[Vintage]

Originally Posted by quikM2

Found it

$1,200 bought me Suntek on: front clip, headlights, hood, fenders, quarter panels, mirrors, intakes, and behind rear wheels. Headlights are a maybe as you must have a good installer for headlights or delamination issues have been known to occur. That is all you need IMO as after that you start wrapping the whole car. I prefer Suntek but XPEL is great too.

[quikM2]

Originally Posted by Vintage

$1,200 bought me Suntek on: front clip, headlights, hood, fenders, quarter panels, mirrors, intakes, and behind rear wheels. Headlights are a maybe as you must have a good installer for headlights or delamination issues have been known to occur. That is all you need IMO as after that you start wrapping the whole car. I prefer Suntek but XPEL is great too.

Thanks for the info. Why do you prefer suntek over xpel? Anything specific or just what you have usually used?

[frKENm3]

Originally Posted by Ex-MINI

I've had Opticoat on the car before which I liked, but this time decided to go with a coating with more silica in it, called 22PLE. Looks different...more glossy / wet look

Hi Ex-MINI | car looks GREAT by the way!

since you've had opticoat in the past and now have 22PLE | which one would you prefer if you had to do it all over again on your next new car? I'm about to do do xpel + opticoat on my M4 | but after finding this thread and your post... that xpel + 22PLE looks awesome! would opticoat have the same type of end result as your M2?

Cheers!
-Ken

[Ex-MINI]

Originally Posted by frKENm3

Hi Ex-MINI | car looks GREAT by the way!

since you've had opticoat in the past and now have 22PLE | which one would you prefer if you had to do it all over again on your next new car? I'm about to do do xpel + opticoat on my M4 | but after finding this thread and your post... that xpel + 22PLE looks awesome! would opticoat have the same type of end result as your M2?

Cheers!
-Ken

A little hard to describe, but the 22PLE just looks a bit more slick and glossy...like it's wet all the time.

I'd probably go with it again, but it depends on how long it lasts. The Opticoat was still going strong on my last car even after 3+ years...not sure if 22PLE will last as long

[frKENm3]

Originally Posted by Ex-MINI

A little hard to describe, but the 22PLE just looks a bit more slick and glossy...like it's wet all the time.

I'd probably go with it again, but it depends on how long it lasts. The Opticoat was still going strong on my last car even after 3+ years...not sure if 22PLE will last as long

gotcha, thanks for the advice! what did your application vendor say on how like is the life expectancy of 22PLE?

[Ex-MINI]

Originally Posted by frKENm3

gotcha, thanks for the advice! what did your application vendor say on how like is the life expectancy of 22PLE?

The installer said on average it should last at least three years, but with proper wash techniques it would last "well past that".

[Vintage]

Originally Posted by quikM2

Thanks for the info. Why do you prefer suntek over xpel? Anything specific or just what you have usually used?

1) Suntek has better optical quality than XPEL, although XPEL is great, and since my GT4 is black that is critical;
2) I was familiar with the Suntek installer in Austin and knew they did great work.

Between the two products you cannot go wrong and I would not care as the INSTALLER is the most important part.

[swilliams]

My local guy will do XPEL for $2000. Full front clip + mirrors + headlights. Edges wrapped where possible, grilles removed, stage 1 paint correction.

Does this price sound reasonable? I was hoping for under $2000.

[SMC23]

Originally Posted by hshot_rooke

Ex-MINI, I'm in Ontario as well. Mind if I ask which shop you went to for all that work? I've found about 5-6 places in the GTA that I've been doing research on. Trying to find the right installers at a right price for PPF/coating.

Thanks!

I would add Topgeerwraps to your short list. I just had my m3 fully wrapped and spent months researching the right installer for my baby. I didn't want just any volume shop to do the install. They kept the car a little longer to ensure the wrap cured properly without any bubbles. Completely happy with the results. Pm me if you want to see pics. All edges wrapped, I can't even tell a full wrap is on!

[Stu Pedasho]

Originally Posted by Makman

Dont install it if the paintwork is less than 90 days old. The paint has to release the gas within itself through its pores.

I will let my wife know. She says I release gas in my sleep. Who knew?

[Makman]

Originally Posted by Stu Pedasho

I will let my wife know. She says I release gas in my sleep. Who knew?

[doug_999]

So I was wrong, my dealer does have a "guy". $1,395 for "entire front clip, rear bumper strip, rear bumper flares".

Add $425 for rear rocker panels.

Fair deal?

[D CHOI]

Originally Posted by Makman

No, the factory(OEM-paint) still uses solvents, petroleum–based solvents and its mainly these solvents that need to go through their chemical process and gas out through the pores of the paint. Just like my vid in the earlier post highlights.


But hey, I dont really care what you do with your cars, it just annoys me when ppl dismisses statements and make their own without even knowing what they are talking about. Such ignorance....smh

FWIW this is from pro-tect film FAQ (PPF shop in vegas selling their own brand "pro-tect" along with commercial brands as well)

What should I consider when installing film on repainted surfaces? Repainted surfaces can be a touchy subject as it is not as durable as the factory finish. Factory finishes are baked onto the surface at 350+ degrees which allows a much harder surface and better cohesion bond. Repainted surfaces can be baked only at 150 degrees to prevent damage to the vehicles components and therefore the surface can be more susceptible to lifting, however, if it is a quality job then the burden of concern should not be so much.

[quikM2]

Originally Posted by Ex-MINI

Yes, that's right. So the things I had done at the detailer was:

• Minor paint correction to polish out some swirls left by the dealership PDI process
• Xpel on the front end, so bumper, full hood and fenders
• 22PLE over the whole car

In the end maintenance is easier since you don't have to wash it as much, and as long as you take a two bucket approach to washing, keeps the car looking shiny and swirl free.

Can you let me know or PM me what you paid for all of that. Interested in what the Canadian market is charging. I love the look of that 22PLE. can't imagine how good that will look on my BSM

[Ex-MINI]

Originally Posted by quikM2

Can you let me know or PM me what you paid for all of that. Interested in what the Canadian market is charging. I love the look of that 22PLE. can't imagine how good that will look on my BSM

Just sent you a PM

[Pol]

Originally Posted by Vintage

You all should apply Xpel or Suntek to the front of your car. You cannot tell at all if installed properly - installation is the key. Also, you WAX the Xpel or Suntek just as you do the car. Thus, no "differnce" visibly at all. You will be glad you did it. I always install on front clip, hood, front fenders, mirrors, and rocker panels. No damage on my GT4 and well worth the $1,200 to $1,400.

Unless this happens :
http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1314565

An XPEL Ultimate story which badly ended....

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by Pol

Unless this happens :
http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1314565

An XPEL Ultimate story which badly ended....

OMG. I'm out!

[Vintage]

Not good. I have never had a problem but that is sad.

[Pol]

Originally Posted by Vintage

Not good. I have never had a problem but that is sad.

To help my installer I contacted Xpel by mail and referred to my topic here on this forum. I hope they will follow this and understand that, if the first placement (sheet) had been a good one, this painting damage never would have been come to the surface.

[Nicname]

Just at to confirm, has anyone noticed a difference in color or appearance after installing xpel on LBB? I should be going in next week and was quoted $2000 for the whole front and rear fenders

[BAN_M2C]

Originally Posted by Nicname

Just at to confirm, has anyone noticed a difference in color or appearance after installing xpel on LBB? I should be going in next week and was quoted $2000 for the whole front and rear fenders

I didn't notice any change in color.

[Pol]

Originally Posted by EL BAN

I didn't notice any change in color.

Neither do I.