Refresh Model S Tint / PPF / Ceramic Photos & Info

[cwanja]

Is it recommended to have lights and bumper, etc be removed so that PPF wraps around panel edges? Is there any risk of doing damage?

Any time you are removing panels, it has a chance for damage. I would say most professional installers should be able to install around edges and blend with headlights, etc. to create as seamless as possible. I think @GrnSqrl had their cameras removed. So it is a toss up honestly.

 

[cwanja]

thanks, ill do that.

i was just curious to see if anybody else has this distortion issue with their front windshield film.

Definitely agree, hopefully someone else can share their experience. Would also be curious from non-Xpel tint also.

 

[GrnSqrl]

Any time you are removing panels, it has a chance for damage. I would say most professional installers should be able to install around edges and blend with headlights, etc. to create as seamless as possible. I think @GrnSqrl had their cameras removed. So it is a toss up honestly.

Nope wasn’t me. At least they didn’t tell me the did it if they did. Lol. No panel or door removal either.

And I haven’t noticed any distortion on Xpel windshield. Just the rear window, which had distortion before tint.

 

[cwanja]

Nope wasn’t me. At least they didn’t tell me the did it if they did. Lol. No panel or door removal either.

And I haven’t noticed any distortion on Xpel windshield. Just the rear window, which had distortion before tint.

Maybe it was @BobbyRitz. Someone posted damn progress photos of their car and the rocker panel camera was removed. That is all I remember hah.

 

[MEL-22]

Here are photos of my stormtrooper

Work done at 405 Motoring in LA. Talk to East, he's a very cool guy and will take care of you!
- XPEL Ultimate Plus PPF (full body)
- Ceramic Pro PPF (2 layer ceramic coat)
- Ceramic pro wheel and caliper (1 layer)
- XPEL Prime XR Plus (35% side and rear, 70% front)
- Blacked out badging

View attachment 709275View attachment 709276View attachment 709277View attachment 709279

Nice!

 

[r3nd3r]

Nope wasn’t me. At least they didn’t tell me the did it if they did. Lol. No panel or door removal either.

And I haven’t noticed any distortion on Xpel windshield. Just the rear window, which had distortion before tint.

thank you for sharing your experience! my other tinted windows look perfectly fine, this is why I believe its the 70% tint specifically that has some kind of defect.

perhaps the installer rolled up the film too much prior to installing it? anyways thanks for your input!

 

[WiLz]

thank you for sharing your experience! my other tinted windows look perfectly fine, this is why I believe its the 70% tint specifically that has some kind of defect.

perhaps the installer rolled up the film too much prior to installing it? anyways thanks for your input!

There have actually been multiple reports of waviness and distortion in the windshield glass. So it may be the glass. See posts in the issues thread: Model S Plaid/LR 2021 Refresh Issues Thread

 

[BobbyRitz]

Maybe it was @BobbyRitz. Someone posted damn progress photos of their car and the rocker panel camera was removed. That is all I remember hah.

Guilty as charged. Outside of the 2x4's used on the lift, my guy was pretty solid.

 

[RC93]

Some progress photos courtesy of the shop…

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wow, this looks absolutely phenomenal. I actually love the rear without the Tesla ”T”. I may do the same on my black plaid. Looks pretty mean in my opinion.

Did you tint your front headlights?

 

[GatorPigDog]

wow, this looks absolutely phenomenal. I actually love the rear without the Tesla ”T”. I may do the same on my black plaid. Looks pretty mean in my opinion.

Did you tint your front headlights?

Thanks! The back emblem was a fortunate accident as the wrong product was shipped. The shop and I agreed that it looked great without anything there. Xpel Smoke Headlight film was used.

 

[Woodchuck]

Here are photos of my stormtrooper

Work done at 405 Motoring in LA. Talk to East, he's a very cool guy and will take care of you!
- XPEL Ultimate Plus PPF (full body)
- Ceramic Pro PPF (2 layer ceramic coat)
- Ceramic pro wheel and caliper (1 layer)
- XPEL Prime XR Plus (35% side and rear, 70% front)
- Blacked out badging

View attachment 709275View attachment 709276View attachment 709277View attachment 709279Not a fan of the white, but this looks really good.

 

[Woodchuck]

Some progress photos courtesy of the shop…

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Very, very sexy.

 

[Slackers]

Full XPEL PPF / 35% tint all around / Ceramic coating finished. Detail Authority in Fairfax, VA did top notch work and fully completed the project in only four days. Plaid lettering was on back order so we’re badgeless at the moment. Just in time for the rain

 

[impastu]

View attachment 710578View attachment 710579View attachment 710580
Full XPEL PPF / 35% tint all around / Ceramic coating finished. Detail Authority in Fairfax, VA did top notch work and fully completed the project in only four days. Plaid lettering was on back order so we’re badgeless at the moment. Just in time for the rain

Gorgeous!

 

[Maximus023]

View attachment 710578View attachment 710579View attachment 710580
Full XPEL PPF / 35% tint all around / Ceramic coating finished. Detail Authority in Fairfax, VA did top notch work and fully completed the project in only four days. Plaid lettering was on back order so we’re badgeless at the moment. Just in time for the rain

Looks great! Full PPF is a MUST on black cars.

 

[Pajaroveloz]

As more people have been getting their new Model S LR & Plaids, there has often been questions about tint, PPF, and ceramic in the Delivery Update threads asking for information and photos. So figured I'd try to start a dedicated thread for owners to post photos and information about their tint, PPF, and ceramic for the benefit of other members.

So to start things off, here is my Plaid with full Xpel Ultimate Ultra PPF on entire car, with Xpel Prime XR Plus tint (55% windshield, 30% fronts, 20% rears), and Ceramic Pro PPF/Vinyl coating (please feel free to ask if you want any specific details or photos):

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I'm also happy to share quotes that I got for these various services in the Orange County area for anyone that is interested.

Looks great

 

[Fastcar]

thanks, ill do that.

i was just curious to see if anybody else has this distortion issue with their front windshield film.

My stek is very minor you have to real look for the distortion

 

[josahua]

Thanks!

Here is a video of my tint and PPF.

Damn that black looks nice!

 

[r3nd3r]

My stek is very minor you have to real look for the distortion

Thanks for sharing your experience with your front windshield tint!

On another note, does anyone know if it's possible to slightly mar or scratch PPF while washing your car? I know PPF has self healing properties, but was just wondering if you still needed to be extra careful when washing it.

 

[cwanja]

Thanks for sharing your experience with your front windshield tint!

On another note, does anyone know if it's possible to slightly mar or scratch PPF while washing your car? I know PPF has self healing properties, but was just wondering if you still needed to be extra careful when washing it.

Definitely should still be vigilant. Try not to put your sponges or hand towels on the ground to collect small rocks or other debris. I would almost say treat your car as if there is nothing there.