Should I zaino over my front Xpel kit? I did when I first got the car a year ago, but after a year, I get a lot of bugs and scrub the hell out of it. I don't think it protects it any better. Today I am zainoing 3 coats and will only do the Xpel part on my hood. Anyone have any pointers?

 

yes you should zaino over the xpel kit, the 3m film has a layer of clear coat on it just like your paint, it will keep the film more protected. Treat it just like the paint.

 

Plexus works great as far as helping to clean the Scotchcal and will make bugs easier to get off in the future.

 

I've been using mainly Z5 on the Xpel, to try to reduce the orange peel look. Can't make up my mind if it works or not

I did get some fine scratches the other day on my 3M film, though. I mistakenly drug an extention cord across the nose of the car, thinking it was under the wheels. Z5 shined it right back up.

 

Hi
Try 3M or Aurora 3000 glaze to smooth out the orange peel. you can get this stuff at an auto paint supply house, about $16-$18 bucks for a bottle. Use a REALLY soft cotton cloth, rub on by hand, be careful and you will gradually work out the orange peel (not all at once, but over a few months time it will smooth out after using the stuff repeatedly).
Shine is really deep. NO WAX (ever). The suface will feel really smooth after the glaze is wiped off. I use it once a month or so on three cars.

 

I'm talking about the Xpel 3M film, not the actual paint. I doubt you can ever get rid of the orange peel look of the film