Considering Xpel PPF

[Beemer533]

I'm looking into getting the Xpel PPF installed on my new Mojave as I intend to do a good amount of wheeling and camping, etc and I anticipate lots of pinstriping going on...

I got a quote locally to do the whole truck for around $3k, which isn't cheap to me, but I'd really like to avoid as much damage to my new paint as possible.

Any feedback as to whether this is worth it, pros/cons, etc?

The only dealer local to me according to the website seems to be CNY Solar Protection, any chance anyone here has used them?

Or any recommendations for someone within maybe an hour or so drive from Syracuse NY that you used?

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[Maximusdafarmer]

To be honest 3k is almost low enough I wouldn't trust it. But 3k if the shop is really willing to do the whole truck is a steal. I, or my friend, have had multiple quotes from shops in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia and 5-6k seems to be around the median for a complete vehicle. (I was getting the stealth ppf quoted so that might have been the difference but I doubt it). I have seen this product on my friends car but not used it myself, I know it is self healing but I am not sure how it would stand up to actual heavy trail damage. It is an awesome product, check out the stealth version if you like a satin finish.

 

[Beemer533]

I appreciate the response.

I realize that I miss stated what the 3k covered.
They quoted 1100 per side, 300 for the grill, I think around 600 for the hood and about 300 for the a pillars. I didn't ask for the hard top or tailgate.

So it looks like closer to 3500 for everything but the hard top and tailgate.

Does that seem more in line or still too low?

I'm mostly looking at this for just keeping branches and brush scraping down the sides of the truck essentially, not for heavy gouges or anything, so hopefully that's a reasonable expectation.

 

[jac04]

What is the point of avoiding the minor paint damage? Is it trade-in value, avoiding lease return fees, or something else?

My experience (from lots of wheeling in my JK in the woods of New England) is that the fenders and A-pillars are going to take the brunt of the branch/brush damage. XPel claims their film is 'self healing', but the PPF will still get permanently pinstriped from the trails.

 

[Glendawg619]

Personally, the reason I want to wrap my vehicle is not for the reasons you listed. I want to see my truck have perfect paint, and not be worried about going on the trails, or going through automatic car wash's. Without the film your gonna see pin stripes on your your perfectly corrected paint, or you will ruin your perfect finish your very first run through a car wash

 

[Beemer533]

What is the point of avoiding the minor paint damage? Is it trade-in value, avoiding lease return fees, or something else?

My experience (from lots of wheeling in my JK in the woods of New England) is that the fenders and A-pillars are going to take the brunt of the branch/brush damage. XPel claims their film is 'self healing', but the PPF will still get permanently pinstriped from the trails.

I bought the truck, so I guess my thought is towards trade in or resale value.

I expect the PPF to get damaged, I honestly don't care too much how it looks as I hope to actually get out use the hell out of the truck.

I just figure if in x number of years years I decide to trade it in or sell it I can have the film removed and have a relatively intact exterior if that makes sense..

 

[Maximusdafarmer]

I appreciate the response.

I realize that I miss stated what the 3k covered.
They quoted 1100 per side, 300 for the grill, I think around 600 for the hood and about 300 for the a pillars. I didn't ask for the hard top or tailgate.

So it looks like closer to 3500 for everything but the hard top and tailgate.

Does that seem more in line or still too low?

I'm mostly looking at this for just keeping branches and brush scraping down the sides of the truck essentially, not for heavy gouges or anything, so hopefully that's a reasonable expectation.

That seems more reasonable, but i'm definitely not an expert. In my opinion you just gotta weigh the cost now against your expected duration of ownership. 3500 bucks will get you a lot of paint correction/ repair some years down the line when you go to sell. I do not think that the xpel is really designed for the level of abuse you are talking about, but that is just conjecture my only experience was the go fast side of things.

I will also say that 3500 bucks should be enough to get you most, if not all, of a vinyl wrap. I have used 3m products in the past and a good installer is key, but I had my wrap on for several years and it came off no issues paint looked great underneath. I also had a guy rip a door panel with his bike after about two years in the Florida sun, put a new panel on the door and it matched the old wrap no issues. This was 3m 1080 series Satin Black, they have since come up with a new improved 2080 series of wraps. I would stay away from the actual matte finishes

 

[jac04]

I just figure if in x number of years years I decide to trade it in or sell it I can have the film removed and have a relatively intact exterior if that makes sense..

That makes perfect sense. The only problem is that you will have nice looking paint, but the black plastic fenders & mirrors, along with all the rubbery trim around the windows will look horrible.

 

[Trickster]

I have been quoted $800 for leading edge protection on clear PPF.
Grill, front bumper, 24”s of hood, 12”s of front fenders and mirror caps.
$3k for a complete job seems inline. Key factor is seeing the company’s workmanship on other vehicles prior to making a commitment on yours. Experience is important on installing.

 

[Beemer533]

Key factor is seeing the company’s workmanship on other vehicles prior to making a commitment on yours. Experience is important on installing.

I agree, this is the part I'm not sure about, I'm not really finding much in the way of references for this shop.

 

[Beemer533]

That makes perfect sense. The only problem is that you will have nice looking paint, but the black plastic fenders & mirrors, along with all the rubbery trim around the windows will look horrible.

Yeah, I can't argue with that, but I feel like I could fix those things easier and cheaper than the paint, which I certainly don't want to deal with myself.

I also plan on swapping out the fenders for the genright aluminum ones, so I am not too worried.

 

[Trickster]

I agree, this is the part I'm not sure about, I'm not really finding much in the way of references for this shop.

Shop around, get some other quotes and warranty information on product and install.

 

[Beemer533]

That seems more reasonable, but i'm definitely not an expert. In my opinion you just gotta weigh the cost now against your expected duration of ownership. 3500 bucks will get you a lot of paint correction/ repair some years down the line when you go to sell. I do not think that the xpel is really designed for the level of abuse you are talking about, but that is just conjecture my only experience was the go fast side of things.

Good point for sure.

I'm only really looking for some protection against brush and small branches primarily. I'm not expecting it to hold up if I get into large branches or rocks.

 

[Benbean66]

I've wrapped 2 cars for a friend using the Xpel stealth wrap and they looked awesome. It took me hours upon hours to do, so your estimate seems reasonable. If I had the cash, I'd do it in a heartbeat for both looks and protection.

 

[Beemer533]

Shop around, get some other quotes and warranty information on product and install.

Yeah, I'll have to look around at some nearby cities, not much else around here I've found yet unfortunately.

Sponsored