Warranty &
Aftercare Guide
Everything that keeps XPEL paint protection film, ceramic coating, and window film performing in the high-desert climate of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Cure times, wash technique, warranty coverage, and the fastest fix when something lands on the paint.
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Coverage at a glance
The XPEL warranty behind the work
Every film and coating installed at On The Spot Automotive carries a manufacturer limited warranty from XPEL. Coverage stays in force through professional installation, the care outlined on this page, and the required inspection schedule. Save this page. It supports any future claim.
| Product | Warranty period | What the warranty covers | Transfers to a new owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| XPEL Ultimate Plus & Stealth PPF | 10 years | Yellowing, cracking, blistering, delamination | Yes, with proof of the original installation date |
| XPEL Ultimate Fusion PPF | 10 years, plus 4 years on finish | Yellowing, cracking, blistering, delamination for 10 years. Oxidation, gloss loss, UV damage, and fading for 4 years. Annual inspection by a certified Fusion installer is required. | Yes, with proof of the original installation date |
| XPEL COLOR PPF | 10 years | Yellowing, cracking, blistering, delamination | No |
| XPEL Windshield Protection Film | Per product documentation | Film defects. Glass breakage is handled through insurance, not the film warranty. | Ask before a sale |
| XPEL PRIME automotive window film | Limited lifetime | Bubbling, peeling, delamination, and color change from a film defect | Ask before a sale |
| XPEL FUSION PLUS ceramic coating | Varies by coating tier | Coating defects and loss of hydrophobic performance. Annual inspection with the original certified installer is required. | Ask before a sale |
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Registration happens here
On The Spot Automotive registers the warranty at the time of install and keeps a record of the products applied. Request a copy of the invoice and product details for the glovebox.
Inspections keep it valid
Ceramic coating and Ultimate Fusion coverage both require a yearly inspection with the certified installer. Fusion inspections fall within 30 days before or after the anniversary of the install or the last service visit.
Paperwork carries weight
Keep receipts from every inspection and service visit. XPEL asks for proof of professional installation and maintenance history when a claim is reviewed.
The curing window
First hours after pickup
Adhesives and coatings need quiet time to bond. The wait is short and it protects the entire installation.
What curing looks like
- Slight haze or small moisture bubbles under fresh window film. Installation moisture evaporates and the film clears on its own.
- Faint distortion under new paint protection film in the first days while the adhesive settles into panel contours.
- Cold weather slows every cure. Allow extra days before rolling windows down when overnight temperatures drop.
Skip during the cure
- Washing, pressure rinsing, or any product applied to fresh film or coating.
- Pressing on new tint from inside the glass.
- Parking under trees, next to sprinklers, or anywhere bird droppings and hard water can land.
- Wax, sealant, or dressing over a fresh ceramic coating.
Anything that lands on the surface during this window gets blotted gently with a clean microfiber, never rubbed.
Technique is everything
The maintenance wash
Protected surfaces stay flawless through method, not effort. Wash every two weeks or roughly every 600 miles, out of direct sun, on cool panels.
- Rinse firstHose or pressure rinse from the roof down to carry off loose grit before anything touches the surface.
- Foam and dwellCover the vehicle in pH neutral foam and let it sit three to five minutes so contamination lifts instead of dragging.
- Wheels and tires nextDedicated brush, dedicated bucket. Brake dust never belongs on a paint mitt.
- Soften the bugsTreat bug splatter with a bug remover or warm water soak before any wiping.
- Rinse and re-foamClear the first foam layer, then reapply fresh soap for the contact wash.
- Wash top to bottomOne panel at a time, straight lines, light pressure. Circular scrubbing creates swirls.
- Save the rockers for lastLower doors, rocker panels, and wheel wells hold the heaviest grime.
- Rinse thoroughlyClear soap from jambs, trim gaps, and film edges.
- Dry immediatelyAir blower or a plush microfiber drying towel, roof downward. Air drying invites water spots.
- Boost the surfaceWipe on XPEL Ceramic Boost to refresh hydrophobics and gloss after the vehicle is dry.
Two-bucket method
One bucket holds soapy water, the second holds clean rinse water. After each panel, the mitt goes into the rinse bucket and gets wrung out before returning to the soap. Skipping that step drags grit across the next panel and is the leading cause of swirl marks.
Distance and angle
- Stay at least three feet back from paint protection film and never aim into an edge.
- Windshield film calls for 36 inches of distance and a 40-degree nozzle.
- High pressure at a film edge lifts it. Once lifted, the panel needs re-installation.
Automatic tunnel washes
Rotating brushes scratch film, dull coatings, and lift edges. Touchless washes are an acceptable stopgap between hand washes. Brush tunnels are off the table for the life of the installation.
The short list
Care rules worth memorizing
Do
- Hand wash with pH neutral shampoo and a clean microfiber mitt
- Wash every two weeks or about every 600 miles
- Work the two-bucket method on every wash
- Dry with a blower or plush microfiber right away
- Remove bird droppings, bugs, and sap the same day
- Apply XPEL Ceramic Boost after washing
- Keep the pressure washer three feet from film edges
- Wash in shade on cool panels
- Book the annual inspection on schedule
Do not
- Run the vehicle through an automatic brush wash
- Use ammonia glass cleaner on tinted windows
- Let contamination dry on the surface
- Apply wax or sealant containing dyes, solvents, or abrasives
- Polish, compound, or buff a coated or filmed surface
- Use scouring pads, brushes, or abrasive towels
- Aim high pressure water into film edges
- Scrape ice or snow with metal tools
- Let the vehicle air dry
Paint protection film
Living with PPF
XPEL urethane film absorbs rock chips, road debris, and chemical fallout while staying nearly invisible. The self-healing top coat resets light scratches with heat.
Scratches that disappear
Light scratches and swirl marks flatten out in 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature. Warm water near 120 degrees poured over the panel speeds the process in cold weather. Deep cuts through the film call for section replacement.
Removing marks
Insect and road stains lift with XPEL Film Cleaner. Stubborn spots respond to 99 percent isopropyl alcohol applied to a towel, kept clear of surrounding paint. Detailing clay pulls embedded contamination off the film surface.
Sealing the surface
XPEL Ceramic Boost every six months preserves high gloss on Ultimate Plus and Ultimate Fusion, and maintains the satin finish on Stealth. A ceramic coating over the film extends that protection considerably.
Watch the perimeter
Edges are where film fails first. Inspect them at every wash. Lifting, peeling, or a dark line forming along an edge deserves a phone call rather than a wait-and-see approach.
Before a repair starts
Call On The Spot Automotive before a body shop removes film or refinishes a panel. Improper removal risks pulling clear coat. Panels that get repainted need fresh film to stay under warranty.
Leave it to the shop
Professional removal uses steam to keep the film pliable so it stretches off with the adhesive attached. Peeling at a steep angle at home leaves adhesive behind and risks the finish underneath.
Ceramic coating
Keeping FUSION PLUS performing
XPEL FUSION PLUS bonds to paint or film and delivers a slick, hydrophobic surface with deep gloss, UV resistance, and defense against etching from bird droppings, bug acid, and environmental fallout.
Weekly rhythm
- XPEL Rinse Free Car Wash weekly holds contamination buildup down between full washes.
- Wash out of direct sunlight to prevent streaking and water spotting.
- Work roof down and leave the dirtiest lower sections for last.
- Follow with XPEL Detail Spray and Ceramic Boost for added gloss and slickness, applied in shade.
- Dry every exterior panel completely with a clean microfiber or air blower. Evaporating tap water leaves mineral deposits.
Coated cabin surfaces
- XPEL Interior Cleaner handles leather, plastics, and other non-fabric surfaces as needed.
- Test in a hidden area first and read the directions before a full application.
- Fabric areas do best with vacuuming and a clean, dry microfiber.
- Aggressive wiping works against the coating on any surface, inside or out.
Reading the water
Beading behavior is the clearest signal of coating health.
| What shows up | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Water beads tightly and rolls off | Coating is performing as designed | Stay with the maintenance routine |
| Water sheets off without tight beading | Coating is thinning | Apply Ceramic Boost more often and book a decontamination wash |
| Water sits flat on the panel | Protection is depleted | Schedule a coating assessment with On The Spot Automotive |
| Surface feels rough and holds dirt | Embedded contamination or wear | Book a decontamination service and inspection |
Annual coating inspection
FUSION PLUS coverage runs from the date of application and stays valid through annual visits to the certified installer who applied the coating. A change of address or a move out of the area is worth a call so the schedule stays intact.
Automotive window film
Tint care in three rules
XPEL PRIME film is the simplest product on the vehicle to maintain. One rule carries nearly all the risk: ammonia destroys window film.
Windows stay up
Allow one to five days before rolling windows down or cleaning the glass, depending on the weather at install. Haze and small moisture pockets can appear for up to ten days and clear as the film cures.
Ammonia free only
Household glass cleaners break film down over time. Use an ammonia free product labeled safe for tinted glass, sprayed onto a microfiber towel rather than onto the glass, and wipe in straight lines.
Nothing abrasive
Scouring pads, brushes, and rough cloths cut into film. A damp microfiber handles routine cleaning. Regular cleaning prevents the grit buildup that causes micro-scratching.
Film warranty versus insurance
The film warranty addresses film failure such as bubbling, peeling, delamination, or color change from a defect. A rock through the windshield or a shattered side window is physical damage and falls outside that coverage.
Auto insurance frequently pays to re-tint replaced glass as part of a claim. Mention the professionally installed XPEL film when filing, and call the shop for installation documentation to support it.
Windshield protection film
Clarity through maintenance
TPU windshield film takes the impact that would otherwise crack glass. Clarity holds through gentle washing and a scheduled sealant refresh.
First 48 hours
- No washing for at least two days while the film adheres and cures.
- Install a fresh set of premium wiper blades. Worn blades scratch film quickly.
- Replace blades on a regular schedule from that point forward.
Ongoing care
- Hand wash with XPEL Wash Solution or Foam Soap and a soft microfiber mitt, straight lines, light pressure.
- Keep pressure washer nozzles 36 inches back, angled away from edges, using a 40-degree tip.
- Skip solvents, abrasives, and any wax or polish carrying dyes or compounds.
- Dry with a clean soft microfiber to prevent water spotting.
- Clear snow and ice without metal scrapers or sharp tools.
XPEL WPF Restore
Restore refreshes the hydrophobic layer that keeps rain sheeting off the film. Apply it every three months or after a wash. The installation includes a complimentary bottle for the six month mark.
Application: start with clean, dry glass. Shake well, mist lightly across four sections of the windshield for full coverage, then spread and buff with a clean microfiber until the film reads clear and smooth.
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho
Built for high-desert conditions
Intense UV at 5,000 feet, blowing sand, hard water, and monsoon dust put more on a finish here than in most of the country. Four local habits carry most of the benefit.
Shade and timing
Wash early or late, in shade, on cool panels. Soap and water flashing dry on a hot panel leaves mineral deposits that etch into coatings. Covered parking slows UV load on film and trim year round.
Rinse before contact
Wind-driven grit sits on every horizontal surface after a blowing day. A full pressure rinse before the mitt touches paint carries that abrasive layer away instead of grinding it in.
Sprinklers and spotting
Local tap and irrigation water runs mineral heavy. Avoid parking within reach of sprinklers, and dry the vehicle completely rather than letting water evaporate on the surface.
Dust and rain together
Summer storms drop dust-laden rain that dries into a gritty film. Rinse within a day or two rather than wiping dry residue, and follow with Ceramic Boost to reset the surface.
Act the same day
Emergency contaminant guide
Bird droppings, bug acid, sap, and hard water are acidic or mineral heavy and will etch through a coating once they dry. Blot and lift with product on the towel. Rubbing dry contamination grinds it into the surface.
| Contaminant | Fastest safe fix | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Bird droppings | Mist XPEL SiO2 Waterless Wash onto a microfiber, lay it over the spot, then blot and lift | Wiping dry, household cleaners, any scrubbing motion |
| Bug splatter | Soften with warm water or a bug remover, then wipe gently with a clean microfiber | Dry scrubbing or an abrasive mitt |
| Tree sap | 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol applied to the towel first, then blot the spot | Acetone, nail polish remover, aggressive solvents |
| Tar and road grime | Tar remover rated safe for film, applied to the towel rather than the surface | Scraping, petroleum-based products |
| Hard water spots | Isopropyl alcohol or a water spot remover on a microfiber, worked in small sections | Letting mineral water dry on the surface, parking near sprinklers |
| Fuel spill | Rinse with water immediately, then wash the panel with pH neutral shampoo | Leaving fuel to sit, even briefly |
| Snow and ice | Blower, brush rated for coated surfaces, or a warm cabin and patience | Metal scrapers and sharp tools on film or glass |
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Read this once
What the warranty does not cover
XPEL coverage addresses manufacturing defects. Damage from outside forces, improper care, and normal road use falls outside it. The film is a sacrificial layer that protects the paint. The paint itself carries its own manufacturer coverage.
- Rock chips and road debris impact
- Collision, vandalism, fire, hail, and flood
- Surface rust, rail dust, and paint overspray
- Stains, scratches, scuffs, and chips
- Water spots from mineral deposits left to dry
- Paint manufacturer defects, which fall under vehicle coverage
- Automatic brush washes and improper wash technique
- Harsh cleaners, solvents, and abrasives
- Extreme heat or cold exposure and general misuse
- Work performed by anyone outside the authorized network
- Panels left unwrapped after paint or body repair
- Non-XPEL ceramic coatings applied over XPEL film
- Use outside automotive applications
Summary written for reference. The XPEL limited warranty document that came with the installation is the governing text, including all terms, disclaimers, and limitations of liability.
If something goes wrong
Filing a warranty claim
Start with a phone call to On The Spot Automotive. A quick look at the vehicle often settles the question, and the shop handles the paperwork from there.
- Call the shopReport the concern to On The Spot Automotive at (505) 859-2859 with clear photos of the affected area.
- Complete the claimClaims go through XPEL with the installation details, product information, and photographs attached. Proof of professional installation is required.
- Allow review timeXPEL reviews submitted claims within two to three business days. Complete information keeps the timeline short.
- Wait for approvalRepair work starts only after XPEL approves the resolution plan. Work performed ahead of approval is not reimbursed.
- Return for the repairApproved claims route back to the original installer whenever possible. Labor coverage depends on the product and the situation.
On The Spot Automotive
103 Rio Rancho Blvd SE, Suite A-6
Rio Rancho, NM
(505) 859-2859
Serving Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and surrounding communities.
XPEL warranty department
711 Broadway St., Ste. 320
San Antonio, TX 78215
(800) 447-9928
Product care and warranty documents live at xpel.com/warranty-information.
Common situations
Questions that come up
Are those small bubbles under new film a problem?
Almost never. Moisture from the installation process needs time to evaporate through the film. Window film clears within about ten days, and paint protection film settles in the first days as the adhesive cures. Bubbles that persist past that window deserve a call to the shop.
Is a touchless car wash acceptable?
Touchless works as a stopgap between proper hand washes. Automatic tunnels with rotating brushes stay off the list permanently. Brushes scratch film, dull coatings, and catch edges hard enough to lift them.
Can wax go over a ceramic coating or paint protection film?
Traditional wax adds nothing over a coating and products carrying dyes, solvents, or abrasive compounds can damage film. XPEL Ceramic Boost is the correct maintenance product and restores hydrophobics and gloss without risk.
What happens if the paint under the film gets damaged?
Film protects paint but the warranty applies to the film. Paint issues route through the vehicle manufacturer or an insurance claim. Panels that get refinished need new film applied to stay covered.
Can an accessory be installed over a coated or filmed panel?
Adhesive mounted parts struggle to bond to a slick coated surface. The mounting area needs preparation with isopropyl alcohol and, in some cases, removal of coating from the bond area. A call before installation prevents a failed mount or a damaged panel.
Does the coverage transfer when the vehicle sells?
Ultimate Plus, Stealth, and Ultimate Fusion transfer to a new owner with proof of the original installation date, and the new owner receives the remainder of the original term. COLOR PPF coverage stays with the original owner. Call the shop before a sale for documentation.
How much does an annual inspection cost?
Inspection visits typically include a wash, decontamination, and a full assessment of film edges and coating performance, billed as a service. That visit protects a multi-year warranty and catches small issues while they remain small.
Something happened and the answer is not on this page.
Call (505) 859-2859. A five minute conversation before another shop touches the vehicle prevents damaged film, compromised paint, and unnecessary replacement cost.
The standard in automotive care
Schedule an inspection
Annual visits keep coverage active and keep every surface performing the way it did on delivery day. Bring the vehicle in for a full assessment, decontamination, and a fresh boost.
Care guidance summarized from XPEL product care and warranty documentation. Product specifications and warranty terms are set by XPEL and may change. The warranty document provided at installation governs coverage.