What to do when self-healing PPF doesn't?
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Texas
What to do when self-healing PPF doesn't?
A few months back, I was on the freeway in the wild wild west that is San Francisco's East Bay, when my car was hit by an unidentified, but very destructive, object (we'll call it a "VDO" for short).
The VDO sliced up the X-pel Ultimate on the front bumper cover, then bounced up to the A pillar where it gouged the paint in two places and punched a small indent/crack into the windshield.
Were this a pick-up or SUV, I'd probably just send some anonymous curses in the general direction of the construction and landscaping industries and call it a day. But it isn't - it's my beloved 911.
So I've tried leaving the car out to bake in the sun, which is supposed to help self-healing. Also tried pouring very hot water over the damaged area of the PPF, which is also supposed to help.
But months later, the PPF damage is still there. The area isn't big, but it's very visible.
Where do I go from here? p.s., if your answer is "OCD therapy" you might be on the wrong forum.
The VDO sliced up the X-pel Ultimate on the front bumper cover, then bounced up to the A pillar where it gouged the paint in two places and punched a small indent/crack into the windshield.
Were this a pick-up or SUV, I'd probably just send some anonymous curses in the general direction of the construction and landscaping industries and call it a day. But it isn't - it's my beloved 911.
So I've tried leaving the car out to bake in the sun, which is supposed to help self-healing. Also tried pouring very hot water over the damaged area of the PPF, which is also supposed to help.
But months later, the PPF damage is still there. The area isn't big, but it's very visible.
Where do I go from here? p.s., if your answer is "OCD therapy" you might be on the wrong forum.
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,072
Likes: 692
From: Austin, TX
Someone opened their car door so that the end scraped across the mirror PPF and tore it, but the paint was 100% saved. The original installer replaced it for free, but I gave him a good tip for the trouble.
In your case the area is quite a bit bigger and more complicated, but I imagine your original installer would make you a good deal on replacing it. It can't hurt to ask. Maybe it is covered under the Xpel warranty?!
In your case the area is quite a bit bigger and more complicated, but I imagine your original installer would make you a good deal on replacing it. It can't hurt to ask. Maybe it is covered under the Xpel warranty?!
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,072
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From: Austin, TX
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 74
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From: CO
Good Ole east bay. I've also been hit by a VDO in my old car on 880. I've since moved and definitely don't miss driving there.
I don't think the ppf will recover from a tear that large. You'll probably need to replace the panel as others have said.
I don't think the ppf will recover from a tear that large. You'll probably need to replace the panel as others have said.
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For everyone’s info....self healing relates to microswirls in the top .5 mils of the film...film total, in most cases, is approximately 8 mils. So the self healing layer is very thin and needs to be cared for properly.
abrasions, chips, scrapes, etc. that penetrate deeper than the .5 mils, will often leave damage that cannot be “healed”.
best left to your installer to make the final call. I wouldn’t use any heat guns if I was a diy
abrasions, chips, scrapes, etc. that penetrate deeper than the .5 mils, will often leave damage that cannot be “healed”.
best left to your installer to make the final call. I wouldn’t use any heat guns if I was a diy
Racer
Joined: May 2023
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From: Florida and N.C.
What brands of PPF warranty for damage incurred during use of vehicle? I have never heard of this. In my experience, there is no free lunch with PPF.
Rocky Mountain High
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From: Kolorado
I agree with the comments above. The self healing properties of modern PPF are limited. They can only so so much. Any PPF (self healing or otherwise) has a limited useful life and needs to be replaced at some point. That’s the whole idea. Let the PPF take the damage instead of your paint, and then replace it when appropriate.
Rocky Mountain High
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From: Kolorado
My 997 Turbo had the entire front end covered in PPF. It seemed like a great idea until it began to discolor and peel at the edges. This is the reason that I was a bit more conservative with PPF on my 991 Turbo S.