PPF - XPEL, STEK, or Sun Tek?
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PPF - XPEL, STEK, or Sun Tek?
What are the differences between these PPF products? Opinions as to which is best?
https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/N
https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/N
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What are the differences between these PPF products? Opinions as to which is best?
https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/N
https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/N
Just a heads-up: the link you sent didn’t work. I think there might’ve been an extra "N" added at the end by mistake.
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From: Texas
I decided to go with STEK after speaking with Evan, the owner of Status Detail in Illinois, and doing some of my own research. He's extremely knowledgeable—he even put together a detailed video on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pF4pjkHpLo
Just a heads-up: the link you sent didn’t work. I think there might’ve been an extra "N" added at the end by mistake.
Just a heads-up: the link you sent didn’t work. I think there might’ve been an extra "N" added at the end by mistake.
Corrected link - https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/
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The film itself means a lot less than the installer. For what it's worth there are very few places that actually make PPF. More than likely the film you are using is made in the same place as others but there are some differences in the way each company asks for the film to be made.
Having said that, the brand does matter because the brand is who backs the warranty. Just take a look at Xpel's warranty for 10 seconds and you'll see how they have set themselves up to be able to deny any claim they want. It openly states you must use only their products to clean your vehicle in the way they say the vehicle should be cleaned. Stek had a bad batch of film go out. They alerted the installers and pulled the film from the shelves. Other brands have had the same issue and continued to sell the film knowing it was defective in a hope they could deny warranty claims and not pay out on a bad batch.
Stek is a great film though; it optically has very little orange peel and is very clear. I can visually see xpel ppf'd cars 20 feet away due to the amount of orange peel that film adds to the look of the paint. The trade off with the films with less orange peel is that usually means the adhesive isn't as install friendly or "strong". This means installers of xpel/suntek can wrap some edges or cover some panels in different ways or use some techniques that other brands can't do.
Having said that, the brand does matter because the brand is who backs the warranty. Just take a look at Xpel's warranty for 10 seconds and you'll see how they have set themselves up to be able to deny any claim they want. It openly states you must use only their products to clean your vehicle in the way they say the vehicle should be cleaned. Stek had a bad batch of film go out. They alerted the installers and pulled the film from the shelves. Other brands have had the same issue and continued to sell the film knowing it was defective in a hope they could deny warranty claims and not pay out on a bad batch.
Stek is a great film though; it optically has very little orange peel and is very clear. I can visually see xpel ppf'd cars 20 feet away due to the amount of orange peel that film adds to the look of the paint. The trade off with the films with less orange peel is that usually means the adhesive isn't as install friendly or "strong". This means installers of xpel/suntek can wrap some edges or cover some panels in different ways or use some techniques that other brands can't do.
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What are the differences between these PPF products? Opinions as to which is best?
https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/N
https://thecoatlab.com/paint-protection-film/N
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Joined: Sep 2024
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From: Orange Co, New York
The film itself means a lot less than the installer. For what it's worth there are very few places that actually make PPF. More than likely the film you are using is made in the same place as others but there are some differences in the way each company asks for the film to be made.
Having said that, the brand does matter because the brand is who backs the warranty. Just take a look at Xpel's warranty for 10 seconds and you'll see how they have set themselves up to be able to deny any claim they want. It openly states you must use only their products to clean your vehicle in the way they say the vehicle should be cleaned. Stek had a bad batch of film go out. They alerted the installers and pulled the film from the shelves. Other brands have had the same issue and continued to sell the film knowing it was defective in a hope they could deny warranty claims and not pay out on a bad batch.
Stek is a great film though; it optically has very little orange peel and is very clear. I can visually see xpel ppf'd cars 20 feet away due to the amount of orange peel that film adds to the look of the paint. The trade off with the films with less orange peel is that usually means the adhesive isn't as install friendly or "strong". This means installers of xpel/suntek can wrap some edges or cover some panels in different ways or use some techniques that other brands can't do.
Having said that, the brand does matter because the brand is who backs the warranty. Just take a look at Xpel's warranty for 10 seconds and you'll see how they have set themselves up to be able to deny any claim they want. It openly states you must use only their products to clean your vehicle in the way they say the vehicle should be cleaned. Stek had a bad batch of film go out. They alerted the installers and pulled the film from the shelves. Other brands have had the same issue and continued to sell the film knowing it was defective in a hope they could deny warranty claims and not pay out on a bad batch.
Stek is a great film though; it optically has very little orange peel and is very clear. I can visually see xpel ppf'd cars 20 feet away due to the amount of orange peel that film adds to the look of the paint. The trade off with the films with less orange peel is that usually means the adhesive isn't as install friendly or "strong". This means installers of xpel/suntek can wrap some edges or cover some panels in different ways or use some techniques that other brands can't do.
I have two cars with clear Xpel ppf, including my 911. And I have Stek colored ppf on another car. I can tell the Stek is significantly thicker and according to my installer, a lot more difficult to install. I like the quality of the Stek and I’m happy with the installer.
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The film itself means a lot less than the installer. For what it's worth there are very few places that actually make PPF. More than likely the film you are using is made in the same place as others but there are some differences in the way each company asks for the film to be made.
Having said that, the brand does matter because the brand is who backs the warranty. Just take a look at Xpel's warranty for 10 seconds and you'll see how they have set themselves up to be able to deny any claim they want. It openly states you must use only their products to clean your vehicle in the way they say the vehicle should be cleaned. Stek had a bad batch of film go out. They alerted the installers and pulled the film from the shelves. Other brands have had the same issue and continued to sell the film knowing it was defective in a hope they could deny warranty claims and not pay out on a bad batch.
Stek is a great film though; it optically has very little orange peel and is very clear. I can visually see xpel ppf'd cars 20 feet away due to the amount of orange peel that film adds to the look of the paint. The trade off with the films with less orange peel is that usually means the adhesive isn't as install friendly or "strong". This means installers of xpel/suntek can wrap some edges or cover some panels in different ways or use some techniques that other brands can't do.
Having said that, the brand does matter because the brand is who backs the warranty. Just take a look at Xpel's warranty for 10 seconds and you'll see how they have set themselves up to be able to deny any claim they want. It openly states you must use only their products to clean your vehicle in the way they say the vehicle should be cleaned. Stek had a bad batch of film go out. They alerted the installers and pulled the film from the shelves. Other brands have had the same issue and continued to sell the film knowing it was defective in a hope they could deny warranty claims and not pay out on a bad batch.
Stek is a great film though; it optically has very little orange peel and is very clear. I can visually see xpel ppf'd cars 20 feet away due to the amount of orange peel that film adds to the look of the paint. The trade off with the films with less orange peel is that usually means the adhesive isn't as install friendly or "strong". This means installers of xpel/suntek can wrap some edges or cover some panels in different ways or use some techniques that other brands can't do.
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TL;DR STEK performs the best. No reason to get any other brand.
Edit: Speaking purely in regards to the hydrophobic properties and also the sharpie removal test. The rest of the video isn't very scientific obviously.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRoGgNJGxms
TL;DR STEK performs the best. No reason to get any other brand.
Edit: Speaking purely in regards to the hydrophobic properties and also the sharpie removal test. The rest of the video isn't very scientific obviously.
TL;DR STEK performs the best. No reason to get any other brand.
Edit: Speaking purely in regards to the hydrophobic properties and also the sharpie removal test. The rest of the video isn't very scientific obviously.
You can also purchase coated film from Xpel it's called Ultimate Fusion.
Last edited by CP_at_CPWKC; May 6, 2025 at 10:27 PM.
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From: ATX
Agree with comments on installer being key. I've used the same installer for years. Have front coverage with Suntek Reaction on my wifes X7 and have full wrap Suntek Rxn on my 911. Having said that my understanding is the ceramic coat in suntek reaction goes away after a while so I had my wifes X7 ceramic coated with XPEL. My 911 is just 9 months old but will probably cover it with XPEL ceramic at some point.
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Having used Stek, Xpel and Llumar I landed on Stek as my preferred brand. As others have said, the installer is perhaps more important than the brand used but my understanding is that Stek has a list of authorized installers suggesting they prefer their installers to be well versed in application. The installer I’ve used for several years invites ‘looking loos’ to see and inspect cars he’s installed ppf on and all of the folks I’ve referred have used him and have been pleased with Stek. Before deciding I’d ask to see prospective installers work. Good luck!
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Agree with comments on installer being key. I've used the same installer for years. Have front coverage with Suntek Reaction on my wifes X7 and have full wrap Suntek Rxn on my 911. Having said that my understanding is the ceramic coat in suntek reaction goes away after a while so I had my wifes X7 ceramic coated with XPEL. My 911 is just 9 months old but will probably cover it with XPEL ceramic at some point.
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As already mentioned, buy the installer, not the film. Choose whichever installer has the best installs and go with the film they work with.
That said, STEK is optically clear with virtually no orange peel vs Xpel. Skip the films with a top ceramic layer built in like Xpel’s Ultimate Fusion and just apply a separate coat of ceramic coating on top of regular PPF.
I’ve had 7 cars with Xpel, four of which were covered bumper to bumper, only because that’s what my installer uses. If given a choice, I’d choose STEK because of its clarity. Protection wise they’re very close to each other.
That said, STEK is optically clear with virtually no orange peel vs Xpel. Skip the films with a top ceramic layer built in like Xpel’s Ultimate Fusion and just apply a separate coat of ceramic coating on top of regular PPF.
I’ve had 7 cars with Xpel, four of which were covered bumper to bumper, only because that’s what my installer uses. If given a choice, I’d choose STEK because of its clarity. Protection wise they’re very close to each other.
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From: ATX
While I have zero issues with xpel's film itself minus the orange peel which is a trade off for the quality adhesive, their ceramic remains near the bottom of the list in terms of pro grade coatings. If you don't drive often or wash often sure it holds up but I've not been impressed since they released fusion.
Is there a ceramic you think is better?