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

bruceski88

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Awesome the only person I've had the pleasure to talk to that had both XPel and 3M.

To sum up, your saying Xpel is a little better than 3M but more expensive. Both do a good job and are adequate. Did I get that right?
I think Xpel may be a little better, but price may more depend on who you can get to install it. The important lesson is do it quickly. Good wax and sealant is better than the expensive concoctions dealers push.
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bruceski88

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I think Xpel may be a little better, but price may more depend on who you can get to install it. The important lesson is do it quickly. Good wax and sealant is better than the expensive concoctions dealers push.
Just remembered that the installer said paint needs to cure 4 weeks before applying PPF.
 

SnBGC

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My goal is for the MME to not turn into my C-MAX.
Before:
8586123469_1564649154.jpg

After:
IMG_20200403_144040.jpg


Arizona rocks...yay!
?
That looks like my Focus Electric. Superstition freeway?
 

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The more I read from you all talking about PPF and coatings, the less I'm inclined to try either of them. Sounds like a lot of bother and cost. To me, I mean. I think it will look great on your cars. I'm just not sure I care enough for my own.

I plan to just wash and wax (occasionally). I recently learned about Collonite 845 which I'm looking forward to trying out. I also got a pressure washer and foam cannon after seeing this picture (just like I captioned it!!). :)

I might tint the windows. Maybe all of them or maybe just the front-side windows so that they look more similar to the rear-side windows.

Yeah, my Fiesta's hood, front bumper, and windshield are absolutely full of rock chips. Yeah, it bothers me a bit... but it will have zero impact on resale and if we're being honest, it doesn't bother me to the point of spending $1-3k every x years/months for PPF/coatings.

BTW, I've read reports of XPEL and similar films yellowing over time. I think if you catch it within warranty they'll take care of it for free (though this means giving up your car for some day(s)??). But outside of warranty, it means the film has a limited life and eventually needs to be removed or replaced.
 

XPEL

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The one thing I wish I had done when I got my Mustang Ecoboost was to drive it from the dealer directly to get XPEL on the front bumper, hood and front fenders. Got paint chips the first week of driving. Will get it repainted in the future.

Planning on getting XPEL as soon as possible for the Mach-e. Will be bugging the local dealers to see if XPEL will be coming out with a Mach-e template.
We will be getting the Mach-E pre-cut patterns/designs/templates as soon as we can get our hands on one. More than likely we will have the patterns before you take delivery. Fingers crossed. You can always check XPEL.com to see if we have the patterns you're looking for when your car is delivered.

So, @GoGoGadgetMachE and @stmache, I like what I hear you saying about the XPEL. I have just started researching the product and installers in my area, but do I really need the ceramic coat as well on top of the XPEL? I really just want the front end done in order to protect the paint against rocks and chips, not so worried about the sides and back end.
Ceramic coating is not mandatory on top of PPF. The PPF will be easier to clean than your paint due to its low surface energy (meaning it's just more slippery than paint). If you're after protection only then PPF is the way to go. Ceramic Coatings will NOT stop rock chips or scratches. But, they will enhance the look of the paint all while making maintenance much easier. It's very common for someone to put PPF on the full front end and rocker panels (high impact areas) and then to ceramic coat over the PPF and the rest of the vehicle.

I'm not sure. I'm learning all about this for my first time from this very forum. There is a reseller with what appears to be fair, honest videos here: The Truth About Paint Protection Film (PPF) | AvalonKing

that plus a few others have led me to believe that the ceramic coat on top is good because the XPEL is a bit more matte-looking, and can potentially yellow over time - adding the ceramic coat on top prevents the yellow and brings back the shine.

At least, that's how it seems to be. But again, I'm learning here too.
Just to clear this up, XPEL STEALTH (satin finish PPF) and ULTIMATE PLUS (standard gloss finish PPF) come with a 10-year warranty against yellowing which includes parts and labor. You do not need a ceramic coating on top of PPF to prevent it from yellowing. If XPEL PPF yellows or stains in any way, take it to your installer or any certified installer to have them inspect it. If they can't clean it then we will replace it for FREE for up to 10 years from the original installation date.
 


stmache

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We will be getting the Mach-E pre-cut patterns/designs/templates as soon as we can get our hands on one. More than likely we will have the patterns before you take delivery. Fingers crossed. You can always check XPEL.com to see if we have the patterns you're looking for when your car is delivered.
Good to know. I guess news travels fast these days. :) I will be sure to check when I get close to delivery. Since the vehicles will take up to four weeks to get to dealers, the paint should be cured enough for installation of something like XPEL upon delivery?
 

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Good to know. I guess news travels fast these days. :) I will be sure to check when I get close to delivery. Since the vehicles will take up to four weeks to get to dealers, the paint should be cured enough for installation of something like XPEL upon delivery?
:) Yes, that will be enough time so you can install PPF immediately after delivery to get the paint protected as soon as possible.
 

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Awesome the only person I've had the pleasure to talk to that had both XPel and 3M.

To sum up, your saying Xpel is a little better than 3M but more expensive. Both do a good job and are adequate. Did I get that right?
I was looking to wrap at least the front end of my MME as well, maybe the rear bumper. I am looking at the site autoskinz.com. I haven't seen prices yet, but the xpel Ultimate warrantee is listed as:

"XPEL ULTIMATE also comes with a full 10-year warranty against yellowing, discoloration, peeling, cracking and hazing. If it fails, we’ll replace it—labor included"

edit: wow, i was late to the party replying and XPEL is here and beat me to the response! That will teach me to read all the posts before commenting.?
 

Daniel M

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:) Yes, that will be enough time so you can install PPF immediately after delivery to get the paint protected as soon as possible.
So there is no time requirement for the "paint to cure" upon delivery? Thanks for your responses!
 

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So there is no time requirement for the "paint to cure" upon delivery? Thanks for your responses!
Daniel,

The only vehicle we've ever had to wait with is the Ford GT as they're uniquely built in very small numbers. With more volume vehicles like the Mach-E, you'll be good to go if you schedule your clear bra install as quickly as possible after delivery.
 

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Just remembered that the installer said paint needs to cure 4 weeks before applying PPF.
Won't be a problem for FEs. They'll be sitting in Cuautitlan awaiting OKTB and then there's shipping time.
 

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The more I read from you all talking about PPF and coatings, the less I'm inclined to try either of them. Sounds like a lot of bother and cost. To me, I mean. I think it will look great on your cars. I'm just not sure I care enough for my own.

I plan to just wash and wax (occasionally). I recently learned about Collonite 845 which I'm looking forward to trying out. I also got a pressure washer and foam cannon after seeing this picture (just like I captioned it!!). :)

I might tint the windows. Maybe all of them or maybe just the front-side windows so that they look more similar to the rear-side windows.

Yeah, my Fiesta's hood, front bumper, and windshield are absolutely full of rock chips. Yeah, it bothers me a bit... but it will have zero impact on resale and if we're being honest, it doesn't bother me to the point of spending $1-3k every x years/months for PPF/coatings.

BTW, I've read reports of XPEL and similar films yellowing over time. I think if you catch it within warranty they'll take care of it for free (though this means giving up your car for some day(s)??). But outside of warranty, it means the film has a limited life and eventually needs to be removed or replaced.
We had a film of unknown origin on our Prius and then had a new one put on along with body work after a fender-bender. It did a great job of protecting the paint. Our Leaf has dings all over the front end. I'm definitely going with protectant film on the front end and mirrors at least.
 

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I have XPEL Ultimate on a 215 Summit White Camaro (SS, RS + 1LE) -- full hood, full front bumper, headlights, both full front fenders, over both sets of gills in front of the rear tires, and on the bumper behind each rear tire. All of the XPEL is clear finish, except for the hood which is matte (the hood XPEL is on top of the black wrap that comes with the 1LE package).

Setup the wrap before I bought the car, so I took delivery and drove it to get wrapped immediately. So, the wrap has been on since purchase and will be 6 years in June.

Note:
XPEL Ultimate comes with a 10 year warranty against yellowing or peeling.

With that background, here are some observations:

* I have had a few incidents of dings and scratches on the XPEL. It works as good or better than advertised. Simply park the car in the sun for a couple of hours and it self-heals. Honestly, it is like magic. You absolutely have to see this stuff in action to believe it.

* Only 1 of the incidents left a permanent mark (small scratches) that the self-healing wasn't able to completely heal. That said, you can't really notice the spot unless you are angled correctly against the sun. On the plus side, the XPEL still absorbed the scratches, they did not make it all the way through the film.

* The film itself has not yellowed or otherwise changed colors, at least not to my eye. One word of caution here ... the stuff does seem to collect dirt better than painted metal, and darkens with grime. But, a good solid wash restores the lustre.

* I have what is probably a minor nitpick / complaint. Due to the massive coverage on my car, there are some seams. The installer used every trick to hide them, and did a FANTASTIC job, but inevitably with all the curves there are still some exposed seams. If the car is perfectly clean, the seams are invisible unless you are literally 2 feet away staring directly at them. But, the seams attract dirt like you can't imagine! I try to compensate by making sure to keep a couple coats of wax and that helps, but still grime collects in the crannies.

* This car is a garage queen and is always garaged at home or work. XPEL does gurantee their product against UV damage and I don't have any UV damage, but then again it's almost never in the direct sun so I can't say that I've honestly tested the limits of the product with regards to UV protection.

* I have not tried to remove the PPF. Honestly if I were to want / need to remove it, I would bring it back to my XPEL installer and pay to have them do it. That said, I have seen some YouTubers remove their PPF by leaving it in the sun for a few hours, then using a hair dryer to warm it up a tad more. They make it look very simple. One example is Stradman .. all his cars are wrapped with PPF and he's removed it twice that I've seen here and there.

Last -- would I recommend PPF in general, and XPEL Ultimate in particular?
I am going to say YES and NO. :) (you didn't think it would be that easy?)

My 'Maro cost me $$$, and at the time I purchased it, I went all in and factory-ordered what I wanted, and paid through the nose for it. This was my dream car, still is, and I did and do plan on keeping it for basically ever. For my wrap described above, which covers just about maybe 60 - 70% of the car, I paid right at $2,500 installed. Would I install XPEL again on this car if I had to do it over? Yes, and not only Yes, but I would probably go full 100% coverage as well.

Besides that car, I have two Hondas that I do not plan on keeping forever. I would never think of putting PPF on those cars.

I haven't decided yet on the Mach E. Unlike the 'Maro, I'm not convinced I'm going to keep this vehicle for a significant amount of time. It is likely I will consider the front bumper and hood only, especially due to the shape of the bumper in the front.

I hope this covers all the bases, let me know if there are specific questions I can answer more.
What about the 3M product? (Scotchguard Paint Protection film). It cost me only $1,000 and has worked really well.
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