XPEL Rivian Factory PPF Q&A -- by XPEL

[mikehmb]

Passing on a real-world experience, dropped our R1T off at Xpel/Dallas this morning (Fri July 29). They confirmed everything that @Tim@XPEL has said, basically edge-wrapping where there's no trim removal needed, so essentially, all the important edges. Nice facility (at least compared to the wrap shops I've been to before on the shady side of town!), nice people, and they're keeping me up to date with progress (see pics), should be ready Monday. So far, very happy. (note, emblems are off!).

@Tim@XPEL since you're here, do you recommend a specific detailer spray for the Stealth PPF? I've used this in the past.

@AO_Pete - are you going Stealth over LImestone? PLEASE share pictures when you’re done.

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[AO_Pete]

Yes @mikehmb , and will do! Monday hopefully, although I just added a window tint, so maybe Tuesday.

 

[agame32]

@AO_Pete - are you going Stealth over LImestone? PLEASE share pictures when you’re done.

There’s also some Stealth Limestone videos (and pics?) in the Limestone thread.

 

[martinb8]

I would highly recommend (if you’re able to) pay the little extra and not do these precut PPF pieces which are what’s used for the promo between XPEL and Rivian. The pre cut pieces are not remotely as nice as having the installer custom cut it and tuck it around the edges. The precut pieces leave a lot to be desired around the edges and leaves noticeable gaps between the paint and where PPF starts on the edges which will only lead to dirt collection. When sinking that much money into protection, don’t skimp. Have it done as it should be and wrapped on the edges. It is a little extra $$$ but worth it in the end.

 

[sub]

I would highly recommend (if you’re able to) pay the little extra and not do these precut PPF pieces which are what’s used for the promo between XPEL and Rivian. The pre cut pieces are not remotely as nice as having the installer custom cut it and tuck it around the edges. The precut pieces leave a lot to be desired around the edges and leaves noticeable gaps between the paint and where PPF starts on the edges which will only lead to dirt collection. When sinking that much money into protection, don’t skimp. Have it done as it should be and wrapped on the edges. It is a little extra $$$ but worth it in the end.

I don't disagree that a fully manual wrap by an exceptional installer would likely come out better than a poorly designed precut job installed by a novice, but I would not call xpel a liar with regards to what is included in this offer without evidence.

There is no technical reason a precut design can't include wrapped edges. The precut design could include 1/2 inch extra material on each side so that there is plenty of material to wrap the edges.

Xpel claims trucks wrapped via this program will have all edges that are accessible without disassembling the truck wrapped (see first post). Do you have evidence to dispute xpel's description of the product?

 

[martinb8]

I just saw a truck with the pre cut pieces and there was 2-5 centimeter gaps between the edges on all sections across the front of the truck. This installer I’ve used for years and they do fantastic work and they showed me how there’s no way to avoid the gaps when they apply the pre cut pieces. I like XPEL and they make amazing products but clearly they cut some corners with these pre cut pieces to save on product and get the cost down and make it appealing to people. I don’t think XPEL is lying, I just think they could be more clear. I’d love to see pictures of other people who have gone this route.

 

[zefram47]

I just saw a truck with the pre cut pieces and there was 2-5 centimeter gaps between the edges on all sections across the front of the truck. This installer I’ve used for years and they do fantastic work and they showed me how there’s no way to avoid the gaps when they apply the pre cut pieces. I like XPEL and they make amazing products but clearly they cut some corners with these pre cut pieces to save on product and get the cost down and make it appealing to people. I don’t think XPEL is lying, I just think they could be more clear. I’d love to see pictures of other people who have gone this route.

Sounds like a pretty shitty installer then. Precut pieces meant for unwrapped edges will still get within a millimeter or two of the edges with a good pattern and installer.

 

[AxelR]

I just saw a truck with the pre cut pieces and there was 2-5 centimeter gaps between the edges on all sections across the front of the truck. This installer I’ve used for years and they do fantastic work and they showed me how there’s no way to avoid the gaps when they apply the pre cut pieces. I like XPEL and they make amazing products but clearly they cut some corners with these pre cut pieces to save on product and get the cost down and make it appealing to people. I don’t think XPEL is lying, I just think they could be more clear. I’d love to see pictures of other people who have gone this route.

Did you snap a couple pictures of that Rivian with precut XPEL?
I’ve looked at quit a few Defenders and they look great.

 

[coshesey]

I just saw a truck with the pre cut pieces and there was 2-5 centimeter gaps between the edges on all sections across the front of the truck. This installer I’ve used for years and they do fantastic work and they showed me how there’s no way to avoid the gaps when they apply the pre cut pieces. I like XPEL and they make amazing products but clearly they cut some corners with these pre cut pieces to save on product and get the cost down and make it appealing to people. I don’t think XPEL is lying, I just think they could be more clear. I’d love to see pictures of other people who have gone this route.

2-5 centimeters or 2-5 millimeters? 2.54 centimeters is an inch. That would be a MASSIVE gap

 

[AO_Pete]

Looks like I'll be picking mine up tomorrow, so will get plenty of pics. As explained to me, all exposed edges are wrapped, everything else is up to the trim.

 

[DaveA]

2-5 centimeters or 2-5 millimeters? 2.54 centimeters is an inch. That would be a MASSIVE gap

I have maybe 1/16th of an inch of the unwrapped edges showing using Xpel with the Rivian patterns.

 

[martinb8]

2-5 centimeters or 2-5 millimeters? 2.54 centimeters is an inch. That would be a MASSIVE gap

@coshesey sorry. Millimeters. Hahaha. You are correct, centimeters would be a massive gap.

 

[Gshenderson]

At least at the shop I visited, these are NOT precut pieces. There’s a CAD template for the Rivian program and the machine at the shop cuts to that template. The guy at the shop said they can make edits to the template before cutting, which is what he was going to do if I wanted them to debadge the truck first. They would just delete the cutouts around the badges in the template before they did my cut.

 

[BigE]

At least at the shop I visited, these are NOT precut pieces. There’s a CAD template for the Rivian program and the machine at the shop cuts to that template. The guy at the shop said they can make edits to the template before cutting, which is what he was going to do if I wanted them to debadge the truck first. They would just delete the cutouts around the badges in the template before they did my cut.

This is exactly what Tim from Xpel stated. Some on here seem to be spreading false information to dissuade people? Maybe they have an agenda

 

[Attesan997]

This is exactly what Tim from Xpel stated. Some on here seem to be spreading false information to dissuade people? Maybe they have an agenda

I'm sure there are plenty of trolls roaming this thread but several responses seem to come from folks who contacted their local shops. Some who would probably prefer to upsell potential customers to their own package pricing citing whatever benefits they choose. Unfortunately, It's going to come down to the shop

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