[pwj155]

Has anyone tried doing the Xpel pre cut kit yourself? I'm thinking of trying it on the Equinox first and if all goes well (and if the camaro I ordered ever comes in) I'll do it on the Camaro. I watched it being done on you tube, the prep work looks very important and time consuming but doable.

[bitwise]

I have done the front of a ZL1 with Xpel but not my first Camaro to put PPF on. Camaro fronts are tricky. I would recommend starting at the back of the car where it is easier and going forward. You will need help for the big pieces. The worst thing that can happen is you trash a $400 piece of plastic. Xpel is good. 3M Pro is probably the next best. I only use the basic 3M (has logo on paper) on flat areas. The splitter and black vents on the front of the ZL1 don't come in anyone's kit that I know of. That is a bulk install.

The Xpel pattern was easier to install than the 3M.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by pwj155

Has anyone tried doing the Xpel pre cut kit yourself?

Nope.

IMO, PPF is way too difficult to get right the first time. Not worth it unless you have someone with you who is experienced and is helping/coaching/training you how to do it. Money is one thing, but the frustration of having to redo a panel or three due to mistakes, paint defects, etc. would frustrate me to no end.

The top professional PPF installers get paid the big bucks for a reason.
* Oversize patterns to wrap panel edges (can't do that with the off the shelf cuts).
* Remove and replace emblems? Not if the film has holes cut in it already.
* Paint correct and clean? Paint booth level dust control? Not in my garage.
* Experience doing your car body and know where they need to stretch a little extra, and where they cannot without damaging the film (Camaros are hard, ZL1s are a SOB).


See also: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=606994