Why I Installed XPEL Stealth PPF on My Tesla Model Y

Big changes to share! I had XPEL Stealth PPF installed on my Tesla model Y! If you are wondering what XPEL Stealth PPF is and why I wish I installed it sooner, read on!

In This Post

What is PPF?

Paint protection film (PPF) is essentially plastic armour. It’s a urethane membrane that can wrap around anything you would like to protect. It’s particularly popular in the automotive industry including cars and motorbikes. PPF is also known as a “Clear Bra,” a reference to fabric “bras“ used to protect the front ends of vehicles.

Like traditional car bras, PPF helps you limit the number of rock chips and damage. The added benefit of PPF is it is virtually invisible. This protection extends the life and look of your vehicle. It can be installed over high impact areas such as the front end and headlights, or, you can wrap your entire ride.

The cost can certainly get up there with the latter however your vehicle will return a higher resale value thanks to the perfect condition of the original body and paint under the wrap.

What is XPEL PPF?

Along with 3M, XPEL is an industry leader when it comes to PPF. In 2011, XPEL introduced its Ultimate Plus Line which features self-healing capabilities, a world first. This means small dings and scratches heal by themselves when heated, often just by the sun.

On top of that, XPEL PPF can withstand spray paint or even protect the underlying body from minor scuffs.

What is XPEL Stealth?

XPEL Stealth is essentially a PPF and a cosmetic altering wrap all in one. Normal PPF is clear and meant to be invisible. XPEL stealth is clear however, when applied, it provides a matte or satin finish. This can drastically change the look of your vehicle.

Why I Installed XPEL Stealth PPF On My Tesla

As highlighted in my post on the Tesla issues and the accessories that fix them, Tesla‘s paint quality is lacking, to say the least. Pair that with the wide back end of the Tesla Model Y and the rear panels gets blasted by road debris pretty quick.

My model Y, after just 9,000 km, for example, had more rock chips and damage than my previous vehicle had in 12 years of ownership.

Now I did add mud flaps to minimize the damage, however, it was too late. I first tried to touch up the paint but there was just too many rock chips and the job looked patchy. I ended up spending over $700 to have just one side panel painted. The other side was done after my Turo collision repair. Silver lining?

This paint problem is so widespread that Tesla is now including mud flaps and PPF installed above the rear panel in front of the wheels. This is great however, the paint quality is still poor throughout.

This, paired with that desire to stand out amongst the sea of Midnight Silver Metallic Model Y’s out there led me to XPEL Stealth PPF. It really is the perfect combination of protection and looks.

Expel Stealth PPF Installation

XPEL Stealth PPF can only be applied by certified installers. Depending on your location, there could be a few in your area. When narrowing down your search be sure to consider the following;

Will they remove fenders and trim to wrap edges? This will prevent any lifting in areas and provide a cleaner look.
Will the installer fix imperfections? It’s importatnt they stand by their work and adjust for bubbles and peels after the installation.
Do they have good reviews? Reach out to previous customers to confirm.

With the above and mine, locally, I went with Vancouver ClearBra for my XPEL Stealth PPF install. Not only do they do great work, but they have been in the business for close to two decades. On top of the manufacturers 10-year warranty, Vancouver ClearBra offers a lifetime warranty for installation defects.