[ChiTownM]

What price should I expect to protect hood, fenders and front fascia/bumper?

[VTENGR]

In Atlanta it's anywhere between 1,200 and 2,000 dollars. I expect it to be slightly more in the Chicago area.

[slampert]

I was quoted approx $1000 for Xpel for the front bumper, rocker panels, and wheel wells.

[homerrr]

I paid 1700 for covering everything up to and including the outside mirrors, except headlights, which I regret, with Xpel.

[slampert]

Homerrr, am I understanding ? You're only regretting not doing the headlights ? I'm due to have the bra applied tomorrow....

[polychromatic]

Not to hijack, but what I would like to know is what panels are most susceptible to rock chips.

One local shop recommended by BMW dealer in Austin: $399 front bumper, $1599 Front end for XPel.

[homerrr]

Originally Posted by slampert

Homerrr, am I understanding ? You're only regretting not doing the headlights ? I'm due to have the bra applied tomorrow....

Yes, the guy ran out of time because he had to remove the track tape I had put on for the drive from Greenville to Texas. I wish I would have let him do the light also to give them some better protection, and I still may, since it's not too late.
So I recommend doing the lights also. It was out of my budget to do the whole car but if I could I would.
I had someone clip me in the parking lot, left some of his/her paint on the ppf, was able to clean it off and it's barely visible anymore.

[homerrr]

Originally Posted by polychromatic

Not to hijack, but what I would like to know is what panels are most susceptible to rock chips.

One local shop recommended by BMW dealer in Austin: $399 front bumper, $1599 Front end for XPel.

Look at your car from the front, everything you see is a target for rocks >>priority 1
Then think of some sideway traveling pebbles flying from cars in other lanes >> priority 2
Now think of someone putting groceries in the trunk without dropping the lower part, or casually walking by the closed trunk >> priority 3

[ChiTownM]

Thank you all, I appreciate the input, very helpful. I will do the whole front since the car is Sapphire Black, didn't think of headlights....

[ted920]

I paid $4,800 for full car PPF. This included PPF for door sill plates but foolishly I didn't get headlights done. However, I will do so soon.

They also charged me $650 for full car Ceramic coat.

I worked him hard on the price negotiation and I'm very happy with the end result.

[bodybybalco86]

Originally Posted by ted920

I paid $4,800 for full car PPF. This included PPF for door sill plates but foolishly I didn't get headlights done. However, I will do so soon.

They also charged me $650 for full car Ceramic coat.

I worked him hard on the price negotiation and I'm very happy with the end result.

What kind of ceramic coating did they put on if you don't mind me asking? The places around me are using Ceramic Pro and Opti Coat but want something like $1600 for coating.

[polychromatic]

I’m not sure of the logic of spending almost 10% of the price of the car just to protect the paint. Seems pretty “over-the-top", but then...

[ted920]

Originally Posted by polychromatic

I’m not sure of the logic of spending almost 10% of the price of the car just to protect the paint. Seems pretty “over-the-top", but then...

But w/ black paint, rock chips, scratches and swirl marks are killer and just ruin the look of the car for me. I want my ride to look good for years going forward.

I live in New England and the snow, salt, and other conditions can be harsh on paint especially after several years.

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by ted920

But w/ black paint, rock chips, scratches and swirl marks are killer and just ruin the look of the car for me. I want my ride to look good for years going forward.

I live in New England and the snow, salt, and other conditions can be harsh on paint especially after several years.

Nothing will protect against rock chips or scratches. However these can be repaired by a good detailer.
Good washing and waxing techniques protect against swirl marks and will protect paint finish and keep it looking new, even with black paint. Granted this takes time and effort however if you consider it a hobby I guarantee you will like the result. Get one of those stools with wheels, it eliminates bending and makes job much easier.

Good luck.

[NWAviator]

$950 for hood, bumper, outside mirrors and door handle insets. I jumped on it just because I was doing my ceramic coat at the same time and needed to decide. Now I wish I'd seen this thread and gotten the fenders done too.

[homerrr]

Originally Posted by Fdmcg

Nothing will protect against rock chips or scratches. However these can be repaired by a good detailer.
Good washing and waxing techniques protect against swirl marks and will protect paint finish and keep it looking new, even with black paint. Granted this takes time and effort however if you consider it a hobby I guarantee you will like the result. Get one of those stools with wheels, it eliminates bending and makes job much easier.

Good luck.

Strongly disagree with "nothing will protect"' Of course the protection is limited to small rocks and not boulders, and scratch protection doesn't include getting t-boned at the intersection, but I'm extremely impressed with the xpel so far, including a "scuff and run" in the parking lot that I was able to polish off the xpel

[RVAGuy]

Originally Posted by homerrr

Strongly disagree with "nothing will protect"' Of course the protection is limited to small rocks and not boulders, and scratch protection doesn't include getting t-boned at the intersection, but I'm extremely impressed with the xpel so far, including a "scuff and run" in the parking lot that I was able to polish off the xpel

I pleased your happy with the results thus far. Best of luck going forward.

[NorCal_CarbonBlack]

100% disagree with "Nothing will protect against rock chips or scratches". Most PPF applications today have self healing properties that allow minor scratches be repaired with heat (think hair dryer). The film I have, STEK DynoShield, is self healing, and if someone takes a screwdriver to my car it will destroy the film, but there's a very good chance the paintwork underneath is ok or would need a 1-2 stage correction, but not a re-spray. You start pitting a front end with rock chips, no good detailer can repair that. I'd rather pit the PPF and be able to tear it off than destroy my paint.

[araje]

I got a quote today for Stek Dynoshield :$1600 for full front. Bumpers, hood, fenders, fog lights, headlights, mirror caps, door edges and door handle cups.
The Clear serum ultra 1coat + EXO 2coats for the whole car are 950 if done in same order. Otherwise they are 1400 just by itself.

The dealer is authorized and certified installer on Stek website and GTechniq CSU website.

[Dr. Jekyll]

In Hawaii a quote for Xpel on the front end is $1,800

[puckybadger]

I paid $1584 for XPEL Ultimate. Full front end, full hood, full front fenders, mirrors, dorr cups, door edge, headlights. Very satisfied.

[ChiTownM]

I paid 1600 for. The front.