Excessive chipping on side skirts and quarters

[Ian1973]

Yup mine is also getting peppered in the wheel flares. Nothing you can do, just nature of the beast.

I decided i"m not going to stress over it since they will all have this problem. The next owner will just have to deal with it as I have.

[Gumby_F80]

I have the EXACT same issues with mine. I drive a mixture of country and city roads too. I feel your pain bro. Going to leave as is for a while and then worry about re-paint and XPEL down the road a few thousand miles when it gets a little worse.

[ep224]

Stumbled upon this thread researching the sandblasting problem. I just picked up a used AW X5M with 45k miles on it and the front sections of the rear flares are blasted to $hit.

Obviously can't clear bra that now, so I was thinking of just using a white 3M film or similar.

Ultimately my question is does anyone make a color to match AW and/or has anyone else done this?!!

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by ep224

Stumbled upon this thread researching the sandblasting problem. I just picked up a used AW X5M with 45k miles on it and the front sections of the rear flares are blasted to $hit.

Obviously can't clear bra that now, so I was thinking of just using a white 3M film or similar.

Ultimately my question is does anyone make a color to match AW and/or has anyone else done this?!!

AW isn't hard to match. It's one of the easiest to match. MW is the problem color.

If you are going to clear bra, I suggest staying away from 3M and Venture Shield as they both yellow fast. Suntek, XPel or the newer ClearGuard Nano (I don't believe this is actually out yet though.)

[ep224]

Originally Posted by Arcades

AW isn't hard to match. It's one of the easiest to match. MW is the problem color.

I meant vinyl... Looking for an AW match in viiiiiiiinyyyl. Wanna cover it without painting if there's a good match.

[MarkFT]

FYI I just bought the Xpel "Rear Wheel Impact Area Kit" thinking that it would provide additional coverage over the rear wheel arch, but it doesn't actually extend any further than the stock piece. I haven't seen any alternatives from other manufacturers, so it looks like a custom piece is the only way to get any increased coverage.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by MarkFT

FYI I just bought the Xpel "Rear Wheel Impact Area Kit" thinking that it would provide additional coverage over the rear wheel arch, but it doesn't actually extend any further than the stock piece. I haven't seen any alternatives from other manufacturers, so it looks like a custom piece is the only way to get any increased coverage.

I had the Xpel kit put on, which significantly increased the coverage on the rear fenders. Not my car, but you can see the protection vs. stock on this thread: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1296092

I suggest you take the car back and have the coverage extended.

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by KevinM

I had the Xpel kit put on, which significantly increased the coverage on the rear fenders. Not my car, but you can see the protection vs. stock on this thread: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1296092

I suggest you take the car back and have the coverage extended.

I recommend XPel Ultimate too. Instead of buying that kit which appears to be a larger section than the factory piece, you can ask your installer to custom cut the rear quarter piece but make a cut at the waist line of the car. This way it gives the whole rear fender coverage and hides any seams.

[SMC23]

Did a full Xpel wrap and doubled the protection in the rear quarter fender with replaceable strips. Once these strips wear out I will replace with new ones without worrying about the full wrap.

[MarkFT]

Originally Posted by KevinM

I had the Xpel kit put on, which significantly increased the coverage on the rear fenders. Not my car, but you can see the protection vs. stock on this thread: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1296092

I suggest you take the car back and have the coverage extended.

I ordered the kit directly from Xpel (see "Rear Wheel Impact Area Kit" at bottom of page): http://www.xpel.com/search-coverage-...s/2015/BMW/M3/

I installed the kit myself, so not something that was done by a shop. Just posted as an FYI for those who might be looking at ordering this kit themselves. Perhaps Xpel installers have different options or just do a custom piece that is larger.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by MarkFT

I ordered the kit directly from Xpel (see "Rear Wheel Impact Area Kit" at bottom of page): http://www.xpel.com/search-coverage-...s/2015/BMW/M3/

I installed the kit myself, so not something that was done by a shop. Just posted as an FYI for those who might be looking at ordering this kit themselves. Perhaps Xpel installers have different options or just do a custom piece that is larger.

Very cool that you did it yourself! I had the "standard" kit put on by a professional company. Your kit provides more lateral coverage and also on the bottom of the rear fender, which is nice. The standard kit that was installed on my car provides coverage higher up. I've attached a photo of my car.

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by MarkFT

I ordered the kit directly from Xpel (see "Rear Wheel Impact Area Kit" at bottom of page): http://www.xpel.com/search-coverage-...s/2015/BMW/M3/

I installed the kit myself, so not something that was done by a shop. Just posted as an FYI for those who might be looking at ordering this kit themselves. Perhaps Xpel installers have different options or just do a custom piece that is larger.

This kit looks like it's 3 pieces on each side? Is that true? I'm assuming one piece goes where the OEM piece goes. Where do the other pieces go? Got a photo of it on your car?

[Sassicaia]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

This kit looks like it's 3 pieces on each side? Is that true? I'm assuming one piece goes where the OEM piece goes. Where do the other pieces go? Got a photo of it on your car?

I'd like to see as well. I can't figure out what exactly gets covered based on the photos of the template on the Xpel site.

[AtlantisF80]

anyone have photos of the xpel rear wheel impact protection film when applied to the car?

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by Eloo818

anyone have photos of the xpel rear wheel impact protection film when applied to the car?

KevinM posted it right above

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

KevinM posted it right above

I think we are really looking for where the (3) pcs fit. Can't tell in any of the photos.

[MarkFT]

yes, the kit that you can order directly from Xpel is 3 pieces for each side:

1. Replaces existing clear film on front-facing portion of rear wheel arch
2. 4-5" piece that covers the skirt immediately in front of rear wheel
3. 6" tall curved piece that goes on the trailing edge of the rear doors

These three pieces together effectively cover a large portion in front of the rear wheels. I only installed pieces 1&2 as the doors themselves seemed fine (i.e. no abnormal chipping).

FYI I did confirm with Xpel that the only pre-cut pieces they sell are the ones in this kit. Any piece that offers coverage further up the rear wheel arch is cut from bulk film by their installers.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by MarkFT

FYI I did confirm with Xpel that the only pre-cut pieces they sell are the ones in this kit. Any piece that offers coverage further up the rear wheel arch is cut from bulk film by their installers.

Right. Small clarification in case anyone cares. My installer (factory trained by Xpel) cut all the pieces from bulk Xpel using a computer driven Xpel template (e.g., the computer controls the cuts). So, the fender coverage on my car is the standard Xpel coverage if your installer is cutting his own pieces as I think most professionals do. My installer did offer to custom cut pieces with more coverage, but I thought the standard amount would suffice.

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Right. Small clarification in case anyone cares. My installer (factory trained by Xpel) cut all the pieces from bulk Xpel using a computer driven Xpel template (e.g., the computer controls the cuts). So, the fender coverage on my car is the standard Xpel coverage if your installer is cutting his own pieces as I think most professionals do. My installer did offer to custom cut pieces with more coverage, but I thought the standard amount would suffice.

KevinM - your coverage looks taller than the OEM piece. MarkFT - you said the coverage height is the same as stock. Just confused if the pre cut kit from XPEL actually looks like what KevinM's looks like.

MarkFT, can you comment? Does the #1 piece you installed go as high as what KevinM posted?

[lstoker]

I had my installer do full rockers, full coverage behind the rear door and a piece covers the rear quarter as well on my M4. He custom cut them and it looks great. He ran the cut line just under the body line so you only see it from a certain angle. Only way I could find to get full protection.

[MarkFT]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

KevinM - your coverage looks taller than the OEM piece. MarkFT - you said the coverage height is the same as stock. Just confused if the pre cut kit from XPEL actually looks like what KevinM's looks like.

MarkFT, can you comment? Does the #1 piece you installed go as high as what KevinM posted?

Yes, the kit from Xpel's website offers the same height as the stock piece, so if you're looking for the film to cover higher up the wheel arch, you'll need to go custom. Alternatively, we could see if Xpel can update the product to provide coverage higher up. I'm working with them on a change to one of their stock kit pieces right now for my SQ5, so it seems that they may be open to that sort of thing.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

KevinM - your coverage looks taller than the OEM piece.

Right, taller than the OE piece. To summarize:
1. Xpel pre-cut kit (whether installed by you or an installer): same height as the OE piece, but includes some protection for the rocker panel by the wheel and a small part of the door.
2. Xpel standard professional rear fender piece: this is what you will likely get if a professional is using Xpel computer templates to cut the pieces from bulk Xpel. Much taller/higher than the OE, no door or rocker panel coverage.
3. Xpel custom: whatever you and your wallet decide to cover.