XPEL Jeff

SOrry for the quality. This video is before we bumped up our equipment.

 

 

It depends on the install solutions and the environment.  If using our gel and it's not boiling hot or freezing outside, then, yes moisture bubbles should dissipate. 

 

However, customers do not want to take delivery of a car with bubbles, so you should really strive to eliminate moisture bubbles during the installation process.  Work one section at a time and make sure it is clear before moving to the next section.  Usually, you'll have to step back and look from a couple of different angles to catch them all.

On 4/15/2018 at 8:48 PM, JMan136 said:

I figured! What do I need to have another Llumar dealer shop look at my PPF? I have my warranty card, but never got an original receipt. Will the warranty card work?

 

I have no idea where to even go that’s a good shop.

 

What you are dealing with is an installer issue, rather than a film issue.  I would take it back to the original installer and ask them to remove the film and refund your money.   Call the manufacturer to ask if they have another installer they recommend in the area. 

@BlueRider, if you don't mind me asking, did you get the full front or full truck done, and what did the installer charge?

That is not the easiest hood, but the questions that you are asking are all topics that are addressed in a proper training class.  We'll all help you in any way we can on this particular job, but save yourself some grief and sign up for training, it's much cheaper than the wasted film and labor of trying to learn on your own.

 

If that's a partial hood, you'll want to stretch that kit from front to back some, to help minimize the fingers on the side.  If you can get them to where they are closer to an equilateral triangle, rather than a point, they will lay down like butter. If it is a full hood kit, then you need to spread the fingers out.  It looks like you may have squeegeed all of the easy flat stuff in the back, trapping all of the excess film in the front half of the hood, without much real estate to disperse it in.

 

Also, if you're doing center-out, you'll want to finish the area around the center hood scoop before moving to the outer edges.

 

Any air under the film is unacceptable.

We've been working hard over the past couple of years to overhaul our tint program.  Give us a call at 210-678-3700 or complete the form at http://www.xpel.com/ppf-installer/ if you'd like a free trial of the most robust tint/ppf software in the biz!

 

Tint pattern fit video

 

On 3/26/2018 at 11:43 PM, tint_audiopros said:

 

HMM...have you actually pulled paint when removing on a Ferrari? What year?  Guess I can always pass on the removal if its ever needed but don't think I'll pass up doing the install. Anyone else have any experience with Ferrarri and PPF?

 

Out of the 2500 Ferraris sold annually in the U.S., we might get 2 calls per year on paint peeling, if that helps you figure out your odds.  If half of the Ferraris sold annually (2500) in the U.S. got film (1,250) and half of those were XPEL film (625), that's far less than 1% that are problematic.

 

Having said that, I agree with Speed that you should be cautious around cars with known paint weaknesses.  Have waivers signed and have honest discussions with your Ferrari customers.

You'll have more headaches pleasing Corvette owners than you will with Ferrari owners. The bumper is moderately difficult, but everything else on that car is easy peasy.  Set your pricing based on the bigger harder cars and charge that much for everything. 

 

You just want to build in enough margin that you aren't afraid to spend as much time and film needed to make sure that the job looks great and still make a profit.  Every once in a while you'll have the customer with unrealistic expectations that you have to be prepared to refund, so keep that "slush fund" in mind as well.

Why would you price it any differently?  Just because a car is more expensive, doesn't mean that it is any harder.

I know that SunTek's adhesive is a little less aggressive, but we usually recommend .5 cc/mL of J&J or Dawn Ultra.  It shouldn't be super sudsy, or you'll end up fighting it.  What does SunTek recommend?

We (XPEL) have training in UK and Netherlands as well. Shoot me a PM if you’re interested

Hi Jeff, we will be there, looking forward to it!

See you soon!

Time is running out to book your place at this year’s event!
 
Tons of good tips on how to grow your business and a chance to show what you’ve got with a squeegee!
 

Call, PM, or go to the website to book your room!

http:// http://xpel.com/dealerconference

Thanks for the heads up @DynamicATL.  @WL Tint, I’m not sure how things are set up in the UK on DAP, but if you’ll email me your contact info at jphillips@xpel.com I’ll be happy to have someone reach out with details. 

 

We’ve worked really hard on the tint pattern database over the last couple of years, so if any of you would like to try a free trial of the software or some prime film, just shoot an email to me and we’ll get you fixed up!

Anyone with pattern software know the difficulty rating?

Quite a few trim levels and series available for that one. Difficulty levels are listed on the kit search at www.xpel.com, but keep in mind not all design houses approach a car the same way.

I'm pretty impressed with what you've been able to do with it so far @BigRuski!  You may literally be the first guy in the world to do a vinyl wrap full car color change with that product.

You can apply it to the top of a coated car, it will just change the adhesive properties.  As long as the installer is knows how to work with the different properties, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Ideally though, you'd like to protect the film with the coating on any future jobs.

On 11/18/2017 at 7:52 AM, envious eric said:

 

I've heard the media catch sometimes will bunch up the film and cause it to twist and get ruined during plotting, wasting film.

 

 

The film only twists if your catch basket isn't aligned parallel with your plotter.  No matter what your setup, you'll want to stand by.  While you can walk away during cutting 9 times out of 10, that last time is too expensive.

 

Tables work well, but they chew up a lot of real estate.  Either way can be successful.

Hi @BigRuski, sorry I haven't been around TD lately!  I wouldn't advise any full car color changes with that product.  It's more designed for accents, single panels, etc.  

 

As you are aware with PPF, it is pretty much impossible to wrap EVERY edge and corner without some major dismantling.  Being that it is a PPF and much thicker than vinyl, you'll struggle to get it to cover every square inch.  If you were looking to black out a hood or a roof or install racing stripes, I'd say you're in luck, but a whole car is more than the most experienced installer would want to bite off.

 

We did a pre-launch at SEMA a couple of years ago and decided to put it on the back burner for a while.  It's probably time we brought it back to market!  It's good to know that the folks in Canada still have some, because I know some folks that would probably take out a second mortgage to get some more down here again.

We've just decided to help our competitors less.  That's all.  

 

Setting up a handful of installers in a 5 million plus metro area is a little different than setting up two installers a football field apart.

 

Midtown, you are right, Los Angeles doesn't make a lot of sense for us because multiple installers represent us well there, not unlike a lot of other markets.  That wasn't the case in Houston/Atlanta/Etc.  We don't mind taking business from competitors.  In fact, taking business from competitors and giving it to loyal XPEL users is actually a big reason I get out of bed every morning.

 

Norm paid a $40 access fee with no minimum as a test subject to see if that would be a valid model.  It wasn't.  The current plan raises prices on those pushing competing brands of film and offers huge discount opportunities for those pushing XPEL.  

On 9/11/2017 at 11:59 PM, envious eric said:

I would love more information on this...what are you (Xpel) going to do to get more PPF clients through my doors?

 

I was told by the old rep in my area he wouldn't entertain the idea of making another xpel certified shop out of mine because I was "too close to another shop that does insane volume in film purchasing (tons of wholesale, and lots of lowball pricing such as $1000 cash full fronts, $3800 Ferrari full car deals).  That right there was one of the reasons I went with suntek instead, no support from area reps where as my suntek rep visits the shop and is willing to hear issues and comes up with solutions.

 

Hi Eric,

 

At the time you inquired, you were less than half a mile from a long time customer.  When we say "no" it's not really "no," but rather "not right now" until we develop more demand in that specific area.  If our rep didn't do a good job of conveying that, then I apologize.  The irony is that both of you are competing using SunTek half a mile from eachother now.  We prefer not to saturate an area if at all possible.  Is it perfect, no, but if you were on the other side of the equation you would've appreciated it.

 

As for how we grow the business, we've got multiple ways, whether it be leads, digital marketing, working shows together, landing dealership accounts, etc.  Let me know if you'd like to give it a whirl, as we have a different rep in the area now that would do a good job of repairing that relationship.

 

 

If I was a business owner, I'd test any and all films myself.  The problem with forums is that you don't know the conditions that were involved in any of the situations, the size of the sample set, or any agendas involved. 

 

Give every film a fair shot, install them side by side all on your own car (and family/friends/neighbors)  and see how they hold up long term, before making a purchasing decision.  Your reputation and customers deserve a thorough review.

 

I'm not discounting any of the feedback shared on the forums, but if the success of my business hinged upon something (like the long-term expectations of a primary product offering), I'd want to have full confidence gained through adequate personal experience.