Paint protection - Rockers/Wheel Openings

bmkjabz · 04-05-2016, 07:37 PM

I picked up my 2016 Touring Sport MT - Gun Metal Coupe a couple of weeks ago and will be getting Xpel Ultimate on the bumper, full hood, full fender, headlights, and side mirrors.

I am debating if I should get the Xpel for the rocker panels and rear wheel opening. The Wheel opening and Rocker kit (P0438J-U) I am looking at:
Paint Protection Kits | XPEL

Are the rocker and rear/front wheel opening areas prone to stone chips?
Would I be better off spending the money on splash guards?

Thanks..

POS VETT · 04-05-2016, 08:06 PM

Rocker panels are a given. The fender openings get chips too, just not as bad. If you can find a custom installer (not using a pre-cut kit), most of the edges can be fold-wrapped. I can suggest one, but he's local to me.

Zipper 104 · 04-06-2016, 05:03 AM

The full front fenders will take care of the entire lip of the front wheel wells.
I had Xpel done and the only place that I've gotten a prang is on one of the rockers. IMO, have them done as well as the A pillars while you're at it.
If you're not doing the whole rear of your car have them do a strip behind the rear wheels. It will take care of the trailing lip of the rear wheel wells and a portion of the fender behind the wheels.
I do not have the splash guards. If I were to see signs of any issues I would do them right away. Its not been an issue after 1 1/2 years. I had C-Quartz Finest applied everywhere Xpel isn't. Some people have Xpel on the first foot or so of the leading edge of the roof. I don't, so I can't comment other than I didn't want the demarcation line where the Xpel stops and the roof continues. The same reason I went to full hood coverage.
The Xpel and C-Quartz beads water like a beotch. There's some pics somewhere here of the beading of the Xpel and C-Quartz.

104

Zipper 104 · 04-06-2016, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS VETT

Rocker panels are a given. The fender openings get chips too, just not as bad. If you can find a custom installer (not using a pre-cut kit), most of the edges can be fold-wrapped. I can suggest one, but he's local to me.

You need a skilled installer to get the fender well lips right fold-wrapping.
If they are not done right, creases collect crap.
If you get them done check the job done there first thing.

104

kenchan · 04-06-2016, 11:11 AM

i only did the bumper, a-pillars (since the kit came with freebies

), and the rockers.

if urs is a dd, definitely do the full hood.

bmkjabz · 04-06-2016, 07:51 PM

Thanks to all for the advice so far.

First quote for the rockers and small impact area near wheel wells is $600. This seems high even in Canada considering the front bumper, full hood, full front fenders, and mirrors is costing me around $1600 which includes 13% tax.

I am hoping I can find a more competative price for the rockers/wheel wells.

It was recommended not to do a rocker/wwell kit and to get the film custom cut to include the wheel well lips. However due to the initial quote provided.....

I was thinking about purchasing this kit on ebay for about $200 and installing it myself. Xpel P0438J U Ultimate Wheel Opening and Rocker Panel Protection Kit | eBay

Would the kit wrap any of the inside lip?
Am I asking for problems trying to do it myself?

I was also looking at the A-Piller on the car and will get that wrapped. It has a nice area that the film can butt up to towards the roof and should be near invisible.

04-05-2016, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
bmkjabz Base Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 10 Drives: 16 370z GM MT Rep Power: 10	Paint protection - Rockers/Wheel Openings I picked up my 2016 Touring Sport MT - Gun Metal Coupe a couple of weeks ago and will be getting Xpel Ultimate on the bumper, full hood, full fender, headlights, and side mirrors. I am debating if I should get the Xpel for the rocker panels and rear wheel opening. The Wheel opening and Rocker kit (P0438J-U) I am looking at: Paint Protection Kits \| XPEL Are the rocker and rear/front wheel opening areas prone to stone chips? Would I be better off spending the money on splash guards? Thanks..

04-05-2016, 08:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
POS VETT Track Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 612 Drives: Z34\|C4LT4\|C6Z06\|V25 Rep Power: 3366	Rocker panels are a given. The fender openings get chips too, just not as bad. If you can find a custom installer (not using a pre-cut kit), most of the edges can be fold-wrapped. I can suggest one, but he's local to me. Zipper 104 likes this.

04-06-2016, 05:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zipper 104 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Canada's Wet Coast Posts: 480 Drives: '13 PW/Frost/Spt/AT Rep Power: 11	Xpel The full front fenders will take care of the entire lip of the front wheel wells. I had Xpel done and the only place that I've gotten a prang is on one of the rockers. IMO, have them done as well as the A pillars while you're at it. If you're not doing the whole rear of your car have them do a strip behind the rear wheels. It will take care of the trailing lip of the rear wheel wells and a portion of the fender behind the wheels. I do not have the splash guards. If I were to see signs of any issues I would do them right away. Its not been an issue after 1 1/2 years. I had C-Quartz Finest applied everywhere Xpel isn't. Some people have Xpel on the first foot or so of the leading edge of the roof. I don't, so I can't comment other than I didn't want the demarcation line where the Xpel stops and the roof continues. The same reason I went to full hood coverage. The Xpel and C-Quartz beads water like a beotch. There's some pics somewhere here of the beading of the Xpel and C-Quartz. 104

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04-06-2016, 11:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i only did the bumper, a-pillars (since the kit came with freebies ), and the rockers. if urs is a dd, definitely do the full hood.

04-06-2016, 07:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
bmkjabz Base Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 10 Drives: 16 370z GM MT Rep Power: 10	Thanks to all for the advice so far. First quote for the rockers and small impact area near wheel wells is $600. This seems high even in Canada considering the front bumper, full hood, full front fenders, and mirrors is costing me around $1600 which includes 13% tax. I am hoping I can find a more competative price for the rockers/wheel wells. It was recommended not to do a rocker/wwell kit and to get the film custom cut to include the wheel well lips. However due to the initial quote provided..... I was thinking about purchasing this kit on ebay for about $200 and installing it myself. Xpel P0438J U Ultimate Wheel Opening and Rocker Panel Protection Kit \| eBay Would the kit wrap any of the inside lip? Am I asking for problems trying to do it myself? I was also looking at the A-Piller on the car and will get that wrapped. It has a nice area that the film can butt up to towards the roof and should be near invisible.