Thinking about skipping PPF/any protection
09-13-2023 | 01:06 PM
#31
Pro
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 617
Likes: 485
From: Tampa Bay, FL
You are being misleading as to what their advertisement is. They are giving the guarantee because they know most people are going to sell their car in a few years. For those who don’t they can go get the stuff adjusted and corrected if needed for free. That’s not a big deal. My company has a lifetime warranty on our products. That’s not us guaranteeing they will last forever.
Last edited by adrianp89; 09-13-2023 at 01:07 PM.
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grg1 (09-13-2023)
09-13-2023 | 01:11 PM
#32
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 31
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Hello all,
I see everyone around here talking about PPF / ceramic coatings / etc. Is this absolutely necessary? I've never had this type of thing put on any of my previous cars - Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, etc. I don't like to put cases or screen protectors on my iPhones nor covers on my laptops, etc. So why start with doing this on cars? Are people just overly paranoid? Are certain colors more prone to paint "damage" than others? I typically prefer the silvers/greys - GT SIlver Metallic, Agate Grey, Aventurine Green. Do these colors need PPF? Anyone out there who doesn't do any PPF?
Thanks!
I see everyone around here talking about PPF / ceramic coatings / etc. Is this absolutely necessary? I've never had this type of thing put on any of my previous cars - Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, etc. I don't like to put cases or screen protectors on my iPhones nor covers on my laptops, etc. So why start with doing this on cars? Are people just overly paranoid? Are certain colors more prone to paint "damage" than others? I typically prefer the silvers/greys - GT SIlver Metallic, Agate Grey, Aventurine Green. Do these colors need PPF? Anyone out there who doesn't do any PPF?
Thanks!
Modern high quality PPF (like the the XPEL Ultimate Plus Gloss 8mm) works extremely well to prevent damage from rock chips and scraps. It is very easy to clean and seamlessly blends in with the rest of the car. You could also look at XPEL Ultimate Fusion if you wanted a built in ceramic coating in the PPF. I am not sure if this is worth it though, the regular Ultimate Plus Gloss PPF is pretty easy to clean, and I doubt the Fusion could shed dust that well (which is what usually gets on my car). I have the XPEL Ultimate Plus Gloss 8mm on my 2023 car and can definitely vouch for its performance. As always make sure you get a solid installer that won't leave lines and little extra pieces hanging off there. Ask them in advance what will happen if you do find a problem on. If there is a problem have them fix it.
With PPF installed I feel much more comfortable driving it around all the time (especially up mountain roads and on road trips), knowing that it is fairly well protected.
Last edited by Charles Everson; 09-13-2023 at 01:14 PM.
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09-13-2023 | 02:15 PM
#35
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,589
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Sigh. As with most things, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle of the extremes.
PPF and ceramic coatings are judgement calls, not "mandatory" by any stretch of the imagination. Ridiculous claims like "lifetime" durability are exactly that...ridiculous.
That said, does PPF work to prevent damage to the paint? Absolutely. I'm the beneficiary of PPF preventing paint damage from a truck tire fragment hitting my front end at 70 mph. Does PPF damage paint on removal? I guess it could but the modern adhesives are much better and I see little evidence other than anecdotes of older film on older cars causing issues. Does PPF "ruin" the look of naked paint/clear coat? Maybe if poorly installed or older film with bad orange peel. But, modern quality films are hard to see a difference unless inches away with bright paint lights and even then I have a hard time telling a difference when PPF covered panels are adjacent to uncovered panels.
Is ceramic longer lasting and greater hydrophobic properties than traditional waxes/sealants? Absolutely. That makes maintaining the high level of gloss, ease of cleaning, resistance to water stains, etc easier over the long term. Does ceramic add more gloss than traditional waxes/sealants? Probably not when using a gloss meter especially when applied to a baseline glossy surface (like prepped car paint). So, if one wishes to maintain glossy, clean paint and reapply waxes/sealants multiple times versus a single application of ceramic over years, that's one's judgement call based on the car/truck, time, $, effort, etc.
For me, the added protection of PPF and the appearance and ease of maintenance of ceramic was absolutely worth it for my 992. For my daily Macan? I've decided no on PPF and yes on ceramic.
PPF and ceramic coatings are judgement calls, not "mandatory" by any stretch of the imagination. Ridiculous claims like "lifetime" durability are exactly that...ridiculous.
That said, does PPF work to prevent damage to the paint? Absolutely. I'm the beneficiary of PPF preventing paint damage from a truck tire fragment hitting my front end at 70 mph. Does PPF damage paint on removal? I guess it could but the modern adhesives are much better and I see little evidence other than anecdotes of older film on older cars causing issues. Does PPF "ruin" the look of naked paint/clear coat? Maybe if poorly installed or older film with bad orange peel. But, modern quality films are hard to see a difference unless inches away with bright paint lights and even then I have a hard time telling a difference when PPF covered panels are adjacent to uncovered panels.
Is ceramic longer lasting and greater hydrophobic properties than traditional waxes/sealants? Absolutely. That makes maintaining the high level of gloss, ease of cleaning, resistance to water stains, etc easier over the long term. Does ceramic add more gloss than traditional waxes/sealants? Probably not when using a gloss meter especially when applied to a baseline glossy surface (like prepped car paint). So, if one wishes to maintain glossy, clean paint and reapply waxes/sealants multiple times versus a single application of ceramic over years, that's one's judgement call based on the car/truck, time, $, effort, etc.
For me, the added protection of PPF and the appearance and ease of maintenance of ceramic was absolutely worth it for my 992. For my daily Macan? I've decided no on PPF and yes on ceramic.
As I shared in another recent thread that led down to the same path of the same tired analogies with same ridiculous false equivalency arguments by the same handful of people, you can see photos of panels on my cars with PPF and panels without right next to each other. https://rennlist.com/forums/992/1362...l#post19006261
Last edited by rasetsu; 09-13-2023 at 03:13 PM.
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09-13-2023 | 03:56 PM
#40
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2023
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Let me add a Should I pay ADM thread to liven things up a bit.
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alin2 (09-13-2023)
09-13-2023 | 04:03 PM
#41
Banned
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 409
Likes: 261
So much of this lifetime crap about coverings and permanent waxes reminds me of those cheesy time share pictches. Not looking to be the guy who decides he doesn't care for the degreded appearance of his PPF in a few years and pulls it off along with some of his paint.
Last edited by shelbyking; 09-13-2023 at 04:18 PM.
09-13-2023 | 04:06 PM
#42
Race Car
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 5,442
From: Ohio
09-13-2023 | 08:16 PM
#43
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2018
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For me I got (technically getting installed next week) PPF for one main reason. I despise swirl marks on black paint and I wanted a black car with as easy paint maintenance as possible.
PPF is definitely not necessary. For me if its prone to swirlyness or a heavy metallic color that will be hard to paint match its probably worth it. If not I'm personally not a buyer.
PPF is definitely not necessary. For me if its prone to swirlyness or a heavy metallic color that will be hard to paint match its probably worth it. If not I'm personally not a buyer.
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adrianp89 (09-14-2023)
09-13-2023 | 09:36 PM
#44
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,405
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From: Newport Beach, CA and Melbourne, Australia
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