frequently asked questions
answers to questions for your peace of mind
PAINT PROTECTION FILM
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A: When using high pressure sprayers, keep at least 800mm (80cm) away and at a 90 degree angle to the panel, to avoid XPEL™ edges from lifting & preferably do not use a high pressure sprayer on small / thin areas where the product has been applied.
A: Most scratches in the film can be removed using a rotary or dual-action buffer. For best results, it is recommended to use 3M Perfect-It Machine Polish used with their colour coded buffing pad. If needed, this product can be followed by 3M Perfect-It Ultrafine Machine Polish, used with the blue pad to restore a deep, swirl free shine.
A: Contamination from road oils, diesel smoke, pollen, and pollution can cause discoloration and deglossing of the film. While traditional automotive waxes can provide a small level of protection against contamination, XPEL Flawless Finish Film Sealant is specifically designed to provide the strongest possible barrier against these and other contaminants. Moreover, waxes that contain dyes and other chemicals such as naptha or kerosene may discolor or degloss the film over time and should be avoided.
A: Do not use: powder based or abrasive cleaners; high speed buffing or polishing equipment (this includes automated cash wash machines); rubbing compound, clay or other type of abrasive chemicals or any otherwise, including Alcohol, paraffin or Petroleum and solvent based degreasers on the areas where the film has been fitted/applied.
It is also imperative that when you have your vehicle washed to keep any high pressure sprayer at least 80cm (2 & half rules lengths) away from the leading edges where the film has been fitted, as you might see the film start lifting or even remove the film entirely. Best is to use a high pressure hose at an perpendicular angle, (an angle of 90°) to the film and edges.
A: Do not get your vehicle washed or wet at least 72 hours (3 days) after having the film fitted. It it also important that you leave the vehicle in full sun at least 2 days in order for the film to set properly. Ignoring this golden rule, may see your film lift around the edges, for which CPP will not take responsibility.
A: 200 microns (That is, one-millionth of a meter (or one-thousandth of a millimeter, 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inches).
A: Unlike certain familiar brands, CPP has taken great care in selecting premium sources of films. These films have low and in some cases no level of yellowing. This is due to a thin layer of Clear coat film that also gives the film it’s high gloss look & texture. Yellowing occurs if you do not maintain/look after your film or leave it dirty for prolonged periods of time. We also recommend using a recommended hand Polish every three months as part of maintaining your films clear appearance. For more information, please contact us or visit www.xpel.com/care.
A: Yes, the film will provide a certain level of UV protection on the areas it has been fitted. Some people only have their head lights fitted for this reason.
A: As soon as possible, before those nasty stone chips start taking their toll on your vehicles paint work or head/fog lights. You can even ask your car dealer when you buy your vehicle, to contact us and have the product added to your vehicle finance and we will arrange fitment with the dealer before you take delivery from the dealership.
A: You will need to make a booking for at the very least 10 days after you’ve had your vehicle sprayed (dependant also on Panelbeater), as fitting the protection film on new paint, may cause damage to the newly painted surface during application as well as upon removal.
Please bare in mind, PPF is recommended to be fitted on OEM Painted surfaces ONLY! Please advise your fitment technician if the surface you would like the film applied to, has been re-painted / repaired.
A: First try removing it with XPEL Film Cleaner and XPEL Film Sealant (latter as you would a polish), if this does not work, use Lacquer Thinners and gently remove the contamination/stains from the film using a MicroFibre Cloth.
A: We can come out and fit the film at your work place or home, provided the area is enclosed, well lit, sun and wind free I.E. double garage, basement parking with fluorescent lighting. Should you not have a suitable premises. CPP has teamed up with various fitment partners in across the country to have the PPF fitted on their premises. Please refer to our Partner Page or Contact Us.
CPP also provides installation at dealership premises, thus lowering liability or risks associated with taking a new vehicle off site prior to the new owner taking delivery. You can also have the film added to your vehicle finance, please ask your finance manager or bank to get in touch with us.
A: Professional removal of the film is recommended. However, when professional removal is not possible, the film may be removed as follows:
- Warm the film with a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the adhesive. 170° is the recommended temperature for this process. Keep the heat source moving to avoid melting the film or damaging the paint.
- Peel one corner of the film up with your fingernail.
- Pull the film towards you at a shallow angle less than 45 degrees. This angle is important to ensure sure that the adhesive comes off with the film rather than staying on the paint. The film should “stretch” off the car.
- If any adhesive is left on the car, use a general adhesive remover to help loosen it.
A: Both serves a very difference purpose and function.
PPF protects your painted surface against scuffs, chips and damage, while a Ceramic Coatings provide some level of protection against chemicals (not resistant) and will keep you car cleaner for longer and ease the cleaning of you cars surface. It will however not provide the level of protection for your car as a PPF would.
A: We only endorse the application of XPEL FUSION Plus Ceramic coating on top of XPEL Paint Protection Film. This is because it bonds to the top coat on a molecular level, which will see the film retain its self-healing ability. Some other coating may harden and even discolour Paint Protection Films and XPEL/CPP may void your Film warranty. It can however also be applied on painted surfaces.
A: Ceramic Coatings purpose is to keep your car clean for longer by preventing anything from sticking to the surface, so naturally, PPF will lift or even not stick at all when a Ceramic coating is applied before a PPF Application. Aways apply a Ceramic Coating after PPF installs and when the film has fully cured.
Window Tint / Safety Film
A:
1) Pre-Cut carries 100% less liability when it comes to Cut/Knife marks in a new paint job.
2) When a car is taken apart to wrap all edges, for film to be installed, then all panels touching any ONE panel that needs to be fixed or replaced for any reason, will need to be removed and reinstalled instead of just the ONE that has the damage.
3) An inexperienced installer will tend to overstretch when hand cutting where through proper training on the installation of pre cut patterns yields more long-term adhesion because the XPEL DAP patterns are made to work within the limits of the film.
4) A good pre-cut pattern database like the DAP offers the ability to manipulate patterns to wrap any available edges without needing a knife!
5) Supercars are made to a very high tolerance accurate. If you attempt to get two panels on a car like a Nissan GTR closer together by 17 mils (the film is 8.5 thick so two sides are getting closer by twice that amount), and the car won’t move/shift between panels like intended by the manufacturer causing the film to rub and potentially lift due to constant friction.
A: The higher the tint shade i.e. 70% the lighter the film and vice versa.
35% is the darkest legal limit in South Africa.
35% means 35% light emittance (light being let through). Hence the higher the number, the more light is left through/the lighter the shade of tint is.
CERAMIC COATING
A: Both serves a very difference purpose and function.
PPF protects your painted surface against scuffs, chips and damage, while a Ceramic Coatings provide some level of protection against chemicals (not resistant) and will keep you car cleaner for longer and ease the cleaning of you cars surface. It will however not provide the level of protection for your car as a PPF would.
A: We only endorse the application of XPEL FUSION Plus Ceramic coating on top of XPEL Paint Protection Film. This is because it bonds to the top coat on a molecular level, which will see the film retain its self-healing ability. Some coatings may harden and even discolour or eat into the Paint Protection Films and XPEL/CPP may void your Film warranty. It can however also be applied on painted surfaces.
Should any of these occur, we will send the film in for testing to XPEL USA’s in-house Laboratory for testing.
These are some examples of incorrect coatings damaging the film after a few months:
A: Ceramic Coatings purpose is to keep your car clean for longer by preventing anything from sticking to the surface, so naturally, PPF will lift or even not stick at all when a Ceramic coating is applied before a PPF Application. Aways apply a Ceramic Coating after PPF installs and when the film has fully cured.
A: FUSION PLUS uses Silicon Dioxide technology. It’s a complex chemical matrix that is unique to us. A combination of several technologies that cross-link very strongly.
A: Ease of maintenance, hydrophobic properties, and self-cleaning properties.
A: FUSION PLUS is backed by a 4-year warranty. We do recommend using our XPEL Ceramic Boost spray to help protect the finish and enhance the hydrophobic properties.
A: Yes, FUSION PLUS is a 9H ceramic coating that is scratch resistant.
A: We require a minimum of 6 Hours before getting wet (time may need to extend depending on conditions).
A: Full cure takes 3 days – full cure should be reached before washing the vehicle(-time may need to extend depending on conditions).
A: No, the warranty states: FUSION PLUS will help protect your vehicle’s paint finish against oxidation, loss of gloss, UV damage, Bug impacts, colour fading, acid rain and paint chalking.
A: Warranty details are listed on the website.
A: The first thing to know is that the two products are not comparable and thus not a true comparison to one another. Paint protection film provides a urethane layer of protection against rock chips and scratches. Ceramic coatings, even when cured, is microns thin and is not engineered to stop rock chips. That said, it is an excellent product for protection against environmental contaminates such as bird droppings, bug guts, and more. Not to mention that it makes cleaning off track rubber much easier. To further answer the question – ceramic coatings are for people who want some basic protection along with increased shine, gloss, depth of color, and great hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. PPF are for the people who want actual protection against rock chips and scratches.
A: Ease of maintenance, hydrophobic properties, and self-cleaning are benefits of FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating.
A: 9H hardness is a rating based on the Pencil Hardness Test, commonly used by manufacturers of clear and pigmented surface coatings. The Pencil Hardness test is used to determine the scratch resistance of a coating surface by using pencils to scratch the surface and rate the scratch resistance in relation to that pencils hardness and other materials of similar hardness.
A: XPEL FUSION PLUS is not warrantied for wheels or glass.
A: Not currently, customer will be responsible for getting their annual inspections. We are working on this feature with the new online warranty registration.
A: They basically do a thorough wash and decontamination of the surface and treat it with a Ceramic enhancer, such as XPEL’s Ceramic Boost.
A: We recommend using XPEL Ceramic Boost to add extra gloss and slickness to the ceramic coated surface.
A: You should be able to visually see a difference from one section to the next. Low spots, oxidation, acid rain, bug impacts, etc, can cause issues if not addressed properly.
A: As the coating cures (3 days) it hardens and becomes glossier as a result.
A: The coating links with the painted surface creating a new functional layer. By creating an inseparable bond on a molecular level with the vehicles paintwork you get a coating that cannot be washed off like a wax or sealant.
A: If your vehicle is protected with XPEL FUSION PLUS, it is highly recommended you use an approved car wash solution, such as XPEL Rinse Free Car Wash, which is formulated to help encapsulate the dirt and help keep your surface protected and scratch free. XPEL Rinse Free Car Wash has been tested and works great with FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating. Once you finish washing your vehicle, we recommend using XPEL Ceramic Boost spray, for an extra slick, hydrophobic surface. We also have XPEL Detail Spray for quick wipe downs in between washings.
DO NOT use washes with waxes in as they will build up over time and will cause the coating to appear as if it has failed and lost its Hydrophobicity.
