Anyone familiar with the stuff? The dealer is claiming it will be invisible and will prevent paint chips from road debris. It is thicker than just a paint sealer and just goes on "leading edges" of the car like front grill to emblem and back of side mirrors. It supposedly does not have UV blockers so the paint will stay the same color over time. Costs $600. I live in Vermont where road salt and sand is definitely an issue in the winter, so I am attracted by its protective possibilites but don't want to ruin the look. Can anyone help? Thanks.
2006 Ferrari F430 spyder black
- Thread starter MJRLLK
- Start date
DETAILKING
New member
IS it a plastic film that is applied over the car like an expel type system or just a fancy wax?
Just realize that no wax / sealant can protect against rock chips. If they are saying that make sure you get a written guarantee so when your hood gets a rock chip in it they will repaint it for you. READ the fine print.
600 sounds pretty steep. Then again I don't know what exactly you are getting, but from my experience, its probably just another run of the mill wax job. If it is a film coating, how is it removed when it starts to peel off over time? I have seen older cars with film type paint protection systems on them and after 5 years looked like crap because half of it peeled off in patches.
The other thing is UV protection. Your car needs protection from UV light. You want this for protection against fading!!! They may claim if the car does not have it it will fade evenly, but I would rather not have any fading at all! What happens if the way you park the car one side sees the sun much more than the other!?
Realize that most of these dealer applied extras are scams and pure money makers. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and don't buy anything unless it all makes sense to you.
Just realize that no wax / sealant can protect against rock chips. If they are saying that make sure you get a written guarantee so when your hood gets a rock chip in it they will repaint it for you. READ the fine print.
600 sounds pretty steep. Then again I don't know what exactly you are getting, but from my experience, its probably just another run of the mill wax job. If it is a film coating, how is it removed when it starts to peel off over time? I have seen older cars with film type paint protection systems on them and after 5 years looked like crap because half of it peeled off in patches.
The other thing is UV protection. Your car needs protection from UV light. You want this for protection against fading!!! They may claim if the car does not have it it will fade evenly, but I would rather not have any fading at all! What happens if the way you park the car one side sees the sun much more than the other!?
Realize that most of these dealer applied extras are scams and pure money makers. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and don't buy anything unless it all makes sense to you.
Redcar GUY
New member
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >
<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by DETAILKING [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>IS it a plastic film that is applied over the car like an expel type system or just a fancy wax?
Just realize that no wax / sealant can protect against rock chips. If they are saying that make sure you get a written guarantee so when your hood gets a rock chip in it they will repaint it for you. READ the fine print.
600 sounds pretty steep. Then again I don't know what exactly you are getting, but from my experience, its probably just another run of the mill wax job. If it is a film coating, how is it removed when it starts to peel off over time? I have seen older cars with film type paint protection systems on them and after 5 years looked like crap because half of it peeled off in patches.
The other thing is UV protection. Your car needs protection from UV light. You want this for protection against fading!!! They may claim if the car does not have it it will fade evenly, but I would rather not have any fading at all! What happens if the way you park the car one side sees the sun much more than the other!?
Realize that most of these dealer applied extras are scams and pure money makers. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and don't buy anything unless it all makes sense to you. [/b]</blockquote>
Couldnt have said it any better
<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by DETAILKING [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>IS it a plastic film that is applied over the car like an expel type system or just a fancy wax?
Just realize that no wax / sealant can protect against rock chips. If they are saying that make sure you get a written guarantee so when your hood gets a rock chip in it they will repaint it for you. READ the fine print.
600 sounds pretty steep. Then again I don't know what exactly you are getting, but from my experience, its probably just another run of the mill wax job. If it is a film coating, how is it removed when it starts to peel off over time? I have seen older cars with film type paint protection systems on them and after 5 years looked like crap because half of it peeled off in patches.
The other thing is UV protection. Your car needs protection from UV light. You want this for protection against fading!!! They may claim if the car does not have it it will fade evenly, but I would rather not have any fading at all! What happens if the way you park the car one side sees the sun much more than the other!?
Realize that most of these dealer applied extras are scams and pure money makers. Take everything they say with a grain of salt and don't buy anything unless it all makes sense to you. [/b]</blockquote>
Couldnt have said it any better
It's a plastic coating created by 3M originally for the Army in response to paint damage to jeeps and tanks from sand during Desert Storm 10 years ago. So now they are supposedly looking for a consumer market. It is something like 8 mil thick and thus can be seen from the side if the lighting is right (or wrong). You raise a good point about possible peeling so that is in part why I am researching the product using bulletin boards like this. I also want to know what the it's like cosmetically, even if it doesn't peel. It's a product that makes sense especially here in Vermont where road debris from sand and gravel is an issue in the winter. Just need to find out if there's anyone out there who has used it or seen it. Thanks.
DETAILKING
New member
to show you what it looks like? Perhaps they applied it to a car on the lot. Sounds like something I wouldn't want on the car. The only part of the car that really chips because of rocks is the hood....for 600 bucks you could get it repainted a few years from now if it gets bad. ANd most of it is because of heavy traffic on highways....if you are in a rural area, it shouldn't be as bad.
imported_RIC
New member
Sounds like Expel...dealer will end up getting a little more or less than $300.00(probably even more since the dealer likely gets the Expel at wholesale prices) for the installation...price sounds too steep.
http://www.xpel.com/paint/applications.html
http://www.xpel.com/paint/applications.html
ISLANDSBEST
New member
Yes, the price is too high.
Thanks a lot for the X-Pel link, RIC. I think you are right, it sounds like X-Pel, a 3M product. There are 2 pieces that come to ~$400 so $200 for labor is a high for a 2 hour job.
But, I'd still like to hear from anyone who has actually used this stuff on their car. How does it look, does it really not peel off or yellow over time? How does it take wax? How long does it really last? Questions like that. Can anyone help? Thanks.
But, I'd still like to hear from anyone who has actually used this stuff on their car. How does it look, does it really not peel off or yellow over time? How does it take wax? How long does it really last? Questions like that. Can anyone help? Thanks.
When I was looking for a bra for my Z3, the dealership showed me the plastic protector. Its around 8mil thick. Its pricey but once its on it stays on. It cost more for labor to apply than the cost of the plastic. I don't remember the amounts but in the $600 area after having it applied.
For a Z3 there were multiple piece to apply. Nose top and grill area two parts under grill a part, on side mirrors a part. Might have been more sections. More than I wanted to mess with or pay for. Plus no guarantee that a sharp object wouldn't penitrate the guard anyways and chip the paint.
I opted for the deluxe, form fitting bra for under $100.00 installed. The first installation is the hardest. I watched so I would now how to do it myself when I removed it for detailing the nose.
For a Z3 there were multiple piece to apply. Nose top and grill area two parts under grill a part, on side mirrors a part. Might have been more sections. More than I wanted to mess with or pay for. Plus no guarantee that a sharp object wouldn't penitrate the guard anyways and chip the paint.
I opted for the deluxe, form fitting bra for under $100.00 installed. The first installation is the hardest. I watched so I would now how to do it myself when I removed it for detailing the nose.
bmerjorge21
New member
Ken, a few members have an X-Pel bra on their car, Brad B, Don, to name a few. I believe that they love the product but I don't want to speak for them. 
ISLANDSBEST
New member
Yes, Don, who is very knowledgeble, has endorced it.
Will Dunion
New member
I'd suggest checking out the Stongard website as well. Stongard's warranty covers the film to stay clear and not yellow for the life of the vehicle.
As to the price, it depends on the kit for your vehicle. I'm have the full kit installed on a S2000 next week, (retail price of the Stongard is $500 without installation).
As to the price, it depends on the kit for your vehicle. I'm have the full kit installed on a S2000 next week, (retail price of the Stongard is $500 without installation).
Thanks, guys. Well, I'm beginning to feel as anal as the rest of you all. I've contacted the people you have suggested as well as a few I found on the net from other sites. All that have used the stuff have liked and would recommend it. None have had problems with peeling or yellowing but none have personal experience beyond a year. I did talk to a detail shop that installs the stuff and he has used it for several years and claimed to see
it on a car from over 5 years that still looked great without peeling. Key also is that when the stuff does wear out it can easily be removed and re-applied. One person was pretty micro. In response to me asking him aboutthe leading edge on the hood and how visiable it was he responsed "Yes, that's the area that I felt was a little too obvious. It wasn't bad but I am a fanatic on finishes and it was just too noticable there. It gives the
car color just a very, very, slight bit of yellowish tint (not noticable on dark colors) and has a bit of an "orange peel" finish. Like I said, I am a perfectionist. I have seen it only on red, black, silver and bright yellow." But he still used it so it couldn't have been very noticable. All others I spoke with said it was very miniamlly noticble and invisible beyond 3 feet except for very dark cars like black when there is a minimal line.
There are several dealers that use the same 3M material including Autobahnd (sorry or the previous misspelling), X-Pel, Stonegard and some others. One site (http://www.keysolutions.com/m-class.nsf/aac7d56ca8fd884b852563be00610639/f2
8f12a044f6238c8525699e0018bf1b?OpenDocument) had a review and pictures of Autobahnd that he put on his ML320. He had some reasons why he preferred the Autobahnd that had to do with the pre-cut kits.
So I think I'm going to put it on the 325xi. Just need to be certain that the installer is experience and meticulous.
Any other comments? Thanks all again!! Great site!!
it on a car from over 5 years that still looked great without peeling. Key also is that when the stuff does wear out it can easily be removed and re-applied. One person was pretty micro. In response to me asking him aboutthe leading edge on the hood and how visiable it was he responsed "Yes, that's the area that I felt was a little too obvious. It wasn't bad but I am a fanatic on finishes and it was just too noticable there. It gives the
car color just a very, very, slight bit of yellowish tint (not noticable on dark colors) and has a bit of an "orange peel" finish. Like I said, I am a perfectionist. I have seen it only on red, black, silver and bright yellow." But he still used it so it couldn't have been very noticable. All others I spoke with said it was very miniamlly noticble and invisible beyond 3 feet except for very dark cars like black when there is a minimal line.
There are several dealers that use the same 3M material including Autobahnd (sorry or the previous misspelling), X-Pel, Stonegard and some others. One site (http://www.keysolutions.com/m-class.nsf/aac7d56ca8fd884b852563be00610639/f2
8f12a044f6238c8525699e0018bf1b?OpenDocument) had a review and pictures of Autobahnd that he put on his ML320. He had some reasons why he preferred the Autobahnd that had to do with the pre-cut kits.
So I think I'm going to put it on the 325xi. Just need to be certain that the installer is experience and meticulous.
Any other comments? Thanks all again!! Great site!!
Bret and I spent 14 hours on location for the F430.
The client had just purchased this car a few days before.
Seeing the clients face when the job is done makes it all worthwhile.
Process:
Vac interior and apply Leatherique RO to all leather surfaces.
Foamed with Z7.
Wheels cleaned with P21s wheel cleaning gel and various brushes.
Tires cleaned w Amazing Roll-off.
Top cleaned with 303 fabric top cleaner.
Clayed.
IPA wipedown 2x to remove glaze and wax.
Polishing:
Bret used a G110v2 and I used the festool.
LC Tangerine pad M105
LC orange M205
LC black M205
Wash again to remove polishing dust.
Remove leatherique Rejuvenator Oil with Pristine clean.
Clean glass.
Apply 2x of Zaino Z5pro w/ ZFX
Applied Raggtopp protectant to cloth top.
Wheels hand polished with Zaino AIO.
Tires got Zaino Z-16.
Cient was kind enough to take these pics the next day:
The client had just purchased this car a few days before.
Seeing the clients face when the job is done makes it all worthwhile.
Process:
Vac interior and apply Leatherique RO to all leather surfaces.
Foamed with Z7.
Wheels cleaned with P21s wheel cleaning gel and various brushes.
Tires cleaned w Amazing Roll-off.
Top cleaned with 303 fabric top cleaner.
Clayed.
IPA wipedown 2x to remove glaze and wax.
Polishing:
Bret used a G110v2 and I used the festool.
LC Tangerine pad M105
LC orange M205
LC black M205
Wash again to remove polishing dust.
Remove leatherique Rejuvenator Oil with Pristine clean.
Clean glass.
Apply 2x of Zaino Z5pro w/ ZFX
Applied Raggtopp protectant to cloth top.
Wheels hand polished with Zaino AIO.
Tires got Zaino Z-16.
Cient was kind enough to take these pics the next day:
GoFast908Z
New member
Great work!
That last shot is beautiful!
That last shot is beautiful!
imported_Pats300zx
New member
Beautiful job Bryan...
ancing Dot:
ancing Dot:
bmw5541
New member
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!:drool5:
Very nice job on a georgeous car.
Way to go Bryan.:thumbup::hurray::thumbup:
Very nice job on a georgeous car.
Way to go Bryan.:thumbup::hurray::thumbup:
imported_RickRack
New member
Looks great guys!! :clap: