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      03-17-2008, 02:52 PM   #1
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Cost of clear paint protection film like 3M

Hi,

Since my order of my 135i will be coming in soon, I have been looking at the various methods of protecting that new paint with 3M/Xpel/Stone guard.

I asked the dealer how much it would cost to do the film protection and they quoted me about $1129. I thought that was really steep, and so I went to find a local installer who was supposed to be really reputable, and he quoted me $2,425 for material and labor. This was only for the hood, bumper, mirrors and front fenders. :eyebulge:

To be fair, I did not ask what kind of coverage the dealer was going to install for me...but at $1129, I assumed at that time that it was for full frontal coverage.

I live in the Bay Area, and wonder if anyone has ever paid for such an install, and how much you paid for it? Materials and labor.

If it is too $$$, I am thinking of even buying a kit and doing the install myself.:iono:

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you.
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      03-17-2008, 03:08 PM   #2
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I got local quotes of $425 to $550 for an Xpel install.
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      03-19-2008, 01:57 PM   #3
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I have Xpel installed on my X5 in sacramento couple years ago. The cost was somewhere $700ish. That includes 1/3 hood, bumper, mirrors, door edge, head light and fog light.
If you want the shop's name, send me a pm to remind me to dig up the receipt.
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      03-19-2008, 04:07 PM   #4
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I'll install that myself. Just buy the 3M Kit off EBay.
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      03-19-2008, 04:19 PM   #5
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Have you done that before, mateo? Looks like it could be a tough job to get a bubble/wrinkle free job.
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      03-19-2008, 04:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeo View Post
Have you done that before, mateo? Looks like it could be a tough job to get a bubble/wrinkle free job.
Yes I have. I also watched a pro do it to my truck. It takes about 45 minutes and a heat gun to shrink some areas. Easy to do, but you have to take the time to do it right. I'm not ever paying again. Only downside is you may not be able to get the kit as easy when the car is so new out of the box.
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      03-19-2008, 04:37 PM   #7
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...spagenameZWD1V
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      03-23-2008, 01:40 PM   #8
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I did that myself on the civic and it was a LOT of work (6 hours of my saturday afternoon). Especially along the contours and the edges. I still have few creases along the turn signal but not noticeable unless you look for it.
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      03-23-2008, 02:17 PM   #9
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If you're paying over $600 after the install you're getting ripped off. I don't have their card on me, but some company out of Temecula, CA, installed a clear bra on my 350Z last summer. It wasn't a 3M product, but it was just as good and maybe better then the 5 year old 3M clear bra I had on there before. Even for a pro he was out there all day. Unless you've done the job before, I highly recommend having a professional do it.....looked really tricky.
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      03-23-2008, 02:35 PM   #10
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https://www.xpel.com/products/paint_...21&series=1323
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      03-24-2008, 10:08 AM   #11
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I have always used Xpel on my cars. I love the stuff. However, I am not sure I am going to do it with Alpine White. White is so easy to touch up.
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      03-25-2008, 12:31 AM   #12
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Omega Werks, (925-227-1322) in Pleasanton, did a great job on my car. One man show and Vincent takes his work very seriously. Scary photos but it all went back together without a hitch or a scratch:
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Last edited by JAMS 135; 08-06-2010 at 05:23 PM..
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      03-25-2008, 12:36 AM   #13
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Omega also does window tint. Here is my car with 50% LLumar Axcess Ceramic:
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      03-25-2008, 12:50 AM   #14
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Did you clear bra your entire hood and fender? How about the bumper?
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      03-25-2008, 07:51 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robert View Post
Did you clear bra your entire hood and fender? How about the bumper?
+1 ???

Every installer I have talked to doesn't want to do a full hood (even though I'm willing to pay for it).
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      03-25-2008, 12:28 PM   #16
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Jams 135, how much did you pay for the entire job?

How much was for the clear protection, and how much was for the tinting?

From your pics, I am guessing that it was a totally custom job, not a kit job.

Looks like he did a wonderful job with your car. Congrats!
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      03-25-2008, 03:21 PM   #17
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Aerotect.net Great guys and great work. They did my IS350, front end, mirrors, hood, etc. They will do the entire hood, or most of the car for that matter... behind door handles, etc.

I paid about $400/$450 ish. GREAT turn-out, I would not recommend doing it yourself, especially if you want perfect fitment around edges and curved areas.
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      03-25-2008, 04:06 PM   #18
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Full custom job. EVERYTHING is covered like Grandma's sofa, back to the doors; even the headlights. Also did the rocker panels and rear wheel arches. Give Vincent a call for a price quote: 925-227-1322.

Last edited by JAMS 135; 08-06-2010 at 05:21 PM..
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      03-27-2008, 06:26 AM   #19
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Bad ass. Looks good!
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      03-27-2008, 07:38 AM   #20
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I've got an appointment to get a full hood, front side panels, front bumper, mirrors, and door handle recesses covered this saturday morning.

I was debating whether to spend the money on it or not...but then i took a look at my gf's 2005 bmw 3er and the hood is chipped to hell. primer visible all over the hood like it snowed. and that is a 2 or 3 year old car! That made my decision easy.
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      04-05-2008, 05:39 PM   #21
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I had the 3M applied to my current car(a 2005 Scion tC) at the Toyota dealership by a seperate company for $400.00. It was a "complete" version of an install as they covered everything possible without actually wrapping the entire car. Door cups, entire front end, mirrors, door sills, door edges, fender arches, etc. etc. This was after they touched up any existing chips as I had already owned the car for a couple months. All I did was write a check to the company that did the work. This was after a 50% discount as my father is an employee at the dealership itself. It seems that if somewhere/somehow you can form a relationship with the individual who does the work they respond well to those who pay cash up front, check etc. If I remember correctly it supposed to come with a lifetime warranty as well. The film itself is touted as indestructible. If it performs otherwise they will replace/repair for free.
With that being said I drive a black car and live in Washington state. Its worth noting that while I have 2 or 3 indefinite "pock marks" in my clear bra that is supposedly indestructible, it has obviously saved me from MASSIVE dings and chips that would have appeared otherwise. Furthermore, a couple of times I have accidentally banged the edge of my doors against cement posts at the gas station, parking garage, etc. and the film performed wonderfully. Where I thought there would or could be a terrible scuff or scratch there was absolutely no sign of contact.:headbang:
FWIW, the paint on my current make and model of car is notorious for being incredibly weak. It scratches if you look at it wrong.
Also, some speculate that it is a positive factor as far as resale value for the car it is applied to.
When it comes to doing it yourself, a complex front end shape such as the 1er's might be a little daunting. The gentlemen who installed mine said the existence of my factory lip kit made the install far more difficult. To quote, "It was a pain in the ***!" I am certainly not brave enough to attempt it myself.
Nevertheless, it looks flawless. No wrinkles or creases and it certainly lives up to its claim of being "invisible." It takes a hard look and a sharp eye to spot where it starts and stops.
Point being, I wouldn't hesitate to have it put it on any of my automobliles. As they say, protect you investment. Shop around for a good install price. Depending on the level of installation, $1200.00 is where I would draw the line for cost to have it applied to a car such as the 1.
I thought of it this way: if I didn't hesitate to spend $400.00 on a Valentine1 with the intention that it would save me money on tickets(which it has) then the 3M clearbra was a no-brainer...:thumbup:
Apologies for the brick-o-text!:eyebulge: Just my $0.02.
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      04-06-2008, 08:22 PM   #22
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So when you wax your car, do you just skip over the parts that are covered or do you treat it as if it were the surface of the car?
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