thoughts on XPEL??
#16
Originally posted by T.L.W.
i would like to get this done asap
also what did you pay for the parts that you had covered and will it cover the TTE lip ???
-johnny-
i would like to get this done asap
also what did you pay for the parts that you had covered and will it cover the TTE lip ???
-johnny-
some shops, if you do custom install, they just stick the whole big piece on, and cut it at the spot. this is ok but most of the time it leaves cut mark on the paint (very bad) or leave behind some unsmooth edges. quicker way of doing it, but result usually not as good
also, i used the 12mil version of the bulk material for the front lip instead of the normal 8mil xpel has. 12mil is thicker and much better protection. A LOT harder to cut but if you stick it well, still invisible. i have my WHOLE front lip covered, all the way to the sides. did it this way coz' no one would be able to tell at all
#17
alo another thing you guys should look out for when getting clear bra in general is the thickness. i have been sticking with xpel so far coz' they have good quality stuff (imho) and the headlight pieces are SUPER thick plastic. i have seen stoneguard and it's a complete joke. the thickness of stoneguard headlight pieces are just as thin as that for the body, how on earth is that going to help protect the headlights.
the body you need to use thin ones otherwise they will be very noticeable, even on silver cars
i got all my materials from my friend, it helps a lot when you can get tons of information
the body you need to use thin ones otherwise they will be very noticeable, even on silver cars
i got all my materials from my friend, it helps a lot when you can get tons of information
#18
Originally posted by T.L.W.
then wow is alli can say .i cant even see it
can you elaborate on the tricks and stuff to look out for during install
so i can tell the installer
is one month overkill ???? do you think i should wait till the winter to do this then ???
last one :where is the best place to buy XPEL from
then wow is alli can say .i cant even see it
can you elaborate on the tricks and stuff to look out for during install
so i can tell the installer
is one month overkill ???? do you think i should wait till the winter to do this then ???
last one :where is the best place to buy XPEL from
about the tricks, umm..... there are tons of them, and it's different all the time. more i should probably say experience. if the shop you go is good, or better yet if they are certified xpel installer like my friend, then you are all set, they should do a good job
custom cut pieces for body kits though, that's an art, takes time and experience. i cant' say i am expert but i was willing to give time, and given my art and craft isn't THAT bad the result was ok. but you definitely need a very good and experienced shop for that
you should talk to the shop you getting the install done to see if they have package deal to get xpel as well. sometimes that's cheaper. i got my xpel from my friend. we have known each other for a long time so of course i got good deals
#20
Originally posted by rominl
well personally, i think 1 month is overkill. that's what recommended by xpel, and i think they just wanna play safe. but it's hard to say what's really a "good" time
about the tricks, umm..... there are tons of them, and it's different all the time. more i should probably say experience. if the shop you go is good, or better yet if they are certified xpel installer like my friend, then you are all set, they should do a good job
custom cut pieces for body kits though, that's an art, takes time and experience. i cant' say i am expert but i was willing to give time, and given my art and craft isn't THAT bad the result was ok. but you definitely need a very good and experienced shop for that
you should talk to the shop you getting the install done to see if they have package deal to get xpel as well. sometimes that's cheaper. i got my xpel from my friend. we have known each other for a long time so of course i got good deals
well personally, i think 1 month is overkill. that's what recommended by xpel, and i think they just wanna play safe. but it's hard to say what's really a "good" time
about the tricks, umm..... there are tons of them, and it's different all the time. more i should probably say experience. if the shop you go is good, or better yet if they are certified xpel installer like my friend, then you are all set, they should do a good job
custom cut pieces for body kits though, that's an art, takes time and experience. i cant' say i am expert but i was willing to give time, and given my art and craft isn't THAT bad the result was ok. but you definitely need a very good and experienced shop for that
you should talk to the shop you getting the install done to see if they have package deal to get xpel as well. sometimes that's cheaper. i got my xpel from my friend. we have known each other for a long time so of course i got good deals
wondering what the chance and cost of you making some custom pieces
might be a good side biz LOL i know i know probably cost wayyyyyyyyy to much
#21
Originally posted by T.L.W.
hmmmmmmmmmmmm
wondering what the chance and cost of you making some custom pieces
might be a good side biz LOL i know i know probably cost wayyyyyyyyy to much
hmmmmmmmmmmmm
wondering what the chance and cost of you making some custom pieces
might be a good side biz LOL i know i know probably cost wayyyyyyyyy to much
actually this is labor intensive business, it's always good money. you can send over your tte lip and i do an install for you
for the record, even my dsr grille, i custom xpel the WHOLE thing, every inch was covered. that's why it's always so damn shiny
i love custom work
#22
Originally posted by rominl
haa you are welcome johnny, anything to help
. you can send over your tte lip and i do an install for you
i love custom work
haa you are welcome johnny, anything to help
. you can send over your tte lip and i do an install for you
i love custom work
The TTE lip.... im sending over the whole car
hmmmmmm....roadtrip never been to the other coast
once again thanks for alll the info henry
#25
Hey Johnny I have this on my car as well. I love it, except that I have a monir scratch in it from wellI am not sure from what but it isnt that bad so I live with it. I also can attest to this stuff protecting my bumper because I got hit last month, I thought the bumper was damaged peeled back the film and holy snikes my bumper wasnt scratched.
#26
Northern California Regional Officer
iTrader: (5)
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,702
Likes: 5
From: California
The #1 thing you must consider when making your own template is the stretch factor. You cannot make a template and just copy it, you have to shrink the cut out because the Xpel will stretch, especially lengthwise.
Even when installing the Xpel pre cut pieces, you need to stretch the left and right side to fit to the edges BEFORE you secure the rest of the piece down with a squeegee.
I made a template and cut out a two piece custom set for the TTE lip. Did it on Synergy's car. Never took pics tho.
Also did custom Custom cut Xpel for my car and the wifeys and a few other members as well.
Wifey's car (INDGOGRL)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&pagenumber=13
My CAR
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=xpel
Another install of Xpel pre-cut pieces on INDGOGRL's car
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...l&pagenumber=2
Even when installing the Xpel pre cut pieces, you need to stretch the left and right side to fit to the edges BEFORE you secure the rest of the piece down with a squeegee.
I made a template and cut out a two piece custom set for the TTE lip. Did it on Synergy's car. Never took pics tho.
Also did custom Custom cut Xpel for my car and the wifeys and a few other members as well.
Wifey's car (INDGOGRL)
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&pagenumber=13
My CAR
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=xpel
Another install of Xpel pre-cut pieces on INDGOGRL's car
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...l&pagenumber=2
Last edited by RMMGS4; 07-21-04 at 11:36 AM.
#27
Northern California Regional Officer
iTrader: (5)
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,702
Likes: 5
From: California
Originally posted by joshoowa
well i talked to a local guy in my area that does xpel and other plastic film protectants. well the guy told me that i needed to have brand new paint job with no rockchips or i would eventually get bubbles because of the rock chips.
well i talked to a local guy in my area that does xpel and other plastic film protectants. well the guy told me that i needed to have brand new paint job with no rockchips or i would eventually get bubbles because of the rock chips.
I did the paint repair myself, but a professional detailer/pait repair place should be able to do it.
Originally posted by joshoowa
he asked me if i planned to keep my car forever..i said probally not...he then told me that 1 or 20 rock chips, the car is still going to be the same value to the next owner.. kind of stuck to me since, but maybe in a few years when i repaint my car i might do xpel, but for right now theres nothing i can do about it except minor touch up paint.
he asked me if i planned to keep my car forever..i said probally not...he then told me that 1 or 20 rock chips, the car is still going to be the same value to the next owner.. kind of stuck to me since, but maybe in a few years when i repaint my car i might do xpel, but for right now theres nothing i can do about it except minor touch up paint.
Only YOU can decide how many rock chips you are willing to live with.
#28
Originally posted by Neo
You would not have been able to put Xpel on the part anyway. The paint needs to cure before you put XPel on. Of course you can put it on fine but when you need to take it off, be prepared for some of the paint to go with it.
You would not have been able to put Xpel on the part anyway. The paint needs to cure before you put XPel on. Of course you can put it on fine but when you need to take it off, be prepared for some of the paint to go with it.
#30
Originally posted by lexusondubs
does anywone know where i can get this stuff in florida iam very interested in some however i do not have the patience to install it
does anywone know where i can get this stuff in florida iam very interested in some however i do not have the patience to install it
http://www.xpel.com/
just put in your zip for the nearest dealer