FAQs
Common Questions About Our Products
Paint Protection Film
While you can wax the film, be sure the product you are using doesn’t contain Naphtha or Kerosene in concentrations over 5%, and also avoid waxes that contain dyes. For best results, we recommend using our XPEL Flawless Finish Paint Protection Film Sealant. This product has been specially formulated for use with polyurethane paint protection films to provide the maximum protection and gloss, while containing no ingredients that would cause discoloration over time.
Yes. Paint protection film can be applied to any smooth painted surface.
Yes. The process is the same as with regular paint: wet the surface with a lubricant such as soapy water and then gently rub the surface with the clay bar. For stubborn insect, bird dropping, or hard water stains, use Simple Green as the lubricant for the detailing clay.
Any of our films can be installed on Chrome, though the finish will look slightly different than if left unprotected. We recommend having your installer apply a small swatch to the desired surface so you can see what it looks like before deciding.
We are currently working on limited beta versions of our ULTIMATE PLUSTM film in gloss black, matte black, and gloss white. Please contact customer support at 800-447-9928 for current availability.
The clear coat is the self-healing layer and is approximately 13 microns thick. If that layer is penetrated, the film will not heal.
Not at this time.
Yes, our pre-cut kits are available for sale on our website, www.xpel.com, or by calling our customer support team at 1-210-678-3700. However, as installation can be quite difficult without previous experience or formal training, we recommend having installation performed by one of our Factory Trained Installers. To find an installer nearest you please visit our Installer Locator to find an installer near you.
No. Because of the impact absorbency of paint protection film, the refractive index of the film is too different from that of the windshield. Because of this difference, putting the two together causes a distortion when looking through the glass that would be unacceptable to the vehicle’s occupants.
Because the product is installed by independent installers, cost varies greatly based on location, labor rates, and installer experience. To get an estimate from a local installer nearest you, please visit: XPEL Installer Locator
It is always best to contact your XPEL installer first and explain your concerns. We do our best to maintain a network of installers that stand behind their work. If after doing so, your installer cannot or will not address your concerns to your satisfaction, please contact our customer service team for assistance. They will get you in touch with the XPEL Representative for your area who will work to find a solution to the issue.
Paint protection film can be applied on any smooth painted surface. However, given the tight tolerances on weight, balance and other factors on some aircraft, it is highly recommended to consult with the manufacturer of the airplane for strict guidance.
Acry-solvent, or any other Xylene based solvent, will not harm the film unless left sitting saturated in it for an extended period. To use this type of solvent on the film (for removing stains, etc.) wet a microfiber towel with the product and wipe the film for one or two minutes. If the stain remains, allow the solvent to evaporate and then repeat the process.
Other than the simplest body panels, application of paint protection film is a process which requires a good deal of experience and training to obtain satisfactory results. The compound curves present on most surfaces require the film to be stretched and compressed in a very controlled way to ensure proper adhesion without distorting the adhesive. As such, it is highly recommended that the film is professionally installed.
It is highly unlikely for paint protection film to harm OEM paint. Paint systems used on modern assembly lines today produce a minimum bond strength of 16 MPa and maximum of 25 MPa between the panel and the paint depending on color, iridescence and the system used. Our film’s bond to the painted surface at normal state (immediately following installation) is .0753 MPa. Even after years of heat and sun, the bond between the film and the paint increases to only 0.17 MPa. What that means is in the absolute worst case scenario, the bond of factory paint to the panel is over 94 times stronger than the bond of our film to the paint. In the best case, the paint is 332 times stronger.
That being said, it is still recommended to have a professional remove the film in accordance with our published guidelines.
Yes. XPEL film can be applied over a vinyl wrap or graphics. However, if there are any hard edges that film must cross (as in the case of stripes), it could result in some air being trapped along that edge.
Yes, XPEL can be installed on your cars headlamps and fog lamps.
Yes. ULTIMATE PLUSTM can be applied to any smooth surface, though care should be taken around any electronics and/or switches so that installation fluids aren’t allowed to get into sensitive areas.
Please see the diagram on www.xpel.com/care and be sure to use a steamer or heat gun to soften and warm the adhesive. This will yield the best possible results and will leave little if any adhesive behind. Any traces of residue left behind can be removed with any commercially available adhesive remover that is safe for automotive paint.
We offer pre-cut rocker panel coverage for most trucks and SUVs that can be professionally installed by our independent dealer network. Visit our Installer Locator for an installer near you for a quote.
We also make a rocker panel DIY kit to help protect your rocker panels. This product is available in our ULTIMATE PLUSTM film or our ARMORTM film. ULTIMATE PLUSTM is our clear self-healing paint protection film, while ARMORTM is a rugged film that is black and has texture similar to a spray in bed liner.
This is a very common occurrence with Paint Protection Film of all brands. It has to do with the difference in refractive index between the layer of film and the paint on the car. It is most noticeable on compound-curved surfaces because the film must be stretched over these areas to allow it to be installed without wrinkles. When the film is stretched, it becomes slightly thinner in those areas which causes the phenomenon seen through polarized glasses.
It can also occur on flat surfaces when the installer needs to use a drying solution (as opposed to a slip solution) such as alcohol and water to get the needed bond to the paint. This is due to the difference in viscosity of the fluids and their effect on the adhesive’s properties.
Polarized glasses have this effect on several different multi-layer surfaces (not just paint protection film) made of glass or plastic.
Headlight Protection Film
PRIMETM Automotive Window film
RXTM Antimicrobial Film
ATP is short for adenosine triphosphate and it is an organic molecule that is used by living cells as their main source of energy. Animal, plant bacterial, yeast and mold cell products and break down ATP in order to drive several biological processes, and the main energy transfer molecule in the cell. The presence of ATP on a surface indicates that the surface has not been adequately cleaned and has the potential to harbor and support bacterial growth. The residue may also contain hazardous material including protentional allergens. Therefore, ATP is an ideal indicator of surface cleanliness.
We have these items on our website, under RXTM Antimicrobial Film.
RXTM will work as intended for the full warranty period. Full warranty details are available on our Warranty Information page.