[Jim/Chris]

Grizz,

I was just at Xtreme Paint and Graphics getting some corossion issues repaired — great job. There were two motorhomes with the really ugly 3M film — $1200 each to remove. Two Prevosts, a H 40 foot and an XL 40 foot getting touch up and dings repaired there too.

James Stallings told me he will not install the film anymore because of the ugly that will show sooner or later. He will prep and paint an energy asorbing primer on the front of the RV and then paint the design that the owner wants or the existing design. A ding requires a larger stone as does the film but a repair is just a paint repair. Easier and much less expensive.

He did not mention the film you referenced.

[Ken]

For as long as I have owneda coach there have been products on the market that claimed they would protect the underlying finish. I have not yet heard of any that did not fail in some way over time. The most common failure wss a yellowing, but there has also been cracking, peeling or a combination of the problems.

We have had a lot of fun picking on the plastic shields often found on CC conversions, but apart from the plastic shield getting scratched, cracked or getting a milky appearance over time they did provide 100% protection for the paint on the front of the coach below the windshield.

I think running a close second is the bra that snaps onto the front of the coach if it is made of a multi-layer material to absorb rock impacts.

But so far no film, or painted on material has ever been reported to last without getting bad looking.

[Joe]

Jon,

The “Painted on Film” at Extreme is the primer, not on top of the clear coat. Finish colors and double clear are on top of the energy asorbing primer.

So maybe this approach has a better chance of long term success since it is protected from the elements. James can share more detail than I can — 936.560.5888

[Darrell]

It has been obvious that protection film has caused many owners a lot of grief. However, most of the trouble could have been avoided it owners had been aware the film is not permanent. If it was replaced every five years, the old film should have come off easily. I don’t know if the converters were ever made aware of that fact by 3M. (3M now has an improved version.)

Xpel film has some unique properties and carries a 7-year warranty against defects, but as I understand it won’t ever crack, fade or become difficult to remove. I also understand that Marathon Coach will exclusively install Xpel Ultimste film in the future. This film ‘suposidly’ heals itself to eliminate light scratches so it stays invisible.

My coach originally had the 3M film and obviously it stayed on too long and the coach ended up with an Armor Guard Plexi-glass shield, which IMHO is ugly and makes it very difficult to clean the front of the coach.

My plan is to remove the Armor Guard shield and install Xpel. If I have the coach for five years, the film will be renewed. I’ll probably trade before then, but without that ugly Armor Guard hanging on the nose it will look better.

For those who are planning a film removal, it would be worthwhile checking up on Xpel paint protection film before making a decision on paint protection.

[Rudy]

Marathon Coach in the past on all new builds installed the clear shield.

No longer…. unless the owner request.

[Joe]

Grizz,

For what its worth, Xtreme removes film with a clothes steamer and plastic razor blades plus hours of patient effort.

All the best in your replacement.

[Archived]

Several replies in this post speak to the fact that Marathon and others didn’t know about and didn’t tell the buyers that the film wasn’t permanent. If owners had replaced it every five years they wouldn’t have been disappointed with it. Can’t blame a product for failure when used beyond its lifespan!

[Joe]

I have that product on the front of my coach and it has significant crazing, crow-footing, cracking, fracturing or whatever you want to call it. It looks like crap!!! I bought some chemical I had high hopes for, but, alas….no joy in mudville.

I suppose the only choice I’m gonna end up with is to have it removed with my checkbook. It is not 3-M, but a product Marathon used back in the golden era of Y2K when mine was built…and, guess what, that company is now out of business. I would love to get this stuff off…it is the single most detracting feature of my motorhome and I don’ like it.

Thought Jeff or some of you guys will have some thoughts on it when we have the seminar in July….ty

[Brady]

I don’t know what brand film Marathon used back around 2000, but it wasn’t the product I mentioned, Xpel Ultimate. I thought it was 3M, but don’t know for sure.

This newer product if actually as described, should be the answer. After all, one would believe that technology has developed and improved over the past 16 years to solve the defeciencies the older film contained.

All I can tell you for sure is I have seen it on several vehicles, heard from a user and talked with a Marathon tech who told me it’s much easier to instal. Reading their web site it appears to be removable as easily as vehicle wrap even after many years.

It seems to me that replacing film every five years would be much less expensive and involved than repainting the front end after applying an energy absorbent primer. I wouldn’t sand off my perfectly good Stahr paint job in order to avoid installing new film.

I think the point of not reinstalling film is based on the mess the original film caused, but no one is considering that problem would not occur in the future if the film was regularly and easily replaced. It isn’t necessary to leave a replacement film on until it got so old it yellowed, cracked, and became a problen to remove. Now that we know there is a lifespan of five years, why not install new film with a plan to replace it every five years?

[Archived]

Grizz, I looked at their web site and they say a 10 year guarantee including removal and replacement. Taint bad. Also had a video on scratch removal from the film. Just warm water and scratches are gone.

From their site: (highlighting mine)

XPEL’s Ultimate Paint Protection Film combines best-in-class durability and clarity not previously available in the market. With its very low surface energy, XPEL ULTIMATE sheds contaminants that would otherwise stain or yellow conventional films. In addition, the clear coat employs special elastomeric polymers that “heal” over time eliminating swirl marks and other fine scratches without having to do anything.



This product carries a 10 year warranty against, yellowing, cracking, peeling, staining, and hazing, and reimburses both film and labor in the unlikely event of a failure. XPEL ULTIMATE is truly the most revolutionary Paint Protection Film ever invented!

3F

[Archived]

Sounds to me the way to go.. My 3M is still good or whatever Marathon used on 2002, but when it’s time to replace, that sounds like a good option.

[Tim]

Tom,

The time to remove and replace the film is now before it starts to look bad. By then it will be difficult to remove. That’s been the biggest problem in the past. It was left in place too long!

[Larry & Diane]

I’ve put a reminder on my calendar to check back with you guys in ten years.

I’m surprised in the claims they did not mention an increase in mileage as well.

[Dorel]

Some folks are just happy with the 10 to 12 mpg they now get…………..eh???

With one exception…..a fellow walmarter was getting 15 or so last week!

Missouri had very dry humidity that day……? Only explaination I could come up with.

Didn’t ask about his nose covering…..had to be almost liquid.

BTW…….fuel was only $2.45 too……….

forgot to ask what ‘hybrid’ he was running.

I’m one of those with the yellow looking crud on the nose. Covered it with a bra for now.

I have another Eagle bust under there that I’ll try to save when I remove the clear stuff.

Hopefully the clear coat(s) over the bird will take the beating/ then recoat….no stick on stuff tho.

Ol’Ben

[Archived]

Why wait until the end of the warranty to do PM on the film, or anything else for that matter?

For me, I’ll include replacing the film every 5 or 6 years making it part of the better-than-average maintenance schedule I believe in (as do many of us Prevost owners). It sure beats repainting or the labor intensive job of removing film that was on too long.