Paint Protection Film (PPF) such as XPEL for Mach-E

[Kamuelaflyer]

Good to know.

Could be a bit different way down here but that would relate to the life expectancy of the PPF and not its performance. Thanks.

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[ClaudeMach-E]

Here's a comparison test between Expel-Suntek and 3M PPF

 

[macchiaz-o]

Here's a comparison test between Expel-Suntek and 3M PPF

From a 3M distributor...

Any good videos showing what the products look like after 10 years? And how well they remove the films after that period of time?

 

[ClaudeMach-E]

From a 3M distributor...

Any good videos showing what the products look like after 10 years? And how well they remove the films after that period of time?

Most people won't own the car after ten years, so it's irrelevant for them.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

From a 3M distributor...

This is a legitimate callout - so my question to build on it is, other than choosing what to show (and by implication, not show), what could the person have done to "cheat" the comparison here? In other words, does it matter in actuality that it's from a distributor?

 

[macchiaz-o]

This is a legitimate callout - so my question to build on it is, other than choosing what to show (and by implication, not show), what could the person have done to "cheat" the comparison here? In other words, does it matter in actuality that it's from a distributor?

He fails to show how each product wears after 10 years of normal usage.

He fails to show how they remove without damaging underlying clearcoat.

He is comparing 3M's then newly released higher level product to regular levels from competitors.

We don't get to see how clarity and reflection compare since he's indoors.

He doesn't do his tests on the painted, clearcoated surface (with no Uber expensive clear plastic film).

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

He fails to show how each product wears after 10 years of normal usage.

He fails to show how they remove without damaging underlying clearcoat.

He is comparing 3M's then newly released higher level product to regular levels from competitors.

We don't get to see how clarity and reflection compare since he's indoors.

He doesn't do his tests on the painted, clearcoated surface (with no Uber expensive clear plastic film).

I don't agree with all of these points being actually relevant to this conversation, but agree some of them are.

Some of it depends a bit on what you're looking to get out of the comparison - are you looking to get a comparison versus competing products in the same space, or against no product at all, or both? For example, he doesn't appear to be claiming to compare to "no product at all" so, taking it on its face, I don't see that being a valid point against the video as presented, although it's reasonable from a bigger picture to ask if any of the products are worth it.

I don't know how someone would do "10 years of normal usage" without special equipment of the sort that a paint or vehicle manufacturer would have, and what is "normal" anyway? Someone in Arizona and someone in Ohio are going to have very different requirements for paint protection. Someone with a garage and someone without a garage are going to have very different requirements. There really is no such thing as "normal usage" as a general statement and honestly I'm always suspect of any such statements over such long periods of time unless they have some disclaimers attached about what "normal" means and how it was tested.

The removal concerns may be valid? I don't know how often people do that with such a product. I wouldn't expect to need to do it unless the product is actually faulty, in which case I'd probably be screwed anyway. But this is something I'm fully admitting ignorance on.

The product levels is valid if you look at it as "wanting to compare stated best to stated best" - it would, for me, depend on the cost, which I fully admit I don't know. I care much more about like-cost comparisons for this sort of product, but that's a personal choice. In other words, if the 3M top is the same as someone else's middle on price, I think it's just fine to compare those as a "like cost" comparison.

Clarity and reflection are reasonable as far as it goes, I think. We do get some of that from the indoor lighting, but I agree bright sunlight would be helpful. That could be a bias thing or that he didn't think of it for the video - the video seems to be focused on comparing "toughness" of the solutions while ignoring everything else, which is a gap but isn't necessarily a problem, depending on what you're looking to get out of the video.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Hard to do a comparison and show what the product will look like in 10 years of normal wear as that would take ... 10 years.

Same with the removal of the product. Taking a newly installed product off isn't the same as taking a product off after a few years of it being intimately familiar with your paint job.

Of course he's comparing a higher-end product with the average Xpel product. It's sales.

The tests are valid for what they are.

Want some real tests? Go shoot pea-sized gravel or DG at a car with the various products on it at 40 through 80 mph. Go round up a ton of seagulls to do their best on the car. Then let it harden. Go take it out into the middle of Death Valley and leave it under the hot sun for several months.

Nobody is going to do that. Except us.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Yeah I agree on all points.

To saran wrap or not to saran wrap? That is the $1600 question. I still don't know.

 

[ClaudeMach-E]

He fails to show how each product wears after 10 years of normal usage.

He fails to show how they remove without damaging underlying clearcoat.

He is comparing 3M's then newly released higher level product to regular levels from competitors.

We don't get to see how clarity and reflection compare since he's indoors.

He doesn't do his tests on the painted, clearcoated surface (with no Uber expensive clear plastic film).

Honestly I don't know how you could do a 10 years comparison test ?????

 

[Illinibird]

I have had the 3M Paint Protection Film on my Acura MDX since 2014 and can attest to most of what is shown. I don’t have the new product so I haven’t noticed “self healing” where a rock scratched the surface of the hood and I never intentionally scratched the film or drew on it but I “assume” I’d get the same results with their newer film. My film has not yellowed and it’s near impossible to see the line for the front “bra.” Of course I never attempted to take it off either. This is a testimonial for their product and is the lowest level of evidence based recommendation there is! You would need to do a randomized controlled study to get a reliable comparison.

I’m very happy with the 3M Protective Paint Film and assume I’ll like their newer product even more. From what I read on this forum it is a lot cheaper than Xpel so that my Mach E will be at the detailer as soon as I take delivery (whenever that will be) and feel comfortable with the knowledge my SUV is protected with 3M film!

 

[ClaudeMach-E]

I have had the 3M Paint Protection Film on my Acura MDX since 2014 and can attest to most of what is shown. I don’t have the new product so I haven’t noticed “self healing” where a rock scratched the surface of the hood and I never intentionally scratched the film or drew on it but I “assume” I’d get the same results with their newer film. My film has not yellowed and it’s near impossible to see the line for the front “bra.” Of course I never attempted to take it off either. This is a testimonial for their product and is the lowest level of evidence based recommendation there is! You would need to do randomized controlled studies to get a reliable outcome.

I’m very happy with the 3M Protective Paint Film and assume I’ll like their newer product even more. From what I read on this forum it is a lot cheaper than Xpel so that my Mach E will be at the detailer as soon as I take delivery(whenever that will be) and feel comfortable with the knowledge my SUV is protected!

You mean you didn't have the hood all covered since your talking about a bra and an invisilble line, that is interesting, what else was covered on your car ?

 

[Illinibird]

You mean you didn't have the hood all covered since your talking about a bra and an invisilble line, that is interesting, what else was covered on your car ?

The front grill, bumper and front fascia. Also I had the front of the outside mirrors covered. I applied the OEM film on the door edges. On the top of the rear bumper I fitted the Acura OEM stainless steel guard (a lot of heavy items would scratch it if I just used film) like my 2016 Fusion.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Anyone planning on a cover wrap instead of clear? Maybe something like this one?

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

Anyone planning on a cover wrap instead of clear? Maybe something like this one?

Is that what GT reservation holders will look like when they finally get their cars? ?

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