Xpel due diligence

[Rocnic]

I am scheduled to receive my f80 early next spring. I plan on installing xpel ultimate. Not going overboard...just the front bumper and lower portion of the hood. I am particular when it comes to swirls and washing, so when my car arrives at the dealer, should I have them leave all the plastic on and bring it directly to the installer? Or have car detailed first then send it to have the xpel installed?

[idyfohu]

Leave the plastic on...detail it yourself (or have a detailer do it) and decontaminate/prep for the Xpel, then have Xpel installed.

[MadZarBMR]

Next spring as in 2017? You sure are planning well in advance...

Anyhow, any reputable installer will know the proper way to prep before install. Should not really need much since the paint is new. Having it professionally detailed before install is wasting money and perhaps creating more work for the installer since the surface needs to be naked for a proper install. Detail after XPel is installed since you will want to have all residue from install removed.

[te37]

If the XPEL installer cannot prep before applying the film... walk away lol

[qspring]

Don't let the dealership touch it. Keep the plastic on and take it straight to your detailer.

I

[XPEL]

Originally Posted by rocnica

I am scheduled to receive my f80 early next spring. I plan on installing xpel ultimate. Not going overboard...just the front bumper and lower portion of the hood. I am particular when it comes to swirls and washing, so when my car arrives at the dealer, should I have them leave all the plastic on and bring it directly to the installer? Or have car detailed first then send it to have the xpel installed?

Congrats on the new F80! If you are not wanting swirls, I'd recommend at least a full front end of XPEL. If you do just the front portion of the hood, the area where there is film applied, will not have swirl marks due to the films self-healing properties.

Regarding the care/prep, regardless of what you choose, the installer will wash, clay and wipe the vehicle down where they are installing XPEL ULTIMATE before applying the paint protection film. This is required to make sure it is smooth and has a clean surface to bond to. If you have any questions, please let us know

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by XPEL

Congrats on the new F80! If you are not wanting swirls, I'd recommend at least a full front end of XPEL. If you do just the front portion of the hood, the area where there is film applied, will not have swirl marks due to the films self-healing properties.

Regarding the care/prep, regardless of what you choose, the installer will wash, clay and wipe the vehicle down where they are installing XPEL ULTIMATE before applying the paint protection film. This is required to make sure it is smooth and has a clean surface to bond to. If you have any questions, please let us know

Just out of curiosity, when clay barring it can often cause some light swirls in the paint work. If a car is polished etc prior to an install, then the installer washes, clays, wipes down and causes some light swirls in the paint, are these visible through the xpel film?

[XPEL]

Originally Posted by alexc93

Just out of curiosity, when clay barring it can often cause some light swirls in the paint work. If a car is polished etc prior to an install, then the installer washes, clays, wipes down and causes some light swirls in the paint, are these visible through the xpel film?

Not at all, that's the great part of XPEL ULTIMATE. It actually masks swirl marks during the installation process. At our corporate install centers we don't do any sort of paint correction, just wash, clay and wipe down and then install XPEL. One of our installers in Atlanta, Detailed Designs Auto Spa made a youtube video showing how well it masks the swirl marks.

[SpeedandTechM]

Originally Posted by XPEL

Congrats on the new F80! If you are not wanting swirls, I'd recommend at least a full front end of XPEL. If you do just the front portion of the hood, the area where there is film applied, will not have swirl marks due to the films self-healing properties.

Regarding the care/prep, regardless of what you choose, the installer will wash, clay and wipe the vehicle down where they are installing XPEL ULTIMATE before applying the paint protection film. This is required to make sure it is smooth and has a clean surface to bond to. If you have any questions, please let us know

100% correct. Any certified Installer will do the prep work, but if paint correction is needed, there may be additional charges. Number 1 rule, leave the film on from factory, number 2 use a reputable shop that is certified for warranty purpose, number 3 enjoy the new car everyday and have fun.

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by XPEL

Not at all, that's the great part of XPEL ULTIMATE. It actually masks swirl marks during the installation process. At our corporate install centers we don't do any sort of paint correction, just wash, clay and wipe down and then install XPEL. One of our installers in Atlanta, Detailed Designs Auto Spa made a youtube video showing how well it masks the swirl marks.

Very cool thank you for the info!

[Sergm3]

Will xpel ultimate still perform self healing properties if it's coated after install with Modesta coating? Thinking on doing both on the hole car.

[XPEL]

Originally Posted by Sergm3

Will xpel ultimate still perform self healing properties if it's coated after install with Modesta coating? Thinking on doing both on the hole car.

Ceramic coatings should not interfere with the self-healing properties of the ULTIMATE and STEALTH paint protection films

[Bch53211]

Why go through the expense and have to look at the ugly clear bra the cars entire life? If you get a small ding or scratch on the front just get it touched up, would probably still be less expensive. I've had my M4 for almost a year now and would say the paint holds up very well.

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by Bch53211

Why go through the expense and have to look at the ugly clear bra the cars entire life? If you get a small ding or scratch on the front just get it touched up, would probably still be less expensive. I've had my M4 for almost a year now and would say the paint holds up very well.

You can't see a clear bra if installed properly...I agree on not wanting half a hood clear bra'd etc. but if the entire panel is covered you wouldn't even notice

[Sergm3]

Originally Posted by XPEL

Ceramic coatings should not interfere with the self-healing properties of the ULTIMATE and STEALTH paint protection films

Thanks

[TheIceStormOf06]

Sorry to Threadjack. Can someone tell me how Expel Would affect the sheen, gloss, transparency or reflective qualities of BMW metallic finishes? I am wanting to do Shakih Orange and then wrapping it. I have no intentions on touching up paint for chips.

If it's affected, would I need to wax/polish after applying the wrap? SO is a chamillion kinda paint that changes in varying light. I'd hate to loose that due to a wrap. Need honest feedback

Thanks-Any help is greatly appreciated.

[XPEL]

Originally Posted by TheIceStormOf06

Sorry to Threadjack. Can someone tell me how Expel Would affect the sheen, gloss, transparency or reflective qualities of BMW metallic finishes? I am wanting to do Shakih Orange and then wrapping it. I have no intentions on touching up paint for chips.

If it's affected, would I need to wax/polish after applying the wrap? SO is a chamillion kinda paint that changes in varying light. I'd hate to loose that due to a wrap. Need honest feedback

Thanks-Any help is greatly appreciated.

It doesn't affect the sheen/gloss or transparency, as the film is optically clear. All the metallic flake you see, will come through as normal. It nearly matches the factory clear coat. So much so that you can't typically tell between a covered surface vs a bare surface. The only thing you would see is that where there is film, there would be no swirl marks. (Thanks to the self-healing nature of XPEL ULTIMATE)

You CAN wax or using a coating/sealant on it, but just regular wash and dry is the regular maintenance. If you want you can apply a sealant or wax and that will do the same thing it does for regular clear coat.

[te37]

Originally Posted by TheIceStormOf06

Sorry to Threadjack. Can someone tell me how Expel Would affect the sheen, gloss, transparency or reflective qualities of BMW metallic finishes? I am wanting to do Shakih Orange and then wrapping it. I have no intentions on touching up paint for chips.

If it's affected, would I need to wax/polish after applying the wrap? SO is a chamillion kinda paint that changes in varying light. I'd hate to loose that due to a wrap. Need honest feedback

Thanks-Any help is greatly appreciated.

Xpel will not change your paint appearance at all. Xpel naturally has a slight orange peel to it so from 3 feet away you cant even tell it is there.

[XPEL]

Tried finding examples of how clear the film is, these are some recent BMW's that have been at our shop in San Antonio

Full Front End XPEL ULTIMATE 428i




Full Wrap XPEL ULTIMATE M3



Full Front End XPEL ULTIMATE M3



Full Front End XPEL ULTIMATE M6




XPEL ULTIMATE M3




This was done at on our independent installers, Full Wrap XPEL ULTIMATE M3

[XPEL]

An up close look at a M235i

[TheIceStormOf06]

Originally Posted by XPEL

It doesn't affect the sheen/gloss or transparency, as the film is optically clear. All the metallic flake you see, will come through as normal. It nearly matches the factory clear coat. So much so that you can't typically tell between a covered surface vs a bare surface. The only thing you would see is that where there is film, there would be no swirl marks. (Thanks to the self-healing nature of XPEL ULTIMATE)

You CAN wax or using a coating/sealant on it, but just regular wash and dry is the regular maintenance. If you want you can apply a sealant or wax and that will do the same thing it does for regular clear coat.

Awesome!!! This is what I wanted to know. And the pictures confirmed it. Perfect

Thank you