3M Venture Shield Ultra vs. XPEL Ultimate

[kj2005]

I read some older posts from 1+ years ago on the forum about people considering one or the other. Does anyone have experience with either product and how it lasted / held up over time?

I talked to a local installer who worked with 3M Venture Shield for years and although he did a lot of this, he switched to XPEL Ultimate saying it was "better in his opinion over time" but the customer can choose which product they want.

The price was around $650 for the front bumper, 1/3 hood, 1/3 fenders, mirrors, headlights, ...

 

[tacobill]

If I keep this SR5 long enough I'll be the perfect guinea pig. I have 3M on the hood and mirrors from the dealer and AVERY on the entire front end. Local shop custom cut it and did the job for $325. Supposedly the newer 3M film won't yellow........SR5 is garaged, so that probably won't be an issue. But the Avery is thicker, yet more transparent than the 3M. Can't see it on the BP at all.

 

[Rickrack]

clear bra Boston MA, Ventureshield, Xpel Ultimate, Unique Car Care

If you're going to do a clear bra, I highly suggest going with Xpel Ultimate. I own a detail shop in Boston/MA and do lots of clear bra installs. I was using the 3M/Ventureshield product for a while, but have completely switched to the new Xpel Ultimate film, which is far superior in my opinion. It has great clarity, no orange peel and has a clearcoat topcoat. The best thing about this particular film is that is has self-healing properties if you happen to scratch it at some point. Any type of heat (sunlight, engine heat, hot water, etc. will promote the self healing and the scratches will disappear. It also has great UV protection and will not discolor, fade or get cloudy like other films on the market. Most films look great when first installed, but typically degrade not even a year later. This film is backed with a 10 year warranty.

One thing that I did notice with the 3m/Ventureshield is when bugs, sap, bird mess or stuff from trees remained on the surface for a couple days, the film would "etch" and I was unable to remove the etching. This is the main reason I switched to the Xpel Ultimate. It is extremely durable and you can even use lacquer thinner on the film without it eating the topcoat.


Here's a video showing Xpel's self-healing properties:

XPEL Ultimate Paint Protection Film / Clear Bra Self Healing Demo- YouTube



Here are a couples installs we did showing full frontal coverage:

Custom Porsche Clear Bra Install (Xpel Ultimate)

Porsche 911 Turbo - Paint Correction & Xpel Ultimate Self Healing Clear Bra Install

Audi RS4 Custom Vevtureshield Install by Unique Car Care



Also, make sure you go with a custom install instead of using pre-cut kits. Pre-cut kits typically have lots of critical areas that don't get covered and are prone to stone damage, not to mention lots of unnecessary seams. By performing a fully custom install, bulk film is used so the installer can make all seams very close to any openings (park distance sensors, reflectors, headlights, foglights, etc.) for a cleaner install with added coverage. In addition, all edges are completely wrapped over (hood, fenders, etc.).

You obviously want to do your research before choosing an installer.

 

[CookieRoe]

I was told the Venture Shield was VERY THIN. I have the "regular" 3M put on my DD Honda Civic and I couldn't be happier. I paid something like $500 for the front 1/3 of the hood, front bumper and side mirrors. 90% of my driving is on the highway. Little more than 1 year of it being installed, it is holding up very well. Sure, there is a ding or two here and there, but the damage caused by MOST small stones, bugs are not there. After a few days of summer driving, lots of bug carcasses, but they wipe off easy. I apply Meguiar's Ultimate Detailer at least once a week. I had it installed b/c I had the front bumper painted (as well as the trunk, front and rear passenger quarter panels and 2 doors) b/c it was very pitted. I figured, hey, I had about $4-5K of work done to it (thank you insurance and FU to the a$$ hole who keyed it) and it's going to look like a$$ after 6 months of driving. $500 seemed cheap to protect it.

Anyway, to the OP, I have neither of the products you mentioned, but I honestly don't think you can go wrong with either of them. Just remember to "maintain" it (wash/wax and basically keep it clean).

 

[AlamoRunner]

I have had PPF on several vehicles over the last 10 years and expect to continue to use it on any new vehicle I purchase. I have 3M on 2 2003 MINI Coopers. Full hood and bumper coverage on a silver S model, and a 18" hood and bumper kit on a maroon base model. The 9 year old 3M PPF has done its job protecting against paint damage, but with both cars relegated to college/grad student duties, they don't get the care they had when they were at home. My daughter left bird droppings on the PPF on the maroon car for too long and when finally washed the droppings had etched through the film. More recently, we bought a new Pearl White 2010 Highlander Limited with a Gulf States Toyota port installed hood and mirror 3M kit. After 18 months, the 3M film was yellowing (probably wouldn't have been noticable on any other color) and I had it removed and replaced with an XPEL Ultimate bikini hood, mirror and bumper kit. The bikini cut makes the PPF 99% invisible. It has been in place for 8 months and no color change or evidence of any damage from rock impacts so the healing property must be working pretty well. I also have a Black 2011 4R TE that thankfully did not come with the port 3M film so I had the XPEL Ultimate hood and bumper kits installed, also with bikini cut. It is also virtually invisible but requires a little more attention to the edges after washing due to white wax buildup which shows up on the black paint. My film has all been with XPEL computer designed patterns.

 

[kj2005]

XPEL Ultimate - Installed!

The truck was wrapped last week and it looks great! I'm very satisified with the results of the product, installation, etc. I had a custom install which has better coverage and less noticable edges than a pre-cut kit.

This incuded the front bumper, 1/3 hood, 1/3 fenders, mirrors, headlights, and door cups. The installer said the front bumper was more complicated than most others due to angles.

If you need an intstaller in Eastern Mass, I would recommend Unique Car Care in Wakefield. Rick Nelson, the owner, is a nice guy who has a very good reputation.

 

[THEROK]

This is just like tint. Products have evolved long enough forte quality to be on par. Plus these things have a life span of 3 to 5 years or so. Not intended to last life of car.

Just go to a reputable installer. Done.