Jerry Hernandez

26 minutes ago, TintDude said:

@intdud What makes you think he's a DIYer? He asked if the sweeps need to come off, not some BS about "choosing the right film" or "manufacturer's guidelines for your specific vehicle". 

Thank you! 😅 You took the words out of my mouth.  You're exactly correct, not a DIYer, I've been at it for 30 years.  The lucid got done months ago, it took extra patience but came out fantastic.  Customer had me wrap it with PPF all-around. 

On 7/26/2023 at 9:32 AM, Dano said:

FWIW I don't personally dislike you. I think your reasoning is flawed through a narrow window of grievance. We've all been there.

Your assumption is incorrect.  I clarified it already.  I'm no longer replying to anything on this topic. I'm way too busy.

On 7/26/2023 at 9:25 AM, Dano said:

Show me a company that isn't looking out for their shareholders and I'll show you a company that is at risk of suit for neglecting their fiduciary obligations.

 

Critical thinking requires the removal of personal opinions in the examination of the subject matter, which you are so far not capable of on this given subject.

 

I am not beholden to any company except my own and will choose what suits my market, just as you will. Fair enough.

 

You are welcome to make up your own opinions, you are not welcome to make up your own facts.

 

My personal opinion is that each company will do as they see fit with their respective products and brands. Your "facts" as stated is that Xpel has not had a failure. The overarching issue you point to as "sub par" is your dislike in their marketing, which would be fair if not for the veiled slander.

 

It's ok not to like their processes without slandering the products as a whole because of a personal grievance. That's where I take issue, because of the harm your intending on the company as a whole.

 

For the edifice of all that is reading, I am not an Xpel dealer, rep or associate, nor do I plan to be.

That's where you're wrong.  I don't like the window film since before they're marketing strategy, it's below my standards.  I don't like XPEL now because they told me they weren't selling to me after I made a significant purchase form them. I tried to return it and till this day, 2 plus years, they still haven't taken it back.  I was loyal to them for PPF for about 10-11 years, I'm the one that brought them to my town, and they drop me after selling to me a bunch of film.  They're not willing to give the loyalty they demand.  I'm not slandering, I'm stating the facts as I lived through it. 

If it makes you feel any better, I'm in a better place now.  Now I use 3 other PPF manufacturers and can service my customers better to give them a better value. Everything happens for a reason. 

Anyway, I don't have time for all this back and forth.  This is the last thread I'm replying to on this topic.  I don't like XPEL and that's that, I'm also not a fan of 3M if you want another thing to blow up about. 

P.S. I'm gonna ignore your comment again about thinking.  I stooped to your level once, not doing it again.  This is a forum for support through advice.

1 hour ago, Dano said:

Read my bio...28yrs of installing tint/wrap/ppf. Also execute my own designs. Former retail shop owner (multiple concurrent) for the first 15yrs. Wholesale dealership fulfilment to the tune of nearly 10k individual installations.

 

I've used nearly every product that sticks to cars extensively and can recognize a personal complaint masquerading as a product issue everytime.

 

The only subpar issue I see here is your lack of critical thinking because your feelings are hurt by the mean ol film company doesn't need your input or sales to operate in place of their board members. 

I've been at it for 30 years. I don't understand why you take it so personal that I don't like nor recommend XPEL for several reasons.  One of the added reasons I don't like XPEL is as you stated, they look out for shareholders, they're interest in customer service has gone away. This is a forum for advice and opinions, obviously you're the one that has lack of thinking ability.

5 hours ago, Dano said:

 

Sub par but hasn't failed....thank you for confirming that you it's a personal issue with their marketing and that "Made in the US" is just a gimmick.

 

Merika...do it my way or I'll make complaints...fukyeah! 🇺🇸

Like I said, it hasn't been out long enough. Even the cheapest film out last as long as they have had film on the market. Like I said as well, I wasn't going with inferior material in my shop. AND the guy that did go with XPEL locally, already dumped them after only 2 years or so. 

With your remarks, it makes me think that your a particular XPEL rep that was constantly on this forum but you're incognito. 

On 7/22/2023 at 9:33 AM, Dano said:

From source to sale I don't think that is accurate. Component parts come from all over the world in our modern economy. Our EPA will not allow some components to be produced here, or they come at an exorbitant cost making it too prohibitive to be competitive. We can barely make the cardboard that these products are shipped in domesticity. Made in the US often comes with very small print following that says "with globally sourced materials" for a reason.

 

I appreciate your attempt to refute, and you're entitled to your opinion on products in the marketplace. However your issue is that some producer is "full of themselves".

 

I've handled miles of each of these films over the years and have had failures from all with the exception of Xpel and Global thus far. It could still happen but hasn't yet. Only time will tell.

 

Perhaps you were turned down for an area as many have been for some of the other brands you've mentioned. That is a common practice in the market that I understand and don't necessarily agree with but will remain so long as their marketing team and shareholders see fit.

So if you do want to be technical, then yeah, at least the brands I mentioned are "assembled" in the USA, XPEL is neither.  If XPEL hasn't failed on you, its because it hasn't been out long enough to fail.  And yes, I am turned off by the way they do business.  But FYI, I was the one to turn them down.  I was a dealer for about 10 years for PPF, when they came out with window film, tried it, didn't like it whatsoever.  Then they did they're all or nothing campaign, I wasn't gonna jeopardize my reputation using a subpar film at my shop, therefore I turned them down and moved on.

1 hour ago, no ma'am said:

Sweeps do not come off easily. Top seal on back doors do. I still pulled the panels, it was sketchy with the way they do the trim around the handles. 

You mean that thick seal on the slanted part of the back door? Was panel removal pretty straightforward? Thanks! 

1 hour ago, Dano said:

Care to elaborate? Which film in their line did you use?

 

I've never heard any complaints about their products other than they have protected areas which you noted in another thread. 

 

I can think of a few other brands that have similar policies that also restrict distribution to a limited number of dealers per area. I've never liked that method, but I understand why it's used.

 

Is this a product issue or a general dislike of their distributing?

All of the above. The material is grainy, it doesn't shrink that well and its tacky when applying. 

Contrary I have heard of others not liking it either. One guy locally decided to pick them up and be "exclusive", apparently he dumped them after only 2 years.  He went back to Global.

1 hour ago, Dano said:

Name something that doesn't come "overseas" in part or in whole on the industrial market. 

 

Should I trust the Korean products? Chinese? Vietnamese? US? India? Germany? Japan?

 

How many of the companies in each location are using their own source materials in their final products?

 

I think thou doth protest too much. 

I'll name two things, just for you... SolarGard and Llumar.  They make their film in the USA. Let's do a 3rd one, Weathertech, a 4th Bak Tonneau covers.  I got more if you're interested. What I was pointing out is that XPEL is full of themselves and their window film isn't that great.

I have a Lucid Air coming in a couple of weeks.  The sides seem a bit complicated.  Anyone tinted one and know if the sweeps come off easily?  Any tips?

Try asking XPEL what they're doing that the quality isn't consistent.... they won't know since they get the film overseas!  Lol!!  I tried it, didn't like it one bit. Been filming for 30 years and that's gotta be near the worst film I've used for the price.

On 6/27/2023 at 5:50 PM, exhume said:

I have been selling LLUMAR for eight years. XPEL. has been sold recently, and it doesn't sell very well.

That's cuz the word is out that XPELs film isn't as great as XPEL makes it seem.  I tried it, definitely would not use it!

I would stay away from XPEL simply because they're full of themselves.  I've been a SolarGard dealer since 2008 and rarely have issues with the film.  Call Sunbelt Distribution in Houston, ask for Kenny.  They have a few brands including SolarGard but other more basic brands as well.

First of all, DON'T USE XPEL. Second, don't layer film, any brand. The adhesive is designed to adhere to glass not other surfaces and the scratch resistant coating on the bottom film won't let the film adhere properly. 

Seems as if a lot of your specs might be due to all the sand blast damage on your windshield.  Meaning, you're not seeing debris under the film, you're seeing damage the windshield.  The small pockets push them by wrapping a credit card with a soft towel and push from center of glass towards the edge 

My jaw dropped looking at those pictures!! Have them take it off and go elsewhere!  Thank him for his honesty in addressing your dissatisfactions.  I hand cut every single car I get in my shop and get it to the edge on all sides.  When I do a partial back glass, I do 3ft from the bottom going up. 

On 4/2/2023 at 4:24 PM, yourock said:

 

Thank you for the reply! I got my car tinted with Xpel film. Just had one more question. Is this gap look good(see pic)? Also in the rear window the gaps are uneven. I know they did computer cut.

 

p.s. I have another car with less gap than this. 

The Shop might be around for 15 years, but the Xpel film has only been around for about 4-5 years.  That gap is likely due to that film not being very user friendly and the film got stuck when applied and the shop didn't wan to mess with reapplying.  I would of recommend Llumar film of your choices. I've been in the industry for 30 years.

On 3/22/2023 at 8:28 AM, venesa00 said:

Hi everyone,

I need help picking the best window tint for my car. I want to get a ceramic film and have gotten few quotes. Now while comparing them it got me confused. Here are my options listed from most to least expensive.

Xpel XR

Autobahn Black Ceramic

Llumar CTX or 3M Ceramic IR

I am looking for perfomance and longevity.

Skip XPEL for sure.  It's kinda grainy.  Use Llumar or find a dealer for SolarGard and try the Vortex but if you can go all out, do the Xenith.

On 3/23/2022 at 2:15 PM, japjoe7 said:

Without contact Xpel directly, anyone know the general requirement to become a dealer?

I was a dealer for about 12 years. They started their "Buy all all nothing from us" campaign and I definitely did NOT want to use their window film so I moved on. They didn't take my 100% loyalty into consideration, they wouldn't sell to me unless I cut my 25 year tie with my distributor.  95% of my sales are from window film, clearly they were going to be the winner if I had decided to stay.  They're nothing special, other XPEL dealers I know that went all in have regret it as well. Don't bother.

On 12/22/2022 at 7:28 PM, PaintPro said:

Be willing to sell your soul, your first born child and pledge allegiance to all things XPEL.

Yes sir!! Went down that road and regret it.

Try contacting SolarGard.  They have a lot of patterns and have a lot of features on the software.  I'm not 100% sure if you need to be a dealer to use the software.  If you're  not a dealer, you should consider using the film. I've used it since 2008, rarely have warranties with the HP Supreme film and the Ceramic is phenomenal for heat rejection!

Hello everyone.  I'm looking to start using FlexiShield for PPF in my shop, does anyone have any input on this brand? Any input will help. 

Yup... you definitely need to keep an open mind all the time. Been at it for almost 30 years myself and I keep saying that the learning curve is never ending!  I myself are doing more bottom loadings now than before, mainly because of the window setup on some of the new body styles, but I dont like to take cars apart.

After seeing the back glass pic, I just thought of a probability since it happened to me back about 20-25 years ago, I did the same scratches on a rear window, (luckily it was on an old car and for the glass shop so they discounted the glass for the customer).  The reason it got scratched was that I was Tinting too close to the door and a gust of wind blew dirt on to the glass.  I ignored the sand and kept shrinking.  It wasn't till I was done that I realized the sand scratched the glass when I was hard carding the film.  The tinter might not be cleaning the windows on the outside properly before starting the job and it's the dirt, not the hard card scratching. 

If its an A8, definitely your sweeps. Roll your windows all the way down, pull back the sweep that touches the inside of the glass, if you don't see felt, that's the problem.  You need to take your car to get the felt added on.