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M2 Technical Topics > Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash/Wax/Detailing/Exterior Restoration & Repairs) > What are the pros and cons of getting a clear wrap?

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      09-12-2017, 07:17 AM   #1
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What are the pros and cons of getting a clear wrap?

I've read a lot of M2 owners are getting a lot of small stone chips on the rear panel's of their M2s. I was thinking about getting an Xpel wrap on the rear panels and sills. Also possibly the hood. I'm a little worried it would discolour or make the paint look less glossy etc.
So before I do, can anyone tell me the pros and cons of doing so. Clearly the main pro is stopping stone chips.
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      09-12-2017, 07:28 AM   #2
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I would like to add a question to the OP: whats the best alternative? In Sweden we dont have alot of experienced xpel/ppf/clearbra installers so what could protect the paint otherwise? Ceramic coating?
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      09-12-2017, 07:40 AM   #3
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if you are going to apply PPF, apply on to the whole car. don't do partial as the uncovered paint color will be different than covered areas when you take the PPF off a few years later. at least that's what i have seen even on the Ferraris with partial hood wrap.

PPF is great to paint protection.
Few cons I can point out is 1. it's expensive. $4k~$5k USD for the whole car. 2. never as glossy and smooth as original paint finish. 3. will never be perfectly applied even by the professionals so expect some imperfections around some edges.
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      09-12-2017, 07:57 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by termigni View Post
if you are going to apply PPF, apply on to the whole car. don't do partial as the uncovered paint color will be different than covered areas when you take the PPF off a few years later. at least that's what i have seen even on the Ferraris with partial hood wrap.

PPF is great to paint protection.
Few cons I can point out is 1. it's expensive. $4k~$5k USD for the whole car. 2. never as glossy and smooth as original paint finish. 3. will never be perfectly applied even by the professionals so expect some imperfections around some edges.
Do you have it? Are you happy with it?
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      09-12-2017, 08:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lieutenant Biscuits View Post
Do you have it? Are you happy with it?
I don't have PPF but I do have a lot of exposure of PPF on exotic cars that get used regularly on tracks. They are great protectors, once abused on track and taken off the car, the cars are like brand new.
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      09-12-2017, 09:36 AM   #6
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So what do you recommand termigni? Xpel or not? Can I just do the ceramic coating only without clear bra? Thanks!
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      09-12-2017, 09:52 AM   #7
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I have partial ppf on the front-most sections of my vehicle. The color is slightly off, I mean like I knew it should be so I looked for it, therefore I could tell. It isn't perfect but has a warranty from the shop who applied it. My m2 is white and the shop looked at the so called "matte white" and ordered a film that matched its amount of gloss finish. There are claims that this material won't affect paint discoloration rate, but it's just a claim at this point, even though I trust them.
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      09-12-2017, 10:23 AM   #8
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- A good installer will make your PPF relatively unnoticeable.
- The trick is to do entire panels
- There is a marginal decrease in reflectivity that you will be hard-pressed to notice

Pros:
- bumper doesn't get sandblasted after 12 months
- protects from most rock chips and other contaminants surprisingly well

Cons:
- needs to be replaced every 4-6(?) years
- expensive
- lots of installers do a poor job

With regard to coatings, they are great but they will not protect against rock chips. They mostly ease maintenance. I'd recommend PPF in impact areas (front bumper, hood, lights, pillars, rocker panels, rear bumper near wheels) and coat the entire car including the PPF.

As far as getting rock chips in the "rear panels," exactly which part of the car are you referring to? In front of the rear wheels? The car comes with a PPF in that area but it's very small. My installer replaced it with a much larger and higher quality piece.

Last edited by MineralGreyMetallic; 09-12-2017 at 10:38 AM..
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      09-12-2017, 03:05 PM   #9
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I have my headlights, hood, bumper, fenders and rockers done. Car is still shiny AF. It's expensive but worth it. No noticeable imperfections with installation either. But that's cause DetailersDomain did mine.
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      09-14-2017, 01:28 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lieutenant Biscuits View Post
I've read a lot of M2 owners are getting a lot of small stone chips on the rear panel's of their M2s. I was thinking about getting an Xpel wrap on the rear panels and sills. Also possibly the hood. I'm a little worried it would discolour or make the paint look less glossy etc.
So before I do, can anyone tell me the pros and cons of doing so. Clearly the main pro is stopping stone chips.
You should look for some top quality shops in your area that do xpel or suntek and call them and ask if you can stop by and view their work. I can't tell you if it will look bad to you or not. I can guess that it won't look bad, but you really should go see for yourself if PPF on paint looks fine or if it bothers you.
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      09-14-2017, 10:55 PM   #11
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If I lived in cold weather climate I'd probably get it.

Yes, the roads suck in LA and OC but I've been lucky. I'll probably pass on the PPF unless it can prevent me from getting rear ended on the 405 or having to park on the streets.
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      09-15-2017, 06:41 AM   #12
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Xpel

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Originally Posted by OCfromOC View Post
If I lived in cold weather climate I'd probably get it.

Yes, the roads suck in LA and OC but I've been lucky. I'll probably pass on the PPF unless it can prevent me from getting rear ended on the 405 or having to park on the streets.


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      09-17-2017, 11:48 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic View Post
Cons:
- needs to be replaced every 4-6(?) years
Will Xpel last longer on cars that aren't driven daily and garaged at home? I'm probably going to put 500-1000 miles per year (closer to 500) on my car.
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      09-19-2017, 03:55 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cornercase View Post
Will Xpel last longer on cars that aren't driven daily and garaged at home? I'm probably going to put 500-1000 miles per year (closer to 500) on my car.
Couple years and you might be ready to take it in for the break in service!
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      09-19-2017, 06:33 AM   #15
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Xpel

Quote:
Originally Posted by cornercase View Post
Will Xpel last longer on cars that aren't driven daily and garaged at home? I'm probably going to put 500-1000 miles per year (closer to 500) on my car.
As long as you take care of it and not just let it sit and get dusty and have contaminants sit on it.

Keep it protected.

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      09-23-2017, 09:56 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cornercase View Post
Will Xpel last longer on cars that aren't driven daily and garaged at home? I'm probably going to put 500-1000 miles per year (closer to 500) on my car.
500 miles a year? I don't think you need it.. just wax/coat it. The dust will be easy to wipe off.
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      11-29-2017, 08:01 AM   #17
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For those who have had PPF on their cars for a while - how is it holding up? I have no doubt that it looks great at first, but does it start to become more noticeable and harder to maintain after a couple of years or so?
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      11-29-2017, 06:55 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
I have my headlights, hood, bumper, fenders and rockers done. Car is still shiny AF. It's expensive but worth it. No noticeable imperfections with installation either. But that's cause DetailersDomain did mine.
Shiny As Fuck she said....... That is pretty shiny
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      11-29-2017, 06:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m2ruder View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
I have my headlights, hood, bumper, fenders and rockers done. Car is still shiny AF. It's expensive but worth it. No noticeable imperfections with installation either. But that's cause DetailersDomain did mine.
Shiny As Fuck she said.......
Still shiny AF.
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      11-29-2017, 08:12 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m2ruder View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
I have my headlights, hood, bumper, fenders and rockers done. Car is still shiny AF. It's expensive but worth it. No noticeable imperfections with installation either. But that's cause DetailersDomain did mine.
Shiny As Fuck she said.......
Still shiny AF.
Yes it is.....
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      11-29-2017, 08:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
I have my headlights, hood, bumper, fenders and rockers done. Car is still shiny AF. It's expensive but worth it. No noticeable imperfections with installation either. But that's cause DetailersDomain did mine.
F87, Couldn't agree more. It's all about the installer and getting those full panels done as opposed to half the hood or half the fenders. Hats off to you for the color choice. Nothing looks better than a freshly detailed black car. But man, the maintenance to keep it that way. Ugh. I couldn't do it!

OP, I have the same coverage as F87LUV has (mine is Xpel Ultimate, not sure what she used) and was done by a very reputable shop in my area. I'm thrilled with the results. My guy (and most top shops) modifies the files before they go to the plotter to grow each PPF panel cutout by a 1/4" or so which leaves plenty of material to wrap the film around the panels so you never see a line.

I followed up on the PPF with a ceramic coat (Gyeon MOHS) and wax on top of that. Its glossy as hell and i never notice the PPF.

The stuff aint cheap but neither are our cars, or a respray. I think it's well worth the money.
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      11-29-2017, 08:22 PM   #22
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Partial hood, partial fender and full bumper..

You can see it only if you stand right in front of it and stare at the car.

Did XPEL, but most importantly is the INSTALLER not so much which PPF.. heard LUMAR is also good.

I did mine with Extreme Auto Colors Spa in South Carolina because they are right down the road of the BMW Performance Center in SC and I did a Performance Delivery.

Pros, I do Autocross and track events and all the debris and rocks don't damage my bumper.
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