The best protective film for paint?
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Don't let anybody SELL you into the hype. All film is porus. Marketing will tell you otherwise. It's more noticable on a lighter colored car than darker.
I use film for bumpers, rocker panels *if the car door has a body moulding line*, or full panels depending on the aerodynamics of the beast and how it get's splattered...
Film is not a miracle worker. But it does mitigate/take the beating paint would.
However, you need a top notch installer to have it look clean. No pre-cuts.Tucks the film behind the edges of the panels. Pulls the headlights and grills and tucks them in. Etc, etc
Pic below of 3M film with their *clearcoat technology* on it.
I use film for bumpers, rocker panels *if the car door has a body moulding line*, or full panels depending on the aerodynamics of the beast and how it get's splattered...
Film is not a miracle worker. But it does mitigate/take the beating paint would.
However, you need a top notch installer to have it look clean. No pre-cuts.Tucks the film behind the edges of the panels. Pulls the headlights and grills and tucks them in. Etc, etc
Pic below of 3M film with their *clearcoat technology* on it.
XPEL ultimate is probably the best you can get, but all of this stuff only stays pristine for a few years.
No Body Moulding....so here are the #'s just FWIW.
If it's a brand new car, a basic detail will probably run you $300-$350
This is important cause any imperfection will be visble under the film you put
You're looking at minimum $1200-$1500 for any *professional* installer to install the film --- Minimum being the word.
Don't get me wrong. Film has it's merits.
I have it on mine, knowing FULL well that film yellows. Some have more *golden eyes* that others and can spot the difference.
If it's a brand new car, a basic detail will probably run you $300-$350
This is important cause any imperfection will be visble under the film you put
You're looking at minimum $1200-$1500 for any *professional* installer to install the film --- Minimum being the word.
Don't get me wrong. Film has it's merits.
I have it on mine, knowing FULL well that film yellows. Some have more *golden eyes* that others and can spot the difference.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
XPEL ultimate is probably the best you can get, but all of this stuff only stays pristine for a few years.
XPEL Ultimate has a 10 year warranty and has self healing properties to it iirc. Probably $2200 installed with full detailing and opti-coat. Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oEgfdwUU0
Found the 10 year warranty which includes labor at the bottom of the faq's.
http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel-ultimate-frequently-asked-questions.asp
XPEL ultimate is probably the best you can get, but all of this stuff only stays pristine for a few years.
XPEL Ultimate has a 10 year warranty and has self healing properties to it iirc. Probably $2200 installed with full detailing and opti-coat. Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oEgfdwUU0
Found the 10 year warranty which includes labor at the bottom of the faq's.
http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel-ultimate-frequently-asked-questions.asp
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Originally Posted By: The Critic
XPEL ultimate is probably the best you can get, but all of this stuff only stays pristine for a few years.
XPEL Ultimate has a 10 year warranty and has self healing properties to it iirc. Probably $2200 installed with full detailing and opti-coat. Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oEgfdwUU0
Found the 10 year warranty which includes labor at the bottom of the faq's.
http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel-ultimate-frequently-asked-questions.asp
A partial frontal kit will probably cost you $1k installed, and a full front-end is in the $2500 range.
Opti-Coat Pro will probably range from $800 (low-end) to $2k, depending on the amount of correction needed. Optimum requires that their installers charge a minimum of $395 for the coating application itself.
Originally Posted By: The Critic
XPEL ultimate is probably the best you can get, but all of this stuff only stays pristine for a few years.
XPEL Ultimate has a 10 year warranty and has self healing properties to it iirc. Probably $2200 installed with full detailing and opti-coat. Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oEgfdwUU0
Found the 10 year warranty which includes labor at the bottom of the faq's.
http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel-ultimate-frequently-asked-questions.asp
A partial frontal kit will probably cost you $1k installed, and a full front-end is in the $2500 range.
Opti-Coat Pro will probably range from $800 (low-end) to $2k, depending on the amount of correction needed. Optimum requires that their installers charge a minimum of $395 for the coating application itself.
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