My 911 Targa 4S is in production, and is due to complete next week. Assuming it doesn't get stuck at the Panama Canal or go down with an EV ship fire, it should be here in about two months. What do you think is the best currently available PPF on the market, and how much of the car should I plan to cover in PPF on a Targa?

 

I'd pick the best PPF installer available rather than any specific film. A poor install will make even good film look bad. A great installer can probably get great results with any reputable film.

That said, I had Xpel on many cars and this time decided to try STEK with a good installer. I think the STEK is slightly clearer with less orange peel, but probably marginally so IMO.

 

Stek, in addition to being a bit clearer and smoother also offers film with ceramic coating built in right off the roll. Get a good installer then worry about the film.

 

+ on Stek. Very glossy (better than xpel )

https://rennlist.com/forums/992/1233084-stek-vs-expel-3.html

u can read post #41 as well for a bit more details from the installer pov

 

I have had both Xpel and Stek. My installer switched from being an Xpel shop to a Stek shop. Stek has an ever so slight, but definite edge in quality.

That being said, the talents and skills of your installer are more important than the film brand. A friend recently had an installer ruin the finish on his 997 resulting in the car needing to be resprayed — nightmare scenario.

 

Was the paint damaged with careless razor cuts?

 

Yep

 

Stek

 

That kills me. I explicitly say zero knife trimming on my install for this reason. I could care less about ‘bulk’ installs vs plotter cut kits. The risk of damage is too high. Maybe 1% of installers won’t cut into the paint.

 

Xpel has one too now. I left my car at the shop today to get it installed. https://www.xpel.com/ultimate-fusion...rotection-film

 

This is EXACTLY why I refuse to use a shop that doesn't plot their film. I'd far rather have a good install with precut film than a "custom" job that risks damaging paint.

 

When it comes to PPF, buy the installer, not the product.

PPF film is sort of like branded gasoline. It's all from the same basic film, or oil well, the different brands just add their voodoo magic to it and then charge a markeup.

 

Xpel and Stek are the best...the installer will be much more important between those two. If you post the area you live in, people can give you recommendations for a good installer..

 

OP pay attention to this man’s post. Every word of it. He nailed it.

 

PPF is NOT all the same. Different shine/orange peel, stretchiness, ceramic coatings, thickness, warranty coverage and length.

also, due to the explosion of PPF, there are many good installers nowadays