Hi guys,
I wanted to start this thread to provide information about the XPEL Ultimate self healing protective film as it is a relatively new product and there's not much documented ownership experiences with it out there. I just had it installed on my NSXs, and I intend to keep this thread updated as my experience with the product grows. Other users are also welcome to provide input and feedback to keep this thread as informative as possible.
Background: I was looking for products to protect the paint finishes on my NSXs. The paint on my '97 Kaiser Silver NSX is pretty pristine, and I wanted to keep it that way. The paint on my '99 Monte Carlo Blue NSX, while not pristine, looks pretty clean for a car with nearly 50k on the odometer. I was debating whether to put paint protection film on it now, or wait for further chips and then do a respray. In the end I decided to invest in the PPF now, since keeping things "original" in the car collector world is sometimes considered more desirable (I made the same decision with my 91 NSX and did not regret it).
Product Selection Process: I've used 3M Paint Protection Film before, and was generally satisfied with the product. (I shared some of my experience with it here, here, and here.) I probably would have gone with it again, but CL65 Captain's glowing endorsement of the new XPEL Ultimate self healing protective film in this thread along with the product demonstration video wowed me over. There are other competing products on the market (VentureShield, Avery Nano-Fusion, standard XPEL are ones I know of), but after reading a few threads like this (particularly this response) and this, I decided to give XPEL Ultimate a try. Also, NSXPrime member RedWings had a contact for the XPEL install and hooked me up.
Product Info: Here's the manufacturer's product web page with some compelling videos. Note that it carries a 10 year warranty: http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_protection_film.asp
Here are the care instructions: http://www.xpel.com/care/
Care seems pretty simple, and as mentioned by stevieray122854 you can use an ordinary cleaner wax like Zymol Z-503 on the film.
Installation: My installation was done by SmartShield at their Phoenix location. I got in on a group buy with 2 NSXs
and had the following installed on both cars for $1250 including tax:
-partial hood and fenders (using computer cut patterns)
-front bumper (using computer cut pattern)
-mirrors (using computer cut patterns)
-vent lips (custom)
-door edges (custom)
-door handle recesses (custom)
Here are some photos from the install, which took about 3 hours per car. I had both vehicles washed, clayed, and waxed prior to installation.
You can see the seam in this photo, but in real life it's extremely difficult to make out unless you look closely.
Initial impressions: The XPEL Ultimate film material seems pretty amazing so far. It has a clear coat in it, and hides swirl marks and scratches like nobody's business. Here are some photos of my MCB where you can see it acting like a new layer of clear coat on the paint. I wish I had done the full hood and fenders, but I had no idea it would turn out this well because swirl marks are less visible on the Kaiser Silver finish.
Hood and fenders.
Closeup of fender.
Door handle recess.
You can really see the difference in this closeup of the above photo. I wish I had taken a "before" photo, but the entire handle recess area was seriously scratched and dull like the uncovered lower portion. The film makes it look like new again.
My installer Bob (who I would recommend) gave me a sample of the XPEL Paint Protection Film Sealant, and it really does resemble the Zymol cleaner wax as you can see in this photo.
I will post further updates as the film ages, and let you know how it holds up after washing, waxing, and exposure to the elements.
I wanted to start this thread to provide information about the XPEL Ultimate self healing protective film as it is a relatively new product and there's not much documented ownership experiences with it out there. I just had it installed on my NSXs, and I intend to keep this thread updated as my experience with the product grows. Other users are also welcome to provide input and feedback to keep this thread as informative as possible.
Background: I was looking for products to protect the paint finishes on my NSXs. The paint on my '97 Kaiser Silver NSX is pretty pristine, and I wanted to keep it that way. The paint on my '99 Monte Carlo Blue NSX, while not pristine, looks pretty clean for a car with nearly 50k on the odometer. I was debating whether to put paint protection film on it now, or wait for further chips and then do a respray. In the end I decided to invest in the PPF now, since keeping things "original" in the car collector world is sometimes considered more desirable (I made the same decision with my 91 NSX and did not regret it).
Product Selection Process: I've used 3M Paint Protection Film before, and was generally satisfied with the product. (I shared some of my experience with it here, here, and here.) I probably would have gone with it again, but CL65 Captain's glowing endorsement of the new XPEL Ultimate self healing protective film in this thread along with the product demonstration video wowed me over. There are other competing products on the market (VentureShield, Avery Nano-Fusion, standard XPEL are ones I know of), but after reading a few threads like this (particularly this response) and this, I decided to give XPEL Ultimate a try. Also, NSXPrime member RedWings had a contact for the XPEL install and hooked me up.
Product Info: Here's the manufacturer's product web page with some compelling videos. Note that it carries a 10 year warranty: http://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_protection_film.asp
Here are the care instructions: http://www.xpel.com/care/
Care seems pretty simple, and as mentioned by stevieray122854 you can use an ordinary cleaner wax like Zymol Z-503 on the film.
Installation: My installation was done by SmartShield at their Phoenix location. I got in on a group buy with 2 NSXs
and had the following installed on both cars for $1250 including tax:-partial hood and fenders (using computer cut patterns)
-front bumper (using computer cut pattern)
-mirrors (using computer cut patterns)
-vent lips (custom)
-door edges (custom)
-door handle recesses (custom)
Here are some photos from the install, which took about 3 hours per car. I had both vehicles washed, clayed, and waxed prior to installation.
You can see the seam in this photo, but in real life it's extremely difficult to make out unless you look closely.
Initial impressions: The XPEL Ultimate film material seems pretty amazing so far. It has a clear coat in it, and hides swirl marks and scratches like nobody's business. Here are some photos of my MCB where you can see it acting like a new layer of clear coat on the paint. I wish I had done the full hood and fenders, but I had no idea it would turn out this well because swirl marks are less visible on the Kaiser Silver finish.
Hood and fenders.
Closeup of fender.
Door handle recess.
You can really see the difference in this closeup of the above photo. I wish I had taken a "before" photo, but the entire handle recess area was seriously scratched and dull like the uncovered lower portion. The film makes it look like new again.
My installer Bob (who I would recommend) gave me a sample of the XPEL Paint Protection Film Sealant, and it really does resemble the Zymol cleaner wax as you can see in this photo.
I will post further updates as the film ages, and let you know how it holds up after washing, waxing, and exposure to the elements.
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