Clear protection film (PPF) on the Taycan?

[XLR82XS]

same or different installer? It usually has a LOT to do with that.

Also, what does "completely trashed" mean - this stuff is all self healing, so prep prior and application are almost always the reason for a failure.

Loaded up with top coat damage would not self-heal even with the light marks. Same installer.

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[smohr33]

This is going to sound crazy but I don’t want the badges removed to do the PPF. $165K car and don’t want anything altered. Am I nuts or can they do XPEL without removing the badges or anything else?

The hood badge is held on with two bolts and comes off in seconds. Any bulk installer will take it off, much better than having seams around it.

 

[smohr33]

A really good installer will tend to custom cut rather than use templates and the added cost will be worth it. The templates help with costs (for the installer) for the material optimization; however, they have to stretch the product to hide the seams, which can compromise the finish, depending on how slim the margins are with the template.

If the seams are exposed, grit and wax build up will develop in the crease...I just had a PPF complete done on my R8 and scheduled for one on this car in the next two weeks. I dont think there is anything out there better than stek - its finish is paint smooth with zero orange peel and in my case I am opting for a complete high gloss color change.

Up until my last 2 cars I had used Xpel. This product is FAR superior. Really blown away with its finish and durability. Also, it has extreme hydrophobic properties so no need for that extra ceramic coating that many do on their PPF.

Also very happy with STEK after two Porsche's with XPEL.

Way less orange peel, held up better through a NY winter for me. XPEL had multiple tears and some pitting, STEK is still smooth as glass. Also still hydrophobic after almost a year so that hasn't been the hoax that some say it is, it really works.

 

[Tooney]

Also very happy with STEK after two Porsche's with XPEL.

Way less orange peel, held up better through a NY winter for me. XPEL had multiple tears and some pitting, STEK is still smooth as glass. Also still hydrophobic after almost a year so that hasn't been the hoax that some say it is, it really works.

What do you mean by "orange peel"?

 

[smohr33]

What do you mean by "orange peel"?

XPEL in years gone by was not optically the clearest/smoothest film. I believe their newer film is better. Last XPEL I had done was in 2019, I forget which version of their film it was, but in comparison STEK dynoshield is much smoother.

 

[jenzfc]

This is going to sound crazy but I don’t want the badges removed to do the PPF. $165K car and don’t want anything altered. Am I nuts or can they do XPEL without removing the badges or anything else?

the Xpel template comes with the badge opening, so it does not need to be removed.

 

[Skilly]

Sorry, but template's do not require stretching. The template's can be altered in the software so that they are extended as far as you like, and template's mean that you do not need to take a knife to the material as much, reducing the risk of scoring the paint. My installer used template's on all my cars and don't really have any seams to speak of (certain curvy areas require seams because stretching the film and forcing it to fit the contour will risk it lifting easily in the future).

As you mentioned, the installer has to size for this option - if they don't, you get seams, or the stretch it to hide what they can. Most of the time, if the price you paid was much less than normal, this is where they cut corners. Front bumpers are the place where this becomes most apparent. The different grills and shapes doesn't allow the template to just be resized.

It's great that in your case, your installer sized it correctly, but it's not always the case. And, if your installer leaves knife marks behind, they aren't doing it right.

oh,...love that you're in Canada and started your thoughts with a 'sorry' - good stuff!

 

[Skilly]

Loaded up with top coat damage would not self-heal even with the light marks. Same installer.

that is 100% product failure - seen quite a few a couple of years in and they are as new - total shame.

Hope that they replaced it for free. It would have been under warranty.

 

[XLR82XS]

that is 100% product failure - seen quite a few a couple of years in and they are as new - total shame.

Hope that they replaced it for free. It would have been under warranty.

Nope. Customer service blows. Back to Xpel - 15 years of great product for me.

 

[Skilly]

Nope. Customer service blows. Back to Xpel - 15 years of great product for me.

Apparently - That's your reseller though. Stek installs aren't corporate ...hope they took care of you anyway - the product isn't cheap but for a complete car, should only represent about $500 in hard costs.The rest is labor and overhead etc.

 

[XLR82XS]

Apparently - That's your reseller though. Stek installs aren't corporate ...hope they took care of you anyway - the product isn't cheap but for a complete car, should only represent about $500 in hard costs.The rest is labor and overhead etc.

My installer is top notch and the highest rated in the area. Phenomenal work and support. STEK is the problem.

 

[@lpher]

My Taycan is in the shop getting the full Xpel treatment now...and i most certainly agree that not having access to the car IS indeed the hardest part!

 

[Tsingtao]

Never did it on any of my cars - never regretted that. I am planning to keep the car for only 3 years (duration of the lease).

Ive never done PPF. I swear I can see the difference and I like the look without it better. Secondly, I have a top secret trick to avoid 99% of all stone chips: just don’t ride up the ass of the car/truck in front of you.

 

[Rainforest]

As you mentioned, the installer has to size for this option - if they don't, you get seams, or the stretch it to hide what they can. Most of the time, if the price you paid was much less than normal, this is where they cut corners. Front bumpers are the place where this becomes most apparent. The different grills and shapes doesn't allow the template to just be resized.

It's great that in your case, your installer sized it correctly, but it's not always the case. And, if your installer leaves knife marks behind, they aren't doing it right.

oh,...love that you're in Canada and started your thoughts with a 'sorry' - good stuff!

Oh yeah, we apologize for everything here. LOL.

It is very easy to extend the precut - the software allows for this. It just takes time, but it's not hard.

No matter how good an installer is, people can always slip up with the blade. Like I said, I don't have any obvious seams on my car, and this is with my nose right up to the panel.

Sorry if I offended anyone. Ha!

 

[RAHRCR]

the Xpel template comes with the badge opening, so it does not need to be removed.

Preference would be to remove the badge and PPF under it. This would eliminate the seam cutout around the badge as well as the associated potential failure point.

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