Decisions, decisions. 3M or Xpel

BentZero · 01-19-2016, 12:10 PM

Sorry, yet another 3M vs Xpel thread. I thought my local installer used xpel since that's what they said on their site. I called to setup the appointment and it turns out that they actually use 3M film. Supposedly because it has less orange peel or something. It explains the huge price difference and now I'm not getting the "deal" I thought I was getting.

So, here's my predicament. Local installer, using 3M, will do full front bumper, hood, fenders and mirrors for $1,200. Partial for $700. Installer 15 mins from PCD center, using xpel, will do full for $1,800 and partial for $900. It would also require me spending another night in Greenville, so there's that cost to consider.

I can't swing the $1,800 since I'm already going to exceed my set limit. So, do I go full 3M or partial xpel? Thoughts? TIA.

BentZero · 01-20-2016, 07:26 AM

No one has experience with both films?

Zooks527 · 01-20-2016, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BentZero

No one has experience with both films?

Look on the other site where you asked the question.

BentZero · 01-20-2016, 08:00 AM

Haha, thanks. I must not have turned on notifications on that festive thread. Thanks!

stealthwang · 01-26-2016, 10:07 AM

no experience with 3m, but i'm getting the full front done in xpel for ~$1200 CDN here in Canada. will have pictures up sooner or later.

eclipes · 01-26-2016, 08:14 PM

I think i can help you here. I did my front hood in xpel but my full Front and rear bumper is with 3m. xpel is more thick and self healing so it looks new 24/7, downside - orange peel. It can be quite obvious at certain angles under the sun or when im waxing looking at it in detail. 3m - more natural looking but easiler to mark/wear down/stain. I tend to wipe it down and give a bit a spray wax after every drive to prevent any debris from staining. The 2 series front bumper is very sharp looking, there will be edges from the computer cut which will trap dirt and lift. I assume this applies to all cars. Majority of the shops i go to still use 3m because of its price and easier to stretch (easier install.) Xpel is better for straight runs, less bends like hood or rocker panels. Hope this helps.

BentZero · 01-26-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipes

I think i can help you here. I did my front hood in xpel but my full Front and rear bumper is with 3m. xpel is more thick and self healing so it looks new 24/7, downside - orange peel. It can be quite obvious at certain angles under the sun or when im waxing looking at it in detail. 3m - more natural looking but easiler to mark/wear down/stain. I tend to wipe it down and give a bit a spray wax after every drive to prevent any debris from staining. The 2 series front bumper is very sharp looking, there will be edges from the computer cut which will trap dirt and lift. I assume this applies to all cars. Majority of the shops i go to still use 3m because of its price and easier to stretch (easier install.) Xpel is better for straight runs, less bends like hood or rocker panels. Hope this helps.

Thanks! That helps a lot. Local installer said that he uses 3M because of the orange peel issue with xpel. Honestly, I'd rather deal with that than staining. I guess I'll stick with my plan to use xpel. Regardless, it'll be nice to not have to worry about chips so much. Really, I'm hoping that it protects against those freaking love bugs that I have to deal with every summer. Their guts are a pain to deal with. It seems to bond with the paint and cause etching.

stealthwang · 01-27-2016, 10:04 AM

from the look of my xpel install i'd say the orange peel effect is over hyped. was surprised at just how good it looked.

with a solid installer i wouldn't worry about the increased difficulty, my front bumper got a full wrap with wrapped seams and it's pretty hard to find a sign it's got wrap.

eclipes · 01-27-2016, 01:15 PM

Bug stains in the summer are a pain especially driving on the highway

Quote:

Originally Posted by BentZero

Thanks! That helps a lot. Local installer said that he uses 3M because of the orange peel issue with xpel. Honestly, I'd rather deal with that than staining. I guess I'll stick with my plan to use xpel. Regardless, it'll be nice to not have to worry about chips so much. Really, I'm hoping that it protects against those freaking love bugs that I have to deal with every summer. Their guts are a pain to deal with. It seems to bond with the paint and cause etching.

01-19-2016, 12:10 PM	#1
BentZero Lieutenant Colonel 625 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (2)	Decisions, decisions. 3M or Xpel Sorry, yet another 3M vs Xpel thread. I thought my local installer used xpel since that's what they said on their site. I called to setup the appointment and it turns out that they actually use 3M film. Supposedly because it has less orange peel or something. It explains the huge price difference and now I'm not getting the "deal" I thought I was getting. So, here's my predicament. Local installer, using 3M, will do full front bumper, hood, fenders and mirrors for $1,200. Partial for $700. Installer 15 mins from PCD center, using xpel, will do full for $1,800 and partial for $900. It would also require me spending another night in Greenville, so there's that cost to consider. I can't swing the $1,800 since I'm already going to exceed my set limit. So, do I go full 3M or partial xpel? Thoughts? TIA. __________________ I rev-match from neutral to first 6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe Build thread
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01-20-2016, 07:26 AM	#2
BentZero Lieutenant Colonel 625 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (2)	No one has experience with both films? __________________ I rev-match from neutral to first 6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe Build thread
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01-20-2016, 08:00 AM	#4
BentZero Lieutenant Colonel 625 Rep 1,753 Posts Drives: 6MT Mineral White M235i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (2)	Haha, thanks. I must not have turned on notifications on that festive thread. Thanks! __________________ I rev-match from neutral to first 6MT Mineral White on black M235i coupe Build thread
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01-26-2016, 10:07 AM	#5
stealthwang Private 14 Rep 53 Posts Drives: M235i Estoril Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	no experience with 3m, but i'm getting the full front done in xpel for ~$1200 CDN here in Canada. will have pictures up sooner or later.
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01-26-2016, 08:14 PM	#6
eclipes Second Lieutenant 47 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 228i Msport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I think i can help you here. I did my front hood in xpel but my full Front and rear bumper is with 3m. xpel is more thick and self healing so it looks new 24/7, downside - orange peel. It can be quite obvious at certain angles under the sun or when im waxing looking at it in detail. 3m - more natural looking but easiler to mark/wear down/stain. I tend to wipe it down and give a bit a spray wax after every drive to prevent any debris from staining. The 2 series front bumper is very sharp looking, there will be edges from the computer cut which will trap dirt and lift. I assume this applies to all cars. Majority of the shops i go to still use 3m because of its price and easier to stretch (easier install.) Xpel is better for straight runs, less bends like hood or rocker panels. Hope this helps.
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01-27-2016, 10:04 AM	#8
stealthwang Private 14 Rep 53 Posts Drives: M235i Estoril Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Calgary, AB iTrader: (0)	from the look of my xpel install i'd say the orange peel effect is over hyped. was surprised at just how good it looked. with a solid installer i wouldn't worry about the increased difficulty, my front bumper got a full wrap with wrapped seams and it's pretty hard to find a sign it's got wrap.
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