PPF Suggestions - Houston Texas

[Tobiloluwa]

Hey Houston Folks,

My 2023 Taycan has now left Emden so I am trying to nail down my PPF installer- looking for recommendations/ suggestions-
Here are the options I have researched so far- looking for any personal recommendations/ experiences

1) XPEL Houston-(via Dealer- Porsche NW Houston)
XPEL Ultimate Plus - $6995
XPEL Body Fusion- $7995

Comments- convenient dealer will handle prior to pickup-

2) Houston PPF (www.houston-ppf.com)
Full XPEL Ultimate Plus - $5200

Comments- don't have any personal recommendations

3) Vive Auto Detailing
STEK and SUNTEK

Comments- They recommend SUNTEK REACTION- says it has ceramic properties- $6800- - they describe SUNTEK Ultra as comparison to XPEL ultimate plus
They use a digital cut to the car-

4) American Detail (www.americandetail.com) $7300
XPEL Ultimate Plus + Ceramic - 10 year warranty

Can anyone share their experience with any of these installers?

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[xyeahtony]

Haven't used either.

I've used EVS Motors because they stock spectra photosync which is considered the best on the market for window tint and clearguard nano for PPF which many consider has better clarity than XPEL. They also give loaner vehicles while they work on your car (last i checked).

A lot of people i know also had good results with Automotive Film Specialists too.

 

[ciaranob]

Hey Houston Folks,

My 2023 Taycan has now left Emden so I am trying to nail down my PPF installer- looking for recommendations/ suggestions-
Here are the options I have researched so far- looking for any personal recommendations/ experiences

1) XPEL Houston-(via Dealer- Porsche NW Houston)
XPEL Ultimate Plus - $6995
XPEL Body Fusion- $7995

Comments- convenient dealer will handle prior to pickup-

2) Houston PPF (www.houston-ppf.com)
Full XPEL Ultimate Plus - $5200

Comments- don't have any personal recommendations

3) Vive Auto Detailing
STEK and SUNTEK

Comments- They recommend SUNTEK REACTION- says it has ceramic properties- $6800- - they describe SUNTEK Ultra as comparison to XPEL ultimate plus
They use a digital cut to the car-

4) American Detail (www.americandetail.com) $7300
XPEL Ultimate Plus + Ceramic - 10 year warranty

Can anyone share their experience with any of these installers?

Used Vive but over 7 years ago so too old a review TBH - install was very good with all wrapped edges having zero flaws but also not cheap

I actually used your first option which was a first for me! i.e. I would in general never go through a dealership to get this done but they use Xpel's own factory shop which is convenient to Porsche North and Jake my SA was 100% helpful and open re the process.

I actually researched the Xpel shop myself under a different name to see what they would quote if I went direct to them and the dealership discount was better than the street price - has to be another first!!

Your quote presumably full body (which TBH still seems a little high) - I just did front half but was more than 10% less than off the street quote. Very good install and zero issues with it as with Vive.

Never used Houston PPF nor EVS (although I think I got a quote from latter which was also very high at that time).

By far the MAJOR reason for using the dealership (after cost and quality assurance) was convenience - just means you pull up to the dealership to collect your car ONE time - and ready to enjoy/drive - can't beat it

 

[Tobiloluwa]

Used Vive but over 7 years ago so too old a review TBH - install was very good with all wrapped edges having zero flaws but also not cheap

I actually used your first option which was a first for me! i.e. I would in general never go through a dealership to get this done but they use Xpel's own factory shop which is convenient to Porsche North and Jake my SA was 100% helpful and open re the process.

I actually researched the Xpel shop myself under a different name to see what they would quote if I went direct to them and the dealership discount was better than the street price - has to be another first!!

Your quote presumably full body (which TBH still seems a little high) - I just did front half but was more than 10% less than off the street quote. Very good install and zero issues with it as with Vive.

Never used Houston PPF nor EVS (although I think I got a quote from latter which was also very high at that time).

By far the MAJOR reason for using the dealership (after cost and quality assurance) was convenience - just means you pull up to the dealership to collect your car ONE time - and ready to enjoy/drive - can't beat it

Thanks-yes I called XPEL and they gave me a slightly higher number than the dealer. Not sure its worth it trying to negotiate any lower. Thanks for sharing your experience. My SA- Mario also thinks only the front half is needed but still not sure which way to go in houston

 

[CraigUrch]

I'm not from Huston so no help about installers there, but I strongly suggest getting the whole car wrapped. My wife only did the front half on her Boxster S and after noticing stone chips in front of the rear tires we had the whole car wrapped. I have witnessed just how much damage the PPF (we used Expel) can take and still protect the car, my best friend backed into the front bumper and front right fender on his Boxster. I though for sure we'd have to wet sand and buff the bumper based on the visible damage but once i peeled the wrap off there wasn't a single scratch.

 

[Rdm2311]

Endless Protective Solutions - Tri. He’s the best in town. Can do your film, tint, and the ClearPlex if you want protection from rock chips. He does all my cars. He’s cheaper than Xpel and I like the film he uses better. And he does California style installations - takes mirrors off etc. No lines.

 

[Rdm2311]

On what coverage to do, I just have the front half of the car done, the A pillars (which get hit with rocks). I’ve wrapped many, many cars. I don’t think you need the full wrap on a Taycan. On the GT cars, I’ve wrapped the full car. North Houston has the best paint guy in town who works there - Keith (he’s their lot guy). Get the front done and then if there is any problem down the line, 100% Keith can fix it (Tri can also fix most scratches, etc. as well). I think the benefit of what you get between installers (1) different types of film (I like the film Tri uses); (2) attention to detail (most installers won’t remove mirrors and other easily removable parts - you’ll see lines); (3) prep work - Tri does crazy prep work and will send you photos of any paint imperfections (he can fix most of them). Factory paint jobs aren’t what they used to be. I’ve had some really bad results from Porsche - last one was on PTS speedster, there was trash in Oslo blue - Tri fixed it and wrapped the whole car.

 

[Tobiloluwa]

On what coverage to do, I just have the front half of the car done, the A pillars (which get hit with rocks). I’ve wrapped many, many cars. I don’t think you need the full wrap on a Taycan. On the GT cars, I’ve wrapped the full car. North Houston has the best paint guy in town who works there - Keith (he’s their lot guy). Get the front done and then if there is any problem down the line, 100% Keith can fix it (Tri can also fix most scratches, etc. as well). I think the benefit of what you get between installers (1) different types of film (I like the film Tri uses); (2) attention to detail (most installers won’t remove mirrors and other easily removable parts - you’ll see lines); (3) prep work - Tri does crazy prep work and will send you photos of any paint imperfections (he can fix most of them). Factory paint jobs aren’t what they used to be. I’ve had some really bad results from Porsche - last one was on PTS speedster, there was trash in Oslo blue - Tri fixed it and wrapped the whole car.

Thanks for the recommendation- will look into Tri- question for you on removing the mirrors on a Taycan. I had read that removing the mirrors will mean you have to recalibrate some sensors that some dealers were charging an arm and a leg for. Any experience you can share about your Taycan wrap?

 

[Rdm2311]

Unfortunately, Tri didn’t wrap most my Taycan - it was a demo from River Oaks Porsche and they’d wrapped it (they used the guy who does a lot of the sonic dealers and who has done a couple of my cars, he’s not bad - I can’t remember his name, John maybe?). So my mirrors didnt’ come off. And my car only has the front done. The mirrors would only be an issue if you did the doors. After I got the car, I had tri do the A pillars and front of the roof before the moonroof as well as put the clearplex on (basically a screenprotector for your windshield - already had a huge rock hit it - no damage to window, but you can see on clearplex). I’d call him and ask him your mirror question. He’s on Brittmore, in West Houston (right off of 10). Cars are stored inside and his shop is nice. And I‘ve had Xpel Houston do many cars too - Eric, the owner, is a nice guy and they do good work too. Tri did my wife’s Cayanne and my son’s Lexus - full wraps, both cars had the mirrors off. No issues.

 

[Tobiloluwa]

Unfortunately, Tri didn’t wrap most my Taycan - it was a demo from River Oaks Porsche and they’d wrapped it (they used the guy who does a lot of the sonic dealers and who has done a couple of my cars, he’s not bad - I can’t remember his name, John maybe?). So my mirrors didnt’ come off. And my car only has the front done. The mirrors would only be an issue if you did the doors. After I got the car, I had tri do the A pillars and front of the roof before the moonroof as well as put the clearplex on (basically a screenprotector for your windshield - already had a huge rock hit it - no damage to window, but you can see on clearplex). I’d call him and ask him your mirror question. He’s on Brittmore, in West Houston (right off of 10). Cars are stored inside and his shop is nice. And I‘ve had Xpel Houston do many cars too - Eric, the owner, is a nice guy and they do good work too. Tri did my wife’s Cayanne and my son’s Lexus - full wraps, both cars had the mirrors off. No issues.

Gotcha. Thanks!

 

[ciaranob]

I have Stek on my windshield - excellent and have zero doubt it’s saved my windscreen on at least two occasions to date.

Installed by Extreme in Katy when I was getting some custom paint work done. A good installer essential to avoid any distortion effects with any clear windscreen film.

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