Gary JR

....sounds like you make assumptions....maybe should not.

StormRune

I'm with Gary Jr, I think it is a good question. In the case of the Suntek film (and I assume the Xpel Ultimate), the film has a high gloss scratch-resistant self-healing top-coat on it. I'd have to wonder if wax would interfere with the self-healing process when the molecules rejoin themselves. I would also wonder why you would want to use a clay bar on a seal-healing film.

Here is a very good product video from Suntek. I think you'll find it shows a lot of interesting things, including some nice clear shots of high-glossiness that I'd think would be practically impossible to fake. In one of the shots you can see a comparison between the film and the paint on a black Bimmer. This appears at the 1:38 point in the video.... but the whole thing is worth watching if you are considering PPF. It also shows a scratch healing test similar to the one I posted earlier but on a real car.

Speed2000

The film can still get contaminates on the surface over time just like paint. No issues with wax/instant detailers inhibiting the self healing characteristics.

StormRune

Okay, good to know. Thanks for the clarification.

StormRune

FYI, here is some more specific details on what is/isn't recommended by Xpel on their website linked here: http://www.xpel.com/postinstallation/care-instructions/

Note that their guidance differs between Xpel Ultimate and their other films. Although I think most of us here would opt for Suntek or Xpel Ultimate, for the other films this guidance stands out in respects to this conversation. To me, these waxes sound like waxes we should avoid in any case, film or not.

• Do NOT use abrasive cleaners on the film.
• Do NOT use dyed or colored car waxes on the film.
• Waxes that contain dyes and other chemicals such as naphtha or kerosene may discolor or degloss the film over time and should be avoided.

ATLBond

Wow, what a picture. Beautiful car, congratulations. Lighting, picture color correction, composition is perfect.

Gary JR

The video uses the words "crystal clear" and "invisible". This is why I continue to wonder why I should put anything, let alone wax, on my Xpel Ultimate. So far I have only used microfiber wash gloves and drying cloths.

Detailed Designs

I have created some videos that outline a few of the benefits of modern PPF. In terms of looks. When you have a great film installed by a great technician, it can be impossible to see any textural difference unless you track down an exposed edge from inches away.

Here is an example of the defect masking ability of PPF:


Here is the self-healing ability shown in a single and critical shot:


A video of the self-healing ability of PPF with a Modesta coating over it (coatings/sealants/waxes do not necessarily affect the seal-healing abilities of PPF):

1-Bad-911

I have had 9 cars with a clear bra. My current 911 has the entire front clip covered. I also own a 2011 BMW M3 that also has a clear bra installed back in 2011. The front end of my M3 looks like new. I will never own another expensive car without a clear bra. Well worth the money. The key is the installer, I'm lucky I have found a good one. Check around they are out there......

911boy

You guys are getting more and more convincing................

TheTintPros

Hi Everyone, I am more than happy to help with any questions people may have when it comes to Paint Protection Film. We have been Southern California's #1 Window Film installers and Paint protection Specialist since 1979 and am more than happy to guide anyone through the process. PPF really has come a long way since most people remember it as old harder plastic clear bras that were obvious or turned yellow. As many people mentioned, the properties of self healing technology is amazing with most scratches healing in the sun and deeper cuts or tears can be healed with a hairdryer or heat gun. In addition it protects your investment and keeps you loving your car. Most of us wouldnt buy a car with a bunch of rock chips so why not keep it that way for the entire time you have it.

Our shop uses Llumar Platinum PPF that comes with a 10 year Warranty and comes in gloss and matte finishes. From our experience this is the best film on the market. We combine this with Llumar and Xpel plotting software as we like this material better than Xpel but they make a good software program. For more intricate bumpers and pieces we will use a hand cut method if the templates arent up to par for our standards.

I noticed in an earlier post that many people share a lot of the same concers that I would like to address. Here are some answers from one of the first posts.

1. It looks ugly when the car is slightly dusty.
With Lumar Platinum PPF the car is much easier to wipe down as dirt, dust, and even tar do not stick to it as easily as paint. Good film shouldnt look too different than normal paint with a little dust.

2. If it gets damaged, you can't just replace one panel, they usually have to do adjacent panels too depending on how old the film is.
For our shop this isnt the case. If one of our customers damage a panel we have no problems replacing just one. When using the right techniques removal is not an issue. I will add a post showing a rear bumper removal and replacement we did on a 911. That might be the case with material that turns yellow of not matching but our material has a 10 year warranty againt yellowing.

3. Dust/dirt gets trapped in the edges
This has everything to do with installation. We wrap edges at our shop here on all places we can to ensure the cleanest edges. A big factor when it comes to this is proper preperation before installtion as well.

4. There are very few good installers and a lot of shoddy installers.
This is definitely a concern. We notice a lot of "shops" open and close pretty quickly. It takes a lot of work to install PPF properly and there is a lot of training and experience needed. A lot of people see someone do it and just think they can too. Try and see previous work when possible and how customers like it. The majority of our business comes from referrals.

5. The best installers in my area aren't even listed on the xpel site, go figure.
Some of the best installers may use other products. I always recommend everyone to talk to shops and find out why they use the product they do.

6. They can get stained
It is a clear film and just like paint, untreated damages can have lasting effects. It is like if you let bird droppings sit on paint for too long it can eat it away the clearcoat. PPF does have repelling properties to fight against this though.

7. The car will never shine the same way as raw paint.
It is a film over paint so it wont look just like it but with our material it can actuially enhance the look in some instances. I will post some pictures where it can actuial be seen of the pearl paint shining as good as the areas without the film
.
8. Dr Colorscratch is super easy to use and works GREAT and costs less than 100 bucks. Clear bras run about 2500 for the front clip and around 5K for a full body application.
This is only a temporary fix and can still be seen. PPF is there to protect the entire area covered. Average price to repaint a panel is $800 according to Caliber Collision. On top of that PPF helps retain the value of the vehicle as repaint can decrease it.

9. Who knows what the long term effects of the glue are on the paint
We have not seen any long term issues with our installations but I cannot speak for all products and installations

10.it looks ugly.
On the majority of our installations, most people wouldnt even know it was there.

I hope this helps. We are an active Vendor based out of Orange County, Ca and encourage everyone that is local to stop by our shop and see for yourself some work we have done. If you arent local I will help answer any question I can and give some tips on the buying process, even if you are looking to get it done at another shop. There is a lot that people dont know about PPF and I will do my best to help. I will post more pictures of our work to give examples as well.

StormRune

Great videos! Your videos/posts always seem to be rich in useable information! If there's anyone whose advice I've come to trust it's yours so thanks for posting about this.

BTW, I also borrowed a reference to one of your other videos yesterday in a discussion about rock guard replacement over on the 997 forum: https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...l#post14015843

TheTintPros

Here is a Full front PPF install on a Cayman GT4. As you can see it is quite shiny with the film



A picture of it outside and how well you can see the pearl in the paint

TheTintPros

Entire Car covered in PPF



His wife closed the garage on it. This was the damage to the PPF above the license plate, no damage to the paint under the film



Part of the process of the removal. Came off clean and we wrapped it back up as good as new afterwards.

JawJuh

I found this awesome comparison between 3M Pro, SunTek, and XPEL Ultimate PPFs: 3M seems to be the winner here, which doesn't surprise me given their massive investments in labs and manufacturing for tapes and films.

PS: Is it just me, or does the reflection of the ceiling lights look way more crisp in 3M and Suntek, while XPEL looks just blurry and "orange peel"?