Review: Coatings, Waxes, and Clear Bra Oh My!

[swanicyouth]

For whatever reason, I find LSP sticks to clear bra material (PPF) BETTER than paint. I''m only going by beading, so my logic may be flawed. But the PPF always seems to bead a bit better & longer than the paint for me. One thing to consider, they actually make a dedicated sealant for PPF. I have it, and it's pretty good:

It's a lot like PowerLock and similar products. I use it and like it.

 

[Evan.J]

That looks like a lot of work... a real labor of passion....


Good luck with this...


:xyxthumbs:

Thanks Mike

I had xpel film on my last car. Eventually any product I put on it would eventually run off. My wife always commented.. " Your car has a runny nose" since a puddle of product would be on my bumper. It does take a while to happen though, months. Wish I had taken pictures.

Given that, the film was great!! Hardly noticeable, didn't turn color even being on a white car, and bugs didn't stain it. After two years with that car I was very pleased with the xpel. And even though product wouldn't stay on it it always looked good.

With all that said. I mostly used Wolfgang DGPS and the Deep Gloss Spritz Sealant on the expel. Sometimes Fuzion too.

Thanks for the input Russell. Nice to hear some first hand things from those that have applied either a wax or a sealant to a clear bra.

For whatever reason, I find LSP sticks to clear bra material (PPF) BETTER than paint. I''m only going by beading, so my logic may be flawed. But the PPF always seems to bead a bit better & longer than the paint for me. One thing to consider, they actually make a dedicated sealant for PPF. I have it, and it's pretty good:

It's a lot like PowerLock and similar products. I use it and like it.

Yep I know all about the Xpel brand sealant though I dont have any on hand it would be nice to get some and have had it for the test. Maybe I will get some and do a round two test and see how that goes. Thanks for you input as well Steve.

 

[swanicyouth]

You want a small sample of Xpel sealant? I can spare an AG size sample. PM me yr addy. It's on me. I'll get it out today. I got nothing else to do but watch snow melt.

 

[SON1C]

quite an interesting thread and test, looking forward to your results & outcome
:xyxthumbs:

 

[Evan.J]

You want a small sample of Xpel sealant? I can spare an AG size sample. PM me yr addy. It's on me. I'll get it out today. I got nothing else to do but watch snow melt.

PM sent Thanks Steve

quite an interesting thread and test, looking forward to your results & outcome
:xyxthumbs:

Thanks Drew rops:

 

[jayshut11]

Thanks a lot for this write up Evan. I look forward to the results!

 

[Evan.J]

Thanks a lot for this write up Evan. I look forward to the results!

Thanks Justin!


I was informed today that the Xpel sealant is not needed for the ultimate film however you can still use it or any other sealant on the market. As with anything proper care will increase the life of the film.

 

[FUNX650]

I was informed today that the Xpel sealant is not needed for the ultimate film

however you can still use it or any other sealant on the market.

As with anything proper care will increase the life of the film.

How about Waxes and Coatings'?
Such as:

• Wolfgang Fuzion Wax
• BlackFire BlackIce
• Pinnacle Black Label 850 Diamond Suface Coating
• Opti-Coat
• C.Quartz Uk
• Son1c Wax

Are they considered proper care by XPel?

When it comes to waxes sealants or anything else that we in the detailing wold use the only thing that

Xpel recommends is that consumer or Detailer
stays away from is any products that contain petroleum distillate's.
Petroleum distillates will break down any polyurethane product.

gasoline and acetone...

Just thinking aloud...
I kinda wonder what affect, if any, ammonia would have on this PPF.

Bob

 

[custmsprty]

Definitely subb'ing to this thread!

Thanks for the write up and dedication Evan. Looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments on the products you are reviewing.

:iagree:

 

[Evan.J]

How about Waxes and Coatings'?
Such as:

• Wolfgang Fuzion Wax
• BlackFire BlackIce
• Pinnacle Black Label 850 Diamond Suface Coating
• Opti-Coat
• C.Quartz Uk
• Son1c Wax

Are they considered proper care by XPel?




Bob

Yes Bob those would all still be considered proper care as well.

 

[FUNX650]

Yes Bob those would all still be considered proper care as well.

How do you figure this as being so?
According to XPel?
If not: By what authority?

-Do any of those Waxes/Coatings contain petroleum distillates...ammonia?

Just curious:
If...as you have stated...all of these products are considered proper care for PPF:
Why bother testing them?

Sort of

Bob

 

[Radarryan]

Thanks for the test, Evan! I know that there is constant debate on what's, if anything, best for PPFs. From personal experience with both 3M and XPel clear bras, I have found that even Opti-Coat, GTechniq C1, GTechniq EXO, and GTechniq EXOv2 all had no negative effects on the film.

Now, because I had 3M first, I have more information regarding what they recommend. Their "official" recommendation was to use their polishes and waxes on the film (go figure, right?). That being said, they said anything that is approved for automotive clear coats will be fine for the film. Since they make automotive paints, as well as clear bras, this leads me to believe that there are quite a few similarities between them.

I look forward to your self-healing test because my installer (highly experienced) said that he and his employees have taken wire brushes to the film and not been able to scratch it! The only thing that they are hesitant about is the adhesive from the XPel, just because it hasn't been tested in real-world conditions as long as the 3M brand.

Thanks for doing the test with Eraser, too! I know that GTechniq Panel Wipe is no longer recommended for PPFs because of the experience that I have had with it. That being said, one of their employees has said that he has installed it on a XPel branded PPF and had no adverse effects. Unfortunately, can't say as much about my 3M branded film.

Anyways, thanks again and I look forward to more of the results! Happy detailing!

 

[ZeroSP]

Interesting test... But one hell of a investment there

 

[Evan.J]

How do you figure this as being so?
According to XPel?
If not: By what authority?

-Do any of those Waxes/Coatings contain petroleum distillates...ammonia?

Just curious:
If...as you have stated...all of these products are considered proper care for PPF:
Why bother testing them?

Sort of

Bob

You say why bother but I say why not.

Why not test them?

Why not test how they act on film?

Why not see what happens and how each product reacts?

Why not test how the film and the self healings features react with the coating and waxes? Were you not the one to ask if a coating would have any affect of the self healing of the film?


:dblthumb2:

 

[hernandez.art13]

^ :laughing:


Art

 

[Evan.J]

Hey guys have an update for you. I have the film sitting out side which has been subjected to rain and snow this past week and I much say very impress with the Pinnacle Black Label Surface Coating and the beading I am seeing.

Additionally I have received an email from the COO of Xpel and he would like to clear up a few thing so here is what he had to say:

1) Avoiding petroleum distillates - This applies only to films we made prior to Ultimate (Standard, Premium, Value and Xtreme) and most other brands of PPF. It is the porosity of the clear coats on these films (and lack of a clear coat on Value) that causes them to be vulnerable to these products. Ultimate, on the other hand, uses a high density automotive clear coat (yes, just like clear that is sprayed onto a car at the factory but with self healing magic added to it) that is highly resistant to chemicals and solvents (including ammonia which someone on the thread asked about). This prevents distillates from reaching the polyurethane layer, which keeps it from discoloring.

2) Using sealant on Ultimate - While it is not necessary for the warranty, it is a good idea to use XPEL or some sealant on the film simply because it makes the film easier to clean.

So there is some great info there for anyone interested
(Bob this work be official things from Xpel)

I will be getting up some photos tomorrow at some point!

 

[FUNX650]

So there is some great info there for anyone interested
(Bob this work be official things from Xpel)

That's great news...Ultimate is on two of the vehicles.
One more to go (front clip, full hood)

However:
I sincerely believe that the thread-starter title is not a true representation of what could be misconstrued to be:
"proper care" for all Clear Bras...all PPF's...as it were.
A disclaimer should be issued stating that is the case.

I do realize that the particular PPF (XPel's Ultimate), and the testing products were listed in your OP.
But...Perhaps...an additional:
'Any and all results of said testing is only applicable to the aforementioned PPF'...would also be in order?


Thanks again, Evan, for your time, efforts, and:
Especially the understanding you've shown for your fellow AG'er...
while performing these testing procedures.




Bob

 

[AaronC]

Great info and great write up!

 

[Evan.J]

Hmmmmmm To test other films as well if possible?

 

[Alby]

Subscribed. Very interesting to read, cabin fever going on here. Since I am doing this for a hobby, it's pretty cool and interesting to read all of the reviews. The weather here has not been very cooperative lately so all I have been able to do is wash my truck.
Thanks for all the time and info.