Any ideas on which is a better product?

XPEL is a 3M product
Clearshield is made by Bekaert Group

A quote for a full frontal on an RL is 995 for XPEL, 500 for clearshield

partial hood, fender, bumpers, mirrors, lights.

Detail Authority of Herndon VA and Phoenix AZ (go figure) says Clearshield is vastly better product than 3M XPEL.

Bekaert is a European film company.

Another detail guy says 3M is the only film that has a clearcoat on it. Urethane films, as these all are, are inherently porous, and that absorption of contaminants will discolor the film.

XPEL is the design company that makes the dies for cutting the film and distinguishes itself from the pack by the least amount of pieces and seams (which means more wastage in the sheet, but ultimately a cleaner look)

Is this all BS?

 

Chas - did you find a local shop that would do the install? Thanks!

 

I used Xpel on my TL. It looked as clear 2 1/2 years after I put it on as the day I put it on. Further, it cost only $600 for the very difficult installation the TL presents. The RL looks like an easier install than the TL and there is no way an Xpel install should cost $995. I plan on installing it on my RL.

 

Thanks, I will continue to look around for a deal on XPEL. I guess I will have to widen the search area!

 

I got X-pel installed at UltraShield of Richmond on my RL for $500. They did a great job and are very good to work with. I've had 3 cars done there over the years. Never a problem with their work.

 

I just had to remove the clear bra from my 2003 Acura. the hood was done with another brand. the rest was 3m. The 3m came right off the other brand took me 6 hours and two fingers. kept breaking in small pieces and left goo. behind. I will never use anything but 3m

 

I'm having Xpel installed on my RL this weekend for $615 here in Cleveland.

 

Chas if you really want this kit I can get it for you at a cheap price!! I am a dealer in houston, tx but I can send it and have someone put it on for you.. $if you can do $550. its yours. PM me if you are interested. On by the way i am talking about the Xpel 3m Paint Protection kit front pieces

 

pictures please. Should I buy clear bra on ebay and install it myself?

 

Uunless you have done this before I would say DO NOT do yourself I have and I now pay to have it done. I just got a quote for 2006 rl for $695 includes both front kits and lights done. I you go to Expel website http://www.xpel.com/ put in your zip and find someone close by. Its like doing window tint....

 

If you are patient, have a steady hand, and have a lot of time, you can definitely do it yourself.

I have the steady hand but not a lot of time, so it's worth it to me to pay for the install. I will have pix after my install.

 

Heh, that might sound like bluster if we didn't know you're a neurosurgeon.

 

If you are seriously considering doing it yourself I recommend CLEARMASK. The product is good ( I have on 2 cars: '06 TL & '06 TSX). Additionally, the company's customer service is great. I messed up two pieces and they sent me replacements even though it was my fault. I have called them twice and both times the owner picked up the phone and was great to deal with.

 

I appreciate the compliment, but I am a mere neurologist. I still need a steady hand when I do EMG testing, though.

 

Here are pictures of my install today.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3138

 

I spoke to one of the Expel dealers today and he told me there are two complete kits for 2006 RL. One goes up hood 18" and the other is 24" does that seem correct with yours. If you don't mind what did they charge you and did you do your headlights?

 

On my car, the hod kit extends 22 inches at its midpoint.

I paid $615 for mine; it was done at my house by a local installer called Block-a-chip. I found that a reasonable price for a moderate-difficult installation like that on the RL. I'm sure it would have been less had I gone to their facility. The headlights would have been $95 extra and I didn't opt for those.

 

I was quoted $570 and $49 for headlights. Thank you

 

Not a bad price!

 

Just used expel website and found one close by that appeared to work with product http://www.xpel.com/

 

Just got home had 3m bra put on the RL. Full front with headlights, foglights, and mirrors. He did a EXCELLENT job. They also tinted windows. I am very please with the work. The whole front end was one piece, can barely see it on. He uses the EXPEL cut. We talked about other brands and he carries some others, but his biggest seller is the 3M. He says some of the others are easier to put on, but not as nice.

 

I only found one guy here in the Seattle area that has Xpel and he wants $785

 

Sometimes you have to pay for the BEST. I've had two types of cuts on 4 different vehicles and never had a problem with 3m EXPEL. I personally think the fit is better. The kit for the RL cut today was excellent. It cost me $700 for everything and $200 for windows.

 

I dont mind paying. but when I hear about other people getting deals, then I want one as well ! ! ! Oh well, I have to do some more research, but I wanna do it soon

 

Has anyone had Xpel or ClearBra installed on a black car (I have an 08 TL)? I've heard that these kits can make darker paint look hazy.
If anyone has any photos of what their kit looks like I would certainly appreciate it.

 

If it appears hazy then the installation was not proper.
used both brands with success. No issues with discoloring over time, etc. Seen it on dark cars and again no issues.

 

^^^^^^

Agree. No way it should appear hazy on a black car, or any car. I've had Xpel on my RL for nearly two years and I can't see it unless I'm at certain angles. It's completely clear still.

 

Thanks. I had one of the local installers tell me that one product hazed on black cars and I wanted to get some unbiased feedback.

Another question...I just got quoted $925 for an Xpel bumper, 24" hood and mirror package. It looks like that it a bit pricey from what I have seen others get the same package for. Should I try talking him down or just find another installer?

 

I'd price it with another installer. I don't know where you live, but I paid $650 for a mobile installer to apply the Xpel to the bumper, 1/4 hood, and mirrors here in the Cleveland area.

 

Just got a quote for $450 to install Xpel on the front bumper, mirrors and hood here in Columbia, SC.
Glad that I checked with some other places.

Thanks for the help!

 

I thought the 'love" comment was funny before you changed it.

 

I have Scotchguard Paint Protection Film from 3M. It was installed by my dealer (Hood, fender, mirror, bumper, lights). It was installed in July of 2008 and I took delivery in September of 2008). It looks good to me but it is essentially new.

 

Looks good Eric.

Also, 3M kits are sold via Ebay if you fee like saving $$. I installed a 3M kit which has clearcoat on my GX. No problems after 2 years. Some cars are more difficult requiring stretching and another two hands. I will be doing the RL shortly.

 

That's a great installation! I can't see the line on the hood from that angle.