RX - 5th Gen (2023-present) Discussion topics related to the 2023 and up RX models

Paint Protection Film?

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Old 02-27-23, 04:30 AM
  #61  
Freds430
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Originally Posted by lexusnyca
Everything in California is more expensive than anywhere else. Food is 20% more expensive in California. gasoline, and any work like this requiring a lot of labor.
CA has the third highest cost of living only HI and MA are higher.
Old 02-27-23, 07:03 AM
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dklanecky1
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There is a pretty wide variety of quality and warranty period available for different brands and grades of PPF. Assuming the product is the same, then labor / markup / amount of surface preparation should be the only variables.

Originally Posted by Eagleboy99
@R9000 I have to wonder why prices are so much more there than here - same Xpel Ultimate 3/10 mm and labour has to be cheaper in LA? Out of curiosity what does the dealer charge? As I mentioned before, the PPF shop that did the Mits was literally half the price of the dealer (closer to your price when converted to CAD)
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Old 02-27-23, 07:19 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by dklanecky1
There is a pretty wide variety of quality and warranty period available for different brands and grades of PPF. Assuming the product is the same, then labor / markup / amount of surface preparation should be the only variables.
All the installers I spoke to offered installs with a 10 year warranty... Which covered new film replacement and labor. Which is why when looking for a installer you need to find someone who has been around for awhile and will be there in 5,6,7, or if you keep your car that long, you can 10 years.
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Old 02-27-23, 07:25 AM
  #64  
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My dealer subs it out to a company that's been around for 35+ years. I think they do it as a courtesy.

Xpel Ultimate, 10 years, full front, sides hood, mirrors, handle cups, full polish, $1400.00 plus tax Amazing work. Original owner still works there!

Canadian $$
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Old 02-27-23, 07:26 AM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by Eagleboy99
@R9000 That is not a bad price I guess, given there is probably $300 worth of "extras". BTW, doesn't your car have door sill protectors on it? And is the nav screen a galss protector?

I have to wonder why prices are so much more there than here - same Xpel Ultimate 3/10 mm and labour has to be cheaper in LA? Out of curiosity what does the dealer charge? As I mentioned before, the PPF shop that did the Mits was literally half the price of the dealer (closer to your price when converted to CAD)
@Eagleboy99 sorry for the late reply... Everyone I spoke with quoted the thinner PPF and a few said they did not recommend the thicker 10mil...

Which brings up a new question.. Has anyone done 10mil on the Lexus RX before? If so, how did it turn out and would you do the same thickness again?

A few installers said I could save some money going with the bikini cut over the hood, but I did not want to go that way. I've ordered a white car and did not want the line to be a little visible with some dust that might gather there. I think doing the full hood is the best so far but I could be wrong.
Old 02-27-23, 07:30 AM
  #66  
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Full hood! Bikini not worth the savings. Used car I had years ago I saw it every time I walked up to it.
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Old 02-27-23, 07:41 AM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by FastFord
Full hood! Bikini not worth the savings. Used car I had years ago I saw it every time I walked up to it.
I agree @FastFord that's what I was thinking.. However, paying $2k is still a hard pill to swallow
Old 02-27-23, 12:55 PM
  #68  
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Originally Posted by R9000
I agree @FastFord that's what I was thinking.. However, paying $2k is still a hard pill to swallow
Out of my 66 vehicles, I've had it done twice and once by the dealer before they even put it on the showroom floor.

I'm a wanna be professional detailer. I have all the tools, chemicals, and have a very good understanding of polishing.and some light wet sanding. Helps when your buddy owns a Body Shop. When you get PPF you don't get to play with the front end, which takes most of the abuse. I don't keep my vehicles very long so $2,000 is not a good option. Dealers might say they will get you more but I'm not so sure..Maybe.

If in doubt or cash is tight, just pass. You'll probably put more marks in the paint just by washing it. No offense!

Good luck on your decision.


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Old 02-27-23, 01:30 PM
  #69  
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Mine is in right now. Full ceramic (Quartz Brand) and PPF on top of front grille, mirrors and rear sill only. $2300. This will be my second car with them and they are awesome.
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Old 02-27-23, 02:29 PM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by R9000
@Eagleboy99 sorry for the late reply... Everyone I spoke with quoted the thinner PPF and a few said they did not recommend the thicker 10mil...

Which brings up a new question.. Has anyone done 10mil on the Lexus RX before? If so, how did it turn out and would you do the same thickness again?

A few installers said I could save some money going with the bikini cut over the hood, but I did not want to go that way. I've ordered a white car and did not want the line to be a little visible with some dust that might gather there. I think doing the full hood is the best so far but I could be wrong.
10 mm is for lights and rockers only. 3 mm everywhere else. And bikinis are for sunbathing, not PPF.
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Old 02-27-23, 02:31 PM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by FastFord
My dealer subs it out to a company that's been around for 35+ years. I think they do it as a courtesy.

Xpel Ultimate, 10 years, full front, sides hood, mirrors, handle cups, full polish, $1400.00 plus tax Amazing work. Original owner still works there!

Canadian $$
That is a great deal. I am sure the shop gets some sort of compensation from the dealer. BTW, Xpel is lifetime warranty on the materials.
Old 02-27-23, 03:09 PM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by Eagleboy99
That is a great deal. I am sure the shop gets some sort of compensation from the dealer. BTW, Xpel is lifetime warranty on the materials.
I'm sure they do! They sell lots of automotive stuff. Including some massively impressive audio systems.

Thanks for the correction on the lifetime!

Cheers

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Old 02-28-23, 05:53 PM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by FastFord
Out of my 66 vehicles, I've had it done twice and once by the dealer before they even put it on the showroom floor.

I'm a wanna be professional detailer. I have all the tools, chemicals, and have a very good understanding of polishing.and some light wet sanding. Helps when your buddy owns a Body Shop. When you get PPF you don't get to play with the front end, which takes most of the abuse. I don't keep my vehicles very long so $2,000 is not a good option. Dealers might say they will get you more but I'm not so sure..Maybe.

If in doubt or cash is tight, just pass. You'll probably put more marks in the paint just by washing it. No offense!

Good luck on your decision.

@FastFord Your comments are spot on - I'm a buy-and-hold guy who had my current RX for 8 years and my current RX ended up with several chips on the front hood, bumper, headlights, as well as side mirror housing over these years, which is why Im strongly considering it - but like I mentioned - 2k's a lot to throw down.
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Old 02-28-23, 05:55 PM
  #74  
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@krafty81 - where are you located in CA? That's not a bad price including ceramic - are they not doing the areas I listed in my previous post?
Old 02-28-23, 05:57 PM
  #75  
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I sure love this website, as if it were not for people like you @Eagleboy99 sharing comments like you just did, I would not know to ask.... I did not know to make sure to ask the installer to apply the thicker film to the areas you mentioned - makes sense.... Thanks for the extra tip!


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