XPEL or Kavaca full PPF

[Bo Dinka]

I looked though this forum but didn’t see anything specific to my question

I’m considering doing full matte ppf on my car and looks like Xpel and Kavaca are the best options.

Is there an advantage to one over the other? For those that have done it what’s your experience been and which do you prefer?

Haven’t found anything meaningful that separates the 2 other than Kavaca offers 12 years warranty.

[Westside Guy]

You didn't state whether your car already has a frozen paint job or if you are simply trying to recreate a frozen look with a stealth type of PPF.

Every picture that has been posted on Bimmerpost that shows cars with Xpel Stealth has shown a great match with the frozen paint finish. We have seen pictures of the front end with Stealth and it is virtually impossible to distinguish where the PPF ends and car's frozen paint starts.

Xpel gives you a 10 years warranty isn't that enough for your future plans?

[Burrcold]

Seems like everyone who sells Kavaca also tends to be a Ceramic Pro dealer. I've heard good things about the brand, but also some not so great things. Honestly it really depends mostly on the installer as to how good the job will be, but I'd always put my money on Xpel...loads of installers, and product in case you ever need to replace a piece.

[Bo Dinka]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

You didn't state whether your car already has a frozen paint job or if you are simply trying to recreate a frozen look with a stealth type of PPF.

Every picture that has been posted on Bimmerpost that shows cars with Xpel Stealth has shown a great match with the frozen paint finish. We have seen pictures of the front end with Stealth and it is virtually impossible to distinguish where the PPF ends and car's frozen paint starts.

Xpel gives you a 10 years warranty isn't that enough for your future plans?

I got tanzanite blue (no frozen) and like the matte PPF look in addition to the protective qualities. 10 years is plenty so not concerned about that, I’m asking about differences between XPEL vs Kavaca based on experiences.

[wizardofOz]

The detailers that are close to home use XPEL and one of the detailer shop managers that I'm close with, their business has really boomed because of the demand for XPEL so much so that he charges an extra 33% from what it was last year and a half ago - he's done several jobs on Lambos, Ferrari's etc etc....so I guess XPEL has been good for his other customers

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Seems like everyone who sells Kavaca also tends to be a Ceramic Pro dealer. I've heard good things about the brand, but also some not so great things. Honestly it really depends mostly on the installer as to how good the job will be, but I'd always put my money on Xpel...loads of installers, and product in case you ever need to replace a piece.

I am also pleased with my Xpel PPF have to agree that the quality of the work from the installer is one of the most important components in this process and key to long term satisfaction. No matter who he goes to, the OP needs to make sure that this is a official dealer in the brand of PPF he selects and also gets a written warranty from the manufacturer.

When I did my PPF and ceramic work on my Z4, I visited a half a dozen shops in my area to see how clean the shops were, the quality of their work and the types of cars they had on site.

I then researched online reviews to see if there were any red flags for any of these shops.

The owner of the shop I finally selected has been wonderful to deal with. Any minor repairs to the PPF have been rectified immediately. Since the first day we met, his customer service has been exemplary and I have had no hesitation in referring people who want PPF and ceramic work done to his shop.

[eliphil]

I’ve been using xpel for years no real complaints with ppf but their ceramic coating I’ve had mixed results with.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I’ve been using xpel for years no real complaints with ppf but their ceramic coating I’ve had mixed results with.

My shop likes to apply 2 layers of Ceramic Pro's 9H which gives you a thicker/ harder coating and then applies their Top Coat which causes water to really bead and roll off and it also gives the car a fabulous glossy wet look.

[ToddRGuy]

I can’t recommend Ceramic Pro or their Kavacca PPF. The company does not stand behind their warranty and points the finger at the installer, if there are problems. This presents a major issue if you were to ever relocate. I’d never use them again.

[eliphil]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

My shop likes to apply 2 layers of Ceramic Pro's 9H which gives you a thicker/ harder coating and then applies their Top Coat which causes water to really bead and roll off and it also gives the car a fabulous glossy wet look.

Ceramic pro was the first ceramic product I ever used 5 years ago and still going strong. The car only has 10000 miles and is garage kept so keep that in mind. I use reload to touch up a few times per year

[quattrodoc]

Has anyone experienced yellowing of the Xpel after ceramic coat? One of my cars has Gtecniq Halo V2 Ceramic (made for PPF) over the Xpel film, and it is slightly yellowing after 2 years. The car is white... I have other white cars with PPF and ceramic that is not Xpel, and it didn't do that...

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by quattrodoc

Has anyone experienced yellowing of the Xpel after ceramic coat? One of my cars has Gtecniq Halo V2 Ceramic (made for PPF) over the Xpel film, and it is slightly yellowing after 2 years. The car is white... I have other white cars with PPF and ceramic that is not Xpel, and it didn't do that...

Xpel now states on their warranty page, "The Limited Warranty does not cover defects caused by use of non-XPEL branded ceramic coatings".

As long as you use the ceramic coating from Xpel over their PPF, you use one of their authorized installers and get the proper warranty paperwork you can file a claim if the PPF turns yellow.

They also have a disclaimer for their ceramic coatings that says, "To maintain the warranty on your product, an annual inspection is required throughout the warranty period, as stated in the product specifications. This inspection should be performed by an XPEL certified Fusion Installer every year and must be completed within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of installation or the date of any previous inspection or service."

You always have to read the fine print on every warranty!

[quattrodoc]

Thanks - nice part is my installer is taking care of it under warranty!

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by quattrodoc

Has anyone experienced yellowing of the Xpel after ceramic coat? One of my cars has Gtecniq Halo V2 Ceramic (made for PPF) over the Xpel film, and it is slightly yellowing after 2 years. The car is white... I have other white cars with PPF and ceramic that is not Xpel, and it didn't do that...

I have the same problem with XPEL on my car! It is a garage queen and probably see sun light when I drive it on the weekend. It is only been treated with Xpel stuff and you could see the yellowing after 2 years.
Yes, I know they have 10 years warranty but I won't bring it back to the shop for re-done. I will redo it with Suntek instead.
I Do NOT recommend XPEL especially with lighter color cars (and their crazy warranty rules)
The White is XPEL on my e93
The Blue is SunTek Ultra on my DD. Most people can't even tell which side had PPF.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

I have the same problem with XPEL on my car! It is a garage queen and probably see sun light when I drive it on the weekend. It is only been treated with Xpel stuff and you could see the yellowing after 2 years.
Yes, I know they have 10 years warranty but I won't bring it back to the shop for re-done. I will redo it with Suntek instead.
I Do NOT recommend XPEL especially with lighter color cars (and their crazy warranty rules)
The White is XPEL on my e93
The Blue is SunTek Ultra on my DD. Most people can't even tell which side had PPF.

If you had the Xpel PPF installed at one of their authorized dealers and it is turning yellow why wouldn't you file a claim?

IMHO, if you read the fine print from Xpel's competitors, they all have exclusions listed in their warranties.

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

If you had the Xpel PPF installed at one of their authorized dealers and it is turning yellow why wouldn't you file a claim?

IMHO, if you read the fine print from Xpel's competitors, they all have exclusions listed in their warranties.

I don't want to file the claim because I don't want to have go through the processes of having them remove the PPF, probably do paint correction again (and cut more of the paint/finish) then put on the crappy PPF
I will cut my loses and put on something else I really like and trust!
Yes, most manufacturers have some exclusions to their warranty policy! However, according to my friend in Detaili g/PPF business, XPEL changed their policies mostly because they were having so many problems and didn't want to cover the warranty. I know many installers stopped offering XPEL.
Don't take anything Personally! I am just giving my honest opinions and experiences .

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

I don't want to file the claim because I don't want to have go through the processes of having them remove the PPF, probably do paint correction again (and cut more of the paint/finish) then put on the crappy PPF
I will cut my loses and put on something else I really like and trust!
Yes, most manufacturers have some exclusions to their warranty policy! However, according to my friend in Detaili g/PPF business, XPEL changed their policies mostly because they were having so many problems and didn't want to cover the warranty. I know many installers stopped offering XPEL.
Don't take anything Personally! I am just giving my honest opinions and experiences .

I have a thick hide so don’t worry I did not take it personally. 👍🏻

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

I have a thick hide so don’t worry I did not take it personally. 👍🏻

Glad to know! I know we sometimes have our own bias/preference and could only express it so well on these posts.
I am very passionate about keeping our cars nice and clean!
I don't trust most of the people (even so called professionals) to work on my car.
Here are an example of the 2021 Cayenne we just purchased from the dealership! They have the car professionally detailed/reconditioned. It looked pretty good under normal light until I strip the paint down for Ceramic coating. The paint looks like crap underneath; looked like the "pro" using dirty pads or something and caused these pigtail marks all over the car
Took me couple hours/multiple steps to clean up a panel. Thankfully most of them came off

[David70]

When it comes to ppf and ceramic coating, based on the chemicals in ceramic coating, warnings that come with not using the correct ceramic coating and installer with PPF, and issues with some brands yellowing I don't see enough of a benefit to risk it on ppf. I've had ppf on the front of my car for over a decade, it looks like new except for minor damage from stuff hitting it, & I'm happy I didn't spend a bunch of time/money with ceramic coating it throughout the years.

I also have serious doubts about actually collecting on these warranties when something goes wrong. Requirements above from Xpel seem only written to deny claims, certified installer doing a yearly inspection close to the date you purchased it has no functional value that I can see, just an irritation that gives them a way out.

[quattrodoc]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

I have the same problem with XPEL on my car! It is a garage queen and probably see sun light when I drive it on the weekend. It is only been treated with Xpel stuff and you could see the yellowing after 2 years.
Yes, I know they have 10 years warranty but I won't bring it back to the shop for re-done. I will redo it with Suntek instead.
I Do NOT recommend XPEL especially with lighter color cars (and their crazy warranty rules)
The White is XPEL on my e93
The Blue is SunTek Ultra on my DD. Most people can't even tell which side had PPF.

Agreed, I had suntek on my Turbo S and no yellowing at all. I think I'll avoid XPEL as well. Funny how you think it's the "best stuff" until it isn't?

[Westside Guy]

Folks, we have wandered slightly OT, let's not forget that Bo Dinka who started this thread was inquiring about putting a matte PPF on his tanzanite blue (not frozen) car.

I have read the vast majority of the threads in this Cosmetic Care & Detailing forum and when there is a discussion about matte PPF the overall consensus has been that people are selecting Xpel's Stealth product and are very happy with the results.

I have not seen many complaints about the quality of their Stealth PPF, occasionally you do read issues with the workmanship from the shop that did the job which is why it is important to really do your homework when selecting where you have the work done.

In addition, I don't ever recall reading a post that said that their Stealth PPF had yellowing issue.

[blackoutF15]

I have no experience in ppf nor ceramic coating until last week I got my sapphire black X5M comp fully done with Xpel stealth ppf and ceramic coated. The shop was recommended by one of the vendors on here I go to for mods. The ppf shop staff told me other than unqualified installers out there, many advertise using xpel film but actually using fake stuff. If the price is too good, it probably isn’t real stuff. The cost of film for a shop is usually 1/2 of the price to wrap. My receipt came in a xpel binder that has documentations provided by xpel on warranty as well as post installation maintenance instructions. I’m also scheduled to return to shop in a week for inspection. I’m not sure if it’s the ceramic coating or the film, or both, the touch of feel on my car now is like butter. I leaned on it yesterday in a parking lot waiting for my daughter to come out of her dance studio, I almost fell because how smooth and slippery it was. I noticed a dead bug on the hood this morning, I got out and prepared to get it off with a damped towel but ended up not having to use it at all. I lightly slide a finger on it and it was gone. No stain nor marking left. I could not be happier with the look and quality of the job and choice of product.

Oh and I’m pretty anal when it comes to.car wash. I prefer to do it myself, got all kinds of ceramic wash/spay products at home. I look forward to less frequent, yet much easier and less time consuming washes with simple soap solution going forward.