Xpel Stealth maintenance...what do you do???

cobrar97 · Apr 19, 2022

10mpg said:
i've had it on my truck (which sits outside in the driveway) since Aug/Sept and it still looks 100% flawless. depending on how good your installer is, the only thing i could assume happens over time is some of the edges / corners could peel up slightly. correctable though.

What about the door handles...how did your place handle those? I've had some dealers say that simply won't do the door handles because they'll be an issue in the near future. Other dealers will do them, but won't warranty them, and give me a cost up-front of re-doing them when the time comes. One dealer said they spray a matte clearcoat on the door handles so it matches but won't lift off...but you have to then deal with that when you sell the vehilce (if you remove the PPF).

10mpg · Apr 19, 2022

cobrar97 said:
What about the door handles...how did your place handle those? I've had some dealers say that simply won't do the door handles because they'll be an issue in the near future. Other dealers will do them, but won't warranty them, and give me a cost up-front of re-doing them when the time comes. One dealer said they spray a matte clearcoat on the door handles so it matches but won't lift off...but you have to then deal with that when you sell the vehilce (if you remove the PPF).

On my actual door handle I have the stealth on it too, it matches and I don't know who told you what but this was never brought up to me.

But for the piece that goes underneath the door handle itself, they can either do it in 1 piece as part of the door panel or cut it and have it in 2 pieces (a smaller piece for just the area around the door handle, and there's a pro and con to each.

I have mine in 1 piece. The pro is, there are no "lines" or "edges" you can see from having multiple pieces. The con is, there is MINOR bubbling around where the part behind the door handle divets inward. You can only see it if you are right on top of the car, and it honestly just looks like it's slightly dirty. It does not bother me.

cobrar97 · Apr 19, 2022

10mpg said:
On my actual door handle I have the stealth on it too, it matches and I don't know who told you what but this was never brought up to me.

But for the piece that goes underneath the door handle itself, they can either do it in 1 piece as part of the door panel or cut it and have it in 2 pieces (a smaller piece for just the area around the door handle, and there's a pro and con to each.

I have mine in 1 piece. The pro is, there are no "lines" or "edges" you can see from having multiple pieces. The con is, there is MINOR bubbling around where the part behind the door handle divets inward.

Got it...I'll have to ask about that. I do remember them saying that they would remove the door handles when doing that area. The place I trusted the most (who is said to be the best in the state) removes the door handles, headlights, taillights, hood vents, and ask much trim and molding as possible (so they can PPF under whatever they can).

I just know I'll be happy to have the gloss black rockers PPF'd...that's the one detail I didn't like about the truck. It just doesn't blend with the fenders (matte plastic) or the glossy paint.

TReX-RAM · Apr 19, 2022

cobrar97 said:
What about the door handles...how did your place handle those? I've had some dealers say that simply won't do the door handles because they'll be an issue in the near future. Other dealers will do them, but won't warranty them, and give me a cost up-front of re-doing them when the time comes. One dealer said they spray a matte clearcoat on the door handles so it matches but won't lift off...but you have to then deal with that when you sell the vehilce (if you remove the PPF).

My door handles are wrapped black (see pic above). The installer talked me into it and I wasn't sure until after I seen it. It blends good with all of the other black trim pieces.

cobrar97 · Apr 19, 2022

TReX-RAM said:
My door handles are wrapped black (see pic above). The installer talked me into it and I wasn't sure until after I seen it. It blends good with all of the other black trim pieces.

Hey...I didn't even notice that. But now, it's quite apparent; and I think it looks pretty good too. Good thinking...now I have something else to decide on.

TReX-RAM · Apr 19, 2022

10mpg said:
No, I haven't, and I've honestly never thought of it and I wouldn't do it.

Truth be told, the worst case scenario with PPF is if you damage the film they just replace that panel. But, I've yet to have something happen that actually left a permanent stain / tear / anything in the PPF and this is the 2nd car I've applied it to. Either way, you'll spend less on maintenance over the life of the PPF and it just makes cleaning so much easier. I can trust a 3rd party detailer with the PPF...whereas when I didn't have it I did not trust ANYONE to wash my car other than me. The probability of swirls and scratching factory paint job is much much higher and undoubtedly will happen over the course of owning any vehicle.

I have replace three ppf panels so far because of off-road damage, it is pricey. The paint under the ppf is pristine though.
So far the drivers door, drivers side rocker and drivers side (rear door) only the bottom two tone portion was replaced. The ppf comes in two pieces for each door. Not to mention applying ceramic onto the new panels. Now I need to replace the drivers side bed ppf (and graphics).
Gotta pay to play I recon.

Fuelfeen · Apr 19, 2022

I’m trying to make this decision as well currently. We have a black TRX and the factory paint is gorgeous, I almost don’t want to cover it up with stealth now that it’s home. The big question is, would the stealth help it appear to be clean longer vs. the clear XPEL? And also if you were to just cover your high impact panels (hood) and quarter panels with clear, will there be a look difference between those panels coated and those that aren’t?

ZTRX · Apr 19, 2022

10mpg said:
i've had it on my truck (which sits outside in the driveway) since Aug/Sept and it still looks 100% flawless. depending on how good your installer is, the only thing i could assume happens over time is some of the edges / corners could peel up slightly. correctable though.

This makes me so happy to hear! This is what I am hoping for and mine will also live outside.

Missionboi · Apr 19, 2022

did expel and ceramic coating after... best idea ever!

MCooper · Apr 19, 2022

I can tell ya dog saliva stains it!

TReX-RAM · Apr 19, 2022

MCooper said:
I can tell ya dog saliva stains it!

I have a Great Dane and she drools all over the ppf while hanging out the backseat windows. I use Speed Shine and it cleans right off. I have the ceramic coating which helps though.

MCooper · Apr 19, 2022

Wow. Stained mine so used alcohol and got it out. I had a guy wash my car once and something stained the ppf. Xpel agreed to replace it

Baba Ghanoush · Apr 19, 2022

Missionboi said:
did expel and ceramic coating after... best idea ever!

Where in LA did you get yours done?

OhioTRX-LEP82 · Apr 19, 2022

Fuelfeen said:
I’m trying to make this decision as well currently. We have a black TRX and the factory paint is gorgeous, I almost don’t want to cover it up with stealth now that it’s home. The big question is, would the stealth help it appear to be clean longer vs. the clear XPEL? And also if you were to just cover your high impact panels (hood) and quarter panels with clear, will there be a look difference between those panels coated and those that aren’t?

Just had my black trx wrapped completely in Xpel stealth. Yes, the paint it gorgeous, with metallic fleck... the stealth does show a bit of the metallic! It give the truck a badass look very unique to any other truck out there!

Fuelfeen · Apr 19, 2022

OhioTRX-LEP82 said:
Just had my black trx wrapped completely in Xpel stealth. Yes, the paint it gorgeous, with metallic fleck... the stealth does show a bit of the metallic! It give the truck a badass look very unique to any other truck out there!

You ceramic coat it? Does it seem to look less dirty all the time vs. gloss?

OhioTRX-LEP82 · Apr 20, 2022

Fuelfeen said:
You ceramic coat it? Does it seem to look less dirty all the time vs. gloss?

I did have it ceramic coated, so it should by very easy to clean... I'm into the 1st of week of two not washing it per the shops instructions, but black is black and I think matt shows a bit less than gloss. I love the matt look though!

ZTRX · Apr 20, 2022

OhioTRX-LEP82 said:
Just had my black trx wrapped completely in Xpel stealth. Yes, the paint it gorgeous, with metallic fleck... the stealth does show a bit of the metallic! It give the truck a badass look very unique to any other truck out there!

Did you get the door handles stealthed? Do you have pic of the door handle area?