Xpel vs 3M clear bra

DRFTR

i recently got my 40th done with the XPEL (self-healing) film. Full bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors, a-pillars and side skirts and headlights for $1,500. AMAZING product and extremely will done. done by Auto-Armour/ Parabolic in Columbia, MD. And mine was laser cut to fit the car exactly. been to a couple C&C to show the guys and cant find the seams.

(figured since they had an aventador and Porsche Boxster Speedster in the shop my Z was in good hands. Aventador got the ENTIRE car covered. nose to tail)


I recommend going with the XPEL (10yr warranty) against hazing, yellowing, and scratching. most other products only offer limited warranties.

zefaulter

You may want to consider rear quarter panels . I have many many small scratches from maybe gravel on the road

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mults

Two years ago I had the Xpel installed in all of the red areas (see attached photo) for $1425 and that included:

• Front Fascia
• Entire Hood
• Front Fenders
• Both "A" Pillars
• Headlights
• Mirrors
• Rear Quarters
• Side Kick Panel
• Area behind rear wheels (on rear bumper)

Albert from Block-a-Chip came over on a Saturday, and seven hours later, viola! When I tell people what I had done, no one can see the areas done unless I show them. I can get the rest of the car done for another $1100, but I may use this cash for some "go-faster" stuff.

Attached Images

CLEAR_BRA.JPG (489.8 KB, 39 views)

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mults
40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune)
Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706
Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club

kenchan

it's great that you had clearbra installed the DAY PRIOR to getting the damage. now you can go back and get that reapplied with no damage to the paint. much less stressful than worrying about color match, etc.

i paid 300+ for ultimate for the pre-cut front bumper, and installed it myself early summer. considering this is a wear item, i dont mind re-applying it every couple of years. im already planning to replace it in 2015.

zefaulter

Next time I get a brand new car, I'm getting most of it done with 3M Ventura shield or whatever is new. It's too once you have a single chip

kenchan

naw, just fix the chip and apply. that's wat i did. i had one sesame sized chip on my bumper, i still clearbra'ed it after seeing what my non-clear bra'ed G looked like after 9yrs. tons if tiny road rash near the bottom of the front bumper.

40 to 332

Thanks for the clarification XPEL. I was a bit "intrigued" when I read about the issues surrounding the removal of the film and the possibility of paint coming off. I didn't think use of cleaners/solvents was the proper technique … but as you say, use of a steamer to first soften the film and then actually stretching the film to remove it rather than trying to peel it back. I recall seeing a YouTube video explaining the removal process where the method shown was exactly as you describe. Also, given that the film is durable and I suspect resistant to most solvents, it would probably take a pretty "aggressive" solvent to soften it up enough for removal … which would also likely soften the paint. Finally, glad to know that XPEL stands behind its product!

kenchan

i just use a heat gun and pull to stretch to remove. it looks like im pulling in the wrong direction. it's the same technique to remove 3M mounting tape. go slow, take your time. at the end you save more time.

equalme

For those of you all that got the Xpel Ultimate done, are the edges fully covered as well? I've seen pictures where the film ends about 1/4" from the edge...wasn't sure if that was common practice or not.

40 to 332

With a good install they will usually wrap the film around any edges (hood, trunk, doors etc.) and tuck it up under any rubber seals. However, because the seal tolerances are so tight on the Z, I found they left about a 1/16" gap around my windows. They likely would have effed the seals if they would have tried to tuck the film. I only know because I also have an Xterra that was filmed and there are no gaps because the rubber seals are flimsier and easy to lift up so that the film could be tucked under. Not sure if this answers your question.

Gadgetech

I have gaps around areas like the daytime running lights and on the edges but I think that's normal when using computer cut sheets. It's hard to tell and I would think that there has to be a little room left to ensure there's a nice seal that remains.


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Upstate Z Club

acer

I had my Z installed with 3m and was totally unsatisfied because of bug splatter that etched my bumper in less than a week of usage. But I also installed it on my other car and had no issue. Xpel has a an extra coating that can prevent this. If you go with 3M you definitely want to look into sealing your car more often.

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2010 370z Sports

Gadgetech

Just to close the loop, XPEL reached out to my installer about replacing the piece on my front bumper. I have an appointment on Thursday to get it reinstalled!

Can't ask for better CS!


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Upstate Z Club

kenchan

if you get the pre-cut ones that is normal.

if you want full coverage, then you need to go to a shop that use uncut rolls.

kenchan

did you have any sealant or wax on the bra? i ask because im using 3M on my dd and that car gets hit by bugs often. no stains. after a week of drying, i use sealant/wax on my bra's.