PPF Removal
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
From: North Carolina
PPF Removal
The ppf on my 2013 C2S installed by the previous owner is yellowing and needs to be removed. I’ve read in many places that Porsche does not recommend covering the headlights with ppf, as they can be damaged when the film is removed. Unfortunately, the previous owner had them covered and now I’m having to deal with it. Would consider leaving it in place, but it’s coming loose on one of the headlights. Any of you had experience with this situation - were you able to remove the ppf without any damage to the headlights? Thx in advance.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 457
Likes: 130
From: Clearwater, FL
I have a 2014 and my headlights were already covered when I bought it, so when I was having new ppf on the front of my car in the painted areas I spoke to the owner of the ppf/tint/vinyl shop that's the recommended and considered best in this area.
Since my headlight covers werent damaged and still looked good and his view was 'yes' it can damage the top factory layer so unless the covers looked bad then dont replace them until needed. I chose not to replace the film on my headlights at this time.
That said....I've had plenty of vehicles (including porsche) without headlight film and they all get damaged, yellowed and pitted over time as well. Plastic/polycarbonate headlights are unfortunately an almost consumable item but personally I would still put film over mine and try to give them a longer life without looking yellowed and ratty.
If I were removing old film myself, I would let the car sit in the sun for a while and use plenty of heat while going very slowly unpeeling them.
Since my headlight covers werent damaged and still looked good and his view was 'yes' it can damage the top factory layer so unless the covers looked bad then dont replace them until needed. I chose not to replace the film on my headlights at this time.
That said....I've had plenty of vehicles (including porsche) without headlight film and they all get damaged, yellowed and pitted over time as well. Plastic/polycarbonate headlights are unfortunately an almost consumable item but personally I would still put film over mine and try to give them a longer life without looking yellowed and ratty.
If I were removing old film myself, I would let the car sit in the sun for a while and use plenty of heat while going very slowly unpeeling them.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 607
From: TN
If you have to remove the PPF on the headlights get yourself a steamer (even a clothes steamer will do), and the heat / water vapor really work well in loosening adhesives. Lift the bottom edge and it will do it's thing.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 717
From: Whidbey Island / PNW
Lots of steam, some heat, and there are definite methods as how you pull it off -- ie what angle (chk out YouTube vids on ppf removal from pros... there are some good ones that show how to pull it off to minimize damage). I can't remember offhand whether you're supposed to pull it off at a low angle, flip it back on itself, or do it at a right angle. The videos I watched online definitely discuss this at length.
I would never again attempt my own PPF removal after trying it once, complete disaster of removing PPF but then adhesive all over the car that would not come off without a ton of work. But the headlights are relatively small contained areas, and I bet you could do it as well as a pro if you do it carefully with lots of research about the best way. That said, 2 shops in Portland OR here refuse to put PPF on headlamps of Porsches because they say the coating flakes off when it's removed... so you might just need to expect that it'll happen.
WORST CASE -- you damage the lenses and you send them to Rennlights or similar to redo the lenses for much less than new headlights. I did that recently on my 2013 and the lights look like brand new, quality is 100%. Mine didn't have PPF damage, instead a crazing/cracking in the plastic of the lenses that appears on 991's unfortunately.
I would never again attempt my own PPF removal after trying it once, complete disaster of removing PPF but then adhesive all over the car that would not come off without a ton of work. But the headlights are relatively small contained areas, and I bet you could do it as well as a pro if you do it carefully with lots of research about the best way. That said, 2 shops in Portland OR here refuse to put PPF on headlamps of Porsches because they say the coating flakes off when it's removed... so you might just need to expect that it'll happen.
WORST CASE -- you damage the lenses and you send them to Rennlights or similar to redo the lenses for much less than new headlights. I did that recently on my 2013 and the lights look like brand new, quality is 100%. Mine didn't have PPF damage, instead a crazing/cracking in the plastic of the lenses that appears on 991's unfortunately.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 1,948
From: Pasadena, CA
Expect to pay nearly as much labor to have the full car PPF removed as you would to have it installed. So maybe around $4k depending on your local labor rates. If you call around for quotes let us know if you don’t mind. The headlights you can expect to need repair, but maybe you’ll get lucky.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 573
Likes: 152
From: Pensacola, Florida
I suspect there are an increasing number of folks who somewhat regret their foray into PPF.
Over time one could imagine a complete repaint of those areas that MIGHT be damaged after 10 years of normal driving - vs $10-12K of PPF?
Over time one could imagine a complete repaint of those areas that MIGHT be damaged after 10 years of normal driving - vs $10-12K of PPF?
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 1,948
From: Pasadena, CA
Yup, that’s my thought on it. Add those costs up over the lifetime of the vehicle, don’t forget inflation, and it really starts to add up. Some people just mentally can’t deal with a chip though, even though PPF isn’t impenetrable and will still get damaged. The entire PPF industry exists to separate these people from their money. Spending their money to take care of their car however they see fit is their prerogative though. If it makes them happy, more power to them, but many don’t end up keeping the car long enough to deal with the removal and replacement of PPF. In the end it’s not their problem, and while they own the car they sleep better at night. I am torn on the choice, my wife wanted to do it with the Taycan so sure, why not, but the Audi was a pass for me. The massive front grill doesn’t really lend itself to PPF, so it is going to chip and need to be replaced/painted at some point if I keep it that long. The grill is 80% of the front anyways, so why bother wrapping the rest then dealing with all these headaches plus having to do paint anyways? Our 911 has the garbage factory PPF, which is starting to discolor some despite living in a garage for its life, and I’m undecided what to do when I need to remove it. Seriously though, PPF feels like a total racket designed to separate the OCD from their $.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
From: North Carolina
MingussDew, I tend to agree with you. My plan is to find a competent shop to remove it from the painted surfaces, then ceramic coat it and call it a day. May leave headlights alone for now, unless the shop is comfortable the film removal won’t damage them.
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 621
I would not expect this
And they shop that quotes this is a rip off (see what I did there) ? Ive always had it included in the price of replaàcement ppf or done it myself and it take 10 minutes. Once mine gets ratty it comes off. À hair dryer is worst case scenario.
Expect to pay nearly as much labor to have the full car PPF removed as you would to have it installed. So maybe around $4k depending on your local labor rates. If you call around for quotes let us know if you don’t mind. The headlights you can expect to need repair, but maybe you’ll get lucky.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,077
Likes: 1,948
From: Pasadena, CA
I buy ceramic coat when it goes on sale. I got Pinnacle for $20 a bottle, and it’s great stuff. Goes on easier than wax, and lasts way longer. I don’t know about protection, but the ease of washing and drying the car with a ceramic coat (water just blows off with the leaf blower) makes it worth it 100x. I’ve always done a paint correction myself every few years, so I do ceramic coat at same time. Others will pay people to do it, if paying the premium for someone else to do it is worth it or not is a personal decision, but to me, doing it myself for $20 a bottle (will do 3 coats easy) and less effort than a coat of wax every 2 years, totally worth it to me.
