2012 Mercedes GL-550 hood

Derny311 · June 3, 2016

Ok so I'm using Suntek Paint Protection and today I did a 2012 GL-550. I didn't have the kit so most of it I had to handcut. The hood took me forever and I found it difficult to install. It came out good but I'm worried about it lifting up. I did probond the edge but I was still having issues. Can someone give me some pointers if I have to redo it?

This was the trouble spot I was working with.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

waxworkz · June 4, 2016

What issues did you have? You failed to describe the issues, try and be specific. Also what slip solution and tack solution did you use? Ratios would help also

Jake · June 4, 2016

I have done a lot of these as I have a Mercedes account. I use Suntek also. I know exactly what your talking about on each side of the front of the hood where it curves down. You want to bulk this (like you are) , a kit just makes it way harder to do. What I do is ,get the whole hood down except those 2 front areas. I keep it soaped up pretty good to right before it starts to curve down off the top of the hood to the front. Then I use xpel edge prep on the edge and under the hood from the grill to the head light area. Then I can pull gently down to flatten the film and squeegee out and it will hold first time from the edge prep.This way I get no pull marks on the hood. It's so hard to explain typing it out. So I hope that makes sense.I have never used Pro bond, but edge prep can be a life saver. They all seem to be black also. haha

Speed · June 4, 2016

.I have never used Pro bond,

Yes you have.

waxworkz · June 4, 2016

I have done a lot of these as I have a Mercedes account. I use Suntek also. I know exactly what your talking about on each side of the front of the hood where it curves down. You want to bulk this (like you are) , a kit just makes it way harder to do. What I do is ,get the whole hood down except those 2 front areas. I keep it soaped up pretty good to right before it starts to curve down off the top of the hood to the front. Then I use xpel edge prep on the edge and under the hood from the grill to the head light area. Then I can pull gently down to flatten the film and squeegee out and it will hold first time from the edge prep.This way I get no pull marks on the hood. It's so hard to explain typing it out. So I hope that makes sense.I have never used Pro bond, but edge prep can be a life saver. They all seem to be black also. haha

What is this "xpel edge prep" you speak of?

Jake · June 4, 2016

Well sounds like Speed is saying it maybe the same as Pro Bond. ????

twotint · June 5, 2016

Xpel edge prep is Pro Bond.

Derny311 · June 5, 2016

Sorry for not being so specific waxworkz. The issue I had was the film not wanting to tack down where the hood comes down. The spot in the second pic. My slip solution is water with about 30% alcohol and a drop of JJ. I prep everything with rapid prep before hand. Tack solution is alcohol and water. On that bottom edge of the hood even after I pro bonded it and squeegee everything out I hand small fingers wanting to come up.

TINTZEUS · June 5, 2016

Use more alcohol and move faster..done thousands of these ...take me 20 minutes to do that hood

waxworkz · June 6, 2016

Sorry for not being so specific waxworkz. The issue I had was the film not wanting to tack down where the hood comes down. The spot in the second pic. My slip solution is water with about 30% alcohol and a drop of JJ. I prep everything with rapid prep before hand. Tack solution is alcohol and water. On that bottom edge of the hood even after I pro bonded it and squeegee everything out I hand small fingers wanting to come up.

You use alcohol in your slip? We use 2 bottles, 1 slip, 1 tack. Slip is about 30-32oz of water and 3 decent drops of JJ. Tack is about 30% alcohol(70% ipa) and the rest water. Although now we are trying the 3M gel in a custom ratio