Scheduled to have a full front using either Suntek or Xpel. My installer prefers Suntek but I can choose Xpel if I want to. No price difference. Make sure they tuck the edges inside. That means taking the head lamps off etc....

 

I'm not a film guy...had it on my Aston Martin and didn't care for it (first car I ever had with film). I'm on Porsche # 5 and can live with a minor rock chip or road blast, its just part of the car. If it becomes severe, then a repaint is in order - but I've never had one that has been that bad. I also don't drive my better cars in the winter where most the stuff is thrown up on the bodywork, however.

 

Recently (8 weeks ago) had the front bumper, hood, front fenders and mirrors done with Expel ultimate.
A friend recently asked when was I going to get it coated.

 

This thread is relevant to my interests.

 

I think i'm getting Xpel Ultimate on my GTS. So many options for clear film.

 

Tried 3M in the past (Not the pro series) and it was terrible. All yellowing after 1 year and hazzy.

This time I went with Xpel ultimate full car wrap with ceramic coating on top.

 

I have the older 3M on the 911 and it is definitely yellowing. I had Suntek installed on the 928 and am much happier - you can't even tell its on there. I will be doing Suntek on the 991 when it arrives.

 

Did Xpel Ultimate on the whole car.

Condomized it.

I'm much less uptight about scratching the paint. Downside is that paste/liquid wax collects wherever theres an edge. I use Meg's Ultimate Spray Wax.

 

Had mine done with Xpel U last month--bumper, hood, front fenders and mirrors--and so far it looks great. Worry is whether yellowing will be really obvious on a white car in a few years. Anybody ever peel these films off or is it necessary for the pros to do it? BTW they told me to use this Maguire's wash/wax--got some at Walmart.

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...mate-wash-wax/

 

I feel exactly the same way. I keep a fresh batch of doctor color chip on hand on all my cars and touch them up once a quarter.

I've learned that even though I tell myself I'll keep this car forever (said that for my last six cars), I won't. Therefore a quarterly touch up does the trick and will save thousands. Worst case, one small panel respray after a few years, as long as you stay on top on the touch ups.

Steve

 

Link does not work (goes to a homepage), but if you are referring to Meguiars Ulimate Wash and Wax Anwhere product I highly endorse it. It's a dry wash / instant detailer that has some cleaning agents. I have not wet washed my car since discovering this product.

 

Have the pros do it.

And, no matter what film you use or how beat up it is, you should always plan on changing the film after 5 years.

Unless of course your car is a garage queen that only leaves her palace to meet other garage queens for coffee on Sunday mornings. But then if that was the case why bother clearbra'ing in the first place.

 

I don't have it. Seen too many cars with it where it looks too obvious, with an unevenness that is unattractive.

 

Jim,

After purchasing my 991, I was in the same quandry as you-film or no film? My mind was made up after I went to the back of the dealership and looked at some older cars with protective film that were parked awaiting service.

I quickly decided that the film, or at least the brands I looked at, were a total waste of money and looked terrible after a few years. I did not put protective film on my present or past two Porsches and the paint held up well without it.

You might want to ask this question in a forum for older cars.

Just my $.02.

Billy

 

I have expel on my Audis and now my C2S. The expel on my white cars is holding out well. My RS5 sits outside everyday in the florida sun and is just now starting to shift color after now 3 years. The film has a very long warranty...when it gets bad enough I will just get it replaced. My R8 looks fine after almost 3 years as well. I have full bumper,hood, fenders, rockers into sills and mirrors on all my cars done. I would not go unprotected after the mess that occurred on the fronts on two of my previous cars. My Rs6 and S5 were just peppered to death on Chicago roads. My Rs6 needed the entire front repainted. The film would have been cheaper. My S5 was the victim of hundreds of rocks getting thrown up at the bumper and hood by a semi that put tires off in a construction zone in front of me. Peppered it badly. If I had expel on it there would have been no damage. I would rather not repaint as that is what puts doubt in a future buyers mind. It did me on a 911 that I looked at that after looking at it I finally noticed the respray on the front. I passed on it. If you ever track the car it is 1000% necessary. The film saved the front of my RS7 from a tire fragment on the road that had the cords sticking up that I ended up hitting. Destroyed the film but the paint was fine. It would have been a whole repaint and repair of the bumper otherwise.