X-PEL Pattern / 3M Film Clear Bra Install

Please duly note that I have performed a number of searches on this topic and have not found the specific information that I'm looking for. I've decided to proceed with a paint film protection installation from a local professional. He uses X-PEL patterns and 3M film. Both of these products seem to get positive reviews from the posts that I have read. My question concerns which kits to purchase. I know I want the bumper kit, the headlamps, and one of the hood/fender/mirror kits (standard, extended, or full coverage). I also may consider the door sills and rear wheel impact area. Here are images of these patterns: Hood, Fender, Mirror - Standard Coverage Hood, Fender, Mirror - Extended Coverage Hood, Fender, Mirror, Gas Cap - Full Coverage Bumper Kit Door Sill and Rear Wheel Impact Area Kit How many folks have covered their entire hood and fenders? Is that going too far? What about the rear wheel impact area, worthwhile? Additionally, X-PEL offers a Wheel Opening Kit, Lower Bumper Kit, and the Rear Wheel Impact Area kit without the door sills. I really don't want to go overboard, but I would like to get the areas subject to chipping covered.

M. B.: I can't help you out on this subject, but would like to thank you for providing the best diagrams I've seen of the clear bra options. Is there a link to pricing on this stuff, or can you provide some pricing info. I hadn't been thinking I will need a clear bra, but if the bumper/fog-lights kit isn't too expensive, I might go for it. Used Google; found X-PEL. At those prices, I'll just have to take my chances.

Midnight Blue - I had the Hood, Fender, Mirror - Standard Coverage, along with the front bumper, under the gas filler, door sills, headlamps, front and rear wheel impact areas, inside the door handle areas, and the top of the rear wing - I don't think it's the same pattern maker, though. I'm really happy with the coverage... I felt that covering the whole hood was overkill - and don't mind the small edge on the hood. I've got 18k miles on the car and some very long trips this year, and the coverage has been great. I'm glad I got all of it. brad

I have standard coverage, but seriously considered extended coverage, which went back another 6", as I recall. A friend gave me his left over sheet film and I applied some more near the wheel impact area (Porsche put some there, but not enough) and the vanes on the air intake, which take hits on track. I also have film on the fog lights. For track, I also add some blue 3-M masking tape at vulnerable places in and near the wheel wells. I'm beyond thinking that I can keep all the paint pristine.

Additional X-PEL Patterns Here are the other X-PEL patterns available for the 2007 Cayman. The original post seemed to be limited to 5 images, so here are the rest: Wheel Opening Kit Rear Wheel Impact Area Lower Bumper Kit Bumper Kit without Headlamp Washers Additionally, X-PEL offers a Headlamp, Signal Lamp and Fog Lamp Kit in several colors: clear, blue, yellow, and smoke (the colored versions are only for show-car and off-road use only). X-PEL's list prices I am going to buy from an authorized reseller/installer.

Thanks Brad. I'm considering the same sort of coverage. Seems that if you've got the front wheel impact area, under the gas filler, and some hood coverage that is almost like the X-PEL full coverage except for the amount of film on the hood. Considering the several areas you've covered on the front fenders, would you have a considered film over the entire area as the X-PEL full coverage pattern provides? I'm either going to go with the Extended Coverage or the Full Coverage, plus the Bumper Kit, Door Sill and Rear Impact Area, and the Headlamp, Signal Lamp and Fog Lamp Kit. Also considering the lower front bumper and custom bits for inside the door handles, under the gas filler (unless I go full coverage), and perhaps top of the wing as you have suggested.

The way I made the decision as to what to cover is that I had a 2002 996 turbo for four years with no protection, so I was pretty much able to see where the damage was - and after that time, and 25k miles, quite few long trips and many track days, it was quite a mess. The full and extended coverage seemed to me to not add a lot of value - 99% of the damage on the 996 would be covered by the reg coverage on the hood and fenders. There will always be the rogue rock that you can't do anything about, but after 18k miles on the Cayman S - most of it back and forth to The SF Bay Area from LV for track days and autocrossing, and a trip up to Portland and Seattle, and another out to Kansas City and back - the coverage I have has seems to have snared about 99% of the damage, as I estimated. I did get a rock that hit the very top lip of the hood (right in front of the wipers) on the way back from KC, but I'm not sorry I didn't cover the whole hood. You just can't protect against everything, and I wanted to see most of the car when I looked at it, not plastic film that covers it... just my opinion, though. brad

Wondering if anyone actually does have the full coverage ClearBra kit? I've searched but have not found that anyone has the full coverage kit. I have the extended kit on my 2001 Audi and Its OK. I still do have chips on the higher parts of the hood but only 2 (after having the bra on for 5 years) also the bra has an orange peel effect after 5yrs as well. 3M recomends replacing every 5 years. I just don't know if I will like looking at a orange peelish paint that looks like a bad paint job that needs to be wet sanded and buffed. I have to decide soon. Spring is coming and I will be driving the car more. I cannot decide on full, anyone who has it what do you think my car is white. I am getting the factory rear panels replaced after 3,000 miles they are already yellow. Thanks

I have the front bumper, mirrors, 1/4 down the fenders and about 1/2 way up the hood, and it seems to do a good job. I only have one very small nick at the top of th hood. I've been very satisified, but have never tracked the car, so that might make a big difference as to how much you need to cover.

Thanks, I just don't know if I will be happy with the whole orange peel effect, but I kinda do want full coverage.:thanks:

I plan to get mine done soon. Do I read it right most think the full hood coverage is not necessary? Mine will be a daily driver but no tracking.

It really comes down to how much coverage and what type of budget you have. To eliminate the seam going across the center point, then yes have more of the hood covered. As far as orange peel goes, there are film that are clearer and comes with a clear coat to protect the film from daily usage, environmental fallout, oxidation, bird droppings, etc.

It looks like Premier is the way to go. I just wish they were on the East Coast. You guys gotta check out the porsche gallery on www.premiermobilegroup.com . This is the way a kit should be made. They take everything off and each one is custom. I feel it is worth it for $2100 and the entire front is covered! I was quoted $1700 here in Maryland and that is just for a precut 24" protection.

Thanks porsche4ed, we're currently working on several nice projects and will post pics here soon - GT3 RS Green entire body, CCX, Enzo (4th on our platter), and a Carrera GT all full body wraps.

When I see a quality job like the previous post at Premier, I always wonder why more people can't do work like that. I will always pay more $ for quality!

To be honest, there are some pretty good installers out there. However, in any art, you would have those with the will and mindset to continuously improve on the craft......it's not "rocket science", but it sure does take some serious skill / experience..not to mention potential with all of our installers. Here are some pictures of a RS getting the entire car covered

some more here....as some of you may already notice. We love taking pictures of what we do. Keeps some of us busy.