Fall Is Coming for Your Paint. Here's How to Stop It.
Summer in Sacramento is hard on a car, but fall sneaks up on you. The heat backs off, the first rains roll in, and suddenly your paint is dealing with a whole new set of problems. If you've been thinking about paint protection film, this is the season to stop thinking and get it done.
At Appearance Solutions, we've been installing XPEL paint protection film in Northern California since 2007. Here's why fall is the perfect time to protect your vehicle, and why we only trust XPEL to do it.
What Fall Does to Your Paint
The first rains stir everything up. After months of dry weather, the roads are coated in oil, grit and loose gravel. The first storms wash all of it onto the pavement, and your tires fling it right back at your bumper, rockers and doors.
Falling leaves, sap and bird droppings. Wet leaves sitting on your hood hold moisture and leave stains. Tree sap and bird droppings are acidic and can etch into unprotected clear coat faster than you'd expect.
Tahoe trips and holiday travel. Once the snow hits, a lot of us are heading up I-80. Mountain roads get treated with sand and grit for traction, and at highway speed that stuff hits your front end like sandpaper. Add Thanksgiving road trips and you're putting serious miles on your paint in a short window.
Shorter days, darker drives. More driving at dusk and in the rain means less time to spot debris on the road and dodge it.
Every rock chip you pick up this season is permanent. Touch-up paint never looks quite right, and a repaint costs far more than protecting the paint in the first place.
Why We Use XPEL (and Only XPEL)
Not all paint protection film is created equal. Cheaper films can yellow, crack, peel or lift at the edges within a few years, and a bad film job can actually hurt your resale value. That's why we've partnered exclusively with XPEL, the most recognized name in paint protection, for more than 16 years.
The thickest film available. We offer XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS in 10 mil, the thickest paint protection film on the market, as well as ULTIMATE PLUS 8 mil. More material between the road and your paint means more protection against rock chips and debris.
It heals itself. XPEL's top layer is self-healing. Light scratches and swirl marks disappear with heat from the sun or warm water. Your car keeps looking new without constant polishing.
Virtually invisible. XPEL is optically clear and doesn't change the look of your factory paint. Most people will never know it's there. They'll just wonder why your car still looks brand new.
A matte option that turns heads. If you have factory matte paint, or you want to turn your gloss finish into a sleek satin look, XPEL STEALTH protects your paint and changes the whole attitude of your vehicle.
A 10-Year Warranty That Goes With the Car
XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS and STEALTH come with a 10-year warranty covering yellowing, staining, cracking, peeling, bubbling and delaminating, parts and labor. It's backed by XPEL nationally, not just by one shop, so you're covered no matter where life takes you.
Even better, the warranty is transferable. If you sell your car, the next owner inherits the coverage with proof of purchase. That's a real selling point when it's time to trade in or sell privately, and it's one more reason PPF helps protect your vehicle's value.
Coverage Options for Every Driver
You don't have to wrap the whole car to get real protection. Since XPEL film is virtually invisible, we can cover just the high-impact areas and it blends seamlessly with the rest of your paint. Our packages include:
Base Package (starting at $1,895): Full hood, full fenders, full front bumper, headlights, mirrors, door cups, inner door sills and more. Our minimum recommended protection for the areas that take the most abuse.
Preferred Package (starting at $2,495): Everything in Base, plus the lower rocker panels. This is our most popular package, and for good reason. Those panels sit inches from the road and take a beating from tire spray and gravel, especially in wet fall weather.
Preferred Plus Package (starting at $3,195): Adds the full rear bumper to guard against parking lot bumps and scrapes.
Premium Package (starting at $3,995): Adds full doors for protection against road debris and door dings.
Ultimate Package (starting at $6,995): Complete vehicle coverage in gloss or STEALTH, plus XPEL PRIME XR PLUS ceramic window tint on all glass.
Every package includes XPEL FUSION PLUS ceramic coating applied over the film for extra gloss, easier cleaning and better water beading. That's a big deal during rainy season, when you want water and grime sliding right off.
Why Appearance Solutions
The film is only as good as the install. We don't use generic pre-cut kits. We work in XPEL's Design Access Program and custom modify every pattern to extend coverage, reduce seams and wrap edges wherever possible. That means no lifting, no peeling and no dirt lines along the edges.
Every install starts with a full wash and paint correction on the areas getting film, so your paint looks its best before it's sealed in. Whether you just drove a new car off the lot or you want to protect the one you love, we'll treat it like it's our own.
Get Ahead of the Season
Rainy season and ski season are right around the corner. The best time to protect your paint is before the damage happens, not after.
Request your free PPF quote today. Tell us about your vehicle and the coverage you're interested in, and we'll put together a package that fits how you drive. Appearance Solutions is located at 8000 Clifton Road in Sacramento, by appointment only.
