soin

Hi all, 2022 C2S Cab going in for Xpel PPF application tomorrow, originally I requested full front, rockers and hips including headlights, some reading last night has caused me to question whether or not it’s a good idea to do the headlights, read conflicting opinions, anyone had issues after head light install ? TIA

Icegrill

Don’t/

veo

Did you discuss with your shop first? Do they cover any work done to a Porsche headlight?

ipse dixit

Always PPF your headlights.

Always.

MoeMistry

If shop is comfortable applying ppf on headlights, do it

theres little down side if shop specializes in Porsche and has done hundreds/thousands of headlights

if you don’t do it, and have chipped up headlights, how would YOU feel?

if it won’t bother you, then don’t worry about and go skinny dipping 😊

Schn3ll

Most don’t want to do it because it can delaminate the coating on the headlights but the alternative is your laminate gets pitted quickly from stones and road debris. If PPF delaminates the headlights upon removal, just put new PPF on.

I did it to my 992 and don’t regret at all. My last 911 didn’t have it and the pitting drove me crazy.

Ceepe

I have a non metallic black car coming and won't PPF any part of the car, so it's a hard no for me. I'm anti PPF, to say the least.

PSPorsche

@Ceepe , what is your recommendation to @soin based on their circumstances, and why?

Ceepe

My recommendation is to not PPF the headlights. Any attempt or need to remove the film will be problematic, which begs the question why do it?

For me patina on any section of the car is acceptable and would never prevent me from purchasing a car. I care much more about the oil used, what break in was followed (not a fan of an overly gentle run-in), how the car is driven, etc.

PPF seems to be an American thing. It doesn't seem other parts of the world have turned this into the cottage industry that Americans have.

adrianp89

I have mine done with a light tint PPF so it gives the headlights a smoked appearance

Crusje

​​​ It's a business for people to make money on. When you see people putting plastic on a car for 5 figures that's crazy. I've driven for 10+ years and haven't noticed any chipped headlights.

Wilder

I have an A1 black 992 as well. I put 8k mi in the first few months of ownership. I drove it from Mexico to Monterey for RR7 and back and bought it to drive it hard on nearby canyon roads. Porsche black is notoriously soft, so good luck to you. Were it not for PPF, I don't want to know what my paint would look like. Sounds as though you drive your cars too. People are under the misconception that they are for garage queens. It's the opposite. It's for cars that get used.

Also, PPF is just as big here in Mexico and in Europe from first hand knowledge. Not sure why you think otherwise.

@soin definitely do headlights. Just ask people who haven't what theirs look like (****!). @Schn3ll is on point.


Me, camping in Baja on the way back home and not caring because I have full PPF.

J Irwan

I am a believer of PPF.

I was using PPF even back in 2005, before a self healing PPF file material exist. I had black cars before and all I can tell you the PPF may take the brunt of the road rashes/rock chips. but the visual still looks 100% better than a pepperred paint.

The PPF material has more flexibility/elasticity than the clear coat, thus it is chip resistant. You may see the surface damage on the PPF but still much more pleasing to the eye compared to chipped paint. (especially on dark color cars).

Ceepe

Wilder, I love that you took that car camping in Baja. That's a special experience. I have owned two non metallic black 911's. You're right that the paint is soft. For this car I have told the dealer to not prep the car. I feel like the dealerships inflict the most damage when they prep them. I will correct it once myself, and then embrace all road marks.

My thoughts on the US PPF obsession relates to German 911 owning friends who won't PPF and share a similar feeling as I do. Clean wheels, dirty metal, patina, no protection, no treating them dear. Mechanically perfect. Factory oil out at 1k. GT like break-in procedure of progressive revs with every 100 miles on a warm engine and no lugging. These are my concerns.

Wilder

It's interesting because we're on the same page otherwise. I too finished my break-in at 600mi and if I were to do it over again, I'd finish it in the first 100mi with just revving and decelerating progressively on an empty road. The valves bed in the first 100mi, which is the main point of break-in. I also asked the dealer to skip prepping and got it done professionally. The car has zero spider webbing and thanks to PPF, still looks perfect after repeated washes and exposure to lots of road debris and harsh elements. I also change my oil after 1k on new cars.

Patina has its charm but I personally prefer a car that looks new as long as possible. What I don't want is to care. The joy comes from driving and using them without regard for damage or mileage. PPF helps me with the damage part. Can't avoid road debris. You chose the color well.