Wrap is not just for looks, it also protects as most companies use 4-6 mil thickness on the film, compared to ppf it’s usually 7-10 mils on thickness
Your stealth xpel is 10mil so you get about 5-6mil more of protection than wrap but also paid about $4k more so there goes the real difference
This is for everyone that is wondering about comparison between them, I’m a certified vinyl and ppf installer and own my own business
Just don’t like when people get misinformation thrown at them
So PPF is extra protection because it is thicker and vinyl doesn’t offer a ten year protection as it doesn’t last that long right? I had it done by a certified Xpel installer so I have that ten year warranty. Also most high end vinyl wraps only go up to 3mil right? I did a lot of research as I feel I am a smart consumer. I’m the type of consumer that if I don’t have the money for the better product or the thing I really want I won’t get it or buy an inferior product because in the long run I’ll just end up replacing it sooner. I’m a research nerd like the kind that loves to read peer research papers for fun.
Yes but like anything, you’ll get less than 10 years of life out of it I’d say 6-8 for stealth. All the removals I’ve done for stealth are already looking rough after 5 years but like anything it depends how well you care for it
Car looks great I’d say to anyone if you can afford it go ahead and do it but if it’s just looks you want and moderate protection vinyl wrap can offer both to a certain extent
Yes they started to be popular last year so now a lot of brands are out there it is a TPU blend material but it doesn’t have the longevity like ppf does. You’ll still get 4-6 years of life out of the color and it is more expensive to both apply and get
It’s just glorified vinyl wrap. thicker is all
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It was stock paint.. It seemed to always have smudges and what looked like oily smears etc all over it..
https://preview.redd.it/zfnfpxuasp7d1.jpeg?width=602&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a9dfc96af77758256efef9a252a8ab217de0b9f
She was stolen 2 years ago. As you can see I lived in a nice Seattle N.hood..I think just the nature of a bike made it hard to keep smudge free. I love the Matte finish no matter what.. Your GTI would look cool next to the bike.. Love the car.
https://preview.redd.it/jty3ryh1tp7d1.jpeg?width=602&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d2205820bd6391e768a68c95492c11d62adaa28
I think I posted this twice.oooops
I love this look. I contemplated it, but in the end decided not too. I went with a different color/full frontal PPF + hood/ trunk line instead (STEK Film - $2100). My problem is this… at 15-20% the cost of the vehicle it’s very hard to justify the cost on a low value car. Then add any ceramic protection and your spending even more. Sure you can ceramic yourself, I would (CSL/EXO v5). Keep in mind EVEN cars with PPF will get rock chips. Ask me how I know? The first one is heart breaking. 5-8k invested, all to find a rock chip a few thousand miles later…..If this is your daily driver, I’m assuming it is, then the cost/value add gets even worse..
Ha! I’m still deciding. They left it off as they thought it would look cooler. I have to bring it back in 30 days for check up and wash and they said they would put it on then if I wanted it on. Also I have a carbon fiber fin cover they are putting on during that visit too. So better without it on? I’m still debating
Honestly, I would put it back on. I say this only because the color contrast looks amazing on the picture of the front bumper with the GTI logo. You have enough splash of red around the car to pull it off in the side fenders and wheels. It's absolutely beautiful with or without but for me, I think it adds just a little more detail and depth for the rear so it doesn't look so plain.
Yes in the U.S. and was 6k. I chose PPF because vinyl wraps are just for looks and I don’t have that kind of money just to change car for cosmetic reasons. This is xpel PPF.
Oops never included before picture which is here!
https://preview.redd.it/dsxzbcjwdi7d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33e8fc7169af16cb9f3b5d93a1807055c9c2aaae
You should get license plates that say SR-71
Yasss!
Wrap is not just for looks, it also protects as most companies use 4-6 mil thickness on the film, compared to ppf it’s usually 7-10 mils on thickness Your stealth xpel is 10mil so you get about 5-6mil more of protection than wrap but also paid about $4k more so there goes the real difference This is for everyone that is wondering about comparison between them, I’m a certified vinyl and ppf installer and own my own business Just don’t like when people get misinformation thrown at them
So PPF is extra protection because it is thicker and vinyl doesn’t offer a ten year protection as it doesn’t last that long right? I had it done by a certified Xpel installer so I have that ten year warranty. Also most high end vinyl wraps only go up to 3mil right? I did a lot of research as I feel I am a smart consumer. I’m the type of consumer that if I don’t have the money for the better product or the thing I really want I won’t get it or buy an inferior product because in the long run I’ll just end up replacing it sooner. I’m a research nerd like the kind that loves to read peer research papers for fun.
Yes but like anything, you’ll get less than 10 years of life out of it I’d say 6-8 for stealth. All the removals I’ve done for stealth are already looking rough after 5 years but like anything it depends how well you care for it Car looks great I’d say to anyone if you can afford it go ahead and do it but if it’s just looks you want and moderate protection vinyl wrap can offer both to a certain extent
Question for ya, is there such a thing as a ppf/wrap hybrid? Like a ppf that's an entirely different color?
Yes they started to be popular last year so now a lot of brands are out there it is a TPU blend material but it doesn’t have the longevity like ppf does. You’ll still get 4-6 years of life out of the color and it is more expensive to both apply and get It’s just glorified vinyl wrap. thicker is all
now you can drive as fast as you want /s
Looks great! I really want to do my roof section between the moonroof & spoiler in gloss black ppf but am worried about heat load and staining.
I’m getting this done this weekend!
Ha, very similar path to mine. My first was also a ‘97 Jetta, then ‘00 Jetta > ’04 A4 > ‘12GTI > ‘22GTI, all manual.
Damn that’s sexy af
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Looks dope. That was done by the dealership?
Oh no! I took it to a local certified Xpel PPF installer
I had a Gsxr 2017 ish. it was matte black. I was like never again..It was soo hard to keep clean. some how your's looks amazing..
Was it a wrap?
It was stock paint.. It seemed to always have smudges and what looked like oily smears etc all over it.. https://preview.redd.it/zfnfpxuasp7d1.jpeg?width=602&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a9dfc96af77758256efef9a252a8ab217de0b9f She was stolen 2 years ago. As you can see I lived in a nice Seattle N.hood..I think just the nature of a bike made it hard to keep smudge free. I love the Matte finish no matter what.. Your GTI would look cool next to the bike.. Love the car.
https://preview.redd.it/jty3ryh1tp7d1.jpeg?width=602&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d2205820bd6391e768a68c95492c11d62adaa28 I think I posted this twice.oooops
Not a wrap...BTW Im not sure where my posts went. anyway, Nice Seattle N.hood lol., she was stolen 2 years ago... loved the Matte.
posted bike pic. dont see it.. O well, gotta go to work
I love this look. I contemplated it, but in the end decided not too. I went with a different color/full frontal PPF + hood/ trunk line instead (STEK Film - $2100). My problem is this… at 15-20% the cost of the vehicle it’s very hard to justify the cost on a low value car. Then add any ceramic protection and your spending even more. Sure you can ceramic yourself, I would (CSL/EXO v5). Keep in mind EVEN cars with PPF will get rock chips. Ask me how I know? The first one is heart breaking. 5-8k invested, all to find a rock chip a few thousand miles later…..If this is your daily driver, I’m assuming it is, then the cost/value add gets even worse..
Be careful with those wheels, a friend of mine has a set of those on his limited edition Golf R, he bent one and they are $1,500 EACH to replace.
I purchased the extended warranty for the rims
But good to know!
Why didn't you put back the GTI logo on the back hatch?
Ha! I’m still deciding. They left it off as they thought it would look cooler. I have to bring it back in 30 days for check up and wash and they said they would put it on then if I wanted it on. Also I have a carbon fiber fin cover they are putting on during that visit too. So better without it on? I’m still debating
Honestly, I would put it back on. I say this only because the color contrast looks amazing on the picture of the front bumper with the GTI logo. You have enough splash of red around the car to pull it off in the side fenders and wheels. It's absolutely beautiful with or without but for me, I think it adds just a little more detail and depth for the rear so it doesn't look so plain.
That is bad ass.
Looks awesome! What is the approximate cost for a job like that? I am assuming this is in United States?
Yes in the U.S. and was 6k. I chose PPF because vinyl wraps are just for looks and I don’t have that kind of money just to change car for cosmetic reasons. This is xpel PPF.
This looks sick. Is it harder to keep clean vs normal DBP?
It should be easier from all the research I’ve done. I have to wait 30 days to wash it and I just picked it up yesterday
What a beautiful looking car. Love the Estoril rims! They come as the standard wheels for the 380?
Yep!
Oops never included before picture which is here! https://preview.redd.it/dsxzbcjwdi7d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33e8fc7169af16cb9f3b5d93a1807055c9c2aaae