TraqGear

I had my RS done again in Xpel film...supposed to be a little better than 3m. Anway, I left the 3m on the nose and did the full hood, 12 inches of the top and down the side of the windshield, rockers and rear fenders, everywhere that damage could be done from the track. Even without doing the nose, it cost me over $1600. Is this in line? Please let me know your experience.

mooty

compared to CA custom prices, your pricing is "in-line" more or less.

John Boggiano

I think Xpel IS 3M film, Rog.

TraqGear

Now you see why guys like me rely on guys like you.

rop3

If you see the post from last week apparently they are different, 3M is made by a third party as is X-Pel. But each film is proprietary. I was told 3M just aquired Avery.

rop3

an you see a visual diff. between the two?

mooty

3M is like microsoft then.
they bought venture not long ago. now avery???

John Boggiano

It's all this 'apparently' stuff that's the problem. Especially as the films are continually upgraded and improved. Who really knows what is different from what for sure? - Anybody 'in the know' always seems to be someone with at least the potential for a biased reply.

PogueMoHone

Somebody gets it!

rop3

My mistake it was venture.

rop3

You are correct in the U.S. there a multitude of installers it's like an add on biz for car stereo installers and window tint companies.

There are so many people jumping into it now that when you do call to get an opinion on the films and the difference between them there is no one professional or concensus. Generally the installers are pushing what they sell and opinions vary greatly.

Even Porsche dealers and others have it as an add on at the close of the sale with the F&I managers packaging it with other add ons, built in radar etc. It's like the undercoating from the 70's, so that's were it's at right now.

But I was impressed with some of the things X-pel said sounded like there was some validity to it. I guess the only way to tell for sure is to see them side by side on the car.

Premier

There are certainly quite a bit more installers on the market than just one or two years ago. It is also difficult for the customer to discern from film A to film B. There's currently quite a few products on the market and here's what we at Premier think (not listed in any order and our opinions are based on our experiences - may vary from other installers in different regions):

Avery / Clearshield (topcoated products) - product has high gloss, but also a high level of orange peel texture
*to remove very light scratches, polish would work.
*very noticeable on black or darker colored vehicles
*7 yr warranty

3M - (clearcoat) - product not quite as glossy, has orange peel texture, but not quite as much as the films above
*to remove scratches - isopropyl alcohol
*still noticeable on darker colored vehicles, but not as much as films above
*5 yr warranty (unless this has changed)

Venture (topcoat) - product is much clearer than the above films
*to remove scratches - heat from sun or heat gun
*most people would not be able to tell there is film on the car especially when the entire panel is covered
*Lifetime Warranty

Xpel Premium - newest product on the market and is just as clear as Venture
*removal of scratches with special agent or alcohol
*7 yrs warranty

LLumar - product has a high failure rate (easily fades and yellows)
*easy to scratch and no way of removing them
*Lifetime Warranty

jpcourt

$1600 sound about right.

PogueMoHone

$1600 is still a bit high!

Keep shopping, you will find a dedicated installer who will do a great custom job for less, and stand behind his work.

jenk12m

is "speedfilm" the same as the above mentioned or totally different product?