Did you decide no on paint protection film?
#1
Did you decide no on paint protection film?
I am having a hard time deciding to spend on PPF.
My 911 on order will be garaged and used mostly on the weekends.
I do not plan on taking it to the track.
Did you decide no on paint protection film?
If so could you share your reasoning?
any insight appreciated.
thanks
My 911 on order will be garaged and used mostly on the weekends.
I do not plan on taking it to the track.
Did you decide no on paint protection film?
If so could you share your reasoning?
any insight appreciated.
thanks
#2
Race Car
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Fairfax County, Virginia
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I am not in the paint protection camp. I actually do not like the stuff and took it off the Aston Martin the prior owner had put on. I enjoy a deep, rich paint finish and use Swissvax on my car - you can't get that sheen over film. A few paint nicks here and there don't bother me - shows the car is driven as intended.
#3
Rennlist Member
Speaking from someone who never has had cars with PPF prior to picking up my 911, it always seemed a bit nonsensical to me. Essentially you are wrapping your car in zip-lock bag with some self healing properties. Not to mention you will eventually have to remove it... and then likely wrap it again.
However, after viewing some examples locally that were slightly used to see if it actually makes a difference, it most certainly does. I literally viewed two 2017 non-metallic 911s side by side and it was noticeable to say the least. The one with PPF looked brand new - and yet had nearly double the mileage. I think I’m fairly certain I made an audible groan after the viewing as I couldn’t (or just didn’t want to) stomach the additional cost.
Look into it. It’s definitely not for everyone. If I were leasing, I wouldn’t bother.
However, after viewing some examples locally that were slightly used to see if it actually makes a difference, it most certainly does. I literally viewed two 2017 non-metallic 911s side by side and it was noticeable to say the least. The one with PPF looked brand new - and yet had nearly double the mileage. I think I’m fairly certain I made an audible groan after the viewing as I couldn’t (or just didn’t want to) stomach the additional cost.
Look into it. It’s definitely not for everyone. If I were leasing, I wouldn’t bother.
#4
Rennlist Member
I got PPF for the first time.
Irrational reason(s): This is my first new Porsche, and I felt motivated to keep it pristine as long as possible. And even for the drive home from PEC Atlanta I wanted to mitigate rock chips (or at least fear of rock chips).
Rational reason(s): This is not my first Porsche, and I like to both drive as much as possible and keep cars as long as possible. My Boxster accumulated many miles, and quite a bit of road rash. I tried different methods for spot painting, and resisting having the front re-sprayed, but still lived with a car that bothered me every time I got close. And I looked at lots of cars with PPF, and while the film itself can look "experienced", in general, the cars with PPF looked better to me, compared to unprotected paint with the same miles.
Irrational reason(s): This is my first new Porsche, and I felt motivated to keep it pristine as long as possible. And even for the drive home from PEC Atlanta I wanted to mitigate rock chips (or at least fear of rock chips).
Rational reason(s): This is not my first Porsche, and I like to both drive as much as possible and keep cars as long as possible. My Boxster accumulated many miles, and quite a bit of road rash. I tried different methods for spot painting, and resisting having the front re-sprayed, but still lived with a car that bothered me every time I got close. And I looked at lots of cars with PPF, and while the film itself can look "experienced", in general, the cars with PPF looked better to me, compared to unprotected paint with the same miles.
#5
Rennlist Member
It has to be related to the conditions you drive in. Gritted roads in cold areas etc. Where I live there is no point in spoiling a deep rich carnuba shine with a plastic film, but if I lived in e.g. Colorado I would for sure cover it.
#6
Rennlist Member
It comes down to where the car is being driven and how particular you are. For clean roads (no sand/gravel) and no track use, I wouldn’t bother. But at the same time rock chips bug me.... I PPF
#7
I got a big rock chip on my hood the first day I had my car, just driving it home from the dealer. Same thing happened to a friend of mine driving his home from the dealer. I'm not sure if the paint is just a lot worse these days, but PPF seems to be necessary.
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#8
I feel like it's too expensive for what it is (let alone the challenge of finding a top notch installer), but it really depends on how **** you are about paint and maybe how concerned you are about resale.
#9
Rennlist Member
My sense is the minimum recommended PPF to not look ghetto (due to partial coverage or difference in finish) is full front and mirrors. The car is low so that it tends to be a rock magnet. The last car I had with a low front lip spoiler and steep hood (not a 911) looked like garbage after 8k miles.
Another area I absolutely know will get hammered is the outer rim of paint located inside the rear sections of the wheel wells. I think I will add strips of ppf there as well. I don't think I can stomach spending more that $1500-1800 on top of the initial cost of the vehicle, but its possible to get this done by a good shop if you do some research.
Another area I absolutely know will get hammered is the outer rim of paint located inside the rear sections of the wheel wells. I think I will add strips of ppf there as well. I don't think I can stomach spending more that $1500-1800 on top of the initial cost of the vehicle, but its possible to get this done by a good shop if you do some research.
#11
In the long run its worth it to me for the lack of rock chips etc... If I was switching cars every couple of years, I probably wouldn't care. With PFF, despite having to replace it every 5 or so years, the paint will stay relatively perfect.
#12
Three Wheelin'
My opinion has changed recently. I have the full front wrap on mine and about a year ago, I took a rock to the hood, went right through my Xpel wrap and through the paint to the aluminum. I had the wrap removed (yes, this costs money), the nick sanded smooth, some black paint and clear coat dabbed in the hole, and re-wrapped with 3M Ultimate (yes, more money). This past fall (yes, only about 6 or 7 months later), I took a few more rock hits, one that went through the 3M ppf, again to the aluminum (this one actually put a small visible dent in the hood) and two more smaller rock hits severely scratching the ppf beyond its healing abilities.
So, this time, because of the dent and the to-the-metal gouge combination, I will need to once again remove the ppf, have the hood repaired and painted and this time, I will not bother to ppf it again. If I will have to periodically get the hood repaired and painted, why go to the extra cost to add ppf, and again pay to have it removed each time. The benefit that I once believed in has now failed me twice. I realize ppf will not stop every rock hit, but with the luck I have had, I no longer see the benefit of the ppf.
So, this time, because of the dent and the to-the-metal gouge combination, I will need to once again remove the ppf, have the hood repaired and painted and this time, I will not bother to ppf it again. If I will have to periodically get the hood repaired and painted, why go to the extra cost to add ppf, and again pay to have it removed each time. The benefit that I once believed in has now failed me twice. I realize ppf will not stop every rock hit, but with the luck I have had, I no longer see the benefit of the ppf.
#13
Pro
Several considerations as others have said:
1. Value of car and impact of scratches/chips on resale - ie “generic” Porsche vs something more rare/collectible.
2. Miles driven
3. Paint colour is significant in terms of showing scratches.
My white all original paint white 964. VERY forgiving colour for not showing scratches. I just applied PPF to impact areas of hood, headlights, mirrors.
Same for GT3 - grey/black non-metallic. EVERY little scratch shows. I have whole front wrapped w Xpel. Hips were typically a bit marked up already when purchased. Would have wrapped whole car if new.
Most recently added new Tesla Model X as DD -black, non-metallic - you stare at that too hard and will scratch . I had whole vehicle wrapped. Wrap makes anything shinier which is nice. Bit tongue in cheek but can wash w steel wool mitt/be sloppy and you don’t scratch paint or lose ANY sleep
Like many, I hate scratches on my cars, which only bother me every single time I glance at car, yet they are all drivers .
Cheers
Mark
1. Value of car and impact of scratches/chips on resale - ie “generic” Porsche vs something more rare/collectible.
2. Miles driven
3. Paint colour is significant in terms of showing scratches.
My white all original paint white 964. VERY forgiving colour for not showing scratches. I just applied PPF to impact areas of hood, headlights, mirrors.
Same for GT3 - grey/black non-metallic. EVERY little scratch shows. I have whole front wrapped w Xpel. Hips were typically a bit marked up already when purchased. Would have wrapped whole car if new.
Most recently added new Tesla Model X as DD -black, non-metallic - you stare at that too hard and will scratch . I had whole vehicle wrapped. Wrap makes anything shinier which is nice. Bit tongue in cheek but can wash w steel wool mitt/be sloppy and you don’t scratch paint or lose ANY sleep
Like many, I hate scratches on my cars, which only bother me every single time I glance at car, yet they are all drivers .
Cheers
Mark
#14
Advanced
I did the paint correction with the xpel wrap on the whole front end and finished off with a ceramic coating yes it’s expensive but I feel it’s worth it. Reallly does save the paint from chips and scratches.
#15
Rennlist Member
I've had Xpel on my last three cars - two BMWs and now a 911. It kept the first BMW's front end pristine for 13 years, so I continued using it.
Extra bonus - I cleverly scraped the first BMW's front bumper cover against a yellow-painted curb in an airport parking garage. A few years later, when it was time to sell the car, I took the PPF off the bumper cover, and the remaining yellow paint went with the film, leaving the bumper cover clean and clear.
Extra bonus - I cleverly scraped the first BMW's front bumper cover against a yellow-painted curb in an airport parking garage. A few years later, when it was time to sell the car, I took the PPF off the bumper cover, and the remaining yellow paint went with the film, leaving the bumper cover clean and clear.