s2kspyder

Not sure if anyone else noticed but I had some bad luck with stone chips prior to getting the PPF on. Seems like the paint is very soft, much worst than other cars I have owned. I have miami blue so not sure if it is the colour itself.

Anyone else noticed? Probably greater than 50% owners get PPF and/or ceramic coat. But I would have expected more....

Sleepy996

You must be driving too fast.

iliveoncaffiene

I wouldn't say it's "soft" really, but the difference to other cars you may have owned is how low the car is. You're going to encounter more stones than other, higher vehicles.
Combined with that, the "hips" of the Cayman/Boxster - even worse on the 911 - just invite stone chips along the rocker panels. Lastly, the curved under portion of body work behind the rear wheels is just asking to get pelted with stones.
You'll get stone chips even with a ceramic coat - coming from experience here. The only way you'll "prevent" them is a PPF.

Borg1of5

Yep, I had my White Spyder for 2 days, did 300km and my PPF guy told me that I had many chip on rocker a rear bumper! He told me not to expect long protection with the PPF without mud flap or something like that!

n4v4nod

I agree with the above, but paint has gotten softer since the 9x7 generation. Formulas have changed due to the transition to eco friendly paints. Noticed a big difference from the 987 Spyder to the 981 Spyder. I think it is one of the reasons that a lot of owner apply ceramic coatings.

wizee

My 987 was a stone chip magnet, and AMG GT S is too, albeit to a lesser extent on the hood/bonnet. On my 987, I got on average one noticeable major stone chip on the bonnet or top of the bumper per 500 km driving. The reason they’re prone to stone chips is that the Boxster/Cayman/Spyder have low front ends that slope upwards, so they’re a prime target for stones. My BMW never got half as many stone chips because the bonnet is higher and flatter.

Paint protection film is essential on these cars, more so than ordinary cars, just because of their shape.

CDACH

I'm considering putting Xpel Tracwrap or similar on at the dealership before I drive 10 feet! I have to drive about 100 miles home and then 50 to the PPF guy so I don't want suffer chips if I can avoid it. Some have advised to not leave the Tracwrap on for extended durations. Happy to hear experiences with this product for short term protection.

AndyE1976

I somehow managed to not drive the car more than a few miles before PPF, but I noticed the PPF saved the front bumper within days (or hours) of it being fitted. Definitely an essential purchase.

n4v4nod

This is my plan

katzndogs

I had my wrap guy wrap all leading edges of the vehicle before it left the dealership. Naively, I thought I could get away with leaving the rear bumper, rocker panels, and front fenders (behind front wheels) all exposed while I enjoyed the car for some time and wrap them down the road. Well, less than 25 miles in and I noticed some serious peppering on the paint behind the rear wheels and behind the front wheels and also on the rockers. I ended up getting the rest of the vehicle wrapped but the guy couldn't fit me in for another 3 weeks. I am amazed at the damage just from those 3 weeks of use... needless to say, I am glad she is all protected now and cant imagine what this car would look like after a few thousand miles if you don't have at least all lower portions protected.

blackholescion

You can double wrap those areas with a thicker film that goes on top of the base film. This way you just replace those small strips instead of an entire panel of film. Just a thought.

_nosubstitute_

It surprises me people in this forum think PPF is a waste of money and that these cars don't get any noticeable nicks and stone chips...I regretted not getting a full PPF wrap on my last Porsche, not this time.

MEM82

Sorry to hear! I might be crazy but based on what I've been reading I contacted plycar and will have them ship my car 200 miles from dealer to PPF guy. I thought about track wrap but decided to ship.

s2kspyder

Thank you everyone for quick reply! It seems consistent with everyone else experience but a little disappointed they Porsche went to eco-friendly/water based paint. I really recommend for anyone who wants a perfect paint to get PPF asap on all the critical areas before driving it. Lesson learned for myself. Also these sticky and wide rear tires throw a lot of rocks on the rear bumper. For anyone who tracks a lot, you will notice rock chips are common because of the sticky tires of cars in front. Tracwrap is not best looking, you can always go with XPEL 10mm vs. 8mm. I ended up getting ppf on bumper, hood, front fender, mirrors, windshield/A pillar, small section of rear bumper, full rocker with side vents, duckbill spoiler.

JAhmed

I had the car flatbedded straight from delivery to the PPF shop, and will be doing double layer (tear offs) on the hips.