INSTALL CLEAR BRA OR WRAP? PROS & CONS?

[njarmstrong]

I found it ironic that in the video the guy talks about other installers cutting corners, when he is advocating covering up paint that hasn't been corrected lol.

As for the argument about paying for the correction when it will be mostly hidden. If you can live with potentially not being satisfied with the end result then by all means go ahead. If you can afford to do the work twice (as in, you are unhappy so you remove the PPF and correct the paint) then you should be able to afford to do it right the first time.

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[foghat]

I found it ironic that in the video the guy talks about other installers cutting corners, when he is advocating covering up paint that hasn't been corrected lol.

As for the argument about paying for the correction when it will be mostly hidden. If you can live with potentially not being satisfied with the end result then by all means go ahead. If you can afford to do the work twice (as in, you are unhappy so you remove the PPF and correct the paint) then you should be able to afford to do it right the first time.

That is the question though (and I don't know the answer), is it mostly hidden or completely hidden? It is not cutting corners if the correction work is truly not needed. Obviously if you have a big enough scratch/defect I suspect it could still show.

I would trust the installer to be able tell me (or even show with a sample) whether the defects will be completely hidden or not.

 

[JohnK]

I'll add that Benchmark Auto Salon (Matador91) installed XPEL film on the bumper, hood, fenders and rocker panels and 22PLE on the all surfaces of my 2015 Mustang GT and I am completely happy with the look of the car. What I care about is how the finished product looks, and to me it looks amazing. Just my two cents...

 

[tsunami]

I had clear film put on the front cowl by my dealer. Does it peel off fairly well, if it doesn't stand up to UV, etc? Does it leave an adhesive residue? If so...will 3M adhesive cleaner take it off?

 

[TmjMustang]

Hi Matador91,
Just got my DIB 2015 GT back from the 3M PPF installer. Overall the installation went well. The installer was able to install the film without showing a seam accept for the hood louvers. His first attempt on the louvers using a roll 'Free Hand' cutting would not adhere in the curved corners. On the second visit he installed the 3M PPF from a laser cut Kit (mirrors & louvers) to ensure a better fit. The work was completed on Saturday so I'm going to give it a few weeks to cure and take some pics. Thanks again for the professional input. All total the cost was just under $1,200 (I didn't do the roof saved $200 to go towards my Big Worm Graphixs Stripes).

 

[fishin911]

Hi everyone...
I've been looking into XPEL Ultimate put on my EB PP and only have found one location that installs it for a high price. Can anyone in Florida please tell me on good shops that do good work anywhere in Florida? I live in martin county but work in Fort Lauderdale do anywhere from the treasure coast to Mia I could take me vehicle. Thank you

 

[4cars]

I bought the 3M Pro stuff this week to install my self. I have done this before on another vehicle and it came out very well. It was a different type of product. The 3M Pro was advertised as the best available and easiest to use so I paid the extra 10% for it.
It did not come out well at all. I found the 3M Pro to be very thick stuff and not any easier to apply. In fact it was more difficult. I was just doing the hood to start, and figured I would do the bumper later. The pieces for the louvers on the hood were impossible to fit. While applying it, I thought it was going well, but when I finished I took a step back, and it looked like s#it. Lots of bubbles and streaks. The video said to let it dry for 48 hours and some of that would go away but I didn't want to chance it. I ripped it off after about 4 hours. $180.00 down the drain. I may try the less expensive product next.

 

[foghat]

I bought the 3M Pro stuff this week to install my self. I have done this before on another vehicle and it came out very well. It was a different type of product. The 3M Pro was advertised as the best available and easiest to use so I paid the extra 10% for it.
It did not come out well at all. I found the 3M Pro to be very thick stuff and not any easier to apply. In fact it was more difficult. I was just doing the hood to start, and figured I would do the bumper later. The pieces for the louvers on the hood were impossible to fit. While applying it, I thought it was going well, but when I finished I took a step back, and it looked like s#it. Lots of bubbles and streaks. The video said to let it dry for 48 hours and some of that would go away but I didn't want to chance it. I ripped it off after about 4 hours. $180.00 down the drain. I may try the less expensive product next.

What would you have been chancing by listening to the instructions and waiting 48 hours?

No offense, but if you have an excess of bubbles and such, it likely an installer issue vs. product issue. I would imagine the thicker the material the harder to work with, but it should give better protection.

 

[tsunami]

I had the same experience as 4cars. I had previously installed several clear film bras to vehicles without problems. With the Mustang, you really need four hands and a hot air gun. I, too, thought that I had done a fair job. But I ended up with several areas where there was excess film and several other areas where the film was too short. I would have had to stretch the film an additional six inches across the main bumper to get the film to extend to the bumper edge. I tried heating the film while keeping it wet. After a day, I found tight folds where I had been unable to stretch the film any farther. I pulled it all off.
I proceeded to have it professionally installed, the shop did a great job...when I asked how difficult it was for their workers...the manager said that it took two men plus a third to correctly install the film on a 2015 Mustang.
So I tip my hat to anyone who has done it themselves without help and got good results.

 

['Merica]

Hi everyone...
I've been looking into XPEL Ultimate put on my EB PP and only have found one location that installs it for a high price. Can anyone in Florida please tell me on good shops that do good work anywhere in Florida? I live in martin county but work in Fort Lauderdale do anywhere from the treasure coast to Mia I could take me vehicle. Thank you

What was your quote? I was just quoted $799 for partial hood, partial fender, mirror and front bumper installed. That seems like a steal, no?

 

[foghat]

What was your quote? I was just quoted $799 for partial hood, partial fender, mirror and front bumper installed. That seems like a steal, no?

Might be pretty good - define partial hood and fenders. I do think you will be disappointed if you only go partial hood and fenders.

fwiw, I paid $1500 cdn for bumper, full hood, full fenders, mirrors, a-pillars and 8 inch strip above windshield.

 

['Merica]

Might be pretty good - define partial hood and fenders. I do think you will be disappointed if you only go partial hood and fenders.

fwiw, I paid $1500 cdn for bumper, full hood, full fenders, mirrors, a-pillars and 8 inch strip above windshield.

Judging by the products on their website it goes to the far side of the heat extractors (closer to the cab than the bumper). And then fenders I'm not 100% sure but looks like maybe the top of the fender and then a sliver down the front side.

 

[foghat]

Judging by the products on their website it goes to the far side of the heat extractors (closer to the cab than the bumper). And then fenders I'm not 100% sure but looks like maybe the top of the fender and then a sliver down the front side.

I'd get a quote to do the whole hood and fenders and see how much of a price difference. You will get chips on the part of the hood not covered.

 

['Merica]

Ok thanks, will do. I've never noticed getting any chips past the first 10 inches or so on any car ive owned, but bird sh1t is a different story.

 

[fishin911]

What was your quote? I was just quoted $799 for partial hood, partial fender, mirror and front bumper installed. That seems like a steal, no?

I got a Quote for $800 as well. It include 17" of the hood & front bumper. $60 for mirrors and $75 for all the lights. It just seems like alot... Idk. I went to two other shops after my first quote and no one want to do this work? Not sure why

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