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Would like some thoughts on having Xpel Paint Protective Film installed on my bike. I just bought a dark color bike and know that comes with extra maintenance to keep swirl marks to a minimum. While the bike is new I thought about the PPF with Ceramic Coating on top.
Visited a local shop the end of last week and they seemed very knowledgeable and have great reviews. The cost will be about $1,200 for everything which while expensive I thought it didnt sound to bad. I had PPF on my 08 Vette and at 50k miles the front end still looked like new.
Any experiences and thoughts would be appreciated.
PPF is the best protection for the paint. Has this place put film on bikes before? If so, how did it look? Is it a pre-cut kit or do they cut the parts out of a sheet?
You want all the edges wrapped around so they are hidden.
I'm looking into getting this done on my bike as well. From what I've seen on youtube, some buy the pre-cut kits eaglefan1 mentioned that leave the edges exposed. Some cut patterns out of a plotter at their shop. Some lay on a whole sheet on the bike and cut off the access material.
PPF is the best protection for the paint. Has this place put film on bikes before? If so, how did it look? Is it a pre-cut kit or do they cut the parts out of a sheet?
You want all the edges wrapped around so they are hidden.
They do not have a pre-cut set for my bike. He did measure the bike to see how much material it would take. He said they have done a few bikes, but not many.
I am taking my J&S jack for them to use so they can level the bike during install. There are 2 places locally that do this type of install and this location has better reviews. I looked at their work on a few cars and it looked really good.
Had Xpel installed on the fairing, tank where it touches the seat and saddlebag lids. Had it done in 15' when it was new, still looks like brand new and your cannot see it at all. Highly recommend! I think it was $400 then. Btw - have the entire front end of my C7 wrapped in Xpel, same, looks like brand new.
Quick update… due to a couple of work things I have not been able to get the bike to detail shop but I have been able to get several parts to them. The chopped TP came in and I took it to them before I ever installed it on the bike. The following week I took the bags and side covers. So far everything has turned out great.
I am planning to drop off the outer fairing on Monday. That will leave the front/rear fenders as well as the tank. Also considering having the front forks and cans done. I have lower fairings on order and they will get the protective film applied prior to install.
They are polishing the parts prior to applying the film and then putting on ceramic coat. You really can’t see the film but I know it will cut down on swirl marks and road chips, the film is also self healing. Also did find out that Xpel offers precut pieces for most Harley models.
I put the 3M PPD on the saddlebag lids of my last Street Glide. I have another roll and will install on my '21 Street Glide. I cut the edges so they were just "off" the edge of the top....they did show a bit of stuff that collected in that area, but when I cleaned the bike, that came off, and the edge was barely visible. I would rather have that than the scuff marks the wife seems to leave on the saddlebag lids!!! Not a hard install process. If I were a bit more handy, or confident, I might try a couple other potential wear spots. But I clean and try to keep the bike looking good, and this does help.
Well it took longer than it should have but my fault not the installer. Ended up having the lowers, bells, fairing skirt, outer fairing, front/rear fender, chopped tour pack, side covers, top/front/outside/back of saddlebags and bottom half of the tank covered. Then the bike was ceramic coated. Turned out great and just over $1k for everything… Here are a couple of pictures when I picked it up yesterday.
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PPF - Xpel
