hi guys, this isnt' a full report, but I had this 3M film product applied to my truck. It is marketed under several names including "stoneguard" and "x-pel". it is a thin vinyl? film that gets applied to your vehicle's front facing exterior painted surfaces to protect them from rocks, chips, road sandblasting etc. 3M guarantees the product for like 5 or 7 years. the company I had install it warranties it for lifetime! they can put it on your lights and foglights and have a guarantee that they won't crack or break from an impact up to 120mph or something crazy like that? they'll cover up to $1000 in repairs if it cracks a light.

I had them put the standard kit on which includes: Hood, grill and headlamp surround (body colored part), front bumper (including contoured areas around foglamps such), corners of front fenders near hood, fronts (or backs depending on how you look at them) of the side view mirrors! in addition I had them cover the ford oval on the front grill, and they did custom pieces to cover up the area of the ground effects that is flat and faces right behind the tire in the wheel well area front and rear.

they say the product takes 30 - 45 days of sunlight and warmth to fully set up. they apply it like a decal, there was fluid (now gasses) underneath that have to evaporate. supposedly it will only get harder to see. from a short distance away it is already invisible to the eye. you can't see it while driving. it looks 1MEELION times better than that joke of an Bra that ford sells with the SVT logo on it. it won't yellow. it won't damage your paint. it can be removed at any time, or reapplied (if damaged) at any time. i'm going to have them redo my hood though, because they got a little piece of dirt or something between the film and the hood and it sticks up in one spot. like I said, lifetime guarantee so no sweat on that. after it sets up for 30-45 days you can wash it and wax it just like the rest of the paint. you just have to watch the edge for wax buildup. anyway, here are the pics:





this photo is of the center top of the hood. you can see the line where the 3M product stops. you see some scratch lines because they apply the stuff like window tint (with liquid underneath the film) and then squeegee it out with a plastic squeegee. they say that the scratches will disappear after the product sits out in the warm sun for a little while. again, you can wax the stuff, I'm sure this will help too. but you can see how clear it is.


later,
chris

 

Cool, I've seen the stuff and they say not to put it on repainted cars because the paint may come off with it. I've thought of putting it on my truck but I didn't know anyone done it professionally? Wonder how I would find a place around me that does that kind of stuff? If you don’t mind me asking how much did that set you back Chris? By the way, very informative posts, wish I could find a tech. like you around me…..

 

I'd suspect prices could vary anywhere from $350 to $850 depending on where you have it done and how many pieces they actually install. lights, wheel wells, etc are extra.

not cheap, but CHEAPER THAN A PAINTJOB! looks better than and won't fade or scratch your paint like a bra, works better than a bugshield as far as protecting the hood leading edge.

do a search on google or try xpel online installer finder and look to see if there is an installer in your area. i'm not sure if mine was called x-pel or not, but it all the same product. be aware, there may installers of the exact same product listed under various other product names. just make sure it's 3M. Mine was done at a local high end auto detailing shop called "Concours Detailing". the local mercedes dealer is apparently putting this on their new cars (or at least making it optional through the dealership) also there were several of the new Infinity G35 or whatevers up there getting done. those cars are sweet.

3M makes it and "dealers" buy it in bulk rolls. they go to a training school and buy a plotter and then just download the patterns from somewhere. they have their plotter cut each kit right there in the install shop. It's cool because they don't have to keep any kits in stock, just a bulk roll and they can just print out a kit for most any car!

IMHO, it is really something that should be done when the vehicle is brand new, because if you already have chips, you have to go and fill each one before they apply the film and you still may see the chip divet. luckily I only had a couple so far.

later,
chris

 

Hey Chris how much was that....??

PEaCE................

 

When I had a Corvette I found this product all the Corvette guys have been using it for years - BTW, you can get Zaino online at Ecklers now with a credit card ...

I was recently qouted $500.00 for the whole front (meaning a four inch strip accross the front of the hood and front fenders) - I told the dude I just wanted the front bumper and front fascia and that dropped the price to $200 something I think it's well worth it as this **** really works well and after time you can't even see it...

 

Just installed some Xpel on my replacement APC projector bneam lights. Lots of bubbles and haze left, but the instructions say it will go away over the next few days.

You can just barely see the upper edge around the top nipple.

Costs $45 for head/park/fog set.

 

Tim getting blingin APC ricer lights? Are you ok? Did you bump your head?

I'm surprised that you chose them, since I know you do your homework and investigate everything before you buy, and APC lights have had known quality issues and most do not report improved lighting. I would have figured you to go with a sylvania xenarc setup.

I'd be really interested to know why you chose those lights, and if there's anything special you plan to do with them. If anyone has a good reason, it's you.

Dancing banana just because it's the shiznit!

 

Don' t put that laminate on your fog lights. I did and all it did was melt and bubble, it acts as a insulation and traps the heat in the lamp itself and makes it hotter. you will notice the yoke that covers the bulb inside turn deep brown and burnt looking.

That film is ment for paint and it works awsome for that purpose.

Pat/ bluelightning

 

Installing brake ducts. Nowhere else to put fogs--and we already have the switch and wiring, so its seems a waste not to use it.

Bought them used--only $225. Way cheaper than HIDs.

The quality issues some--and only some--had with the intial release were hazing/yellowing (which is usually UV-related). I'm hoping that a combination of product improvement and the UV filtering effect of the Xpel will do the job.

It's a cheap experiment, anyway.

 

Yeah, Alphadoggy has some pretty brown fog light covers. I am not using them there-I'm not using the factory fogs. Most have had favorable results with the Xpel on headlights.

 

OH, Ok

On the factory fog lights the yoke over the bulb changed color and they cracked even worse. If you are useing aftermarkets they will probilt be fine, as for useing the laminate on the headlights to pervent sandblasting or chips it sounds like a good idea keep us posted.

Pat/bluelightning

 

Very interesting, let us know how it last as time goes on Chris.
We all know pictures bring out details better than our eyes, so I'd say it's probably hardly noticable when looking at your Blue Beauty up close and personal, NICE JOB

 

I was at my aunt and Uncles last night, they have a 1999 Explorer Limited Perl White in color. They applied that 3M film and it is awsome they say, there is just one problem. On theres it has yellowed noticeably over the past year they are going to 3M and see if there is some kind of warrenty.

Pat/ Bluelightning

 

I've had the stuff on my L for over 2yrs now. It works great. It sucks for the fog lights. Be prepared at every meet for ppl to ask you "when did they key you hood"

 

Quilty as charged . I walked over to Andys truck and was like what happened to your hood, There is a big scratch and he told me it was the 3M stuff.
I thought it looked good everywhere else just not on the hood.Unfortunately that is the first place everybody looks.
Chris,
Just make sure you keep that part clean of wax build up.

VINNIE