Xpel PPF + Ceramic recommended?
 

I was wondering if anyone has experience with Xpels product line. I looking to do a PPF on the front end of my new 86 Hakone edition, they also put a ceramic coating on top of the PPF and on the rest of the car that isnt wrapped and was going to use their Ceramic window tint all in one go while its in the shop. Anyone have any positive or negative experience? Their PPF is warrantied for 10 years. They say it doesnt affect the color is it true?

Here is the product page: https://www.xpel.com/

Greetings!


Go to google.com and paste in the following search:


site:ft86club.com expel


This should bring up a couple different threads regarding Xpel.

He can't be bothered with that. Here:

Click here

It all depends on the skill of the installer as far as ppf goes. Less skilled applications will usually result in some bubbles along some edges. As long at the shop backs up their work with a great warranty you should be good to go. I got my full front wrapped in xpel + ceramic coated the entire car because when I did my search, a lot of members on here mentioned that the oem paint is actually quite thin. Ceramic coating does make the color richer and give it a bit more pop and gloss, but you will also become OCD and notice every small swirls and micro scratches on your perfect shiny smooth surface.

There are some small changes in maintenance. Washing will be easier now due to the better beading, but you will have to be more selective of what you use for the car wash as you should avoid any wash/wax combos or applying waxes to a ceramic coat. And periodically you would have to give it an application of a maintenance coat layer which your detailer shop will likely either include a bottle of or sell you a first bottle at a discount when you pick it up.

Xpel is good quality, I'd ask what coating they're using. Grab whatever topper the brand coating uses, so you can apply periodically. That will replace the want/need to apply wax on-top.

Wash maintenance will be easier. I really like Carpro reset right now. It gets all the crap off of your coating and doesn't contain waxes or residue.

Bout to pick up a bunch of carpro items myself. They have a bunch of products to help maintain (carpro reload) and minor repairs (essence plus)

Have some swirls on the coating on my spoiler because I don't think it was fully cleared when i touched it to close the trunk so plan to use essence to fix that up.

I haven't used reload but it's good stuff. Hopefully it's the coating and not the clear coat underneath that is swirled.
I've amassed enough detailing crap to start my own business if I wanted too :bellyroll:

I've had my bottle of optimum hyper-seal over a year now with regular use. I don't think there's a topper/sealant that stretches your dollar as much as this stuff.

I’ve had Xpel on the front end of a WRX and loved having the protection. The installer recommended Reload and it worked quite well. Easy to apply and fairly long lasting.

Like others have said, the installer is key. Check out their shop and their work product. Pay attention to cleanliness of the shop and even their lighting. For work product check around the edges and tight spots that require a lot of manipulation of the film.

Can’t speak to ceramic coating but have only heard good things about it.


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I have Llumar plat on my entire BMW M4 which is the same thing as Suntek Ultra. Xpel isn't as glossy or paint like compared to Llumar Plat / Suntek Ultra. They are all the same thickness unless you dual layer it which means they all puncture eventually.

The most important thing is the film your installer is the most comfortable with.

Do not count out 3M paint protection film as they have a special warranty in case it gets punctured and your car paint gets damaged. This is like some service thing that they have and makes them stand out.

Xpel is good. 3M is good but have a special warranty. Llumar Plat and Suntek Ultra have an extremely glossy finish and is paint like.

Depends on your budget and the shop's comfortableness with what they sell. Also depends what your plan is with the car - garage queen, hardparker, or track slut. You can go with the lesser costing ceramic coating. Either way, like mentioned above, much easier to clean!

PPF will discolor overtime regardless how you maintain it.

Im going to be using my 86 as a daily driver so I mainly want protection from chips and scratches on the highway. I was looking at xpel because of the 10 year warranty and certification process their installers need to go through to ensure quality.

Also I did do a search both in the search bar above and in google and didnt find any specific threads before making this one.

I do Xpel PPF
 

Hey bud I am a certified installer for Xpel PPF Products. We do it daily in the shop I work at. It is an excellent product for exactly what you are talking about. Protection from chips and scratches. The warranty alone sells the product. 10 years.. Especially with a low setting, thin paint perspective. Get it done asap. When I have people who seem the slightest bit hesitant I will hold a piece of the Xpel film and hand them a Key ( Usually my mailbox key because its sharp ) I have never had anyone puncture the film while trying to press that key through there. That tells you the kind of force something will need in order to break through the product. Itll most likely crack your bumper before tearing through the film.

Dont quote me on this because places vary. You may check with your insurance provider. I believe Insurance does pay to replace the film if someone were to hit you.

With that being said I would not hesitate if I were you. The sooner the better!

Ceramic Coating is also a great product, Check out Xpel Fusion. They have their own Reload product that works excellent. Their warranty is also yet again phenomenal.

I will always recommend the new Meguiar's Ceramic Wax ( Blue spray bottle )
Very easy to install. Extreme beading performance. Glass like end result.
I love this product and use it on my own personal FRS.