I picked up my Pearl White 2 months back. I am thinking of getting Xpel on it. Usually, I have read on these forums that people get it right after delivery. My questions are as below:
1. Does it make sense to get it done after 2 months now?
2. Does Xpel give a new glow/shine to the car?
3. I read that once the Xpel starts coming out, the Pearl White for some reason starts to look a bit yellowish. Is that accurate?
1. The sooner you install ppf, the better. When client calls us and want tint, nano coating, paint correction, and ppf, but have a budget they need to stay around, we usually have them do ppf first, then come back for the other stuff. Reason being, once you get a chip, that's it...short of touch up or repaint, nothing else will fix it. So, even if you have little chips, have installer touch them up to get a little color in it, then wrap it
2. XPEL has a great gloss to it and the effects can dramatically be increased to mimic the actual paint once you nano coat it. This further protects the film to retain gloss and reduces yellowing
3. Depending on which film you choose, you WILL notice a slight bit of yellowing no matter what brand. Out of the roll for example, XPEL is slightly yellower than Suntek. Hence why if a client is after the aesthetics, we recommend Suntek on lighter cars. You do give up a little durability by doing that, as XPEL is about 1 mil thicker than Suntek. On paper it's different, but in real-life measured with our paint meter, the difference was around 1 mil.
A little clarifying....XPEL vs Suntek...many have mentioned orange peel being the trade off for durability with XPEL. I use to explain it that way as well. It's the texture or grain - definition, not orange peel
THIS IS SIMPLY MY INTERPRETATION AND OBSERVATION - It's not orange peel so much as it is definition. For example, if you look at the reflection of a tree and its leaves and branches, here's what you should notice:
For sake of this conversation, we'll assume we're looking at the hood, focal point, tree, branches, and leaves, are in the center portion of hood. You're slightly bent and head is looking left towards the nose of the hood.
1. Paint without any film - clear definition of tree, branches, and leaves. This will vary depending on the angle you tilt your head or move around.
2. Paint with Suntek - clear definition of tree, and SEMI-clear definition of branches and leaves
3. Paint with XPEL - tree, branches, and leaves visible...but pixilated...like a photo you zoom in on that isn't high in megapixels
DISCLAIMER - In the past few months, we have noticed our XPEL films being NOTICEABLY clearer and less yellow. So much so, that it's been tough to decipher which roll is Suntek and which is XPEL. Only way we've been able to tell is by the smell of adhesive and under our lights in our clear bra installation room. But outside in the sun, the two are near indistinguishable. More of our clients that are persnickety about the looks are now able to choose the more protective film that is now clearer and less yellow.
Hope this helps a little for those deciding what to do and what to apply.
As always, can't say this enough...installer is the key to the equation...don't get so hung up on the film and warranty...the guy/gal behind the squeegee and blade are what you're REALLY paying for.
