Bill W
Enthusiast
Does anyone have experience with Expel WPF? I have an appointment coming up to have my windshield and headlights covered. Also, paint correction and ceramic coating. Anything to be concerned about before I drop off my Viper?
Expel Windshield Protective Film
- Thread starter Bill W
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Bill W
Enthusiast
XPEL Headlights and fog lights $299
XPEL Windshield Protection Film: $499
XPEL Windshield Protection Film: $499
I looked in to it a while ago because the windshield for a Diablo roadster is very expensive (like $6-8k), but from what I read online I wouldn't do a windshield film.
The general trend was that people were unhappy with it within a year or two of use - the film because scuffed very easily and is very apparent while driving, as well as frequent delamination. Also, you can still get rock chips, but the kick in the balls is if you get a chip through the film you need to remove the film to fix it, and there's a high risk that when you remove it to fix the chip it spiders out.
The general trend was that people were unhappy with it within a year or two of use - the film because scuffed very easily and is very apparent while driving, as well as frequent delamination. Also, you can still get rock chips, but the kick in the balls is if you get a chip through the film you need to remove the film to fix it, and there's a high risk that when you remove it to fix the chip it spiders out.
Windshield film is an inherently flawed product but the overall juice is worth the squeeze in certain use case. Windshield PPF should NOT be thought of the same as normal PPF. It is much shorter lifespan product depending on use. In a daily driver, it realistically should be replaced every 18months. This is because wiper blades cause damage if dry wiped and there is debris on the glass or blades. A single unfortunate dry wipe or mishit of the wiper stalk is going to cause irreversible streaks on the ppf. Its soft.
With that said... I still have windshield PPF on two of my vehicles. A Ferrari and a g wagon. The F because windshield replacements take ages to get and the G because the windshield is so upright, it takes a beating. On the F, because its not driven often, I always clean the windshield and wiper blades if theres any chance of rain in the forecast. I don't plan on replacing the PPF for many years. Its been on there for 2y now and is still perfect. Its only been through rain maybe 5 or 6 times. On the G, I wait for rain to saturate the windshield before the first wipe. I have one half crescent streak through the driver side blade path from a mishit when I had just gotten the car and didn't know the controls, whoops. This one will get replaced at 18 months depending on condition.
The biggest cause of damage to windshield PPF is the first wipe and accidental dry wipes. After a windshield is saturated, debris is typically removed and you have no issues. If its a daily driver thats parked under trees all the time, forget about it. Addressing the point about chips through PPF, its definitely possible, but I find that the PPF slows down the rock enough that it only pits and doesn't create a chip. Think about it this way - a rock that would normally cause a chip causes a pit if theres PPF. A rock that would normally crack a windshield in one go would only maybe cause a chip. I've never had a rock hit the PPF with enough force to even cause a chip and I've taken some big hits on the F. Addressing clarity issue - this is going to depend on the film. My good friend who runs a PPF shop swears by Bray after trying other products, which is why I use it. There is ZERO visual deformation through the film. My F windshield is tinted and PPF'd and its optically perfect. No polarization issues either. Your mileage may vary, do your research online if your installer is selling a specific brand. They may just have a brand loyalty rather than insisting on the best product.
I don't have windshield ppf on the Viper. I dont drive it enough to warrant and I never follow close to anyone. I use precut kits from Bray and install myself, which is very easy. Pick the thickness that you're most comfortable with when ordering. Heres the one for gen2 viper.
windshieldskin.com
With that said... I still have windshield PPF on two of my vehicles. A Ferrari and a g wagon. The F because windshield replacements take ages to get and the G because the windshield is so upright, it takes a beating. On the F, because its not driven often, I always clean the windshield and wiper blades if theres any chance of rain in the forecast. I don't plan on replacing the PPF for many years. Its been on there for 2y now and is still perfect. Its only been through rain maybe 5 or 6 times. On the G, I wait for rain to saturate the windshield before the first wipe. I have one half crescent streak through the driver side blade path from a mishit when I had just gotten the car and didn't know the controls, whoops. This one will get replaced at 18 months depending on condition.
The biggest cause of damage to windshield PPF is the first wipe and accidental dry wipes. After a windshield is saturated, debris is typically removed and you have no issues. If its a daily driver thats parked under trees all the time, forget about it. Addressing the point about chips through PPF, its definitely possible, but I find that the PPF slows down the rock enough that it only pits and doesn't create a chip. Think about it this way - a rock that would normally cause a chip causes a pit if theres PPF. A rock that would normally crack a windshield in one go would only maybe cause a chip. I've never had a rock hit the PPF with enough force to even cause a chip and I've taken some big hits on the F. Addressing clarity issue - this is going to depend on the film. My good friend who runs a PPF shop swears by Bray after trying other products, which is why I use it. There is ZERO visual deformation through the film. My F windshield is tinted and PPF'd and its optically perfect. No polarization issues either. Your mileage may vary, do your research online if your installer is selling a specific brand. They may just have a brand loyalty rather than insisting on the best product.
I don't have windshield ppf on the Viper. I dont drive it enough to warrant and I never follow close to anyone. I use precut kits from Bray and install myself, which is very easy. Pick the thickness that you're most comfortable with when ordering. Heres the one for gen2 viper.
Dodge Viper (2 door coupe) 1996 - 1999
Our Windshield Skin® Vehicle Specific Kits are meticulously crafted to match the size and contours of your vehicle's windshield, eliminating the need for any cutting on the glass. This ensures a seamless installation process, akin to applying a large-scale phone screen protector! Our...
windshieldskin.com
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