This is an unbiased review of XPEL STEALTH for Tesla Model 3 owners.
I went through 57+ forum posts and YouTube videos to know everything about this product—from features to actual customer experiences.
All things considered, my stance on this product is quite positive. Model 3 owners who were first skeptical ended up loving this PPF film on their cars. It is sleek and easy to maintain, and above all, it virtually disappears on most surfaces.
It’s a great deal if you want to give your Model 3 a sleek satin look.
Let’s have a thorough discussion on what it offers so you can make a decision yourself and be satisfied with it. Here’s what we’ll be discussing:
- Overall looks and styles (with image examples)
- Easy to maintain or an absolute hassle?
- The installation process: Is it possible to DIY?
- The actual customer experiences
- And much more.
Let’s get into it!
A Quick XPEL STEALTH Overview
The XPEL brand is largely appreciated by the Tesla community and is considered to be the ultimate PPF film for your Model 3.
Whether you want to keep your vehicle’s flat factory finish intact or you just want to upgrade the look of your car, XPEL STEALTH is hands down the best way to go.
Apart from being an expensive option (nearly 10% of the total worth of your car), I struggled to find any major downside to this product.
Most Model 3 owners loved the final look of their cars after the wrap.
Here’s a great review from a happy Model 3 owner:
Hey folks, I just had my Model 3 wrapped in STEALTH XPEL. I have to say I am stunned by this product. The car looks amazing and I can’t take my eyes off it.
Kataleen
One review isn’t the basis of our verdict, though. Let’s discuss this PPF film a bit more in detail to see whether it fits the bill or not.
Taking a Close Look at XPEL STEALTH Aesthetics
If you’re a fan of the satin look, the pictures below will speak for themselves.
This self-healing PPF wrap virtually disappears on most surfaces while protecting the factory finish of the car.
The color continues to look OEM while the finish unarguably stands out in a crowd of similar Teslas.
Let’s see some image examples to give you a better idea of how your vehicle could look like:
Notice how perfectly the STEALTH wrap matches the paint job of the cars. This is the unique proposition this product offers.
As a Tesla owner admitted, wraps are a fine line between badass and douchiness — and STEALTH falls 100% in the badass department.
For a Model 3’s total look makeover, I can’t think of a better option.
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Wrapping Process: A Rewarding DIY Project
Though time-consuming, wrapping your car yourself can be extremely rewarding.
Professional wrapping services may cost you north of $1500, while DIY may cost you around $300.
If you have money to spend, go for professional services. Otherwise, get ready for a worthwhile DIY wrapping project this weekend.
Keep the following precautions in mind though:
- Forget about partially wrapping your Model 3 with STEALTH PPF. It’ll look funny—definitely not something you’d want.
- The wrapping process will consume a LOT of time (possibly most of your waking hours over a weekend). So make sure you have enough time available on your hands to get the job done.
- Make sure the wrap covers the whole car from edge to edge. The reason? Any exposed paint will contrast with the covered paint, and that’ll mess up the whole look of your car.
- Give special attention to the paint job of your car, especially if it’s white. For the STEALTH wrap to work perfectly, the paint job must be flawless. If not, the color mismatch may make you regret this upgrade.
A Brief Maintenance Checklist from an Expert
Mike, the owner of Appearance Solutions based in Sacramento, California, shares their experience with XPEL STEALTH and the best way to care for and maintain it.
He has been working with XPEL STEALTH for over 10 years and knows the ins and outs of the product very well.
Mike shared a maintenance guide on Tesla Motors Club. Here are the main takeaways from that guide:
- If there are stains on the film, you will want to start with 90% isopropyl (IPA). For more stubborn stains, you can step it up to lacquer thinner (this is unnecessary if the isopropyl works). Precaution: Don’t rub too hard.
- For wash soaps, use Chemical Guys Meticulous Matte Auto Wash for Satin Finish and Matte Finish Paint. This soap has great lubricity for encapsulating dirt/debris and is also pH-balanced.
- If you don’t coat the film, use a matte/satin finish sealant to protect it from UV rays, pollutants, stains, etc. You can consider the XPEL Flawless Finish Paint Protection Film Sealant that is specifically engineered for this job.
As long as you are mindful of the maintenance and proper care of your wrap, it can easily last you up to 10 years.
In fact, Mike had a client who owned a 2011 BMW M3. He did a STEALTH wrap for him, and thanks to proper care and maintenance, it looked brand-new even after 8 years!
XPEL STEALTH Third-Party Thoughts
Out of the 8 YouTube reviews on XPEL STEALTH that I watched, the following are the ones I found most honest and straightforward.
If you want to listen to other third parties (and what their thoughts are on XPEL), you’ll definitely enjoy these.
How Much Does Tesla Model 3 XPEL Stealth Cost?
If you intend to use professional services, the shop’s quote should include both material and labor cost.
For full wrap jobs, $4,500 to $6,000+ quotes shouldn’t surprise you.
5’ x 60’ worth of material (or three 60” x 20’ rolls) is what you’ll need to wrap the entire car, including room for error. That places material cost alone at $3,600 USD.
The company also sells pre-cut kits that could save the DIYer plenty of time, but the cost creeps into the thousands, making the investment comparable to having a professional shop do it for you.
Namely, here are the rounded prices (as of this writing) of the individual pre-cut kits necessary to fully wrap your Model 3.
| Pre-Cut Kit | Price |
| Bumper Kit | $426 |
| Full Hood, Fender, and Mirror Kit | $806 |
| Rear Bumper Kit | $467 |
| Luggage Area Kit | $78 |
| Trunk Lid Kit | $426 |
| A-Pillar Kit | $108 |
| B-Pillar Kit | $36 |
| Rear Fender & Door Kits | $2,360 ($1,180 each side) |
| Total | $4,707 |
You’re better off buying three 60” x 20’ rolls to cut it yourself — or simply looking for a shop to wrap your car for you.
XPEL has a map with listed authorized installers to help you find reputable shops near you.
Does XPEL Have a Warranty?
XPEL offers a 10-year warranty from the date of installation. Under this warranty, it will cover defects such as yellowing, staining, cracking, blistering, and delaminating.
This warranty only applies to the professionally installed wraps that followed the XPEL installation guidelines.
You can find more information here.
Wrapping Up the Tesla Model 3 XPEL STEALTH Wrap Review
Ultimately, if you want to give your Model 3 a satin look or you just want to protect the factory paint with a wrap that looks dope, look no further.
This self-healing wrap, if properly maintained, can last up to 10 years. Though expensive, this one-time investment can help you keep the resale value of your car intact for a long time.
As long as you have the budget to stomach several thousand dollars,
The overall satisfaction of the community, the positive reviews from YouTubers, and the great image examples makes XPEL STEALTH wrap worth the investment.
Zac Ludicrous
Mechanical engineer by profession. TSLA shareholder before the hype. EV enthusiast all day long. Zac enjoys learning about the future of battery technology, autonomy, and EVs. He considers Tesla Model 3 the most important vehicle of the 21st century -- and is in a quest to improve the ownership experience of every Model 3 owner he possibly can.These 5 rare tips can save you so much time and stress – and few owners know about them (even after years of ownership). Sign up below to learn more. It's free!
