Hi folks,

I've recently acquired a GT3 Touring in chalk and I am reaching for the keys at every opportunity to drive the nearby twisties

The car has full PPF installed but my OCD is kicking in due to the amount of seams visible. I understand seams are always going to be there but there are a couple areas that strike out to me the most. The bumper both have misaligned pieces and thus there's no doubt they can be done much better. There are however other areas that I'd like opinion on to understand if the best installers are capable of addressing (even if that means a redo). I'm well aware the pricing and locally the top recommended here on RL are all commanding near 5 digit price tags for a full wrap. That's fine if I can get rid of some of these seams

The car sits very clean right now but hopefully the seams come across in the pictures. Am I being unrealistic and this is part of the tradeoffs of having paint protection film.


Front bumper vent by hood 1

Front bumper vent by hood 2

Door meets front quarter panel 1

Edges of the hood 1

Door meets front quarter panel 2

Mirrors

 

Hard to tell from your photos. If I didn’t know you were pointing out flaws, I wouldn’t have thought anything wrong.

I think seams are inevitable, particularly when considering durability. For example, you can certainly pay the detailer to remove the front bumper in order to wrap all the edges, but the PPF at the edges will ultimately bubble up—something to do with the bumper rubbing up against adjacent panels.

From what I’ve learned, a good PPF job is about smart trade-offs, not absolute perfect invisibility.

 

I've always been fine with pretty good clear bra which usually doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. It does the job intended and I don't keep my cars very long. I've seen a couple cars that are near perfect and those will run you 10k+.I've also seen people pay 10k plus and get the same level that I got done for half the price. I also don't like installers cutting on my car...

 

Honestly only you know, and over time that occurs from washing/dirt gets under the edges. The was your avoid is not go with pre-cut, but that’s the only way I’ve gone don't want my car disassembled for PPF. Enjoy the car if not it can drive you nuts ......my Speedster zero PPF I’m to the point it’s a car/not let it drive me nuts. Good luck.

 

Took delivery of my 718 GT4 a few weeks ago, with the front clip, sides and a few other places Protected with PPF; however the dealer advised against doing the headlights. Has anyone else ran into that situation with their dealer(s)...

 

i would say par for the course in those areas. those edges of the front grill (the heavy creased area in the corner) doesnt get much deeper in the crease than that. (i can check mine out this eve..)

and at the corners of the fenders and the hood where they meet the bottom of the a pillar, the way the film works is that the very tip of the pannel you will see the edge just barely as it wraps both side edges, but usually the tip is a bit exposed. also i think normal in this case. my opinion.

now if you see areas like on the roof along the small "drip channel" on either side of the roof where the film might be lifting a little those areas can be fixed. just an example, but really any tough contour thats lifting little can be repaired.

if this job has been on the car and is not new you likely will not see any of the lifting as it does it right after the initial job then usually gets repaired and is good to go..

my 2 cents..

 

There is a warning on the Xpel site that "Headlamp delaminating has been reported"

https://www.xpel.com/paint-protectio...che/Cayman/GT4

 

I wouldnt worry, you're going to replace in a a few years anyway. Looks pretty darn good... mine is better but it was panels off, custom, but big bucks and not looking forward to the replacement costs at year 5.

 

This. Exactly.

Clearbra are like tires.

Consumables.

Apply, replace, rinse and repeat.

 

My chalk GTS also has full ppf with seams nearly identicle to your pics. Without disassembly I think thats good work. I stopped looking at it after awhile.

Enjoy!

 

Protection OR Perfection IMO

 

That looks great. To get better than that, you're paying a lot more for a small improvement. Remember, PPF is meant to be removed after a certain number of years and replaced. You don't want to have to disassemble your entire car every time simply to remove and reapply the film.

 

I felt the need to chime in here, We see about 100 P cars a year, mostly GT cars, The edge work on the GT duct on the front bumper looks good, could you shrink the gap a little, maybe, but there are many variables to this. and in a spot like that I find it unlikely anything will ever find its way into there. The edges of the hood & fender could be a little nicer trimmed but if your having to take macro shots to even show us I think they did their jobs well. Ill echo what many on here have said. PPF is a consumable. as long as the outward facing paintwork is covered and edges aren't lifting Drive it and enjoy in good health.

 

How has the front and rest of car held up without PPF? I’m trying to decide whether or not to do it. Thanks!

 

I put Xpel TracWrap on my headlights and really like this film for these delicate areas.
It has far less adhesion and is as thick and clear like their premium films