Paint Protection Film Question

aweedman · 11-14-2016, 01:26 PM

Hi all. Quick question for the group. I noticed on my M2, right in front of the rear wheels there is clear film. Is this standard for paint protection or is it something the dealer should have pealed off? It also could have come from the Permaplate that the dealer annoyingly applied for profit.

jtfields · 11-14-2016, 01:31 PM

It is a factory installed protective film and is supposed to stay on.

Caper-1 · 11-14-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aweedman

Hi all. Quick question for the group. I noticed on my M2, right in front of the rear wheels there is clear film. Is this standard for paint protection or is it something the dealer should have pealed off? It also could have come from the Permaplate that the dealer annoyingly applied for profit.

I have the same on mine, it is very noticeable on the edges. I have 3M Pro series installed on other areas of car and it's not noticeable like that, you really have to look hard to see the edges.

M2OG · 11-14-2016, 02:09 PM

Its there on purpose, but you should do whatever you want with your car.

2045 · 11-14-2016, 02:18 PM

yes from factory.

u need it. front tires will pick up little rocks to kill that area. what's funny to me is they didn't bother to cover the same area on the rocker panel. maybe BMW think that's plastic trim(easy fix) not metal body panel?

aweedman · 11-14-2016, 06:01 PM

Thanks everyone!

pruettfan · 11-15-2016, 12:18 AM

Its an important area to protect but that film sucks, I had it removed and my guy put a much larger piece of Xpel on that area, looks much better and offers way more protection.

Corinne · 11-15-2016, 01:59 AM

If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone.

scaramanga · 11-15-2016, 04:27 AM

Mine had Suntek installed on the full front end.

Looks much better than the OEM film on the rear.

Debating whether to have the sills protected too.

Durham M2 CS · 11-15-2016, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaramanga

Mine had Suntek installed on the full front end.

Looks much better than the OEM film on the rear.

Debating whether to have the sills protected too.

I have the front bumper, bonnet, mirrors, A pillars, sills, rear arches (in place of manufacturers film) and lower rear bumper sides covered in Suntek.

I would definitely recommend the sills as I am sure they will be as vulnerable as the rear arches.

blackholescion · 11-15-2016, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corinne

If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone.

It's not thicker and definitely not as good. My installer removed it. Yours should too.

reppucci · 11-15-2016, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corinne

If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone.

My installer removed it before xpel ultimate was applied. I am debating whether to reinstall the factory PPF (BMW calls it protection foil) over the xpel. My installer said he would do it for free. It would keep the "OEM" look and maybe increase protection?

Any thoughts out there?

Here are the part numbers
51148070591 LEFT PROTECTION FOIL
51148070592 RIGHT PROTECTION FOIL

pruettfan · 11-15-2016, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corinne

If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone.

You want to have it removed, no advantage to keeping it over having it done in Xpel. I highly suspect that stuff will yellow over time so that was another reason for me to have it removed. I live in an area with high levels of UV rays so if something is going to yellow it will do it here.

SeanWRT · 11-15-2016, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppucci

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corinne

If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone.

My installer removed it before xpel ultimate was applied. I am debating whether to reinstall the factory PPF (BMW calls it protection foil) over the xpel. My installer said he would do it for free. It would keep the "OEM" look and maybe increase protection?

Any thoughts out there?

Here are the part numbers
51148070591 LEFT PROTECTION FOIL
51148070592 RIGHT PROTECTION FOIL

Ridiculous idea. The factory film is way inferior compared to Xpel from every aspect. Only by looking at it did I know it has to be gotten rid of - it is very noticeable and looks like a scratch.

My detailer removed it very carefully not to damage the factory paint but the glue was all over the place where it was applied, that we know only can happen with worst quality film in the market. And the film we took off feel thin but hard. It should not come with any BMW if it's intended to be permanently with the car.

toastie · 11-15-2016, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corinne

If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone.

Up to you, it will yellow over time. I left mine on but installed the rocker panel kit. My installer told me to come back when it yellows and he'll replace it for free.

BishUK · 11-16-2016, 10:50 AM

Does Xpel have a kit/stencil for the oem arch shape protector or does it need to be done free hand?

Edit - Yes they do, just seen their site.

reppucci · 11-19-2016, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Ridiculous idea. The factory film is way inferior compared to Xpel from every aspect. Only by looking at it did I know it has to be gotten rid of - it is very noticeable and looks like a scratch.

My detailer removed it very carefully not to damage the factory paint but the glue was all over the place where it was applied, that we know only can happen with worst quality film in the market. And the film we took off feel thin but hard. It should not come with any BMW if it's intended to be permanently with the car.

I was suggesting applying it over my xpel ultimate not to apply the xpel over it.

My installer did remove the foils prior to applying the xpel.

I will say after 1 hour of high speed driving that area in front of the rear wheels picked up a lot of crap. Got all the rubber marks off but there is one small defect in the xpel film on the driver's side. I don't believe it went through to the paint but through the film so it won't "self heal".

The OEM foil, "harder" than the xpel ultimate and I agree not as pretty, would have been right in that spot. I will try to upload a picture in a future post.

This is why I purchased the OEM foil and will have it applied over the xpel. BTW I have a BSM and didn't mind the original OEM look of the foil on the car.

11-14-2016, 01:26 PM	#1
aweedman New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M2 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Paint Protection Film Question Hi all. Quick question for the group. I noticed on my M2, right in front of the rear wheels there is clear film. Is this standard for paint protection or is it something the dealer should have pealed off? It also could have come from the Permaplate that the dealer annoyingly applied for profit.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-14-2016, 01:31 PM	#2
jtfields Captain 191 Rep 616 Posts Drives: M2, X2 M35i, X6,328i,230i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 230i [0.00] 2022 BMW X2 M35i [0.00] 2015 BMW 328i [0.00] 2008 Jeep Commander ... [0.00] 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 1997 BMW Z3 1.9 Roa ... [0.00] 2014 BMW X6 xDrive35i [0.00]	It is a factory installed protective film and is supposed to stay on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2016, 02:09 PM	#4
M2OG Lieutenant 400 Rep 463 Posts Drives: a car Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Its there on purpose, but you should do whatever you want with your car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2016, 02:18 PM	#5
2045 Lieutenant 246 Rep 440 Posts Drives: always changing Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	yes from factory. u need it. front tires will pick up little rocks to kill that area. what's funny to me is they didn't bother to cover the same area on the rocker panel. maybe BMW think that's plastic trim(easy fix) not metal body panel?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-14-2016, 06:01 PM	#6
aweedman New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M2 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2016, 12:18 AM	#7
pruettfan Brigadier General 1622 Rep 3,402 Posts Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	Its an important area to protect but that film sucks, I had it removed and my guy put a much larger piece of Xpel on that area, looks much better and offers way more protection.
	Appreciate 1 Shine Auto Salon49.50 Quote

11-15-2016, 01:59 AM	#8
Corinne Captain 1171 Rep 709 Posts Drives: M2 2018 LBB 6MT Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: French Alps iTrader: (0)	If one is going to have Expel, should this existing stuff be removed or should the Expel be cut around it ? It might be thicker than Expel and therefore better left alone. __________________ 2011 Lotus Elise SC, 2002 BMW 330d, 1990 Caterham Super 7 HPC (sold), 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera SC (sold), 1978 Caterham Super 7 (sold), 1972 Triumph TR6 (sold), 1972 Jensen Healey (sold), 1965 Triumph TR4A (sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-15-2016, 04:27 AM	#9
scaramanga Lieutenant 89 Rep 565 Posts Drives: Looking to buy a 1M Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London / Surrey iTrader: (2)	Mine had Suntek installed on the full front end. Looks much better than the OEM film on the rear. Debating whether to have the sills protected too.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-16-2016, 10:50 AM	#16
BishUK Lieutenant 440 Rep 492 Posts Drives: M2 DCT LBB Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Does Xpel have a kit/stencil for the oem arch shape protector or does it need to be done free hand? Edit - Yes they do, just seen their site.
	Appreciate 0 Quote