XPEL on a Silver car?!?

J

JRay

New member
Has anyone installed the XPEL (www.xpel.com) paint protectin product on a silver car? They mention in their web-site that a stark white car will show the product more than a dark colored car. Silver is about the closest color to white that I can think of.

Also, does anyone have objections to this product? I am aware of all of the advantages to this product, but I have not run across any disadvantages. It seems like a really cool idea, but I am worried about the installation difficulty, visibility, and wear of this product. I have had real good luck so far with maintaining the condition of my paint, but that is not to say that something couldn't happen to it that the XPEL product would protect against.

Thanks...

exodar
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2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
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I do.

I like it a lot considering the alternatives. I do not have it on the top of the hood since I thought the line or edge of the film was too noticable. I have it over the bumper leading edges and the painted sections at the side of the grille.

<img src=http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=781637&a=13475236&p=53003791>
 
BRAD...



That looks pretty good...did you do it yourself? If so, how hard was it? I have tinted windows in my past with a good degree of success, but I am not sure how to compare this since it is on curved surfaces.



exodar
 
I did it myself. It's not that hard, just takes patience. You just work through the curved surfaces with the squeegee. Be sure to do the headlights, too. Basically same philosophy as tint application.
 
Definitely go with the XPEL. I've had mine on for over a year now. I really like it and best of all its practically unnoticeable. Laters.
 
WHere did you guys get the squeegee?? And what else did you have to use?? How did you mix all the solutions?? Any trouble shooting b/c Im going to do it next week...

JTS
 
Xpel sends you the squeegees. The solutions are easy to mix. Just follow their directions.



A little trick: do an initial squeegee to be sure you get the major bubbles out and the shape you want, then wrap a towel over the squeegee and repeat. The towel will absorb the water as it issqueezed out the edges. This will make adherance of the edges faster and stronger.
 
Did you have to ask for the squeegee?? B/c it seems like you have to buy it separately...

Oh and how did you mix the solutions...30% isopropyl??

And, baby shampoo??

Thanks

JTS
 
They included (no charge) the squeegee in both the headlight and panel kits that I had received.



Mix the alcohol/water at anywhere from 30%/70% to 50%/50%. It's pretty forgiving. As far as Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo, mix 3-5 drops into a quart size bottle of water.



You only need the baby shampoo mix to keep large sheets lubricated before final placement. I did this the first few times but now rarely use this mixture. Keeping the sheets constantly moist with the alcohol mixture in a spray bottle is simpler. And there is no worries of being sure to flush out all the residual baby shampoo.



Be sure to have a sharp Xacto knife on hand. Always keep your hands wet. Make a clean dirt free enviorment to work in. A heat gun (best) or hair dryer will help mould complicated areas.
 
Some other tips... get a can of compressed air, and blow off the surface of the car right before you wet it to put the film down. It seems like towels always leave a little lint behind.



Have lots of light, especially a good handheld flourescent light. You can put it close to the film and it will show you where the bubbles are.



Be carefully wetting the film where it is still attached to the backing paper, it makes little pieces of the backing flake off onto the film. You end up with little tiny white pieces of paper under the film.
 
I just ordered a bunch of the material today to do my hood and bumpers...Im quite sure Ill be asking many questions next week!

Thanks again...
 
I have a yellow car so everything shows up that is trapped underneath there... If I only knew then what I know now. Overall I think it turned out great though... I'm just picky.



Definately get some help for the larger pieces! Especially if this is your first kit.
 
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