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      05-04-2017, 08:54 PM   #1
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My Car's XPEL Ultimate Defects

Reference post - http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=35

So I had XPEL installed on my car's front-end back in December and it had a lot of problems like air bubbles that never went away and peeling edges.

Anyone else having/had problems with their XPEL installs?



I have to be honest here and that I was really disappointed since I was expecting that authorized installers had proper training and equipment to install XPEL on cars. However, the authorized installer made sure that I can have this re-done free of charge when I got home. Both of us just wanted to make sure that the car was well protected on the way back home.

I'm getting the car this weekend and I plan on being thorough this time around and making sure that I don't see any air bubbles and peeling edges. I dropped the car off last April 8th, so I am hoping that a month should be good enough.

Some examples:









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      05-04-2017, 09:47 PM   #2
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I also have problems with XPEL on my M2. I have never had issues with multiple types of films on different cars, but XPEL on the M2 is not doing so great. There are a few bubbles on the rockers that formed after a few days and are now permanent. The front bumper on the lower edges are pealing much like yours. Recently I noticed that the front fender edges are lifting. I've had it on for about 4 months now and am still noticing more lifting edges.
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      05-04-2017, 10:25 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3 View Post
Reference post - http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=35

So I had XPEL installed on my car's front-end back in December and it had a lot of problems like air bubbles that never went away and peeling edges.

Anyone else having/had problems with their XPEL installs?

Full Album:
View post on imgur.com




I have to be honest here and that I was really disappointed since I was expecting that authorized installers had proper training and equipment to install XPEL on cars. However, the authorized installer made sure that I can have this re-done free of charge when I got home. Both of us just wanted to make sure that the car was well protected on the way back home.

I'm getting the car this weekend and I plan on being thorough this time around and making sure that I don't see any air bubbles and peeling edges. I dropped the car off last April 8th, so I am hoping that a month should be good enough.

Some examples:









That might be a bad install job. I have Expel on my car, no issues after 6mos.
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      05-05-2017, 03:21 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nd2002 View Post
That might be a bad install job. I have Expel on my car, no issues after 6mos.
X2 4-months no issues, user (installer) error
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      05-05-2017, 08:06 AM   #5
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This was an installer error, my error. Just want to honestly put it out there. We knew we had issues with the install and knew that the owner needed to get home. We contacted our friends in Chicago to let them know that the owner would be coming to one of them for repair and that we would take care of any cost to the owner.
I will not give excuses, it was a rushed install and it shows.

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      05-05-2017, 01:58 PM   #6
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I don't have issues like that, but I do have issues with crap building up around the edges and getting stuck under the Xpel - specifically on the side skirt/rocker panel edges, edges on the front bumper, and most recently, edges on the fender.
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      05-05-2017, 06:33 PM   #7
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I had PPF on mine - when I went to the installer (SE michigan) in the winter they were actually recommending a different PPF (solargard clearshield pro) instead of xpel ultimate.

They noted issues with recently installed xpel vehicles, such as easier tearing/damage of panels on tracked cars, and a difference in the product handling during install.

I called xpel and spoke with the rep and they said that they had moved factories/changed production or something recently, and assured me that the issues had been fixed.

Price was the same for both and the shop would still install xpel if I insisted, but I went with solargard. No problems so far 5 months later.

Sounds like this was installer error, but xpel did have some QA issues last year.
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      05-05-2017, 09:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrl View Post
I had PPF on mine - when I went to the installer (SE michigan) in the winter they were actually recommending a different PPF (solargard clearshield pro) instead of xpel ultimate.

They noted issues with recently installed xpel vehicles, such as easier tearing/damage of panels on tracked cars, and a difference in the product handling during install.

I called xpel and spoke with the rep and they said that they had moved factories/changed production or something recently, and assured me that the issues had been fixed.

Price was the same for both and the shop would still install xpel if I insisted, but I went with solargard. No problems so far 5 months later.

Sounds like this was installer error, but xpel did have some QA issues last year.
Yes, this was an installer error. Disappointing to say the least but the aftermath was handled in a very professional manner. I was referred to another authorized installer to have the repairs done all free of charge (as it should be).

Sometimes things don't work out as intended and things like this happen. As far as I am concerned it is how things are handled afterwards that matter.
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      05-06-2017, 04:39 AM   #9
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Sometimes things don't work out as intended and things like this happen. As far as I am concerned it is how things are handled afterwards that matter.
This is so true.. sh!t happens, its how the resolution gets handled after things go south what really matters..

Glad it got resolved..
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      05-07-2017, 08:38 PM   #10
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yup seems the main purpose of the install was to get your new car home without any rock chips or paint damage, it's great the installer was able to get it all sorted out in your area.
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      05-10-2017, 07:26 AM   #11
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Got the car back! So far I've seen imperfections on the front bumper and on the left rear side of the car. Stay tuned! I'm hoping the heat helps in removing air/water bubbles.
Is it really impossible to have a perfect install in one go? Looks like I have to come back multiple times in order to get it done properly.

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      05-10-2017, 11:27 PM   #12
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      05-11-2017, 11:16 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by P4rD0nM3 View Post
Is it really impossible to have a perfect install in one go? Looks like I have to come back multiple times in order to get it done properly.
There's a standard for Xpel installs. It's pretty hard for it to be 100% perfect.

Question - did they use pre-cut film, or did they hand cut the film?
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      05-11-2017, 05:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maddoc View Post
There's a standard for Xpel installs. It's pretty hard for it to be 100% perfect.

Question - did they use pre-cut film, or did they hand cut the film?
Pre-cut.
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      05-11-2017, 06:49 PM   #15
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You seem happier with the re-wrap in the video than you do in your post.

You'll always find imperfections if you look hard enough.
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      05-11-2017, 07:45 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrl View Post
You seem happier with the re-wrap in the video than you do in your post.

You'll always find imperfections if you look hard enough.
Yep! I am definitely happier with the results. I think I can manage some of the dust that got in. I'm going to wait a couple more weeks and post another update. There's definitely still some very noticeable bubbles but I am hoping that they go away. So just waiting for things to settle down.
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      05-17-2017, 01:45 PM   #17
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...so I'm thinking you had a complete redo of the install with new film?

Assuming a pretty good install with one or two problems areas, do they just lift the film in that area and rework it or do they have to remove the film completely and start over?

If they have to start over, can they reuse the film or do they have to go with new film?
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