neurotic

I have three cars w/ PPF; all cars had PPF placed since the first week
2015 GTS w/ Xpel (15K miles)
2016 BMW X5M w/ Xpel (40k miles)
2018 GT3 w/ Suntek (7K miles)

The Xpel cars have held up very nicely. No issues w/ ripping after taking a hit; however, I can't say the same about the GT3 w/ Suntek. In less than a year, the car has been hit and the PPF rips. This supports what people say that the Suntek is a thinner film.

I will be replacing the Suntek next season w/ Xpel. I won't touch suntek after this. Very disappointed w/ the film; although it has done its job by protecting the paint, but the problem I've had is the film is one-and-done (one hit wonder lol).

end.rant

C5driver

Good to know. I just had XPEL applied and have been pleased with how it looks (or doesn't look!!)!

sampelligrino

Thanks for sharing, I am debating between xpel and suntek ultra right now

On my GT3 with suntek ultra I had the same experience. A couple hits from debris on the freeway tore through the film cleanly in small spots which surprised me but like you said it is a thinner film allegedly than xpel. Supposed to be a trade off where the suntek ultra did look gorgeous with ceramic coating/just invisible to my eyes, don't know if xpel can match that with the added thickness

neurotic

my installer recommended Suntek on the GT3 because the color of the car--PTS Viola. Don't get me wrong, the car looks great w/ the ceramic coating. Almost invincible PPF and color pops. however, I am now dealing w/ rips in the PPF and it looks tacky.

I'm glad I double layered the fenders as those are taking a beating lol

oh well. life lesson learned.

C5driver

The transparency was my concern as well and to my eyes at various distances, I couldn't tell the difference. I did PPF front and in all light conditions, I just can't see the film on the front quarter panel vs. the doors.

bergx7

I just had my car wrapped with Suntek's new Ultra Defense (11mil thickness vs. Xpel and Suntek Ultra at 8mil). It looks good. Hopefully it holds up!

neurotic

Yep that’s the new stuff. My installer has not yet used it yet but will be in the future. Will see how it holds up.

sampelligrino

right on, I am leaning towards xpel or the new suntek ultra defense now just for the thickness aspect to avoid what I and OP experienced, agree that it looks tacky to have those little rips in the film. Every time I detailed the car, I'd forget about them, rub the microfiber cloth right over the rip, and likely not help anything...

Which car if you don't mind me asking? my installer saying he uses it more on trucks and track cars, but I might go that route as I'm being told it might be a good middle ground. More thickness than Ultra, but still very good "appearance" qualities which Suntek Ultra is supposed to be well regarded for

sampelligrino

forgot to ask, how does the xpel look visually? Did you ceramic coat the xpel on your GTS? thinking visually if any difference between suntek ultra ceramic coated and xpel ceramic coated. I am willing to bet I wouldn't notice a difference personally as both films get coated

ipse dixit

Regardless of Xpel or Suntek, or even the installer (which is really I think the most important variable in all of this), I've just resigned myself to the fact that I will be reapplying the PPF every year or so, more if I'm tracking regularly.

krell

This.

After five track days at Road America I've got a few light gray rubber stains on the XPEL film that won't come off, plus a few dings and tears in front of the rear wheel arches. The tears I expected but not the staining, especially considering the car was ceramic coated as well.

neurotic

The GTS does not have ceramic coating unlike the GT3. I don’t honestly see a difference between the two films. I’m sure someone out there with the name of Matt and owns Obsessed Garage will find a difference

tonymission

I've had both and I think Suntek looks a lot better. Too much orange peel with Xpel IMO.

Haven't had any tearing or ripping issues with the Suntek but I probably don't drive the car often/hard enough.

thebishman

Have you tried plain old rubbing alcohol on a microfiber?

lisocayman

I have Suntek on my 991.2 GT3. It looks great everywhere except for the side rear flares near the wheels. I had the stock clear protection strips replaced with Suntek and it sucks. Tons of small tears from road debris. I’ll need to have the lower pieces of the film changed. 3.5K miles.