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      04-22-2016, 06:25 PM   #1
Kantalias
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XPEL Ultimate Applied to my M2

Here's my installer doing the full front from the official kit on my car last week: https://www.facebook.com/wichitaclea...2535446839200/.

Turn down the volume 'cause it's just overlay music.

The install turned out amazing and my installer loved the XPEL kit!
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      04-22-2016, 06:46 PM   #2
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Wow he made it look like it's so easy to install I have a question though. Would it be more difficult to replace those front reflectors after the xpel installation since the reflector might stick to the protection film? Or, even if it's an easy DIY, I'm wondering if the reflector replacement would somehow cause any imperfection on how the whole film looks like.
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      04-22-2016, 07:23 PM   #3
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You can't tell from the video, but the pattern has cutouts around reflectors, badges, etc. there's a tiny gap between where the film ends on a painted surface and another element begins. I haven't use my finger nail to feel if the top of the reflectors are covered.
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      04-22-2016, 07:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kantalias View Post
You can't tell from the video, but the pattern has cutouts around reflectors, badges, etc. there's a tiny gap between where the film ends on a painted surface and another element begins. I haven't use my finger nail to feel if the top of the reflectors are covered.
Got it, thanks!
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      04-23-2016, 02:05 AM   #5
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I'm amazed at how quickly they put that film on. Why on earth does it cost so much then ???
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      04-23-2016, 02:55 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Corinne View Post
I'm amazed at how quickly they put that film on. Why on earth does it cost so much then ???
It's slavery, you won't see me doing that kind of job. NEVER

Respect nontheless

Cheers
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      04-23-2016, 06:46 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Corinne View Post
I'm amazed at how quickly they put that film on. Why on earth does it cost so much then ???
A job like that probably takes 10-16 man hours, add up a decent hourly pay, some overhead and material cost and thats how it adds up. Clearly there is profit in these jobs but most of these shops have to stay booked solid to make a decent profit. I have a small detail business I do on the side for fun and so I can attend SEMA, I have looked into doing this kind of work but short of going all in and doing a lot of volume I don't think it would pay much.
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      04-23-2016, 09:04 AM   #8
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I was charged retail kit price for the full front on an M235i (haven't looked to see if the M2 kit is showing up on XPEL's site). Clearly installers get a materials discount (especially since they buy the stuff on big rolls), but it's not clear that DIY with a custom fit saves much??

It definitely took 1.5 days for the full front with two guys working it.
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      04-23-2016, 09:14 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Corinne View Post
I'm amazed at how quickly they put that film on. Why on earth does it cost so much then ???
I'm not sure you realize just how labor intensive that is, especially the bumper. Not to mention I'd want it done right. I could maybe try to do the hood myself but that would probably still look horrible haha. I'm not the most patient person
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      04-23-2016, 09:14 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kantalias View Post
I was charged retail kit price for the full front on an M235i (haven't looked to see if the M2 kit is showing up on XPEL's site). Clearly installers get a materials discount (especially since they buy the stuff on big rolls), but it's not clear that DIY with a custom fit saves much??

It definitely took 1.5 days for the full front with two guys working it.
Yes auto business owners get stuff at a discount. My dad is an auto business owner be he gets anywhere from 20-40 percent off OEM parts. Aftermarket is more than 40% off most of the time.
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      04-23-2016, 09:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W/// View Post
I'm not sure you realize just how labor intensive that is, especially the bumper. Not to mention I'd want it done right. I could maybe try to do the hood myself but that would probably still look horrible haha. I'm not the most patient person
Yep, these guys make it look easy since they're pros and do this day in and day out. Most DIYers wouldn't be able to do this with satisfactory results...

Think about how much trouble many people have with simply installing a 6" screen protector on their cell phones...now imagine doing that to half a car

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      04-23-2016, 10:54 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-MINI View Post
Yep, these guys make it look easy since they're pros and do this day in and day out. Most DIYers wouldn't be able to do this with satisfactory results...

Think about how much trouble many people have with simply installing a 6" screen protector on their cell phones...now imagine doing that to half a car

Seriously haha. Back in my E46 days, I had the wood trim and wrapped them in a brushed aluminum wrap. Took me an eternity and some of the trims looked..... how should I say it? Rushed.

I've seen bad wraps too. You get what you pay for
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      04-23-2016, 02:42 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kantalias View Post
Here's my installer doing the full front from the official kit on my car last week: https://www.facebook.com/wichitaclea...2535446839200/.

Turn down the volume 'cause it's just overlay music.

The install turned out amazing and my installer loved the XPEL kit!
Brandon and Eric do an awesome job. They did Xpel on my wife's 335 and my M3. I think you spoke to my wife to get reference for their services. Glad it worked out for you.
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      04-23-2016, 04:59 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ICTZHP View Post
Brandon and Eric do an awesome job. They did Xpel on my wife's 335 and my M3. I think you spoke to my wife to get reference for their services. Glad it worked out for you.
I did talk to your wife! I really appreciated the solid reference; it made me feel confident I would get good service.

When the sales manager picked up my car Brandon explained what all they had done. The service manager didn't believe there was a full hood.
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      04-23-2016, 06:27 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kantalias View Post
You can't tell from the video, but the pattern has cutouts around reflectors, badges, etc. there's a tiny gap between where the film ends on a painted surface and another element begins. I haven't use my finger nail to feel if the top of the reflectors are covered.
That's why I'm not a fan of the precut kits.

Been a real long while since I have had this done. What does it run now?
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      04-23-2016, 11:35 PM   #16
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That's why I'm not a fan of the precut kits.

Been a real long while since I have had this done. What does it run now?
Lots of people, including me, posted quotes they got here. Looked to me like your way is 2x the kit way in time and cost. I'm happy with the kit because of the fit and how fast it was.
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      04-24-2016, 07:45 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kantalias View Post
Lots of people, including me, posted quotes they got here. Looked to me like your way is 2x the kit way in time and cost. I'm happy with the kit because of the fit and how fast it was.
It looked as if they did your front custom. No?

I get the price thing and 2x is significant but I just imagine a rock hitting that little exposed part. not to mention the more edges the more for dirt to build up on. All that said the headlight cut out and stuff looked fine. It was just all the pieces they used for the mirror.

Hope it holds up well for everyone. Let us know!
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      04-24-2016, 04:38 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by masou View Post
It looked as if they did your front custom. No?
I saw it that way in the video too, but i can assure you from the finished product the entire front was a kit. It seems they can stretch the whole sheet and then somehow break off the excess parts. They don't show that in the video, probably a pro trick.
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      04-25-2016, 08:34 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kantalias View Post
Here's my installer doing the full front from the official kit on my car last week: https://www.facebook.com/wichitaclea...2535446839200/.

Turn down the volume 'cause it's just overlay music.

The install turned out amazing and my installer loved the XPEL kit!
Looks great!
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      04-25-2016, 03:49 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pruettfan View Post
A job like that probably takes 10-16 man hours, add up a decent hourly pay, some overhead and material cost and thats how it adds up. Clearly there is profit in these jobs but most of these shops have to stay booked solid to make a decent profit. I have a small detail business I do on the side for fun and so I can attend SEMA, I have looked into doing this kind of work but short of going all in and doing a lot of volume I don't think it would pay much.
The guys that do my cars do this in less that 3 hours. Full front, rockers, a-pillars and partial roof, and rear bumper behind the wheels. Mostly freehand from roll stock.
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      04-26-2016, 02:48 PM   #21
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Xpel applied just on front, back bumper and front side panels.

The whole car will be wrapped by tomorrow.

https://vid.me/WOHU
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      04-28-2016, 03:21 PM   #22
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Looking great. I will be doing the front as well. I'm still deciding if i want to go ULTIMATE OR STEALTH.
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