does xpel's new windshield protection film actually work as advertised?

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by Silence*

The guy that does all our dealership's 3M work started offering glass PPF earlier this summer, so I had him pre-install it on the new windshield for my 4 series before getting it installed last week. My initial thoughts? I'm on the fence about it.

You can tell there's PPF on it from a bit of distortion that looks like orange peel looking through it, which I'm slowly getting used to. I put new wiper blades on at the same time but after using them in a light rain shower on the weekend, you can already see light scratches starting to appear (even with using copious amounts of washer fluid as pre-wash). This is mostly annoying at night when you notice it while driving under street lamps. With winter right around the corner we'll see how it holds up against the snow, cold temps and endless gravel my city throws down. That said if it does help keep my glass from a couple nasty rock chips or even a crack, are the downsides worth dealing with long term and cost wise on a daily driver? Time will tell on that one.

On the note of scratches, does anyone know if you can polish glass PPF with like a cleaner wax and maybe a DA on low speed? If not, I feel like I'll be peeling it off come the spring time....

No, I have not found a way to remove those fine scratches.

And truth be told, I don't drive my car with windshield PPF much in the rain, and when I do, I don't use the wipers much. You can apply GTechniq or Aquapel to eliminate the need to use your wipers most of the time. It certainly helps.

And it takes a while (3 to 4 weeks to 2 months?) for the distortion to go away, but mine is all gone...can't even tell my car has windshield PPF. And for windshield PPF, it's best to have it applied during a hot season, because the natural heat of the sun removes a lot of that distortion. It takes much longer if it's initially applied in colder weather.

[Three Stents]

Originally Posted by Dan B

I am going to try PPF on my windshield. I figure it will prevent the pitting and would have probably prevented the crack I do have.

Do not do it, if you do, you will regret it. Do research why it's not recommended

[gr1nd3r]

Got a cracked windshield the other day. Quote is around $2,200 for OEM replacement. Leaning towards getting WPF now considering the cost of installation + replacement of WPF every year or so would be better for me than another $2,200 jab at a new windshield. Rocks are flying everywhere in AZ. Had the car for about 15k miles now, and already have a cracked windshield.

Replies seem to be very 50/50, and I understand everyone has their own experiences and opinions and what not, but I figure I may give it a shot and see how it holds up for a year. Worse case (other than it not protecting anything and a crack shows up again...), it just gets removed? I have absolutely no knowledge or experience in this field, so I'm just a retail sucker at this point.

Anyway, thanks for the informative replies all. Regardless if it is worth it, or simply junk, I figured I will test my luck and see how it holds up.

BTW, I have no idea what brand WPF will be used. Will be something I will have to ask tomorrow.

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by gr1nd3r

Got a cracked windshield the other day. Quote is around $2,200 for OEM replacement. Leaning towards getting WPF now considering the cost of installation + replacement of WPF every year or so would be better for me than another $2,200 jab at a new windshield. Rocks are flying everywhere in AZ. Had the car for about 15k miles now, and already have a cracked windshield.

Replies seem to be very 50/50, and I understand everyone has their own experiences and opinions and what not, but I figure I may give it a shot and see how it holds up for a year. Worse case (other than it not protecting anything and a crack shows up again...), it just gets removed? I have absolutely no knowledge or experience in this field, so I'm just a retail sucker at this point.

Anyway, thanks for the informative replies all. Regardless if it is worth it, or simply junk, I figured I will test my luck and see how it holds up.

BTW, I have no idea what brand WPF will be used. Will be something I will have to ask tomorrow.

One of the very, very few good things about car insurance in SC is that windshield replacements are $0. Of course, that inevitably adds to our high rates, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by gr1nd3r

Got a cracked windshield the other day. Quote is around $2,200 for OEM replacement.

I trust you have insurance?
What is your deductible?
Is glass deductible the same, or lower ($0 for some)?

Either way - you've been paying insurance premiums for years - use it!

HTH,
a