PPF Newbie... Is this typical?

[N55Msport]

Hello everyone, as the title implies, I am new to PPF and would like some input.

About 3 weeks ago I had my M3 detailed followed by an install of Xpel Ultimate by the same shop which is also an authorized Xpel dealer/installer. Before I bring this up with the shop that installed it, I wanted to seek some feedback from members who have any experience in this area.

I guess I can live with a little peel here and there if that is normal, but is peeling like this typical? Especially the CF roof corner? The roof alone leads me to believe that with all the highway driving I do it's going to collect sand and possibly continue to peel and migrate back even further.

Also, is it normal to see lap wrinkles on the under side of the hood? I feel that those should have all been smoothed out with a squeegee. Or, little micro slits in the film should have been made to eliminate ridges that bunched up because of curves?

The PPF was a kit ordered from Xpel mainly due to the fact the the roundel cutout isn't quite centered. Although I could have detailed the car myself, the Xpel install wasn't something that looked very DIY friendly. It seems like every time someone else works on my car I always find this stuff out afterwards!
Good, bad, normal, or a hack job?
Thx

[icegrill]

Sorry to break the news.......that's an unacceptable install.

[PhatLyfe]

Originally Posted by N55Msport

Hello everyone, as the title implies, I am new to PPF and would like some input.

About 3 weeks ago I had my M3 detailed followed by an install of Xpel Ultimate by the same shop which is also an authorized Xpel dealer/installer. Before I bring this up with the shop that installed it, I wanted to seek some feedback from members who have any experience in this area.

I guess I can live with a little peel here and there if that is normal, but is peeling like this typical? Especially the CF roof corner? The roof alone leads me to believe that with all the highway driving I do it's going to collect sand and possibly continue to peel and migrate back even further.

Also, is it normal to see lap wrinkles on the under side of the hood? I feel that those should have all been smoothed out with a squeegee. Or, little micro slits in the film should have been made to eliminate ridges that bunched up because of curves?

The PPF was a kit ordered from Xpel mainly due to the fact the the roundel cutout isn't quite centered. Although I could have detailed the car myself, the Xpel install wasn't something that looked very DIY friendly. It seems like every time someone else works on my car I always find this stuff out afterwards!
Good, bad, normal, or a hack job?
Thx

That's crappy install, have them redo it

[Eric S]

the fingering and corner issues...trim those and its good to go.
under the hood, if you can trim it, trim it, but if its leading into the top of the hood too much, aesthetically it needs to be redone, BUT, keep in mind, PPF is not an aesthetic thing, its a protection thing. Nothing is perfect, there might be a little something next time, so figure out what your time is worth and how much it bothers you. Look at your $80k car paint...issues all over and that was painted in a $2B facility, not a $3000 a month shop space. Plus, paint you can wetsand, but film you cannot.

Sometimes the film is down, and then 2 weeks later they have popped loose due to a myriad of reasons, some being the heat and the cold, good, decent or poor prep, lack of paint for the film to hold to, getting the film wet too soon from leaving it outside overnight and the condensation puckering it up, etc. All you need is a tiny 1/4" wrap and its going to lock and stay so if you have that, trim it away and call it good (trim to match the rest of the edging as well.

the bumper needs to be redone, that emblem roundel is definitely not acceptable. If its a top/middle two piece, then just have the top redone. If its a proper 1 piece top and middle, unfortunately it needs to be removed.

The thing about clear bra is that everyone is now expecting perfection because they see things online, on social media, etc. Shop one did a "perfect install" for just $1500, everyone should do it for that cheap and perfection or nothing. Problem is, there are many factors as to how perfect it really is or isnt (very subjective), why it was so low priced compared to the other shops in the market (xpel recommends 1800 to 2100 for a front end, prestige requires 2500 a front end MAP pricing, etc), what it a hook up price for a friend, was it a promo job, was it a new shop trying to get some experience....MANY things play a role in all of this, but one thing is for certain, NOTHING is perfect!

[allinon72]

None of those areas are acceptable, and the most telling is the fitment around the roundel. That right there tells you that this installer did not take pride in his/her work and generally doesn't give a shit. My whole car is PPF'd and I'm hard pressed to find a seem, even 12" away from the paint.

[jdgamble]

I vote for crappy install. I would not accept that work.

[N1rve]

Some lifting on an edge is normal but the shop trimmed it off shortly.

That circle cut out is trash. Someone doesn't know how to cut a circle....

[kosd]

I have a similar issue with my PPF install where the roundel is not centered. It was a pre-cut kit installed by a shop that has been around more than a decade. Since the rest of the install is good with no peeling, etc I just let it go but I thought it was sloppy. It wasn’t worth worth the time to have them re-do the hood for something you can’t see unless really looking for seams.

The peeling is definitely unacceptable though. If I was taking it back for the peeling, I’d point out the roundel as well.

[cionide]

Any sort of wrap, if you think about it, holds to the car by it's edges. If those aren't stuck down properly, that shit isn't going to hold.

Piss poor installation. If they refuse, go to xpel directly and show them what their authorized shop did.

[canukgtp]

I can't speak to the roundel not being centered, but when my guy finished the install there were loose spots like you around the nose and rear bumper, he told me that he wanted the film to dry and I should bring it back in a few weeks, after the sun hits it and helps it set, then he trimmed the excess and touched up any spots that looked like that.

I would go back to the installer to make sure he's going to touch up the excess film and make things look good.

[N55Msport]

Thx for all the replies....The overwhelming majority of the responses has me agreeing that it is indeed a sub par install. I'll email the installer with pictures and contact them by phone afterwards.

[Danlnyc88]

Wow I would be soooo pissed if I got my car back like that.

Honestly I would demand a refund and take it somewhere reputable.

This is a complete hack job.

[PhatLyfe]

Originally Posted by N55Msport

Hello everyone, as the title implies, I am new to PPF and would like some input.

About 3 weeks ago I had my M3 detailed followed by an install of Xpel Ultimate by the same shop which is also an authorized Xpel dealer/installer. Before I bring this up with the shop that installed it, I wanted to seek some feedback from members who have any experience in this area.

I guess I can live with a little peel here and there if that is normal, but is peeling like this typical? Especially the CF roof corner? The roof alone leads me to believe that with all the highway driving I do it's going to collect sand and possibly continue to peel and migrate back even further.

Also, is it normal to see lap wrinkles on the under side of the hood? I feel that those should have all been smoothed out with a squeegee. Or, little micro slits in the film should have been made to eliminate ridges that bunched up because of curves?

The PPF was a kit ordered from Xpel mainly due to the fact the the roundel cutout isn't quite centered. Although I could have detailed the car myself, the Xpel install wasn't something that looked very DIY friendly. It seems like every time someone else works on my car I always find this stuff out afterwards!
Good, bad, normal, or a hack job?
Thx

I'm sorry but I would have them redo the PPF, that is a hack job.. the BMW front logo itself PPF is a joke in itself..

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

LOL looks like i did in in my garage with a hair dryer

[SCS55]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

LOL looks like i did in in my garage with a hair dryer

I agree. Not looking forward to any type of cars and coffee either until it's fixed.