Xpel film for hood and front end

Does anyone have experience or advice with Xpel film on their 4R?

I was considering getting this done on mine when I pull out next spring.

The place I had my fluid film applied told me about it and advised for front end and if I want hood.

My concern is I plan to keep this hopefully at least 20 years only using in nice weather. So will this film yellow out over years? The dealer says not within ten years and I could always remove and have new stuff installed at 10 year mark.

The cost is about $1k. I am one of these guys that wants to keep the fit and finish nice. Admittedly not an off road guy just towing my fishing boat and going on some trips.

I just want to avoid stone chips on normal highways. I am the guy who enjoys drinking a beer and applying wax every few months and keeping it looking sharp.

 

I installed a 3M precut bra myself. It was a PITA to install but it turned out well.
Kit was around $200.

Very thick film which is a good thing.

The 5th gen 4Runner has a pretty complex front end as far as different shapes and angles. I'd say if you can install a bra on a 4Runner, you can pretty much do any vehicle.

 

I did xpel the whole front, mirror caps, fenders, full hood. Also ceramic coated the 4runner and did a stage 2 correction. Those swirls are gone and 4runner is protected for many years!

 

FAQ > https://www.xpel.com/faq

 

I had the front facia on my 4Runner covered with Xpel film (the real stuff, not a cheap copy) after I had the color correction done and then Ceramic coating. The place I had all that done did not want to put film on the hood. I wish I had made them do it anyway. But the film has performed every bit as expected. I highly recommend.

 

I did this as well minus the paint correction. Didn’t need it.
Best part is not having to wax or use water to wash my vehicle (unless it has mud).

 

Forgive my ignorance here but what is the paint correction about? Is this for vehicles that are not new and has some type of paint damage/wear?

I got my 4R in June drove it 500 miles washed and waxed twice and covered for winter with a California car cover until spring. I opted for silver paint on my ORP thinking it would be more forgiving as years click by plus I just like silver.

Call me crazy I still enjoy washing and waxing as I sit all day for work it’s just a hobby I picked up since I started driving.

I have read about ceramics a bit but so far use Meguiars Ultimate products or Mothers products as well.

The paint looks impeccable to my eye anyway so I am curious if this paint correction was done after some years of ownership/use? Thanks for input so far guys much appreciated

 

Did they say why they did not want to put on hood? My place suggested it or alternatively place about 6 inch strip on it to prevent stone chips. I just did not like the idea of a line six inches up my hood so I started thinking about whole hood, front end and mirrors

 

I bought my 2019 at the end of September 2018. I had a years worth of car washes and discovered I really didn't like the swirl marks in my Midnight Blue Metallic paint. The only way to fix that was via color correction.

 

They said that they usually only went halfway up the hood, and that in time, I would have a "dirt line" at the point where the Xpel film stopped. Obviously, I didn't want that.

 

The only paint issues I have had was water spots on the hood. Somehow they leave a permanent mark. I just live with it because I fear that if I polish the spots out, I will eventually polish through the thin layer of paint.

I do use spay wax every few washes.

 

Thanks guys. That makes sense

I have only ever hand washed all my cars so that makes sense on dark blue and car washes. Someday I am sure I will not hand wash that’s why my accord is winter car much easier to hand wash

Yeah guy suggested entire hood as best option going all the way up to top near drainage for windshield. His buddy said I could save money by doing six inches.

I was not and am not trying to go cheapest route but best route for long term.

I was thinking initially I could re so after 8 years or so before any yellowing May occur? I am probably not your typical dude keeping it I hope 20 years. But that was my plan based on the quality and reviews.