The Ultimate Guide to XPel -- Where to cover

[Naz24]

Hey Guys --

Figured I'd help a few of you out, since I had no idea what parts of the car to cover when i went for my initial Clear Film installation. After about 1600 miles I was finding chips in areas i hadnt covered, so i went back last night for more coverage. So here are my thoughts of the essentials (obviously covering the whole car or whole hood/fenders is ideal, but who wants to drop 5k?).. Here are the essentials:

1. Half hood
2. Full front bumper
3. Half front fenders
4. Behind front fender wheel wells (chips start accumulating right above the rocker panel)
5. Either whole or two halfs of the rocker (front half maybe 10 inches back, and back half maybe 12 inches forward)
6. RIP OFF THE FACTORY FILM ON THE FLARES, ITS USELESS. Get them to install it much higher ( was i getting chips right above the film)
7. Mirrors
8. Rear trunk load area
9. Lower doors, right where that line is (only about an inch up from the bottom of the doors), i started accumulating chips there
10. Behind rear wheels
11. B Pillars, because most people have no idea how to actually close doors, and those scratches on the piano black trim DRIVE ME NUTS
12. Headlights


I used Clear Cut Vehicle Coatings in Freehold, NJ, great guys--they have done a few cars for me and my friends, and it comes out great each time.

Now go out and get some film!

PS -- Thanks to RowanBuds for helping with some of the spots we need to cover

[M4start]

Thanks for this post!
I was debating whether to do it and if so what to do and how much to spend/what to have done. Prices up here Canada (Niagara region of Ontario) seem to be a bit more than what you guys are spending even after factoring the 1.31 exchange rate. A full wrap for instance is between $7 & $7500. What you've posted is still a small price to pay to protect a 100k purchase.

[secretariat]

Just one thing, I would do full hood not 1/2. Also the front of the CF Roof.

[volkl23]

Agree on the full hood. I essentially did the whole front car (bumper, lights, panels), mirrors, door cups, rocker panel, and the rear quarters, and B pillers.

Haven't had a single dent, scratch, blemish since the 7 months I've had it installed. I will no longer buy a car without Xpeling it first!

[Detailers Domain]

I would agree with this full hood the way to go! I think just about every F8X that has come by our shop has gotten a full hood, full fenders, front bumper, mirrors, headlights, a pillars and leading edge of the roof (4-5 inches)

The rockers and the bottom of the doors would be a big one and the rear strips on the rear bumper.

[TJS///M3]

Thanks for this info! Good to know how far to take it.