[Charlie Dog]

I thought Xpel was suppose to prevent stone ships. After reading some of the stories on this forum, like smashing into things on the expressway at 70 mph and not leaving a mark, I spent a lot of money having the high risk areas covered. We went on a 75 mile drive, which I drove at or below the legal rate of speed because we were just out cruising and enjoying the day. When we got home, I proceeded to clean a few of the bugs off and I find this just below the driver side headlight. It's small but it's going to require touch up.

 

[rdslon01]

Did it penetrate through the film? If not, pour hot water on it, and let us see what it looks like afterwards.

 

[dpmdc]

Its not bullet proof armor! Somethings can get through it if they are heavy or sharp. It's just an extra layer on protection. I myself will resort to a bra as it is extra thick.

 

[Vigilance247]

Did it penetrate through the film? If not, pour hot water on it, and let us see what it looks like afterwards.

I think Rodney has a good idea because the film will self heal.

 

[smajicek]

Like DPMCD said it is not bullet proof but it saved my rocker panel, see pic of damaged expel on my passanger side, I removed the film myself and paint was fine, I installed weaponx side skirts and left my rocker panels naked, no film and no mor chips because my carbon fiber rocker panels are blocking rocks from hitting my rocker.

 

[Charlie Dog]

Did it penetrate through the film? If not, pour hot water on it, and let us see what it looks like afterwards.

Yeah..It penetrated the film; the white in the center is the chipped paint. It is guaranteed but it's the hassle of having to have it repaired and it leads to make you wonder what lies ahead. Is this something I'll have to deal with on a regular bases? I certainly hope not.

dpmdc...There' no need to make a belittling comment because we're not children here and I think we're all smart enough to realize "it's not bullet proof armor". But this stuff is advertised to prevent stone chips. In fact, it's referred to as the "Clear Bra" and it's pretty darn expensive too. A quote from one of their ads: "XPEL Paint Protection Products protect the leading edge of your vehicle from damage caused by rocks, gravel, salt or insects through the application of a thin and virtually invisible urethane paint protection film. Perhaps they should add...As long as the rocks don't have edges. Like how many rocks have you seen that are perfectly smooth like an egg?

 

[Charlie Dog]

Like DPMCD said it is not bullet proof but it saved my rocker panel, see pic of damaged expel on my passanger side, I removed the film myself and paint was fine, I installed weaponx side skirts and left my rocker panels naked, no film and no mor chips because my carbon fiber rocker panels are blocking rocks from hitting my rocker.

What do you have protecting the front?

 

[Z06 Owned]

I thought Xpel was suppose to prevent stone ships. After reading some of the stories on this forum, like smashing into things on the expressway at 70 mph and not leaving a mark, I spent a lot of money having the high risk areas covered. We went on a 75 mile drive, which I drove at or below the legal rate of speed because we were just out cruising and enjoying the day. When we got home, I proceeded to clean a few of the bugs off and I find this just below the driver side headlight. It's small but it's going to require touch up.

View attachment 15530

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Had a friend with 3M clear bra on his BMW tell me not to bother with film if I want protection from the debris in the roads around SA.

Saw a C7 after 12K miles with Expel and noted some similar damage to your photo. Folks said it must have been there before the film was installed. Doubt it. But, guessing the film will keep the front end in better condition than without any protection and extend the intervals between needing a re-paint.

 

[Charlie Dog]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Had a friend with 3M clear bra on his BMW tell me not to bother with film if I want protection from the debris in the roads around SA.

Saw a C7 after 12K miles with Expel and noted some similar damage to your photo. Folks said it must have been there before the film was installed. Doubt it. But, guessing the film will keep the front end in better condition than without any protection and extend the intervals between needing a re-paint.

I must agree with you. I only have 630 miles on this Stingray and I don't drive it hard. I suppose if I was smart or knew better, I should've kept the money instead of paying for Xpel and put it towards repainting my front end at some future date because it's apparent I'll eventually have to do it, even with a $1500 Xpel job. Like the saying goes...You live and learn.

 

[smajicek]

Like DPMCD said it is not bullet proof but it saved my rocker panel, see pic of damaged expel on my passanger side, I removed the film myself and paint was fine, I installed weaponx side skirts and left my rocker panels naked, no film and no mor chips because my carbon fiber rocker panels are blocking rocks from hitting my rocker.

What do you have protecting the front?

XPEL full hood, bumper and half fenders

 

[davem]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Had a friend with 3M clear bra on his BMW tell me not to bother with film if I want protection from the debris in the roads around SA.

Saw a C7 after 12K miles with Expel and noted some similar damage to your photo. Folks said it must have been there before the film was installed. Doubt it. But, guessing the film will keep the front end in better condition than without any protection and extend the intervals between needing a re-paint.

Hey, If Glen_e doesn't have it, then I am not getting it. He is the man on paint and maintanance!

(Of course I am a low mileage no freeway guy.)

 

[smajicek]

Hey, If Glen_e doesn't have it, then I am not getting it. He is the man on paint and maintanance!

(Of course I am a low mileage no freeway guy.)

Have you seen what Glen_e puts on the front of his nose when he does travel alot?

 

[SR-71]

C-Dog - Sorry to see that. I'm having XPEL Ultimate installed next week. I haven't gotten my first ding yet, but I'm sure it's inevitable. Considering what a rock can do to a windshield (especially a pointy rock with a bit of weight to it) I assumed XPEL wouldn't provide protection from that. My reasoning behind the XPEL purchase is to protect from sand and smaller debris because over the years typically the front of a car gets sand blasted pretty good from minor debris. In addition to the XPEL I plan to use a vinyl bra for the larger stuff so the XPEL should provide chaffing protection from the vinyl and debris that gets caught under the bra.

 

[C7 Zo6]

SR-71 that's probably the best solution I've heard so far

 

[ICU LQQKIN]

I like that idea of using the bra over the XPEL. I would only do it for a road trip, but the XPEL certainly should prevent the chaffing. NOW, What bra is the best for this purpose since I have never used one? What does glen_e use?

 

[dpmdc]

Not meant to belittle you, just being realistic about the product. It might be cheaper in the long run to just let things be and do a repaint every so often. If you figure to price of a paint touch up every year or two against Xpel plus any Expel repairs then it's probably cheaper. Rock chips and door dings are inevitable.

Yeah..It penetrated the film; the white in the center is the chipped paint. It is guaranteed but it's the hassle of having to have it repaired and it leads to make you wonder what lies ahead. Is this something I'll have to deal with on a regular bases? I certainly hope not.

dpmdc...There' no need to make a belittling comment because we're not children here and I think we're all smart enough to realize "it's not bullet proof armor". But this stuff is advertised to prevent stone chips. In fact, it's referred to as the "Clear Bra" and it's pretty darn expensive too. A quote from one of their ads: "XPEL Paint Protection Products protect the leading edge of your vehicle from damage caused by rocks, gravel, salt or insects through the application of a thin and virtually invisible urethane paint protection film. Perhaps they should add...As long as the rocks don't have edges. Like how many rocks have you seen that are perfectly smooth like an egg?

 

[stevette]

I'm planning to get XPEL when my new baby arrives sometime toward the end of this month. Can you fine folks recommend a good bra to use?

 

[glen e]

there is only one that protects the front AND the radiator - do a search here for NOVISTRETCH

 

[dpmdc]

Agree!

there is only one that protects the front AND the radiator - do a search here for NOVISTRETCH

 

[dpmdc]

C7 Corvette Stingray Bra

Here is another bra...looks like it would work well, even covers the headlights!