I want to offer my condolences. My Vantage is painted in the BMW Carbon Black that you thought you were getting (technically "Out of Range: Carbon Black-BMW"). The color is absolutely stunning and perfect for an Aston. Lots of blue metal flakes in the black and the car dramatically changes color depending on the time of day or angle of view. I've never seen another Aston in this color.

 

Well just rub it in would ya!!!

Yes, the BMW Carbon black is gorgeous. My mistake allows you to be the sole possessor of that color! Here's to it's longevity.

 

"It takes all kinds to fill a freeway... but only one to cause a major pileup."
- E.H. 2005

 

A wrap does not protect the paint other than from the elements ie...acid rain UV etc..... It does not protect from sand blasting, rocks, or road debris like PPF does.

A wrap on the whole vehicle will likely cost around 2.5k to remove due to the difficulty in removing wraps. Where if you removed PPF from a whole vehicle it would cost around $500.

So depending on what color you are wrapping the vehicle in you would be much better off in having PPF applied. Yes, S-Tek makes gloss black, red, matte black, satin clear, and various carbon fiber and Damascus designed PPF films. So if your going for a wild color then now you know what you will be dealing with in a few years. If a more normal color that I mentioned you will be far better off to apply the PPF and pay the fees for it up front and get the car truly protected.

Hope this helps some

 

I am aware of what STEK offers but they are of no help when their authorized installer butchers the job and leaves knife marks. My point is being authorized means nothing of value. You still need to go to court to sue them to get your money back and STEK won't even respond to your messages to try to mediate. I'm turned off the from the brand. Though I do agree the protect they advertise appears interesting I can't speak to the quality of it or longevity given most wraps can fade or show wear after a year my installer warned.

​​​​​​My suggestion if going with any film is look at the installer and see what they are comfortable and familiar working with. Go over every panel you want covered including door jams, sills etc.

 

Understand the frustration, but S-Tek is not responsible. The installer is the one who is. Plenty of installers cut up cars and just aren't ever caught. PPF Warranties from the manufacturer only are for yellowing, bubbling, peeling of the film itself, and initial manufacturing errors in the film itself. Beyond that any manufacturer is not responsible for anything. Authorized means warranty claims can be done through that location, nothing else. So please don't blame the film. I am not with S-Tek at all, but I love their product for it is one of the best on the market. I am also very unhappy with how films are installed, knowledge by the installers, and what they do or don't sell beforehand or after the film is applied. Most don't know anything other than putting film on, and a lot of pretty bad at it. But when people dicker around on pricing and won't pay 10k for a complete vehicle, people cut corners. You get what you pay for typically with installers. But, they are the responsible ones. So call them out not S-Tek.

Its like a Aston Martin dealer messes up an oil change and now you want to blame Mobil-1 for it and expect Mobil-1 to pay for things. Its not their fault, sue the dealer.

 

I do agree mostly which is why I said look at the installer not the product. Though when a friend had a issue with a authorized xpel installer, xpel sent a someone to inspect the work and told them to go to a different shop and they would deal with the original. No such thing was done by STEK they wouldn't even respond to a email after spending over 10K for a full wrap on a Bentley GTC.

 

Definitely avoid STEK.

 

fugly. No class

 

It's not suede, it's Alcantara...

 

Why? There are a lot of unknowns with the statements made. We don't know why XPEL sent a rep for that. As I have said its the installer who is at fault not the manufacturer of a product. Like saying never use Mobil-1 because a mechanic forgot to put the oil filter back on and the engine blew up. This is part of an industry where price is king and installers are only held to their own principles and quality. NO manufacturer rates or tests the installers for the products. Some offer training, some don't. Some you have to pay for it, some don't. XPEL is the worst but has the best name recognition so its purchased most often. Also cutting up a car happens all the time, its just the owner who paid for the initial application doesn't know it and its the 2,3,4th owners who find out. Sad, but true.

I just hate companies, any companies, getting the blame for something, when in the end its not thier fault. Installers should be put to the fire for mistakes made, but other than sue there is nothing that can be done. Just not fair for a manufacturer to suffer from it. I am NOT an employeee of S-Tek but I have used and use their products and found them professionally to be better than most all the others.