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      02-19-2020, 10:25 PM   #1
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Xpel stealth question

I recently picked up my frozen grey M40i and loving it so far. I have been researching Xpel installers in my area and believe I made my choice. I visited his shop today to look at his work and while we were in the garage he showed my a piece of stealth. Being new to this I was shocked to see that it was not clear and while I am sure it cures fine I was just looking to hear from frozen grey owners if you are happy with the product and if you can notice a difference in the paint color. Thank you for your feedback.
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      02-19-2020, 10:43 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nj428x View Post
I recently picked up my frozen grey M40i and loving it so far. I have been researching Xpel installers in my area and believe I made my choice. I visited his shop today to look at his work and while we were in the garage he showed my a piece of stealth. Being new to this I was shocked to see that it was not clear and while I am sure it cures fine I was just looking to hear from frozen grey owners if you are happy with the product and if you can notice a difference in the paint color. Thank you for your feedback.
I have frozen grey and did a complete wrap with XPEL Stealth. I am very happy with the outcome. There isn't any change in color and it looks great. Makes taking care of very easy.

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      02-20-2020, 06:03 PM   #3
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Had my front bumper wrapped and you cant tell. Although the satin sheen is less.
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      02-20-2020, 06:07 PM   #4
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Don't have pic of the wrap, but front doesn't shine like this anymore. Not really noticeable
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      02-20-2020, 09:29 PM   #5
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[QUOTE=SakhirM4;25829137]I have frozen grey and did a complete wrap with XPEL Stealth. I am very happy with the outcome. There isn't any change in color and it looks great. Makes taking care of very easy.


Thank you very much for your feedback. Did you do a ceramic coating as well?
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      02-20-2020, 09:36 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gasnet View Post
Don't have pic of the wrap, but front doesn't shine like this anymore. Not really noticeable
Thank you very much, I appreciate the feedback. Part of me thinks the Xpel takes away from the frozen finish but also trying to be realistic that its probably the smart thing to do.
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      02-20-2020, 09:44 PM   #7
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[QUOTE=nj428x;25833363]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
I have frozen grey and did a complete wrap with XPEL Stealth. I am very happy with the outcome. There isn't any change in color and it looks great. Makes taking care of very easy.


Thank you very much for your feedback. Did you do a ceramic coating as well?
Yes, I had it ceramic coated, including the wheels.
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      02-22-2020, 11:52 PM   #8
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I wouldn't wrap the whole car. The car is made in Germany where people actually drive these cars. Its not made of sugar and wont melt in the rain. Front Bumper and small pieces by the Wheels is all you need. Ceramic coat wheels is a must. Brake dust easy to clean and water beads right off. No residue. $3500 paint option and your going to wrap it? Remember when old people used to put plastic on there furniture. Should i wrap my Rolex! Stop the worry its a car.
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      02-23-2020, 07:40 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gasnet View Post
I wouldn't wrap the whole car. The car is made in Germany where people actually drive these cars. Its not made of sugar and wont melt in the rain. Front Bumper and small pieces by the Wheels is all you need. Ceramic coat wheels is a must. Brake dust easy to clean and water beads right off. No residue. $3500 paint option and your going to wrap it? Remember when old people used to put plastic on there furniture. Should i wrap my Rolex! Stop the worry its a car.
I hear you, that is why I have been hesitant to move forward. The frozen paint is amazing and if this was a metallic paint I wouldn't think twice as the film is so clear and with ceramic the car still pops. I've seen amazing work and you really can't tell the difference.
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      02-24-2020, 12:48 AM   #10
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What are you worried about. Front Bumper is a must. This is my 3rd Z4 and other than front bumper and around rear wheels, no other problem spots. My cars looked showroom after i took the wrap off at lease end. Im sure its possible the wrap can save you a scratch, but then you have to wrap that area again. Ceramic coat can also save you from a scratch when applied to the paint. In fact ceramic coat applied to this paint looks better than original color. Deeper sheen. Customer had frozen gray M6 and it looked awesome. But for me i just dont want to cover the paint and very happy using Dr. Beasleys Matte paint care. Which ever way you go you picked the best color. Enjoy.
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      02-24-2020, 09:57 AM   #11
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No comment on the frozen grey, but I had mine wrapped with Xpel (hood, bumper, rockers, behind the rear wheels) and am very happy; having the car protected in this fashion gives me peace of mind when I find myself going through a construction zone, etc. .....wouldn't consider not wrapping any high end vehicle - they simply cost too much not to these days.

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      02-24-2020, 11:01 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nj428x View Post
I hear you, that is why I have been hesitant to move forward. The frozen paint is amazing and if this was a metallic paint I wouldn't think twice as the film is so clear and with ceramic the car still pops. I've seen amazing work and you really can't tell the difference.
The frozen grey IS a metallic paint - very high metallic.
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      02-26-2020, 09:39 PM   #13
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I wanted to thank everyone for their input on my question. Decided on a full wrap. Thank you again.
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      02-26-2020, 11:03 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DPelletier View Post
No comment on the frozen grey, but I had mine wrapped with Xpel (hood, bumper, rockers, behind the rear wheels) and am very happy; having the car protected in this fashion gives me peace of mind when I find myself going through a construction zone, etc. .....wouldn't consider not wrapping any high end vehicle - they simply cost too much not to these days.

2 cents,
Dave
How much was that?

I have an appointment in 2 weeks to get my Z4 ceramic coated. But, once that coating is on then protection film can't be added on top. I'll think about clear film protection a bit more though.

Did you do anything with the soft top?

Rob
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      02-27-2020, 09:52 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Rob_G77 View Post
How much was that?

I have an appointment in 2 weeks to get my Z4 ceramic coated. But, once that coating is on then protection film can't be added on top. I'll think about clear film protection a bit more though.

Did you do anything with the soft top?

Rob
Around $2k Canadian. I've never tried ceramic coating but I'm positive that the protection film is far more protective. I've heard of people putting ceramic over the wrap but I remain unconvinced that that would be useful. No, I didn't do anything with the top; my Z4 is a summer/weekend car for me and lives in a climate controlled garage.....based on my last car (2014 F type), I will probably only wash the top once a year and I may get caught out in the rain a half dozen times a year.....top on my F type was as-new when I sold it so I don't think I need to do anything to the top for my usage.

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      09-02-2020, 04:06 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nj428x View Post
I wanted to thank everyone for their input on my question. Decided on a full wrap. Thank you again.
You went with the XPEL Stealth, correct? Does the matte paint from the factory then show exactly the same through the film?

My Z4 will be a daily driver and I want to protect against rocks, scratches and it being in a garage with 3 teenage boys always moving bikes around. I'm terrified of getting a Matte car and getting a lot of scratches. Will the XPEL Stealth protect against all of the minor scratches?

Finally, if you have the Stealth on, can you then take it through a brushless car wash or do you still need to avoid waxes and chemicals that car washes use?

Thanks!
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      09-02-2020, 04:57 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by pgreen822 View Post
You went with the XPEL Stealth, correct? Does the matte paint from the factory then show exactly the same through the film?

My Z4 will be a daily driver and I want to protect against rocks, scratches and it being in a garage with 3 teenage boys always moving bikes around. I'm terrified of getting a Matte car and getting a lot of scratches. Will the XPEL Stealth protect against all of the minor scratches?

Finally, if you have the Stealth on, can you then take it through a brushless car wash or do you still need to avoid waxes and chemicals that car washes use?

Thanks!
The matte finish of the factory pain does not show through the XPEL Stealth, only the color/metallic does. The Stealth is now the finish, not the paint, which is why you use Stealth instead of regular XPEL, because it has a matte finish.

It protects against scratches - that is its job and it does it well. My cars never go through a car wash so I can't answer that question.
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      09-02-2020, 06:12 PM   #18
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Don't go for a partial hood.

I had the front bumper and a partial hood install. I would not recommend anything less than at a minimum a full hood install and possibly the front fenders too. It is a very noticeable transition.

As stated earlier the sheen on the matte bra is not the same as the BMW satin finish.

The installer said that we could change it a full hood install if I wasn't happy. I am going to take advantage of that offer.
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      09-03-2020, 08:27 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SakhirM4 View Post
The matte finish of the factory pain does not show through the XPEL Stealth, only the color/metallic does. The Stealth is now the finish, not the paint, which is why you use Stealth instead of regular XPEL, because it has a matte finish.

It protects against scratches - that is its job and it does it well. My cars never go through a car wash so I can't answer that question.
Thanks. Then it's pointless to buy the matte paint to then put the Stealth over it then, huh?
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      09-03-2020, 10:52 AM   #20
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Thanks. Then it's pointless to buy the matte paint to then put the Stealth over it then, huh?
No, how else do you get the frozen metallic gray? The metallic is really amazing on this color!!
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Last edited by SakhirM4; 09-03-2020 at 11:12 AM..
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      09-03-2020, 11:18 AM   #21
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No, how else do you get the frozen metallic gray? The metallic is really amazing on this color!!
I agree, and get compliments all the time.
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