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      02-09-2016, 10:18 PM   #1
Stinkyxy
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Xpel Ultimate vs 3M Pro

I know there are a number of posts on this but I am a little torn between the 2 and need some help.
I have been doing a lot of research and I would say by far that Xpel always come back highly reviewed. The only complaint that I hear is that it does not have a high gloss/sheen to it. So people have used modesta to increase the shine. Does opticoat give a similar shine when applied to Xpel?

Now 3M gets updated to 3M Pro, which has similar properties to Xpel like self healing. 3M has been doing a lot of marketing trying to crowd out Xpel (IMO) and it is starting to weigh on my decision a little. Mainly because I have decided to go with a light colored car and my installer ( who is highly respected) recommends 3M because it is glossier.

Lastly, I am looking to do a full hood, front bumper, and potentially rocker panels. Do I need to do anything else. I was thinking of add the mPerformance side skirt (sticker) in place of the film - can they be substituted?

Thanks.
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      02-09-2016, 11:56 PM   #2
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XPEL is the best - haven't heard anyone specifically recommend anything else. Note; I have no personal experience with XPEL myself (yet).

The side skirt stickers are not very attractive to me - I also don't think they would be a good substitute for applying XPEL to the side skirts.

I would do the full front (bonnet, bumper, fenders), side skirts, rear flares and mirrors as a minimum. A/B pillars and doors being optional.

I didn't XPEL my M50d and I have a few chips to the front bumper - most on the doors/flares from parallel cars and kicking up stones myself though.
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      02-10-2016, 02:17 AM   #3
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Add the piece between the windshield and the moonroof as well as the doors from the belt line down, the doorsills and mirrors. Done correctly you can't see the edges.
Finished mine with Opti-coat Pro. I'm very happy with the outcome.
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      02-10-2016, 08:17 AM   #4
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I would recommend Xpel. Not sure where you've read that it doesn't have a gloss. Xpel Ultimate has a wax-able clear coat that's imperceptible, even up close. I can't speak to the 3M Pro product, but for the money, I'd rather go with the tested option (and I have, on my last 3 M cars).

See my X5M delivery thread for shots of the Xpel install.

My 2016 X5M Delivery + Paint Prep + PPF Install http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1212069
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      02-10-2016, 04:42 PM   #5
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Thanks for the info. I haven't seen 3M nor Xpel in person - this will be my first experience.

I was told by the installer that 3M was better on light colors because 3M is glossier. All based on his info and was hoping to verify it here.

I have not come across anyone who has used 3M so I would lean towards tried and true rathe than take a chance.

If anyone has tried 3M Pro it would be helpful to hear from you.
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      02-12-2016, 09:03 PM   #6
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I have had both XPEL is my choice on my last 2 cars. It's fantastic
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      02-13-2016, 11:29 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stinkyxy
Thanks for the info. I haven't seen 3M nor Xpel in person - this will be my first experience.

I was told by the installer that 3M was better on light colors because 3M is glossier. All based on his info and was hoping to verify it here.

I have not come across anyone who has used 3M so I would lean towards tried and true rathe than take a chance.

If anyone has tried 3M Pro it would be helpful to hear from you.
For what it's worth, I would expect - within reason- even the best installer will likely push whatever product gives him/her the most margin.
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      02-13-2016, 01:56 PM   #8
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I got xpel on my 2016 x5 an that thing is tough, I have everything but the top half of the doors covered an I'm happy with it.
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      02-13-2016, 04:51 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roundown
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stinkyxy
Thanks for the info. I haven't seen 3M nor Xpel in person - this will be my first experience.

I was told by the installer that 3M was better on light colors because 3M is glossier. All based on his info and was hoping to verify it here.

I have not come across anyone who has used 3M so I would lean towards tried and true rathe than take a chance.

If anyone has tried 3M Pro it would be helpful to hear from you.
For what it's worth, I would expect - within reason- even the best installer will likely push whatever product gives him/her the most margin.
I tend to agree that most people push the product with higher margins or what is easier for them. But on something like this they could have differentiated pricing for each of the products and target their margins that way. In this case, charge more for Xpel.

I am leaning to Xpel because of all of the feedback but strangely enough I have not come across someone who use Xpel ultimate on a white car.
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      02-13-2016, 04:55 PM   #10
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I don't think I'd use anything but a nano sealant on a white car.
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      02-13-2016, 05:28 PM   #11
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In addition to what you are doing, I also had the lower third of the doors done. The surface slopes in a little down there so they are exposed to road debris and gravel same as the rocker panels. And don't forget the mirrors.
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      02-13-2016, 05:39 PM   #12
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I noticed you're in Toronto. Who is your installer? I know a lot of guys use XPEL but only a few use Pro Series because it is much harder to install. I am not 100% sure but I don't think the margins on either are very different at all. Before my first car I did XPEL on (years ago), I got my installers name through his supplier who sells all films and their pricing was within a few percent on all of the films available at the time.

For what it's worth I have XPEL on one of my cars and 3M PRO on the other. The 3M is glossier to me. Otherwise they've both been great. I have another car coming in May and will be doing 3M on it unless something else new and great has come out. YMMV good luck!
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      02-13-2016, 09:03 PM   #13
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For the Toronto area everyone recommends Advanced Automotive Films in Markham. I think about the amount of money I am going to spend on this and I hesitate. Getting the car detailed/color corrected (assuming there is damage), having PPF installed, and finally opticoat or CQuartz.

I am told that PPF that is not super glossy does not look as good on a white car.
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      02-14-2016, 06:27 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elisiX
I don't think I'd use anything but a nano sealant on a white car.
Is this because chips don't show on a white car? I have heard all of the regrets for not having PPF installed early on mostly because of chips from road debris.
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      02-14-2016, 11:42 AM   #15
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How much are people spending on this stuff? At which point is it just a better deal to respray the bumper after a few years?
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      02-14-2016, 12:39 PM   #16
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Here is my X5M with Xpel Ultimate and Modesta Coated........ Super Glossy!
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      02-14-2016, 12:40 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
How much are people spending on this stuff? At which point is it just a better deal to respray the bumper after a few years?
Depends on the car. On my X5M- with 285/325 f/r and low offsets - it wouldn't just be the bumper; at minimum, it'd be the mirrors, rockers, and rear fender flares that would need a respray. At which point, a PPF starts making sense.

Gloss is fantastic on Xpel- particularly if a nano sealant is added. I've had all my cars taken care of by Unique Car Care in Boston, MA (I'm not local). On the one car that owned car with 3M (albeit, not Pro), I later had it removed and replaced with Xpel.

Most folks pay up to ~$2,000 for a detail/full-front PPF.

Here's what my F85 looks like with Xpel:


Here's what a full-body Xpel looks like on an F85:






And here are a few of other cars:


Last edited by Roundown; 02-14-2016 at 03:26 PM..
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      02-14-2016, 12:45 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et
How much are people spending on this stuff? At which point is it just a better deal to respray the bumper after a few years?
I don't want to respray bumpers or items on my vehicles. It's not needed especially if you protect and coat. Cost for both $4,000.00 or can can go cheaper and see lines on the hood and fenders. Your preference, I personally want to see nothing at all. Coating again is a preference, I choose it because the paint is slick as glass and nothing mares it. I was a huge zymol guy since I was a kid on my first VW GTI 16V. When coating started coming around I started using and now I'm a believer of it. Maintaining it is so much easier and virtually no marks on the paint.

Joe
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      02-14-2016, 12:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roundown
Quote:
Originally Posted by P1et View Post
How much are people spending on this stuff? At which point is it just a better deal to respray the bumper after a few years?
Depends on the car. On my X5M- with 285/325 f/r and low offsets - it wouldn't just be the bumper; at minimum, it'd be the mirrors, rockers, and rear fender flares that would need a respray. At which point, a PPF starts making sense.

Gloss is fantastic on Xpel- particularly if a nano sealant is added.

Most folks pay up to ~$2,000 for a detail/full-front PPF.

Here's what my F85 looks like with Xpel:


Here's what a full-body Xpel looks like on an F85:






And here are a few of other cars:

Proof is in the pudding! Couldn't have said or showed it better! Nice rides btw!

Joe
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      02-14-2016, 12:56 PM   #20
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Looks good. I assume that you are happy with cquartz. A lot of people prefer opticoat. I know this comes down to installer preference as well.
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      02-14-2016, 02:17 PM   #21
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I've been going back and forth on the PPF decision.

I was considering going full front right back to and including rear doors ($3200 AUD), however I may stick with full front, rear arches and lower 1/3 of all doors ($2000 AUD). Can't justify the additional $1200 to do full doors when the cheaper option still covers so much. That said, the reason I wanted full doors was because I have chips higher up on my doors in the first 6500km on the M50d. It'd be a shame to get the cheaper option only to still get chips in an area not covered.

Last edited by elisiX; 02-14-2016 at 02:23 PM..
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      02-29-2016, 06:00 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stinkyxy View Post
Looks good. I assume that you are happy with cquartz. A lot of people prefer opticoat. I know this comes down to installer preference as well.
I had Opti Coat Pro applied to one of my cars 4 years ago, it worked well. I sold that car last year so not sure on longevity, it had a five year warranty. I've had cquartz on two cars since and still have them - I prefer it if only because it's quite a bit glossier (imho) and I find that I can clean my cars a little easier with it (it seems incredibly non stick). I was happy with both but next car is getting cquartz as well unless something even better comes along.
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