid? I shake my head.
I remember reading on Rennlist or the BMW forums I think (maybe it was here, not sure) about a plumbing supply company or landscaping truck that had a bottle of PVC glue go flying and spray a car's PPF with that and it literally looked the same as yours. Not saying that's what happened, just tossing it out there as a possibility.
And wtf...do they think you're washing it with pool acid? I shake my head.
Separate note re: the mini-split system. I just installed a DIY Mr. Cool system in an addition on my in-laws house. Very easy install & the system has a 7-year warranty I believe. I bought the same system for my garage but we decided we're putting the house up for sale in about 6 months give or take, so the wife returned it before I got around to installing it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
Wanted to provide an update. My wife was finally able to get the vehicle over to Xpel Dallas and they replaced the film. She did have to take it back twice because they forgot to replace the film on the front grille, headlights & fog lights the first time.
They're also giving us a repeat customer discount for my new BMW, which I'll be taking up there next weekend. We'll see how it turns out.
They're also giving us a repeat customer discount for my new BMW, which I'll be taking up there next weekend. We'll see how it turns out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,720
Likes: 1,061
Wanted to provide an update. My wife was finally able to get the vehicle over to Xpel Dallas and they replaced the film. She did have to take it back twice because they forgot to replace the film on the front grille, headlights & fog lights the first time.
They're also giving us a repeat customer discount for my new BMW, which I'll be taking up there next weekend. We'll see how it turns out.
They're also giving us a repeat customer discount for my new BMW, which I'll be taking up there next weekend. We'll see how it turns out.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12,759
Likes: 10,657
From: Prosper TX/Austin TX
2020 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
@JABCAT Thanks for the update. I'm not clear: Was the repair free or at your expense? Did Xpel corporate get involved to diagnose the cause and help with the cost of repair?
I dropped my BMW off yesterday and they said they have no idea what caused the film on my wife's vehicle to react that way.