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EXPEL (Front Lettering)

pbinde

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I am having PPF added to the front of my vehicle and CC on the entire vehicle next week.

For those who have added PPF to the vehicle, specifically the hood, did you have your installer remove the lettering and put it or a new set on top of the PPF or did you have the PPF cut out to go around the lettering?


Many thanks!
 
My PPF had the front lettering pre-cut
 
My PPF had the front lettering pre-cut
Can you either share a photo here to PM me how it came out? Also what PPF did you get?

Thank you
 
I removed mine and didn’t put anything back
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Can you either share a photo here to PM me how it came out? Also what PPF did you get?

Thank you
I'm out of town this week so can't get you a pic but the installer was a little off center for the letters but you really can't notice it until you look very close.

Installed the 8mm PPF from SunTek.
 
Here's what I did to mine.

Nice yeah I am doing the whole hood. Do you have any more photos of the lettering?
 
I am having PPF added to the front of my vehicle and CC on the entire vehicle next week.

For those who have added PPF to the vehicle, specifically the hood, did you have your installer remove the lettering and put it or a new set on top of the PPF or did you have the PPF cut out to go around the lettering?


Many thanks!
I had the full hood and front fenders done with Xpel film. Removed the lettering. Ceramic coated the entire car.

Here is a video link when it was completed.

VIDEO HERE
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Removed lettering. Not put back on after PPF and ceramic coating.
 

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Currently in this discussion with who i selected for ours. Its xpel as well and he said it was a template cutout. But i mentioned id rather have the letters taken off and it be bulk cut/applied so there wasnt cut outs. Only thing he wasnt really wanting to do was having to replace the letters. But thinking of just leaving off as some mentioned
 
Multiple installers I talked to said they remove the letters and then re-install them. None of them do cutouts for the letters (I'm talking to what are considered higher end shops, they regularly work on exotic cars and such). Which I think is good from a PPF perspective, but I'd worry about them getting them all back on exactly right. But I imagine most shops have a method of making a template or something, if they're smart.
 
Multiple installers I talked to said they remove the letters and then re-install them. None of them do cutouts for the letters (I'm talking to what are considered higher end shops, they regularly work on exotic cars and such). Which I think is good from a PPF perspective, but I'd worry about them getting them all back on exactly right. But I imagine most shops have a method of making a template or something, if they're smart.
One place told me they just dont like taking the letters off because the adhesive coming off could do paint damage.

as for the replacement of them afterwards, i think the consensus and best way is to not reapply the same ones individually letter by letter back, but to buy a new kit directly from kia as it comes already on a template they just have to line up on the hood. A brand new kit is like 50. I told my guy i would provide a new kit or maybe just decide to leave them off.
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I also had Xpel PPF and had them leave the letters on and cut around them. The pattern allowed 1/16 or less gap between the film and the letters. Is it a risk for chipping? Sure, but pretty small risk in my opinion.
 
I also had Xpel PPF and had them leave the letters on and cut around them. The pattern allowed 1/16 or less gap between the film and the letters. Is it a risk for chipping? Sure, but pretty small risk in my opinion.
Can you attach of few photos of how it came out please :-) ?
 
Multiple installers I talked to said they remove the letters and then re-install them. None of them do cutouts for the letters (I'm talking to what are considered higher end shops, they regularly work on exotic cars and such). Which I think is good from a PPF perspective, but I'd worry about them getting them all back on exactly right. But I imagine most shops have a method of making a template or something, if they're smart.
The shop I am using also works with high end exotics (among others) and one installer told me first about taking the letters off and putting a new set on top. But they also told me they could do the cutout way too. They did 2 white tellurides a while back and took the letters off, said the dirt would show more on the edges on the white one.
 
My installer removed the letters and reinstalled new ones. They use fishing line to pry off the letters without damaging the paint then remove excess adhesive. Came out great. BTW the letters are about $50 from the dealer and come pre-spaced and curved so it's actually a simple install.
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Can you attach of few photos of how it came out please :) ?

You can zoom in on this pic and see the narrow gaps around the letters. It's wet to show how well it beads up when it's ceramic coated.
20210227_233212117_iOS.webp
 
I have XPEL. I just ordered a new set of letters (not too expensive). My installer removed the old, installed XPEL, then installed the new letters right over top of the XPEL. So no gaps whatsoever. .
 
You can zoom in on this pic and see the narrow gaps around the letters. It's wet to show how well it beads up when it's ceramic coated.
View attachment 18850
looks great. So you are pleased with your decision to leave the letters and have them do cutouts?
 
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