Frequently Asked Questions

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General FAQs

LUXE Automotive is located at 49 E 3300 S, South Salt Lake, UT 84115. Contact us!

We are open from 8am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday.

We have been in business for an amazing 10 years!

While we specialize in high end and luxury vehicles, we will happily service any and all makes and models. We are diehard automotive enthusiasts and love all sorts of vehicles from all years, whether they’re new or old.

No, LUXE Automotive is a true homegrown locally owned and operated business. 

No. At the moment we only have our single facility here in South Salt Lake. Our second location is currently being built in Park City in association with Warehouse.

No. We do however offer paint refinement, which can be a great option to consider prior to repainting your entire vehicle due to swirls or heavy contamination. Learn more here.

Yes. We require an appointment for all services. Please call, email or come by in order to schedule your consultation and service appointment.

While it’s not mandatory to have a consultation, we strongly recommend coming by for one in order to best assess your needs and provide accurate pricing.

We take pride in our level of service and the quality of materials we use for all of our services. We hold ourselves to strict standards of service and aim to provide not just the best service using the best materials, but also the best client experience possible. We are regularly attending trainings and seminars to make sure we’re at the leading edge of technology.

Booking times may vary anywhere from next day availability to 3 weeks out depending on the service. Please call, text or email to establish estimated availability.

Paint Protection Film

PPF stands for Paint Protection Film. This film is a virtually invisible, thin, yet durable film meant to protect your paint from chips, minor scuffs and scrapes, and other contaminants that may damage your paint.

We use XPEL paint protection films for all traditional protection installations, however we do also offer STEK fashion films for their unique Carbon Fiber and colored PPF films.

Yes. Xpel offers Stealth film which will retain the factory finish of your satin/matte paint. Furthermore, satin paints cannot be buffed or polished like traditional gloss paints and can be very difficult to paint match, lending more reason to protect your paint from scratches, swirls and other impacts.

Yes. The film will self heal light swirls and scratches with exposure to heat but does have its limitations and is not meant to be impenetrable. The clear coat is the self-healing layer and is approximately 13 microns thick. If that layer is penetrated, the film will not heal.

Yes. We utilize Xpel’s proprietary DAP (Design Access Program) to be as efficient as possible in the use of our raw materials. Many of our templates are customized and modified to reduce seams/reliefs or extend edges to ensure full coverage. In some cases we may “bulk” the film and install a full uncut sheet on a panel which allows for endless customization but can be much more time consuming.

For detailed warranty information, click here.

No. The benefit of PPF is that it’s virtually undetectable and does not change the appearance of your paint, meaning you can apply it on some panels without noticing it’s there.

No. Xpel’s PPF warranty covers the film for 10 years from yellowing, cracking, hazing or delamination. For more information on Xpel’s warranty, click here.

Both PPF and a ceramic coating are great options for protecting your vehicle’s paint, however PPF is meant to protect from impacts more than a ceramic coating is. For more information, click here.

Yes, though we require that the vehicle does not get washed for the first two weeks following installation. We also strongly urge against the use of automatic touch car washes, as the brushes can be very abrasive and cause film to lift at edges.

No. We have seen many terrible examples of film installations which were cut on the vehicle and the installer cut through the film down to the paint. The film is scored and pulled away which ensures that there is no contact between the blade and the paint.

Glass cannot be PPF’d safely, as the film is too thick and will cause distortion. We do offer a windshield protection film, please contact us for details

Most wheels or unpainted plastics are not eligible for PPF installation. Please contact us in order to find out whether PPF can be applied safely.

It is highly unlikely for paint protection film to harm OEM paint. Paint systems used on modern assembly lines today produce a minimum bond strength of 16 MPa and maximum of 25 MPa between the panel and the paint depending on color, iridescence and the system used. Our film’s bond to the painted surface at normal state (immediately following installation) is .0753 MPa. Even after years of heat and sun, the bond between the film and the paint increases to only 0.17 MPa. What that means is in the absolute worst case scenario, the bond of factory paint to the panel is over 94 times stronger than the bond of our film to the paint. In the best case, the paint is 332 times stronger.

All insurance policies will vary greatly. We recommend consulting with your insurance company after installation is complete.

No. We’ve installed PPF on everything from designer Louboutin red-bottom shoes to boats, mountain bikes and everything in between. PPF can be installed on any smooth painted surface. Contact us if you have a unique project.

No. Do not attempt to machine buff or polish your film. The film will overheat and begin to disintegrate from the pressure, heat and rapid motion of a machine polisher.

Modesta Ceramic Coatings

We’ve had years of experience with all types of coatings from both large and small manufacturers of coatings. After extensive research and testing, we’ve decided that Modesta is simply the most advanced coating on the market.

Yes. While we like to believe that a new vehicle’s paint is perfect, the truth is often far from that. Even new exotic vehicles come with imperfections from the factory or can be damaged in transit/during dealership handling. Our paint refinement process also prepares the paint to allow the coating to bond as best as possible. Without this step, a coating may not last as long as desired.

A ceramic coating provides an extremely durable layer over the top of your vehicle’s soft and susceptible clear coat. This layer is meant to resist chemicals such as bug acids, bird droppings and other environmental fallout that could otherwise eat away at your vehicle’s paint. These coatings can last anywhere from 2 years to 10 years with proper care.

No. Many companies have marketed their ceramic coatings as being scratch-proof. While a coating is very hard, it is also rather thin and is not meant to prevent scratches and swirling. A coating is scratch-resistant which may lessen the likelihood of visible swirling but will not prevent them. If you’re looking for impact and scratch resistance, consider Paint Protection Film.

No. A ceramic coating is too thin to be able to absorb the impact of a rock chip without being damaged. If you’re looking for impact and scratch resistance, consider paint protection film.

The choice between a ceramic coating and paint protection film comes down to what your priority is with regard to protecting your vehicle. Please contact us to discuss the benefits of each service or click here for more information.

No. We now offer Modesta’s full line of coatings which includes coatings intended for automotive glass, exterior plastics, leather interiors, wheels and brakes. Click here for more information on available coatings.

No. Modesta’s ceramic coatings are intended for professional use only. Modesta takes great steps to ensure that all installers are authorized and professionally trained prior to the sale and subsequent installation of any of their coatings.

While a coating is more chemically resistant than your vehicle’s paint, it is possible to stain your coating if contaminants are not removed quickly. The coating will resist etching for longer periods of time, but this does not mean that it is impenetrable.

Yes! The installation of a coating over your vinyl or PPF can provide the same incredible benefits you can expect from the same coating over your paint.

We strongly urge against the use of any automatic car wash after the application of a coating. As your paint will be nearly flawless, touch car washes will surely cause damage that would need additional paint refinement to address. Touchless car washes may seem harmless, however, the chemicals used in touchless washes are very harsh and can drastically reduce the lifespan of your coating.

No. Your coating effectively serves the same purpose that another wax or sealant would. A coating is much more durable and provides much better protection for the finish of your paint. The addition of any sealants or waxes will negatively affect the water-wicking properties of your coating.

Installation times vary from coating to coating. On average, the paint correction required for a ceramic coating application and the application of the coating itself takes a full 24 hours.

Paint Refinement

Paint refinement is the process of buffing your vehicle’s paint in order to remove light scratches and small imperfections that may be present in your vehicle’s paint. This is done by machine polishing the affected areas using a variety of pads and compounds.

Yes. Even exotic and luxury vehicles don’t leave the factory with perfect paint. Even if they do, the vehicle may be damaged or exposed to various elements in the transportation or dealership prep/washing process. We require a paint correction prior to the installation of any Modesta paint coating.

Yes. Prior to scheduling your appointment, we will ask to review the car in person. Please ensure that the vehicle is clean prior to coming by for a consultation to ensure that we can view the bare paint.

No. Paint refinement is meant to refine the surface of your vehicle’s paint. We will happily address chips/deep scratches with touch up paint at your request but this option is not included by default. We can also facilitate the removal of small dents through a third party. Please contact us if you have questions about your vehicle’s condition.

Utah is infamous for our hard water which contains high levels of calcium. In many cases, we are able to reduce or remove the presence of hard water spots, though the process is very time consuming. Our trade secrets allow us to assess the severity of the water spots and address them to our best ability.

No. We are not a body shop and do not have the ability to repair heavily damaged panels or respray your vehicle. Please contact us for recommendations on body shops.

As a general rule of thumb, if you can see a white/gray color in the scratch or can feel the scratch with your nail, it may be too deep to remove completely. This does not mean that it can’t be made to look better. Please contact us to schedule a consultation.

Yes. Headlight restoration is a great way to bring new life into old hazy headlights. We strongly recommend installation of PPF after the restoration of your headlights, as some plastics will quickly haze again in a short period of time due to the characteristics of the materials they’re made out of.

Yes. In most cases we are able to remove overspray from your vehicle’s paint and glass. This process requires a decontamination in order to thoroughly remove heavy contaminants and overspray. The decontamination will cause some light maring which will require paint correction to address and bring the paint back to its original state.

No. Many factory paint jobs have some level of texture, otherwise referred to as “orange peel”. Few manufacturers' original paint have enough clear coat to allow for the level of cutting or wet sanding required to level texture or orange peel.

Yes. Without proper decontamination, we would potentially cause more damage by pushing dirt and debris into the paint surface. Every vehicle is clay barred prior to any paint correction.

Yes. Every level of paint correction we offer includes the application of a polymer sealant by default. The option to upgrade to a Modesta ceramic coating is available at an additional cost.

Window Tint

Whether you’re going for aesthetics or comfort, window tinting is one of the simplest modifications you can make to your vehicle. Today’s film technology can provide up to 98% heat rejection with a virtually invisible film which means you no longer need a dark film to stay comfortable. A high quality film will also reject harmful cancer causing UV rays.

We exclusively offer and install Xpel’s full line of PRIME automotive window films. This includes their CS, XR and XR Plus films in a full range of shades. Contact us for details on heat rejection levels and available shades or click here to learn more.

Most trucks, SUV’s and vans have a factory tinted glass which is only intended to provide privacy to your occupants. These factory tinted windows do not typically provide much in the way of heat rejection. We recommend installing a lighter shade of ceramic film over these windows to get the most comfort possible without impacting visibility.

A ceramic window film can greatly reduce cabin temperatures and provide a more comfortable journey for you and your passengers. Modern films can reject up to 98% of infrared rays which means less time cranking the air conditioner on long commutes or road trips.

As of May 2022, Utah law permits as dark as a 43% tint on your front two windows and as dark as preferred on any windows behind the front two door windows. Your windshield can also be tinted down to a 70%, which is virtually invisible but still provides heat rejection when opting for a ceramic film.

The higher the number, the lighter the film. A 5% film will only allow 5% of visible light through, whereas a 70% film will allow 70% of visible light through. The shade of the film does not directly correlate with the amount of heat rejection you will benefit from.

We will ask to have the vehicle for one entire day to ensure that we can arrange it with consideration to all other projects. The installation itself can take anywhere from an hour to 3 hours depending on the vehicle.

Yes. Utah law permits the tinting of your windshield down to a 70% shade (virtually invisible). This allows the installation of high-heat rejection ceramic films on the largest piece of glass of your vehicle. This is also the window that lets in the greatest amount of heat, thus being a perfect candidate for ceramic window tint.

Yes. Many sunroofs come with heat rejecting treatments, as they are most prone to harsh and direct sunlight, however tinting can still provide further heat rejection and additional privacy.

Yes, but we will not warranty any installation which is done over the top of an existing film of any sort.

Xpel carries a variety of films, though nearly all are a neutral black with very minimal color tone visible. Some films very light in shade may have a slight color tint.

Vinyl Wrap

Vinyl is a relatively thin, flexible, adhesive-backed material that is used in many applications, both automotive and non-automotive. This material comes in a variety of colors and finishes and can be used to wrap an entire vehicle in a color of your choosing.

Vinyl wrapping your vehicle can be a good alternative to painting your vehicle. It can be used as a temporary and cost-effective way to completely transform your vehicle. A vinyl wrap can also preserve the painted surface below and assists in preventing UV fading.

Vinyl is a great way to personalize your vehicle, however it is not thick enough to be able to take abuse the same way that PPF can. On average, vinyl is half as thick as PPF and does not have the same self healing properties and elasticity that Paint Protection Film has. You should not rely on vinyl to prevent rock chips or deeper scratches.

Prices drastically vary from car to car, as some can be much larger and more complex than others. The cost of materials can also vary depending on whether it’s a simple single-color material or something more extravagant like color-shift films. Please contact us for pricing information.

On average, a full color change wrap is estimated to last anywhere from 3 to 5 years depending on its exposure to the elements and the level of care provided. For warranty information, click here.

A full vehicle color change can take anywhere from 3 to 5 business days. 

Vinyl can be removed relatively easily with high heat and some patience. The bond between your vehicle’s paint and the body of the vehicle is significantly stronger than the bond between the vinyl and your vehicle’s paint. As such, this should not remove or damage your paint unless the vehicle has been resprayed and not prepared properly.

We strongly recommend professional removal of any vinyl wrapped panels. As we take additional steps to ensure durability, some of these materials may be wrapped around edges and under vents, emblems or trims. Using specialty tools and chemicals allow us to safely remove the film and ensure no adhesive is left behind.

Yes. The addition of either a ceramic coating or Paint Protection Film can make your vinyl wrap look better and last significantly longer. Contact us for details on pricing.

A vinyl wrapped vehicle can be cared for much like any vehicle that is not vinyl wrapped. Click here to view our aftercare instructions.

Yes, although we do not recommend washing your vehicle for up to a week following the installation. As the vinyl is still settling and bonding to your vehicle, edges may be susceptible. Take caution in car washes that use brushes or have extremely high pressure water, as they can damage your vinyl wrap.

Yes. The biggest benefit to vinyl is that the creative possibilities are virtually endless. Please contact us to discuss details of custom color or design vinyl wraps.

No. We are not an authorized reseller of vinyl films and thus cannot sell to the public.

No. We can not rely on the quality or age of the material and will only use material that we have purchased from our authorized distributors to ensure quality and efficiency.