Jeep Paint Protection using Xpel Ultimate Self Healing Film

[Snarf77]

I've been driving jeeps since I was 14 and I'm more than familiar with following off road trails that get more and more narrow as you go along. Overgrowth sends tree branches and thorn bushes out into the trail and we're all too lazy to get out and move them and just plow right through. I've actually never owned a jeep that didn't end up whiskered with scratches.

This JK, "Jesse's Girl" is the most expensive jeep I've ever owned, most of my old rides being CJs with rust and or 2-3 paintjobs over the last 30 years with rust coming out with every pothole. This is my first Jeep that looks as good as it performs, and I decided I wanted to keep it that way. Also, I'm fairly lazy anymore and don't have the time to constantly buff and wax my jeep as I'd rather be wheeling or wrenching.

So this company, Xpel offers clear vinyl wrap in a bunch of different levels of protection from standard clear car-bra to self-healing badass bras that can take rocks hits, scratches and chemicals and not even blink. So you get to reading on their website about what each one does, and the warranties that come along and its pretty cool. Also, my jeep doesn't have a huge amount of painted surface considering the top is not painted so why not do the whole thing!

Well that's just what I'm doing. I'm wrapping the painted surfaces of my jeep in Xpel Ultimate Self Healing film. There are some wicked youtube videos showing the film getting scratched up with metal brushes and healing the scratches over time...and not much time at that. I figured it would make the jeep look good for years to come and prevent me from having to do as much work (see laziness above).

So I'm not that technical with chemistry but the ultimate film is basically 4 layers of film bonded together. The layer closest to the jeep is a flexible adhesive "release liner". The second layer is "1.6 mil ultra clear acrylic copolymer", whatever that is, followed by a 6 mil polyurethane flexible layer with memory, and topped with a .5 mil "low surface energy" clear coat with "elastomeric polymers". I'm guessing that is what "heals" the scratches when they happen.

I watched every video on youtube and was sold on the stuff, so went on the xpel site to find a well rated installed. There were some local folks, but I'm betting the 7 year warranty hinges on proper installation. Plus, I spoke to the installer and he does it right by removing all trim, door handles, locks, etc, vice cutting around them with a scalpel.

So here is my Jesse's Girl halfway through install. Before the wrap could go on, the jeep is detailed, clay barred, buffed and paint chips were repaired, etc.





Its only halfway done, but I'll definitely post some more pictures as it progresses.