PPF longevity

[Nikw91]

So I went to a local high end shop today that had a handful of McLarens and Porsche 911s all PPFed in person and they looked great.

I just want the bumper done. Nothing else. (I enjoy waxing my car.)

Without even seeing my car he said $500-$600. Then he walked outside and saw I already paint corrected the car myself. Since they’ll only have to do minimal prepping he said, he would lower the price for the bumper to $300 or the bumper and headlights for $375.

I don’t think the headlights need it as I wax those too and don’t ever see chips on them.

Is PPF a lot better now a days? More likely to be clear and unnoticeable for many years? Or will they still crack, pull up at the ends and slowly slightly discolor? My dad had PPF in the early 2000s and it didn’t age well.

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[johnnybags]

PPF is a lot better today than it was back in the 00's.

XPEL has a 10 year warranty against yellowing/peeling/etc. I'd get it on the headlights to prevent swirls/light scratches from showing and hiding what's already there. the lens is super soft.

 

[Clark_Kent]

The product has improved significantly over the last 20+ years. The peeling, cracking, and discoloration was commonplace many years ago. That is no longer the case. How well the film ages depends on several factors like how you care for the car, whether it's ceramic coated, driving conditions, where it's parked, brand, etc. It's meant to provide protection for the painted surfaces and it acts as a sacrificial barrier. As such, it will take on damage and won't remain pristine forever.

You didn't ask, so take it or leave it; however, I would reconsider your ppf coverage. I suggest the following: front bumper, side mirrors, full hood, front fenders, A-pillar kit w/ leading edge of roof (6"), side mirrors, headlights, rocker panels, B & C pillars, custom piece on each rear door (bottom corner closest to rear wheel) resembling a shark fin.

 

[jcfishel]

I actually just picked up my FL5 from my preferred local shop this afternoon. This is the 2nd car I've had them protect and always been happy with their service and turnaround. They use precut templates.

Their pricing always includes full wash/detail, paint correction and prep before laying down PPF. The FL5 is actually more complicated than I originally expected but I think they did a great job.

Film Type: Suntek Reaction (12 year warranty)

Here was the pricing I received:
Front Bumper + Grille + Headlights + Hood + Fender + Mirror Caps + A-Pillar = $2200 <-- Do this as a bare minimum!
Rocker Panels: $200
Doors (4x): $800

This is where I stopped, but the rest of the car would have gone like this:
Roof + Hatch + Rear Quarter Panels + Spoiler + Bumper + Diffuser: $2600

I know PPF is a tough pill to swallow for most people. I'm planning to keep this car for a very long time. My shop provided detailed care instructions, certificate of authenticity and a complementary detailing kit.

 

[Nikw91]

The product has improved significantly over the last 20+ years. The peeling, cracking, and discoloration was commonplace many years ago. That is no longer the case. How well the film ages depends on several factors like how you care for the car, whether it's ceramic coated, driving conditions, where it's parked, brand, etc. It's meant to provide protection for the painted surfaces and it acts as a sacrificial barrier. As such, it will take on damage and won't remain pristine forever.

You didn't ask, so take it or leave it; however, I would reconsider your ppf coverage. I suggest the following: front bumper, side mirrors, full hood, front fenders, A-pillar kit w/ leading edge of roof (6"), side mirrors, headlights, rocker panels, B & C pillars, custom piece on each rear door (bottom corner closest to rear wheel) resembling a shark fin.

I know that’s the ideal thing to do, get the whole front done. The quotes I’ve got are all $1,600 to $1,800 for the full front like you just mentioned.

That’s way more than I can justify to myself to spend. It’s only the fact that it’s in the $300 range that I’m considering the bumper.

I’m just wondering how long PPF lasts if it’s garaged. And what treatments are there to make it last longer.

My dad had an old Porsche 911 that he did PPF in the 2000s and by 2010 it was cracking and peeling and discolored.

This is the shop
https://wmcustoms.shop/

 

[Nikw91]

I washed the car then dried it,
Then used Griots iron remover,
Rinsed it off then repeated,
Iron removed again then rinsed,
Used the Meguairs clay bar kit on the whole car,
Then dried for a final time and applied a Full Meguairs Ultimate Wax.

Super happy with the results and don’t think ceramic will make it any better. Just make it so I don’t have to wax. But at a high cost.

 

[TypeRD]

With how skilled you appear to be with paint correction and polishing, you can probably ceramic coat the car yourself. I love it because it makes washing SO MUCH easier and faster. It really boils down to how much time you have and how much you enjoy washing your car. In my younger days I had a lot more free time and truly enjoyed washing my car. Nowadays, man, ceramic coating is a lemon that’s worth the squeeze if you ask me.

Also, I tend to agree with @Clark_Kent on ppf on the full front. The paint on these cars is thin and very easily damaged.

I went with Xpel, full front, mirror caps, door cups, pillars, and the “track pack” which covers the lower areas of the doors and fenders (where debris are likely to be kicked up). It is expensive, but I intend on keeping my car a LONG time (unless they make an LE and it doesn’t cost a kidney ).

 

[johnnybags]

With how skilled you appear to be with paint correction and polishing, you can probably ceramic coat the car yourself. I love it because it makes washing SO MUCH easier and faster. It really boils down to how much time you have and how much you enjoy washing your car. In my younger days I had a lot more free time and truly enjoyed washing my car. Nowadays, man, ceramic coating is a lemon that’s worth the squeeze if you ask me.

Also, I tend to agree with @Clark_Kent on ppf on the full front. The paint on these cars is thin and very easily damaged.

I went with Xpel, full front, mirror caps, door cups, pillars, and the “track pack” which covers the lower areas of the doors and fenders (where debris are likely to be kicked up). It is expensive, but I intend on keeping my car a LONG time (unless they make an LE and it doesn’t cost a kidney ).

Exactly this. If you're comfortable with a wash/decon and are happy with the paints current finish, you can do a ceramic coating in an afternoon easily. If you're comfortable throwing in a quick pass with a DA Polisher before the ceramic application, even better, but either way, don't be intimidated. DIY Detail has a couple good instructional videos. You could coat your car for under $200.

like @TypeRD, i also went with XPEL (10 mil), full front+track pack. It was not cheap but I used a quality shop who has stood by their work, and it shows.

I'm tempted to get rear bumper PPF'd now just so it'll be easier to wipe down the brake dust/dirt that builds up back there in-between washes without worrying about swirls.

 

[Nikw91]

With how skilled you appear to be with paint correction and polishing, you can probably ceramic coat the car yourself. I love it because it makes washing SO MUCH easier and faster. It really boils down to how much time you have and how much you enjoy washing your car. In my younger days I had a lot more free time and truly enjoyed washing my car. Nowadays, man, ceramic coating is a lemon that’s worth the squeeze if you ask me.

Also, I tend to agree with @Clark_Kent on ppf on the full front. The paint on these cars is thin and very easily damaged.

I went with Xpel, full front, mirror caps, door cups, pillars, and the “track pack” which covers the lower areas of the doors and fenders (where debris are likely to be kicked up). It is expensive, but I intend on keeping my car a LONG time (unless they make an LE and it doesn’t cost a kidney ).

I appreciate the compliment! I take a lot of pride in it. It did take me 5 hours to do all of that.

Do you put anything on top of the ceramic or no?

So say in a few years down the road the PPF is peeling in some areas. Is it easy and affordable for a shop to remove that and put another PPF on?

I do have to sign a form that I understand that the paint may come off if I were to remove the PPF one day.

 

[johnnybags]

I appreciate the compliment! I take a lot of pride in it. It did take me 5 hours to do all of that.

Do you put anything on top of the ceramic or no?

Not really. It helps to top it off with a ceramic spray (something like DIYDetail's Ceramic Gloss) every 3-6 months for maintenance. You can spray it on the car after you wash it and use it as a drying aid, so once you towel it off, you're done.

So say in a few years down the road the PPF is peeling in some areas. Is it easy and affordable for a shop to remove that and put another PPF on?

Modern stuff peels much more easily, they'll use steam to assist and it should come up without issue.

 

[Nikw91]

Exactly this. If you're comfortable with a wash/decon and are happy with the paints current finish, you can do a ceramic coating in an afternoon easily. If you're comfortable throwing in a quick pass with a DA Polisher before the ceramic application, even better, but either way, don't be intimidated. DIY Detail has a couple good instructional videos. You could coat your car for under $200.

like @TypeRD, i also went with XPEL (10 mil), full front+track pack. It was not cheap but I used a quality shop who has stood by their work, and it shows.

I'm tempted to get rear bumper PPF'd now just so it'll be easier to wipe down the brake dust/dirt that builds up back there in-between washes without worrying about swirls.

I’ve watched a few videos and I see them apply the ceramic very evenly. Haven’t watched how they take it off but you’re right, I could watch videos and maybe do it myself. $200 is the material cost though for ceramic?!

What are the go to ceramic brands?

 

[johnnybags]

also, if you do ceramic coat it, wait until after the PPF is applied. don't do it before.

 

[johnnybags]

I’ve watched a few videos and I see them apply the ceramic very evenly. Haven’t watched how they take it off but you’re right, I could watch videos and maybe do it myself. $200 is the material cost though for ceramic?!

What are the go to ceramic brands?

$200 would be the cost of everything you' need, and you' have cash left over.

Gyeon, Gtechniq, Carpro CQuartz UK, DIY Detail are all good products. I went with the DIYDetail 5 year coating and am very happy.

 

[Nikw91]

Not really. It helps to top it off with a ceramic spray (something like DIYDetail's Ceramic Gloss) every 3-6 months for maintenance. You can spray it on the car after you wash it and use it as a drying aid, so once you towel it off, you're done.



Modern stuff peels much more easily, they'll use steam to assist and it should come up without issue.

Back in the 2000s it seemed like they used a glue that over time concreted onto the car or had bad residue.

I just saw a video of the shop I’m going. They were taking off PPF from a BMW headlight that got hit by a big rock. And it looked like it did come off pretty easy like you said with minimal to no residue.

 

[TypeRD]

I appreciate the compliment! I take a lot of pride in it. It did take me 5 hours to do all of that.

Do you put anything on top of the ceramic or no?

So say in a few years down the road the PPF is peeling in some areas. Is it easy and affordable for a shop to remove that and put another PPF on?

I do have to sign a form that I understand that the paint may come off if I were to remove the PPF one day.

I can tell! Your work looks great!

Most ceramic coatings need a periodic refresh. My Xpel ceramic just requires a spray that you wipe on. It’s similar to a spray wax. It’s super quick and easy. How often you refresh the ceramic depends on how much the car is exposed to the elements (of course). My car is in the garage when I’m not driving it so it may only require 1 refresh spray for the year. Note that with Xpel, part of the warranty requirement is that you take the car to an authorized Xpel installer for a yearly inspection (of the PPF and ceramic). They are to fix any issues, clean it, and refresh at that time for a nominal fee.

Regarding PPF longevity and peeling, I really have no personal experience. Sorry I can’t help there.

Regarding PPF removal, again I have no personal experience. What I can say is to be sure you take your car to an experienced shop. There are many out there doing pretty terrible work and passing themselves off as pros. I can darn near guarantee this is where most problems originate, including the potential for paint removal.

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