Suntek v. Xpel

[alwiB8]

I know it's been covered but I'm going to get a full front wrap and i got quoted 1600 for Suntek PPF and 1900 for Xpel Ultimate. Is the extra 300 worth it to go with the Xpel?

CheerS

[GRUMPY-S4]

I paid $1000 for Suntek... Xpel was $1600. Im very happy with Suntek. I had Xpel on a previous car and find it more "textured". Suntek is "more invisible".

[SteveYem]

I paid $1000 for Suntek... Xpel was $1600. Im very happy with Suntek. I had Xpel on a previous car and find it more "textured". Suntek is "more invisible".

I have Xpel on my car and it was advertised as being "self healing". I'm not sure whether this is a real feature or if I upsold myself based on the potential that small pinhole defects would never surface. In any case, I've been pretty happy with the Xpel product although it is visible from certain angles in certain lighting.

[GRUMPY-S4]

I was very happy with Xpel on my Golf R... Not sure about the self healing either. Definitely visible

[The Fat Kid]

What does "full front" include?

I have Xpel Ultimate (standard + full hood) and have no complaints. Maybe Grumpy had an older version of Xpel because it is pretty much invisible to my eye. It is slightly visible mid-fender due to the hard edge, but most people don't notice even when pointing it out.

[14S4GWM]

What does "full front" include?

I have Xpel Ultimate (standard + full hood) and have no complaints. Maybe Grumpy had an older version of Xpel because it is pretty much invisible to my eye. It is slightly visible mid-fender due to the hard edge, but most people don't notice even when pointing it out.

Full front is getting the fenders, hood and bumpers done with custom cutting. Not the precut pieces. They do say Suntek is not as visible as Xpel which is said to have a little orange peel effect to it. I have Suntek and love it.

[The Fat Kid]

Full front is getting the fenders, hood and bumpers done with custom cutting. Not the precut pieces. They do say Suntek is not as visible as Xpel which is said to have a little orange peel effect to it. I have Suntek and love it.

Full fenders? Otherwise his quote seems pretty high. My detailer is very well known in this area and custom cuts all the pieces.

I have not done a side-by-side comparison of Xpel v Suntek, so maybe Suntek is even less visible.

[14S4GWM]

I paid 1400 for full front, mirrors and pieces behind the rear wheels. The prices vary alot throughout the US. Depends on the area quite a bit, cost of living.

Edit. Full fenders yes to answer your question

[BillyG]

$1500 here for Suntek full hood, front fenders, grill surround and back of side mirrors. Absolutely love it. The guy who installed it is certified by both Xpel and Suntek, has been installing for over 20 years, and said that Suntek is the best product available.

[alwiB8]

Thanks for all your feedback guys. To clarify "full front", what 14S4GWM said is correct, and also includes A pillars. I think because of the demand here in Colorado they can up charge a little. When talking to the Suntek installer he did mention how the top layer was more invisible than the Xpel and they too offer a "self healing" layer. Assuming the installer wraps corners, sounds like I'll go with Suntek .

Added bonus, the Suntek is through the dealer so I get a loaner

[14S4GWM]

^ Forgot to mention I got the mirrors done too. Get that while your at it along with the lower rear quarter behind the wheels.

[alwiB8]

^ Forgot to mention I got the mirrors done too. Get that while your at it along with the lower rear quarter behind the wheels.

Mirrors and behind the door handles is included in that quote as well

[14S4GWM]

I see your car is fairly new but if you need any paint correction done do it before the install. After that ppf get a ceramic coating on the whole car and you will love the car more then ever.

[alwiB8]

I just had the entire front of the car repainted due to my stupidity and lack of clear bra, luckily a comp claim helped me a lot. So when i get it back from the bra it will most definitely be getting a ceramic coating.

[14S4GWM]

Wait a minimum of 30 days before doing anything to the paint.

[alwiB8]

the body shop said it should be good after a week....is that dumb

[LINDW4LL]

30 days is what I typically hear.

[alwiB8]

They said that the curing process in their booth allows it on the metal, but I would have to wait on the bumper

[waxxonMTL]

They said that the curing process in their booth allows it on the metal, but I would have to wait on the bumper

they are the one applying the paint, so they know better than anyone speculating on a forum whats the curing time of their paint !

[torinalth]

how long you keeping the car for? the biggest difference is the warranty. 10 years for xpel, 5 for suntek. know the car has a <5yr self life? go suntek. I played with them both in hand and the guy put small pieces on a cayenne next to each other to let me decide. the suntek was slightly better looking, xpel felt better. dealer said that on my color (sepang) they both would look great. he said that darker cars he always does suntek if they don't have a preference either way.

[Powderhound]

Have had expel since around March 2015 and happy with it so far. I agree with going with whichever offers the warranty plan that best fits how long you will keep the car.

[alwiB8]

how long you keeping the car for? the biggest difference is the warranty. 10 years for xpel, 5 for suntek. know the car has a <5yr self life? go suntek. I played with them both in hand and the guy put small pieces on a cayenne next to each other to let me decide. the suntek was slightly better looking, xpel felt better. dealer said that on my color (sepang) they both would look great. he said that darker cars he always does suntek if they don't have a preference either way.

Which one did you end up going with? Seeing as my car is Sepang as well would be good insight. If Suntek only offers a 5 year warranty and I hit that mark it might be a good time to go full Xpel Stealth

[waxxonMTL]

i dont think you will have problem with yellowing with either film. after 5 yr, you will be more mad about the multiple nick/scratch/stonechip (which arent covered by wrranty) than yellowing.

+ no need to pay to nano coating your paint before doing the film wrap.

[b8audis4]

XPEL and Suntek are both amazing films. You can't go wrong with either.

However, Suntek is a bit more optically clear. It is a bit thinner, so if you are going to be driving in a more mild climate, or in more mild conditions go with the Suntek.

For me, I went with XPEL and am glad I did. I drive through a lot of salt and snow and I have already had a rock puncture through the clear bra. Paint underneath is fine, but the XPEL is definitely what I would go with if I had to do it again.

Also, it really all comes down to the installer. There were no Suntek installers around me, or at least none I would trust. XPEL there was a bunch, and one of them that does a ton of high end work. Any questions let me know.

[b8audis4]

Also I just read that you got your car resprayed. Please please please wait at LEAST 30 days. I waited 60 after I resprayed mine. And even then there is a chance of it lifting. For me though it was worth it to get it done even after the respray because I will probably never pull the film off.

[torinalth]

Which one did you end up going with? Seeing as my car is Sepang as well would be good insight. If Suntek only offers a 5 year warranty and I hit that mark it might be a good time to go full Xpel Stealth

Xpel. I'm a magnet for rocks so I went with the thicker material. my dealer told me that it is not just yellowing, but if it lifts, is marked, or is damaged I get free replacement. I already have one mark on my drivers mirror (surprised the plastic didn't crack the rock hit so hard). when I look at the car I can't tell it's there. nobody can. Love the Xpel and still considering doing more of the car (did fenders, hood, bumper, mirrors ,door cups, rear bumper top that goes into the trunk).

[GRUMPY-S4]

What does "full front" include?

I have Xpel Ultimate (standard + full hood) and have no complaints. Maybe Grumpy had an older version of Xpel because it is pretty much invisible to my eye. It is slightly visible mid-fender due to the hard edge, but most people don't notice even when pointing it out.

At angles you can tell its there... Orange Peel type texture.

[GRUMPY-S4]

i dont think you will have problem with yellowing with either film. after 5 yr, you will be more mad about the multiple nick/scratch/stonechip (which arent covered by wrranty) than yellowing.

+ no need to pay to nano coating your paint before doing the film wrap.

I had paint correction and then applied Opti Coat over the Suntek

[pdqgp]

Man I've seen some crazy prices but $1,600? WOW! Markup must be huge. My friend in Dayton, OH has been doing this for nearly 20yrs and now uses Premium Shield Elite Material. Crystal Clear and awesome product. So clear and perfect he used in on my headlights too. Can't even see it. All custom cuts, no pre-cuts. The edges are wrapped around the panels so the hood and the front lip are protected all the way around the edge.

Did the entire front end, 1/3 hood, front of fenders, Headlights, A Pillars, Front portion of roof in front of Sunroof, Rocker panels all the way back, Door Fins and rear quarter, kick panels inside all four doors for $850 total. Even my SUV didn't cost over $1k.

Here's what he did on the sides from the fenders back.

At angles you can tell its there... Orange Peel type texture.

P.S. Elite has Zero orange peel. In bright sun the only way you'll see it on my hood is the line...if I have wax to clean, and the "gloss" is only slightly muted as it's reflecting light through plastic and bouncing back. No orange peel at all. The fenders being vertical are nearly invisible.

[14S4GWM]

^ Suntek and Xpel is a very expensive product alone. When you do the full hood and fenders it requires a much larger sheet then the normal partial sheets installers use like on your's. I've never heard of your brand. Both of these are self healing also.

[alwiB8]

Also I just read that you got your car resprayed. Please please please wait at LEAST 30 days. I waited 60 after I resprayed mine. And even then there is a chance of it lifting. For me though it was worth it to get it done even after the respray because I will probably never pull the film off.

I don't plan on taking it off especially if the Xpel has a ten year warranty. 30+ days is a long time to go in the winter without a clearbra...again

Xpel. I'm a magnet for rocks so I went with the thicker material. my dealer told me that it is not just yellowing, but if it lifts, is marked, or is damaged I get free replacement. I already have one mark on my drivers mirror (surprised the plastic didn't crack the rock hit so hard). when I look at the car I can't tell it's there. nobody can. Love the Xpel and still considering doing more of the car (did fenders, hood, bumper, mirrors ,door cups, rear bumper top that goes into the trunk).

I like the sounds of that warranty. Have either of you seen any orange peel like grumpy?

Thanks for everyone's quick feedback, even though it sounds like I have at least 30 days to decide.

[14S4GWM]

^ I've seen both side by side and you can definitely tell the difference. Forgot to tell ya, get the headlights too.

[pdqgp]

^ Suntek and Xpel is a very expensive product alone. When you do the full hood and fenders it requires a much larger sheet then the normal partial sheets installers use like on your's. I've never heard of your brand. Both of these are self healing also.

https://premiumshield.com/

One of the top brands. All of them are pricey for the products alone. I didn't want to do the full hood for that reason. On top of the fact that again, P.S is much much harder to actually see whereas others you can see more easily thus better to do the whole hood with those products. Mine, I didn't need to. Says a lot too as anyone here who's seen my Brilliant Black knows I'm picky about it.

P.S. and provides a lifetime warranty. My installer warranties his work with it too that's how confident he is in it. Elite is their high-end material. Standard Premium Shield has a 5yr warranty.

Happy to provide more pics next time I wash it up.

Here's a quick pic from tonight. I simply wiped the salt off my headlight. You can see me taking the pic in the reflection too
This shows the clarity of the Elite Film. Keep in mind this is an ISO 10000 shot so what grain is visible is digital noise.

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/...psqbhyylil.jpg

[alwiB8]

^ I've seen both side by side and you can definitely tell the difference. Forgot to tell ya, get the headlights too.

And the Suntek was that much clearer?

[14S4GWM]

And the Suntek was that much clearer?

It's not clearer per say but looks smoother.

[waxxonMTL]

I had paint correction and then applied Opti Coat over the Suntek

in 90%, current paint condition will appears flawless once the film is applied because it's thick enough to fill the scratch and bounce back the light ray smoothly.

[GRUMPY-S4]

Agreed... But I had it anyway since I was having it done to the whole car anyway (right after I took delivery). Funny how a new car has sooo many flaws

[The Fat Kid]

I will take a closer look at my car, but having Opti on it could have smoothed out any texture.

OP - Go look at both products installed on a car before pulling the trigger if you are on the fence.

[GRUMPY-S4]

I will take a closer look at my car, but having Opti on it could have smoothed out any texture.

OP - Go look at both products installed on a car before pulling the trigger if you are on the fence.

My Golf R had Xpel installed 2 years ago... Was that a different product? I looked at the Suntek before the Opti Coat and its just smoother. The Xpel has an orange peel texture that you cant miss.

In my opinion both are great. Just go with the best deal. I went Suntek cause it was 45% cheaper.

[RAF_S7]

My local dealer works with both Suntek and Xpel.

There was no price difference between both products (at least not here in the UK) its the labour cost thats expensive.

I did a side by side comparison with a piece of both applied to my hood, and Suntek is definitely the "clearer" more invisible of the two.

My dealer then showed me a $1.5M McLaren that he'd just completed using Suntek. I went with full frontal Suntek on the basis of if its good enough for a McLaren, its good enough for me.

Ive had it 3 months now and very happy. The clear Suntek is enhanced further with the application of a ceramic polish, which was also applied to all non PPF areas.

EDIT - The one thing I will say is that no matter which product you go for, if the paint is not perfect beforehand, adding PPF won't fix it. I had a full detail before fixing the Suntek, you should check your quoted prices includes a paint detail/correction before the PPF is applied.