Experiences with clear paint protection film? XPEL/3M?

Inv4drZm

Senior Member
Does anyone on here have experience with XPEL Ultimate on trail vehicles? After seeing my brother's Voodoo blue FJ get pinstripes from trail-running,(It has a lot for only 5 outings) I know some scratches wont come out with my buffer and even if they did, the clear coat would probably be thin after a couple years of buffing and trail riding. His blue paint seems to show a lot more than my white, so I could be an overreacting sissie, but do you think it would be worth my time to install this product myself along the sides of my vehicle, maybe the whole thing?

There is no way I would pay an installer $3-$4k for my whole vehicle when the material alone would cost me $4-500. Of course I would watch every youtube video out there as I have done with my previous mods, and it really doesn't seem to difficult to install as long as I take my time.

I plan on keeping my 4Runner forever and I don't want to cringe every time a branch scrapes the paint. Plus I could install XPEL Stealth and turn my vehicle matte white.:naughty:

A part of me (75%) doesn't care about trail pinstriping, but if it only takes $400 to keep your paint looking perfect for at least 5 years (stuff is warrantied for 10) why not try? Thanks for listening to me rant...
 
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I was talking about the blue FJ in my original post w/clear coat, but do you think I could buff out all those scratches on my paint; it would be easier since mine doesn't have one?
 
If you get the right buffer and pad. I use a 3M foam pad. And for the money of putting on the film you could re paint. And you never know tomorrow a 16 year old texting and driving could tbone you. Enjoy the truck, buff it when you can save your money. Cars are great and I have a few, but most depreciate every year. I can bet you won't be seeing my 65 Mustang Fastback on any trails either!
 
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tomorrow a 16 year old texting and driving could tbone you.
Very good point. I guess if I wanted to spend the money on it, it wouldn't hurt anything, but it's not really needed as this isn't a show car and I easily have the means to take most imperfections out.
 
It's not hard to apply
Just all about the prep, heat, and stretching

I'd probably do it if the car is in good condition to start with, clear film should be pretty cheap to acquire.
 
It's not a real DIY job.
I'm about to "clear bra" my '06 Ltd. with 3M that I just picked up.
The paints really good so I just have to clay bar beforehand.
Front end wrap up about 18" plus lights & mirrors.

A complete wrap of a Runner for 3K is a good deal considering the real estate being covered.

Average life of the wrap is around 7 years depending on environment and use but in the exotic car and ricer world, it 's very popular and many stand by it.

Dealerships up here are offering it on new vehicle sales now vs the bug deflectors of old.
 
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F-Performance has earned high ratings among the other film brands, tested by me on my personal car, and I am delighted with how it protects the paint on the car in its original form.
 

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