Review on XPEL Clear Universal Rocker Protection by Fred Massingill

Installed this universal strip and a pre-cut protective film from another supplier on my freshly painted 1994 Lexus SC300. Use this rocker panel plank for the rocker panels and also cut out small pieces for other areas that the front set of pre-cut pieces won't cover such as the front panel. B. door edges. Installation is both complicated and time-consuming. You need a very clean workplace and clean hands when handling the foil after removing the release paper so that no dirt gets under the foil. Check carefully for dirt or other foreign objects (hair, etc.), remove the film and clean with a cleaning solution before reapplying. On a surface with a direction of curvature, such as B. an oscillating plate, it is relatively easy to get the film to conform to the plate. When the surface has a complex curvature, the film must be stretched, sometimes severely, to conform to the surface. Stretching the film can be physically very tiring. It took me thirteen hours, most of which I crawled across the garage floor, to apply the film to the rocker panels, front ends, rear view mirrors and rear bumper (so there was no diaper rash if someone pushed the bumper while parking). An alternative is to spray on a protective film. Spray limitations include less protection (more diluted) and limited shelf life (12 months). XPEL will last for many years but will yellow slightly when exposed to UV light. It's noticeable on my white car, less so on other colors. Late Note: Ever since I originally installed this product, I have watched professionals install such products. They usually use some type of heat source, such as B. a propane torch to soften the film and make it easier to stretch on curved surfaces. This is a very tricky method. Even the slightest overheating will melt the foil and punch a hole, destroying the entire panel. I would suggest that careful use of an electric heat gun is better suited for DIY projects and even there it would be very easy to screw up the job.