Gloss
ULTIMATE PLUS keeps the paint looking as it does.
Satin
STEALTH makes gloss paint look satin.
Same warranty
XPEL gives both 10 years.
In this guide 4 sections
Swipe to see the whole table
| ULTIMATE PLUS | STEALTH | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Gloss, over 90 gloss units | Satin, 23 gloss units |
| Top coat | Clear coat with self-healing polymers | Hydrophilic top coat with self-healing |
| Thickness without liner | 7.6 mil | 8.15 mil |
| Self-healing | Light scratches, 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature | Same claim |
| Warranty | 10 years, same document | 10 years, same document |
| Care XPEL suggests | Normal washing | 99% isopropyl alcohol for stains; Ceramic Boost every 6 months |
The real difference is the finish
ULTIMATE PLUS is meant to disappear on gloss paint. STEALTH changes how the car looks: gloss paint reads as satin, and on a car with factory matte paint it protects the finish without adding shine.
If you’re not sure, ask the shop to show you a panel of each in daylight. Satin film changes the look of the whole car, so most owners who want it wrap the full car rather than just the front.
How they are built
XPEL’s data sheets show a urethane layer of the same thickness in both, with a clear top coat on ULTIMATE PLUS and a hydrophilic top coat on STEALTH. Hydrophilic means water spreads out on it rather than beading.
STEALTH’s 2025 data sheet hasn’t published a weathering result yet; ULTIMATE PLUS’s has. Both list stain-resistance tests against fuels and solvents.
Price
Shops post a median of $1,999 for paint protection film, with half of posted prices between $1,199 and $3,800 (127 shops). By coverage, shops post a median of $1,195 for partial front, $2,000 for full front, $6,000 for full body.
Shops often price satin film above gloss, and satin is usually sold as full-car coverage, which is where most of the difference in a quote comes from. Compare quotes for the same coverage.
Living with each one
Both need the same gentle washing. XPEL’s care page suggests sealing STEALTH with XPEL Ceramic Boost at least every six months to keep the satin even, and isopropyl alcohol for stubborn stains.
Don’t polish or wax satin film with products that add gloss. Ask the installer which products they recommend.
Professional installation
Ask shops what’s in the price
Find installers near you, then ask about the exact product, the prep and which surfaces get coated.
Sources
Product claims come from the manufacturers’ own instructions, linked below. Prices come from shops’ published price lists.
- XPEL: ULTIMATE PLUS data sheetConstruction, thickness, gloss and stain tests.
- XPEL: STEALTH data sheetConstruction, thickness and satin gloss level.
- XPEL: ULTIMATE PLUS and STEALTH warrantyWhat the 10-year warranty covers and excludes.
- XPEL: product careWashing, self-healing and removal.
- XPEL: frequently asked questionsCoating over film, removal and color film.
