XPEL Rivian Factory PPF Q&A -- by XPEL

[BigE]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to stop in here and answer some of the questions being circulated on this and other threads about the factory PPF options.

Q. Do the factory installations include paint correction and/or decontamination?

A. No. When the film is installed at the factory location, it is being applied on clean virgin paint that has never been outside in the elements. It is inspected first by Rivian in a light tunnel at the end of the production line, and then again by the installation team at our facility. If at either stage, a defect is found that would impact the installation in any way, the vehicle is sent back for this to be corrected before installation.

Doing the installation at an XPEL dealer is a different story altogether. In these cases, the vehicle has been out on the road or in the elements and will often need some level of decontamination or correction before installing the film. The cost for this will vary, depending on the dealer and amount of work needed.

Q. Are the edges wrapped on the factory options?

A. Edges that are accessible without requiring disassembly of the vehicle are wrapped. Edges that are not accessible without disassembly are not. For example, all the hood edges are wrapped, but the top of the bed rails is not since it would require removing the bed rail caps to access this area.

Q. Are the Rivian badges removed to install the factory PPF?

A. Yes. New badges are to be applied over the film after the installation is complete using a jig to ensure proper location and spacing. We are currently trying to obtain extra badges for the installations related to this program that are being performed by XPEL dealers in the field as well, but currently the badges are in very short supply. I will update this thread when this changes.

In the meantime, it is completely understandable that XPEL dealers will need to charge extra to remove and reapply the badges. This is a very time consuming process that requires removing the old adhesive tape, cutting and reinstalling new badge tape, and carefully reapply the letters back in the same locations while managing to get them straight and evenly spaced.

Q. When will the factory option be available?

A. We are currently targeting October for start of production.


Let me know if I missed any of your questions.


Best Regards,


Tim Hartt
VP – OEM Integration
XPEL, Inc.

Tim, thanks for cleaning up a lot of miscommunications. I would also be in favor of a full body gloss.

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[Tim@XPEL]

Thank you for joining the discussion @Tim@XPEL
So far, all the facts were non facts and therefore misleading and giving a bad rep to both XPEL and Rivian.
It’s good to see that your company cares.

Totally agreed and glad to help clear things up!

 

[ElCapiTan]

@Tim@XPEL In regards to factory OEM install is there consideration or concern about how soon after factory painting the PPF is applied?

 

[JayinNJ]

Understood...thanks Tim. I actually wanted it this way knowing that replacing the hood emblem might be an issue with supply shortages.

You remove and replace the same emblem. No supplies needed.

 

[RexRemus]

@Tim@XPEL Can you confirm which film is being used for the OEM wrap? Thickness and which XPEL line? Also, it has been asked but maybe missed - are there plans for the R1S?

 

[DaveA]

You remove and replace the same emblem. No supplies needed.

yeah, I’m in the “don’t want the factory lettering” removed camp. Heard of some bad rebadging.

 

[BigE]

Correct, but this program is not scheduled to start until October. If your truck is manufactured before then, the only way to get it is through our independent dealer network (or competitor).

Tim, sorry for this but for many of us that have been waiting since 2018 for our trucks, dates/timelines from Rivian never hit their mark. As my build window is hopefully Q4, are we talking early October or late October, or is October really November/December? Thank you

 

[Tim@XPEL]

@Tim@XPEL In regards to factory OEM install is there consideration or concern about how soon after factory painting the PPF is applied?

Not at all. The factory paint goes through a complete curing process before the trucks are assembled. We don't touch the trucks until after assembly is complete.

 

[AxelR]

Tim, sorry for this but for many of us that have been waiting since 2018 for our trucks, dates/timelines from Rivian never hit their mark. As my build window is hopefully Q4, are we talking early October or late October, or is October really November/December? Thank you

I’m laughing because it’s so true.
Who cares about calendars? ?

 

[Tim@XPEL]

@Tim@XPEL Can you confirm which film is being used for the OEM wrap? Thickness and which XPEL line? Also, it has been asked but maybe missed - are there plans for the R1S?

The two films being used are Ultimate Plus 8 mil and Ultimate Stealth. These are the same films we sell to our dealer base.

The R1S is being finalized now and is planed to start in October as well.

 

[Tim@XPEL]

Tim, sorry for this but for many of us that have been waiting since 2018 for our trucks, dates/timelines from Rivian never hit their mark. As my build window is hopefully Q4, are we talking early October or late October, or is October really November/December? Thank you

We are planning for early October, but there are a lot of complicated logistics involved. As things get closer, we will be able to firm up the exact launch date.

 

[godfodder0901]

We are planning for early October, but there are a lot of complicated logistics involved. As things get closer, we will be able to firm up the exact launch date.

The email from Rivian mentioned that the OEM pricing program for current owners is for a 'limited time' but didn't say how long the program would last. Do you have any insight on this?

 

[Tim@XPEL]

The email from Rivian mentioned that the OEM pricing program for current owners is for a 'limited time' but didn't say how long the program would last. Do you have any insight on this?

The current plan is to continue the OEM pricing program until the factory program is launched.

 

[proto]

Well, I'm still confused. lol.

It sounds like your installer either doesn’t understand how to order the Rivian templates or he is intentionally giving you bad info to push you away from the upcoming program into a more costly install.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Interesting. The quote I received through the Rivian program made it clear that badges would NOT be removed, and the template provided by XPEL simply had cutouts to go over the badges.

Remember....this is Rivian communication we're talking about here....clarity is an adventure.

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