3M Protective Film
10-05-2018, 03:42 PM
#2
Racer
I just installed XPEL paint protection film on the following areas of my 2017 MDX:
Front bumper
Front half of the hood
Leading edge of the fenders
Headlights
Mirrors
Pillars
Roof area between the windshield and the sunroof
I've installed paint protection film once prior to this and it was about 12 years ago. I've also done some window tinting over the years. I bring up window tinting because the two projects are somewhat similar in that you have to work in a clean environment, have to make sure that your paint surface is free of dirt and dust, and you have to use plenty of slip solution in order to be able to move the film around. The paint protection film is a lot more pliable and forgiving than window tint though.
The key here is patience and making sure to reapply the slip solution in areas that you haven't gotten to yet so that the film doesn't start to stick to the paint. To me, the hardest part of the job were the outer edges of the hood due to the shape of the top of the hood and the curve in the hood as it goes over the headlights, but your results may vary depending on your skill level. For sure, the smaller pieces and flatter surfaces are much easier and faster to do than something like the hood or the front bumper.
If you're going to tackle this project yourself, I would start with the smaller pieces to get a feel for how the material goes down and then work your way up to the more challenging surfaces.
Front bumper
Front half of the hood
Leading edge of the fenders
Headlights
Mirrors
Pillars
Roof area between the windshield and the sunroof
I've installed paint protection film once prior to this and it was about 12 years ago. I've also done some window tinting over the years. I bring up window tinting because the two projects are somewhat similar in that you have to work in a clean environment, have to make sure that your paint surface is free of dirt and dust, and you have to use plenty of slip solution in order to be able to move the film around. The paint protection film is a lot more pliable and forgiving than window tint though.
The key here is patience and making sure to reapply the slip solution in areas that you haven't gotten to yet so that the film doesn't start to stick to the paint. To me, the hardest part of the job were the outer edges of the hood due to the shape of the top of the hood and the curve in the hood as it goes over the headlights, but your results may vary depending on your skill level. For sure, the smaller pieces and flatter surfaces are much easier and faster to do than something like the hood or the front bumper.
If you're going to tackle this project yourself, I would start with the smaller pieces to get a feel for how the material goes down and then work your way up to the more challenging surfaces.
10-07-2018, 10:30 AM
#4
Advanced
This is not a task worth doing yourself. I repeat, let the pros handle it, not so easy as it looks. Use X-Pel and forget about it.
You bought a $50K SUV after all so why skimp on these things. Next thing is you are putting regular gas in and oh boy let’s not go there. 😜
You bought a $50K SUV after all so why skimp on these things. Next thing is you are putting regular gas in and oh boy let’s not go there. 😜
The following users liked this post:
37tzee (10-30-2018)
10-07-2018, 11:03 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
Yes, I agree, let the pros handle it. We got Xpel Ultimate done on our '17 Sport Hybrid for about $1600. He wrapped the following areas and everything looks fantastic.
Full front bumper
Partial hood
Partial fenders
Front Acura emblem
Both mirrors
All door edges
All door step areas
Rear bumper loading area
Full front bumper
Partial hood
Partial fenders
Front Acura emblem
Both mirrors
All door edges
All door step areas
Rear bumper loading area
10-22-2018, 11:23 AM
#6
Yeah i did it myself... at the time i couldn't find anyone close to me and I was leaving for 1000 mile road trip the next day. So I slap it on myself, one side of the hood had 0 bubbles... so going towards the passenger side.. heavy down pour came... it was pretty cold also, so I just stuck it out without pushing the air out.. Yeah it looks like poop. I need to make appointment to get it redone correctly. But yeah.. if it didn't rain , it would have look great.. the mirror and fender were easy.. also did the behind the handles.. lots of scratches there from previous car.
10-29-2018, 04:09 PM
#7
That's a ridiculously good price for all those areas applied. My local guy wanted 1500 for paint correction and xpel on hood, bumper/fascia and lights only. Adding side fenders, emblem, doors would have come out to 3k.
Trending Topics
10-29-2018, 05:18 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Not sure where you're located but shop around. Look on Yelp for reviews.
Here in SoCal, we have many good installers with very competitive prices.
Forgot to mention, he also wrapped our front headlights and all door cups too.
Wife drives the MDX and with those long nails she tend to scratch up those door cups very quickly.
correction: total for Xpel was $900. Don't know where I got $1600 from. Not bad. Should have done the entire hood and fenders.
Last edited by jdpdata; 10-29-2018 at 05:24 PM.
10-30-2018, 12:32 PM
#9
Damn 3K!? I could almost wrap the entire MDX for $3K.
Not sure where you're located but shop around. Look on Yelp for reviews.
Here in SoCal, we have many good installers with very competitive prices.
Forgot to mention, he also wrapped our front headlights and all door cups too.
Wife drives the MDX and with those long nails she tend to scratch up those door cups very quickly.
correction: total for Xpel was $900. Don't know where I got $1600 from. Not bad. Should have done the entire hood and fenders.
Not sure where you're located but shop around. Look on Yelp for reviews.
Here in SoCal, we have many good installers with very competitive prices.
Forgot to mention, he also wrapped our front headlights and all door cups too.
Wife drives the MDX and with those long nails she tend to scratch up those door cups very quickly.
correction: total for Xpel was $900. Don't know where I got $1600 from. Not bad. Should have done the entire hood and fenders.
10-30-2018, 01:24 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
NY - so there should be no shortage of auto peeps here. And he's using Suntec, not xpel - not sure if there's a huge difference. The price he quoted included full paint correction for those areas (wash, clay, compound, swirl removal, buff, deionizing wash again, then PPF application).
Our MDX was brand new, so our installer didn't have to do much before PPF. I believe he did wash and clay before installation.
If I remember correctly Xpel Ultimate was thicker than Suntec. It's so crystal clear, doesn't yellow. Came with 10 years warranty.
Anyways, I'd still call around to get better deals. First guy I called wanted $2500, crazy!
10-30-2018, 01:56 PM
#11
Cajun Gumbo Man
Remember a quality WAX not only makes your vehicle look good, but mostly PROTECTS your clearcoat.... I have 106 coats of Zaino on my 2004 RL and the front still looks brand new.... I applied a coat of Zaino before leaving for SoCal in our new MDX, upon return, washing with Zaino soap …. looks fantastic ! No chips etc.....
10-30-2018, 06:14 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Wax does nothing to protect from chips. Wife already got a chip on front bumper, luckily the Xpel took most of the damage. Torn right thru the material.
Unluckily, that entire front piece needs to be replace. Probably going to cost a couple hundred as opposed to $$$ to repair/repaint bumper.
I always apply a coat or two of quality wax before a road trips. Make washing the bugs off so much easier., but that's about it.
Don't expect wax to protect from a tiny rock hurling at 80mph!
Unluckily, that entire front piece needs to be replace. Probably going to cost a couple hundred as opposed to $$$ to repair/repaint bumper.
I always apply a coat or two of quality wax before a road trips. Make washing the bugs off so much easier., but that's about it.
Don't expect wax to protect from a tiny rock hurling at 80mph!
Last edited by jdpdata; 10-30-2018 at 06:17 PM.
The following users liked this post:
gatrhumpy (10-30-2018)
11-02-2018, 01:55 PM
#15
So I did mine myself.. the hood got bubbles in it, basically the day before I drive 1300 miles into canada, I wanted to have protection.. 2 hours into the install, pouring rain.. it was either slap it on or get sick in the rain.. so I just slap half the hood on any way I can and didn't squeeze out all the bubbles. I recently call a few places in nyc to get it redone.. just the hood is 400-600. I'm looking to just get an roll and do it myself and trim it to size. I would let the pros do it but its so expensive
11-02-2018, 05:40 PM
#16
So I did mine myself.. the hood got bubbles in it, basically the day before I drive 1300 miles into canada, I wanted to have protection.. 2 hours into the install, pouring rain.. it was either slap it on or get sick in the rain.. so I just slap half the hood on any way I can and didn't squeeze out all the bubbles. I recently call a few places in nyc to get it redone.. just the hood is 400-600. I'm looking to just get an roll and do it myself and trim it to size. I would let the pros do it but its so expensive
11-20-2018, 08:35 AM
#17
wasn't that it was hard, just can't do it in the rain... I done the fender sides, mirrors, rear bumper, all no issues or bubbles... but when the rain came down, it was either getting sick or just have something before the trip.. its like those subaru guys taping up the front hood with blue tapes before a long trip
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Smitty
Car Parts for Sale
17
05-26-2005 09:03 PM