Paint protection film installed...can't even tell it's there!!

[1SerieStud]

All right, for those interested in seeing the results, I had the clear bra kit installed on my car today. I requested to have the following protected: hood, fenders, bumper (including headlight washers and tow hook hole cover), mirrors, headlights, and front side of the rear fender flares. The guy that does the work for me does such an amazing job that you can't even tell the film is there!

After all the spraying, the car needs a wash, but I have to wait 48 hours, and it's rainy in FL...still, it looks kinda clean

[flzrider]

Looks good. Who's the manufacturer of that clear bra? Any pictures of the end/edge of the film? Also, come much was it (if you don't mind sharing)?

[MDORPHN]

Looks like a beautiful job.

Neil

[tkbr0wn]

Originally Posted by flzrider

Looks good. Who's the manufacturer of that clear bra? Any pictures of the end/edge of the film? Also, come much was it (if you don't mind sharing)?

You can see the edge on the first pic if you look close. Looks good to me.

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by flzrider

Looks good. Who's the manufacturer of that clear bra? Any pictures of the end/edge of the film? Also, come much was it (if you don't mind sharing)?

Thanks...Xpel is the manufacturer, and this is their Ultimate film, which is self-healing to scratches, etc. Look it up, you'll be impressed by what it's capable of doing! On the pictures, I tried to show the edges (they are there, they are just extremely difficult to see/photograph).

I'm extremely loyal to this installer, and he has done 4 of my cars plus another car in the family, so I got a special deal due to the amount of business I have provided to him plus all the customers I send his way; but he has very competitive rates compared to everyone else, and his services + films are nothing but the best! Check him out: clearbraofjax.com

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

Looks like a beautiful job.

Neil

Thank you

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by tkbr0wn

You can see the edge on the first pic if you look close. Looks good to me.

Exactly. I photographed an edge that had all the dry water/dust to illustrate the line, and even so it is difficult to see. When clean even the edge is virtually invisible.

[inluvwithastripper]

Can you apply the same protective products to the film that you do to the paint?

[MusclezMarinara]

Mine looks the same how sick

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by inluvwithastripper

Can you apply the same protective products to the film that you do to the paint?

Yes you treat it as paint, or you could also get the cleaner and polishing products specifically made for ppf...xpel makes them too.

[greygoose]

Looks very good, I'm looking for some film at the moment as the rear arches seem to attract a few stones.

[Chill]

Amazing. Anyone have a good recommendation for installers in Northern California area? What would one expect to pay for this, roughly?
Thanks

[Jezzer]

Originally Posted by greygoose

Looks very good, I'm looking for some film at the moment as the rear arches seem to attract a few stones.

3M Ventureshield is good, have a look at their web site

[1SerieStud]

The one on my car is Xpel Ultimate, latest in technology and self-heals simply by parking the car in the sun/heat. To expedite the process simply pour warm water. Watch it work, it's fully transparent and amazing

[Chill]

Has anyone applied paint protector to a BSM? How did it come out? I will have to look into this.

[mikewills]

Originally Posted by Chill

Amazing. Anyone have a good recommendation for installers in Northern California area? What would one expect to pay for this, roughly?
Thanks

Premier comes to mind....in Fremont I think.

[Chill]

Originally Posted by mikewills

Premier comes to mind....in Fremont I think.

Thank you! Contacted them and they seem very experienced. $800 for full front bumper, partial hood, partial fenders and mirrors. I'll be able to check out Alekshop as well as he is also in Fremont.

[v1k0d3n]

Originally Posted by Chill

Has anyone applied paint protector to a BSM? How did it come out? I will have to look into this.

Absolutely do this. I have BSM, and I would never go without paint protection for my car. The expel video is impressive. Series and I have gone back and forth on Paint protection before, there are a few good options out there...but investigate. There are numerous threads on it. It really comes down to the installation in the end. Take a GREAT product that's poorly installed...and I don't think that anyone could disagree...you'll be unhappy with the result. Go to someone reputable.

SeriesStud - It looks like they didn't go very far up on the hood/fender. What size sheets does Xpel offer?

[mikewills]

Originally Posted by Chill

Thank you! Contacted them and they seem very experienced. $800 for full front bumper, partial hood, partial fenders and mirrors. I'll be able to check out Alekshop as well as he is also in Fremont.

I've read some awesome reviews of these guys on the m3 forum. They do a ton of full wraps, too.

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by v1k0d3n

Absolutely do this. I have BSM, and I would never go without paint protection for my car. The expel video is impressive. Series and I have gone back and forth on Paint protection before, there are a few good options out there...but investigate. There are numerous threads on it. It really comes down to the installation in the end. Take a GREAT product that's poorly installed...and I don't think that anyone could disagree...you'll be unhappy with the result. Go to someone reputable.

SeriesStud - It looks like they didn't go very far up on the hood/fender. What size sheets does Xpel offer?

It actually goes up a good 18-20" on the hood, but in order to match the line, obviously the fenders are a little shorter. It's just difficult to find the hood line (not even I can find it on my pictures) but it's quite a good amount of film. I did't opt for full hood and full fenders since I've had great experiences/luck with partial coverage. As long as what's facing forward is covered, I'm good They actually have long enough sheets to cover anything on the car from one single piece. I liked the film so much I'm actually having them cover both side skirts entirely on Friday, and those come from 30" long rolls I believe.

[mPlasticDesign]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

The one on my car is Xpel Ultimate, latest in technology and self-heals simply by parking the car in the sun/heat. To expedite the process simply pour warm water. Watch it work, it's fully transparent and amazing

WOW! I have done VentureSheild on the last 5 cars I've owned, but this looks promising! Cost relative to traditional 3M products?

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

WOW! I have done VentureSheild on the last 5 cars I've owned, but this looks promising! Cost relative to traditional 3M products?

Fairly similar cost relative to others. Xpel simply likes to advance technologically. I've had VentureShield, 3M (which later bought VentureShield), Avery Nano, ScotchGuard, Xpel (regular), and now Xpel Ultimate. All different cars of course!

[ayao]

Originally Posted by Chill

Amazing. Anyone have a good recommendation for installers in Northern California area? What would one expect to pay for this, roughly?
Thanks

Looks like you have some leads in the bay area, and is closer to you than the delta. FWIW Genesis in Sacramento seemed very experienced and responsive to questions when I contacted them -- I'm ultimately going there for clearbra (Xpel) and tint.