Been a while since I have looked into the latest for paint protection films. Who has the best product these days? Dealerships still charging premiums for this stuff?

 

curious about this as well - I've asked for a quote from my dealer for front bumper, full hood, mirrors and bumper tail lip, and waiting to hear back. I want the full hood done- cause that line, although hard to see, would bug me. My dealer says they use a 3M product.

I've also found this product, listed on a local installer's website ->ProSkin, looks like a fairly new company - you can search up the cost for a F56 wrap kit - seems a bit pricey at $700 for full hood and mirrors - they do have a 8 year warranty on yellowing/cracking..

 

My dealer offered me this treatment. Along with about 4 others (dent protection, minor body damage protection for lease turn-in, run-flat replacement, and one other that I forgot). Too much money IMO so I opted out.

 

Both the wife's R56S and my R55 fJCW got the half hood, front bumpers done.
The dealers started at 750.00 each.
Called a local 3M installer (use the yellow pages) and got exactly what the dealer would sent out to get for 450.00 each.
I thought that was a good deal with the warranty.

 

That is a good deal, Bubba. The dealer normally has a shop do the work so they're the middle man, and they get a nice premium added. Makes total sense to deal directly with the installer. JMO.

 

Looks like only in Canada.

Are these things really effective? Back in the '70s, there was Polyglycote that was supposed to penetrate the paint and somehow provide paint protection. Johnsons Wax came out with a DIY 2-step competitive product, but I don't think these accomplished anything.

 

XPEL Ultimate is still the best stuff on the market right now - 10 yr warranty for parts AND labor, compared to 5yr warranty for 3M (also including labor)

http://r56hs.com/2013/11/01/xpel-ultimate-clear-bra/

had it done for my '13 mini and my '06 evo

 

Another vote for the Xpel brand. I've been using it on the last three cars I've purchased and its great stuff. It can be expensive but it's worth it. I have t on my recently purchased '13 MCS and you can barely see it which is the whole point.

 

yepp.. forgot to mention it's thinner than 3m, and it "heals" its scratches - have a video of it in my blog from the post above.

 

Hi, I detailed the car to the max , clay barred it, took care of any scratches , small chips as mine had some miles. You will see everything through the clear film. Went to a local graphics place, they said; stay from the precut stuff its too hard to install, and they did a great job using the clear vinyl they stock.

 

I went to their web site and must admit it is interesting looking stuff. Has anyone had it removed and replaced? Is there any visible evidence if it is removed and NOT replaced? They say there is no more/less fading to the paint with the film on, but I my concern would be does the film itself leave anything behind when removed. Their site didn't seem to address that issue.

 

Anyone have any opinions on Dupont Paint Protection? That's what my dealer is selling, $499 for exterior paint protection (doesn't say what portion of the exterior that is). In my minimal research, it seems a less involved process than the 3M film and other stuff being discussed here.

 

The vast majority of rock dings are at/below the front headlights. I have none above that line, and none on my mirror caps.

 

good question - can't personally comment on that one as i haven't removed it yet

 

Anyone that has applied paint protective film have any experience with the film covering hood stripes? Any issue with getting the film to adhere between the paint and stripe surface?

Xpel is the only vendor I've located that has pre-cut pieces for the front fascia.

 

I've used 3M on all my vehicles and been very happy with it. I also agree about dealing directly with the 3M installer. You also can't tell it's on there unless you really look.

 

^

This, if you feel you need it. I find that living in an area w/ paved roads, the few chips I pick up are either negligible, or easily fixed.

 

+1 for Xpel Ultimate.

 

I did the standard 3M on the lower fascia of my JCW. Not for the faint of heart. Attempting to install precut hood 3M Pro tomorrow......wish me luck. Will cost me around $250.....unless I screw up the hood. Here's my 2015 Justa.



Can barely see the line-not perfect, but effective.

 

I've always had the installers do mine. I don't want to mess it up. Good luck.

 

Thanks. I got the lower fascia pretty good, but used the Pro 3M on the hood and used Johnson's Baby Shampoo as they asked (instead of Dawn blue) - it left a residue. Shop time for the hood

 

I want to do the installation to my F56 JCW, is easy ?? I saw videos and apply a lot of install solution and swa very easy like the cellphones screen protectors that are installed with water.
In my country is crazy expensive this protecion, also the installation is expensive, around $800 and I found a kit at eBay of 3M PRO perfect fit by $290

Please any recomendations let me know.

 

Working in a vinyl/clear film shop for a few years......... dont try this yourself. It will get expensive and look horrible. A cell phone screen isnt nearly as hard as the rolls of a hood, fender, bumper etc.....

Not trying to be a jerk, but just telling you the truth.

 

I watched a seasoned professional tint & vinyl installer apply PPF to my '19 JCW over the weekend, and in my book it's not a job for a novice. He applied film on the bonnet, from the headlights down, and on the whole lower air dam/bumper, and there's no way I'd try it myself. It took many hours of painstaking labor & detail-oriented work to get each piece properly aligned, smooth, and tight. The bonnet would be a challenge, let alone the JCW bumper with all the curves & ducts.

Yeah, professional installation is expensive, but if you want to protect your car & have it done right, it's worth it.

 

My thoughts too. Xpel installer came to my house. It took him a good five hrs to install kit you described on my F57 S. i'd never attempt it myself.