XPEL and/or Ceramic Pro? Few questions about both?

[///bproden]

I'm trying to decide which paint protection I want to get done for my car as soon as it arrives. I have a few questions for you guys that have done either. I know these are completely different products though...


XPEL - It seems like XPEL is pretty popular and what a lot of you guys are doing. Have any of you installed the front bumper, fenders, & hood yourselves? It seems pretty easy, but curious if this is really something that needs to be done by a professional tint installer or if it's possible to save $$$ and do it myself. Also, are most of you guys doing the precut kits for our cars or having the installer custom cut?

Ceramic Pro - Can anyone chime in about this? The only people I've really talked to are dealers or friends of dealers for this. The product seems amazing. Basically, creating a "shell" over your paint that protects from scratches, dings, etc, for pretty much lifetime of your car. Has anyone heard any negatives about this product? Or has anyone actually used this and can they chime in that it truly does help protect against rock chips among everything else it does?

[rubber_ducky]

I have xpel on my car. I had a non-pre-cut kit professional installed. I don't have the patience to attempt to install it myself.

The coating products won't really protect against scratches and dings. It's more for ease of washing. I do realize that there is a YouTube video of some dude hacking away at what looks like a 1/16" - 1/8" crust of the stuff. But if you've ever seen this stuff applied, it becomes quite clear that a single application doesn't go on nearly as thick. The application resembles wiping alcohol on your paint. The stuff makes cleaning your paint a breeze, but i wouldn't expect it to do anything against other kinds of damage

[Never Convicted]

If your dealer is telling you that Ceramic Pro will protect your car from road damage, he be lyin'. Go read about the product. Coatings are mainly for appearance and ease of cleaning, and they won't do what Xpel will do. Don't have it done before you read what they cover.

[Doctor///M]

Definitely go with XPEL, and ensure you do the full hood and front fenders if you plan to track the car. Also let a professional install it - not saying that DIY is impossible, but you'll need patience and extra product in case you screw up (and you will!!).

[ciaranob]

Originally Posted by rubber_ducky

I have xpel on my car. I had a non-pre-cut kit professional installed. I don't have the patience to attempt to install it myself.

The coating products won't really protect against scratches and dings. It's more for ease of washing. I do realize that there is a YouTube video of some dude hacking away at what looks like a 1/16" - 1/8" crust of the stuff. But if you've ever seen this stuff applied, it becomes quite clear that a single application doesn't go on nearly as thick. The application resembles wiping alcohol on your paint. The stuff makes cleaning your paint a breeze, but i wouldn't expect it to do anything against other kinds of damage

+1

Exactly - I actuallyhave both Xpel Ultimate (front half of car) and the CQuartz (ceramic) finest (all the car) - have to say VERY happy with both applications to date .

PS: Get the wrapped edges if you go with Xpel - looks 100% more pro and indeed, applying this stuff is not a trivial task.

[okroger]

i wish i went with xpel immediately after pcd. going through ny interstates on way home and road debris was nonstop. already have a messed up front end in under 7 days of ownership. if small things like that make you cringe, drop the bucks and get it immediately and as others have said, let a pro do it

[///bproden]

Thanks guys for the input. Looks like i'll schedule the XPEL and decide if I still want to do a cermic coating.

[AM4ZING]

I got EXPEL ULTIMATE on my M4 and i highly recommend it. it comes with a 10 year warranty so its a no brainer

[Ggeezer]

Stick with CQuartz Finest or OptiCoat if you want a coating over the Xpel. Apparently 3 wipe downs of all purpose cleaner is all it takes to remove Ceramic Pro.

[schnazzy]

I have almost my whole car with XPEL. Currently don't have the doors or quarters. Otherwise 99% of the rest of the paint is covered.

I have heard rocks hit my car and have yet to see anything. Can't even tell the xpel is there unless I point it out to you.

Stuff is expensive though, and you should have it precut so you aren't using a blade on your paint. Putting it on is maybe 1.5 harder than tint. the biggest issue will be making sure the air is pure in the closed garage you install this in because even a small piece of lint will get under there and you will be pissed.

[Detailers Domain]

Originally Posted by Never Convicted

If your dealer is telling you that Ceramic Pro will protect your car from road damage, he be lyin'. Go read about the product. Coatings are mainly for appearance and ease of cleaning, and they won't do what Xpel will do. Don't have it done before you read what they cover.

2nd - there is no way a coating will protect the car from road damage, dents, rock chips etc.

What we recommend our customers that don't want to do both is to opt for the Xpel paint protection film because the car is new and is free from any rock chips. Many of our customers are wrapping the full front end, a pillars, door cups, luggage strip, rockers.

[cyber4n6]

I just dropped mine off this morning for the full XPEL wrap and Ceramic Pro on all remaining surfaces such as the doors, roof, and wheels. They are taking the wheels off and coating them along with the brake calipers. While it's expensive, so was this car and as it's brand new I hope to keep it looking that way.

[///bproden]

Are most people using the precut kits? If so, can you see the line from the XPEL?

[Detailers Domain]

if you the authorized xpel installer is cutting the film he can call out the edges so he/she can wrap the edges.

[yungster]

Originally Posted by ciaranob

+1

Exactly - I actuallyhave both Xpel Ultimate (front half of car) and the CQuartz (ceramic) finest (all the car) - have to say VERY happy with both applications to date .

PS: Get the wrapped edges if you go with Xpel - looks 100% more pro and indeed, applying this stuff is not a trivial task.

What order did you put them on? Xpel over ceramic or vice versa?

[ciaranob]

Originally Posted by yungster

What order did you put them on? Xpel over ceramic or vice versa?

Xpel first and then CQuartz on advice of EVSMotors/Vive here in Houston who did both.

[Detailers Domain]

that would be correct.

[64-bit]

XPel is a VERY expensive product to waist if something goes south with your install.
You can try to save some money but I would not recommend on a M3/M4 where all u really want is perfection and protection.

I got the full front + mirrors wrapped and I couldn't be happier, XPel rocks when comes to protection

[LowBoost]

I noticed most (if not all) people do XPel on full front end, a-pillars, door cups, luggage strip, rockers. I have seen prices for these areas go around $1,500. How much would be to do full car with wrapped edges? (all painted areas + carbon roof)

[schnazzy]

$7000+

Normally:
front clip (bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors) = $1500
rockers = $400 for both
roof = $500
rear bumper = $600
rear trunk = $500
door and rear quarter = $3200 for both

I had my paint color sanded first, took out all of the orange peel. Also, some XPEL is wrapped under the body like in the rear bumper where it is panted underneath.

My car is probably 99.5% covered. There are some reliefs as well as certain pre-cut pieces are not completely wrapped (but are 1-2mm from the edge, as normal).

I have had 3 rocks hit my fenders and 2 my roof. The roof you cant see the mark after some warm water. the fend you can see a small pin head sized skip mark if I point it out to you in the right light. Nothing has penetrated, the paint is fine.

You need to get this done the second you get the car. I got it done 4 days after (a weekend) and even with 100 miles, I had a small clearcoat chip past the A pilar. it was an easy fix when doing the color sand.

also, don't do it yourself unless you have done it before or have done a few dozen professional TINT installs. It is WAY too expensive. If you have a 60" cutter and you can get XPEL wholesale, sure, but otherwise, one screw up and it will be more expensive.

[Detailers Domain]

well said!

[LowBoost]

@schnazzy: Thanks for your reply. Definitely more than expected. Too bad I can't split the install in two phases. Something is better than nothing, so it seems I will go the usual route of full front clip, rockers, and door cups.

Is it recommended / worth it, to do the carbon fiber roof?