Those that opted NOT to get PPF and why?
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 769
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From: Winter Park, FL
If chips bother you get it. If they don't, don't. They bother me so I get it.
The comments about knife marks and paint coming off are only valid if a guy hand cuts the film to your car vs printing it out. And is assumes the guy with the knife is an idiot. The best guys out there can do a car without a scratch and those are they guys who touch my car. How long it lasts depends on you. I put PPF on my 2015 Macan S, one of the first off the boat. Yep, 9 year old film. No yellowing, no issues other than dirt along the edges. I took it off myself in 2025 and the car was perfect. The fist person who looked at it bought it for asking. I'd also say that peeling paint is only if the paint is not cured or bad/new paint. I have not had that problem on any car and have only heard about that in very sketchy cases.
I have it on all my cars, would not have a car without because I'm super OCD and don't think "patina" is "cool"...
The comments about knife marks and paint coming off are only valid if a guy hand cuts the film to your car vs printing it out. And is assumes the guy with the knife is an idiot. The best guys out there can do a car without a scratch and those are they guys who touch my car. How long it lasts depends on you. I put PPF on my 2015 Macan S, one of the first off the boat. Yep, 9 year old film. No yellowing, no issues other than dirt along the edges. I took it off myself in 2025 and the car was perfect. The fist person who looked at it bought it for asking. I'd also say that peeling paint is only if the paint is not cured or bad/new paint. I have not had that problem on any car and have only heard about that in very sketchy cases.
I have it on all my cars, would not have a car without because I'm super OCD and don't think "patina" is "cool"...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 288
Likes: 283
From: Fort Myers.FL
I only drive my 911 once a week, twice maybe on a rare occasion. Also never gets tracked. I had front film on my previous 718 Cayman GTS and I could never get it to shine like the rest of the car that didn't have film on it. Guards Red on both cars. If it was black , I probably would to avoid swirls. I'm glad that most are saying they would or have added PPF to their cars, since I offer it and profit from it in my line of work.
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Joined: Nov 2018
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From: MTL, Canada
Let me add to what i said earlier.
i drive my 911’s about 5000km per year as i don’t drive them in winter. and i don’t track them on a regular basis. so not sure as well its worth it in my case.
if you track your car regularly you need ppf.
but as i said, only use installers that will use pre-cut and that won’t take the car apart. They never put it back together properly.
i drive my 911’s about 5000km per year as i don’t drive them in winter. and i don’t track them on a regular basis. so not sure as well its worth it in my case.
if you track your car regularly you need ppf.
but as i said, only use installers that will use pre-cut and that won’t take the car apart. They never put it back together properly.
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Agree and I'll add that there are shops that use oversized precuts so they can tuck them without having to remove panels.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 728
From: MidWest
Just had full body PPF installed on my brand new 992.2 S. This is my 5th Porsche but my first time getting PPF. I wouldn't consider this a 'must have' but more of a 'nice to have'. As others have said, it's purely a personal choice and is dependent on quite a few unrelated factors:
- Whether you think the cost of a PPF install is worth it. A high quality install can cost upwards of $10k. It doesn't cost $10k to respray a bumper.
- How long you plan to keep the car
- Where you plan to use the car
- Road conditions where you live
One thing to keep in mind: PPF is not an "install it and forget about it" option. There's still a certain degree of maintenance that should be done on a regular basis to keep it from aging prematurely and looking bad. I enjoy cleaning and detailing my cars so I applied ceramic coating on top of the PPF myself (Gtechniq Halo Flexible Film ceramic coating, made specificallyl for PPF) and apply a ceramic sealant fairly regularly.
PPF should be treated like any other option: don't get it thinking you're going to recoup the cost when you sell or trade in the car. You won't. Get it for yourself and your own peace of mind, not for the next owner.
An added benefit of PPF is that it is self-healing, so light scratches and scuffs can be removed simply by leaving the car out in direct sunlight or using a heat gun/hair dryer. Also, no swirl marks from washing.
- Whether you think the cost of a PPF install is worth it. A high quality install can cost upwards of $10k. It doesn't cost $10k to respray a bumper.
- How long you plan to keep the car
- Where you plan to use the car
- Road conditions where you live
One thing to keep in mind: PPF is not an "install it and forget about it" option. There's still a certain degree of maintenance that should be done on a regular basis to keep it from aging prematurely and looking bad. I enjoy cleaning and detailing my cars so I applied ceramic coating on top of the PPF myself (Gtechniq Halo Flexible Film ceramic coating, made specificallyl for PPF) and apply a ceramic sealant fairly regularly.
PPF should be treated like any other option: don't get it thinking you're going to recoup the cost when you sell or trade in the car. You won't. Get it for yourself and your own peace of mind, not for the next owner.
An added benefit of PPF is that it is self-healing, so light scratches and scuffs can be removed simply by leaving the car out in direct sunlight or using a heat gun/hair dryer. Also, no swirl marks from washing.
However, if we are comparing apple to apple , ie hood and front bumper, front fenders road-rash between cost of PPF vs cost of respray, most definitely it will at the ball park of $3k-$4.5k to wrap front bumper, hood and front fenders.
$10k will be full body PPF, and the fair comparison to full body PPF will be full body respray. And at full body respray you be looking at $10k if not more (likely more for an excellent quality respray (i.e all trims off, lights, bumper off, door jamb, etc).
Also what most respray cannot do is matching the factory paint orange peel. I had my previous cars resprayed from shopping car incident and the non-matching orange peel definitely bother me (it was dark color car)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 728
From: MidWest
From 5-7 years ago xpel has the best pattern and by now i assume other brand has caught up, thus when it comes to PPF installer is what matter the most. Great pattern cut and great matter is meaningless if the installer is subpar and you will end up with bad install. Bad install == bad visual aesthatic and worse lifting edges that trapped dirts which lead to premature PPF replacement required.
And for whats is worth dont drive the car in the rain or wash it right after PPF installation. Some edges may need minor nip&tuck (to lay it down really) after few days. So you dont want to get dirt trapped under PPF, once dirt got under either you cut that area or replace the whole panel/sheet.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 110
Likes: 27
From: SF Bay Area / California
OP here.
Thanks to all for your input. All posts are helpful and much appreciated.
For what it's worth, my incoming car is GT Silver. So maybe more forgiving when it comes to showing chips and fender rash? Last two cars have been black. Both PPFd on the high impact areas as both were used for occasional long commutes, road trips, and daily driven and I knew that without PPF they would have likely been ripped to shreds.
This car will be more a daily, road trip, canyon car. But my office is now only 5 minutes away. But when I do drive it to work it will sit in the hot valley sun for 8 hours. Parking area is not covered.
But if the newer films are so superior that won't be a problem when it comes time to remove the PPF and I shouldn't worry about that right?
Otherwise, and because I'll be retiring soon, mostly weekend road trips/golf destinations and road trips to search for my likely retirement location.
So I'll be driving on all different types of roads including long freeway trips so road quality is TBD.
Thanks to all for your input. All posts are helpful and much appreciated.
For what it's worth, my incoming car is GT Silver. So maybe more forgiving when it comes to showing chips and fender rash? Last two cars have been black. Both PPFd on the high impact areas as both were used for occasional long commutes, road trips, and daily driven and I knew that without PPF they would have likely been ripped to shreds.
This car will be more a daily, road trip, canyon car. But my office is now only 5 minutes away. But when I do drive it to work it will sit in the hot valley sun for 8 hours. Parking area is not covered.
But if the newer films are so superior that won't be a problem when it comes time to remove the PPF and I shouldn't worry about that right?
Otherwise, and because I'll be retiring soon, mostly weekend road trips/golf destinations and road trips to search for my likely retirement location.
So I'll be driving on all different types of roads including long freeway trips so road quality is TBD.
Last edited by Junior71; May 9, 2026 at 12:39 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 271
Likes: 280
From: Los Angeles
Sorry for yet another PPF thread. And I'm pretty sure I've read most of them. But putting one last feeler out there specifically for those that opted NOT to have their car PPFd, the main reasons, and any regrets?
For what it's worth, I have a car coming in a week or two, I already have a shop picked out and a tentative appointment to do full PPF and ceramic and I trust that they will do a good and professional job.
But as an older gentleman that doesn't NEED his car to be in showroom condition at any given moment, and with plans to just use it as a car, I still find myself back and forth on this.
It's expensive but not the deciding factor.
I remember seeing an older dark blue 993 I think in a parking lot a few months back. Oslo Blue I think. I walked over to take a closer look and as I looked the car over (love the 993), I think the fact that the car had all the typical chips and dings you would expect on a car of that age made me love it even more.
Then I've seen older 911s or even those just a few years old where you expected the car to show some wear. But they just looked pristine. Like they were not driven much and maybe the owner might even be afraid to drive it more BECAUSE it was so pristine. Even some that looked almost TOO shiny for their age.
It's almost like seeing a obviously older person north of 60 or 70 years old with jet black hair or a black beard and mustache with no grey. Something just doesn't look right? I don't know.
Anyway.
Thought I would solicit a little more input before I decide to just pick my car up and enjoy it or spend the $8K+ and send it off for another 1 to 2 weeks upon delivery to have parts removed and the PPF/ceramic done for whatever peace of mind and eventual resale value it results in. For the record, even though it may not sound like it, I am leaning toward just having it done.
I know there are a lot of detailers/PPF installers on here as well as those referring them but really want the more prudent and discerning owners to weigh in.
Thanks to all and again, sorry for another PPF thread. Hopefully this helps everyone.
For what it's worth, I have a car coming in a week or two, I already have a shop picked out and a tentative appointment to do full PPF and ceramic and I trust that they will do a good and professional job.
But as an older gentleman that doesn't NEED his car to be in showroom condition at any given moment, and with plans to just use it as a car, I still find myself back and forth on this.
It's expensive but not the deciding factor.
I remember seeing an older dark blue 993 I think in a parking lot a few months back. Oslo Blue I think. I walked over to take a closer look and as I looked the car over (love the 993), I think the fact that the car had all the typical chips and dings you would expect on a car of that age made me love it even more.
Then I've seen older 911s or even those just a few years old where you expected the car to show some wear. But they just looked pristine. Like they were not driven much and maybe the owner might even be afraid to drive it more BECAUSE it was so pristine. Even some that looked almost TOO shiny for their age.
It's almost like seeing a obviously older person north of 60 or 70 years old with jet black hair or a black beard and mustache with no grey. Something just doesn't look right? I don't know.
Anyway.
Thought I would solicit a little more input before I decide to just pick my car up and enjoy it or spend the $8K+ and send it off for another 1 to 2 weeks upon delivery to have parts removed and the PPF/ceramic done for whatever peace of mind and eventual resale value it results in. For the record, even though it may not sound like it, I am leaning toward just having it done.
I know there are a lot of detailers/PPF installers on here as well as those referring them but really want the more prudent and discerning owners to weigh in.
Thanks to all and again, sorry for another PPF thread. Hopefully this helps everyone.
OP here.
Thanks to all for you input. All posts are helpful and much appreciated.
For what it's worth, my incoming car is GT Silver. So maybe more forgiving when it comes to showing chips and fender rash? Last two cars have been black. Both PPFd on the high impact areas as both were used for occasional long commutes, road trips, and daily driven and I knew that without PPF they would have likely been ripped to shreds.
This car will be more a daily, road trip, canyon car. But my office is now only 5 minutes away. But when I do drive it to work it will sit in the hot valley sun for 8 hours. Parking area is not covered.
But if the newer films are so superior that won't be a problem when it comes time to remove the PPF and I shouldn't worry about that right?
Otherwise, and because I'll be retiring soon, mostly weekend road trips/golf destinations and road trips to search for my likely retirement location.
So I'll be driving on all different types of roads including long freeway trips so road quality is TBD.
Thanks to all for you input. All posts are helpful and much appreciated.
For what it's worth, my incoming car is GT Silver. So maybe more forgiving when it comes to showing chips and fender rash? Last two cars have been black. Both PPFd on the high impact areas as both were used for occasional long commutes, road trips, and daily driven and I knew that without PPF they would have likely been ripped to shreds.
This car will be more a daily, road trip, canyon car. But my office is now only 5 minutes away. But when I do drive it to work it will sit in the hot valley sun for 8 hours. Parking area is not covered.
But if the newer films are so superior that won't be a problem when it comes time to remove the PPF and I shouldn't worry about that right?
Otherwise, and because I'll be retiring soon, mostly weekend road trips/golf destinations and road trips to search for my likely retirement location.
So I'll be driving on all different types of roads including long freeway trips so road quality is TBD.
Take a look at what you wrote in the two posts above.
You've listed quite a few reasons why PPF might not be for you and very few reasons why you're you believe PPF installed would benefit you. What does that tell you?
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: MN
I first had PPF installed on a black 2007 Bosxter S. Have had installed on every car since. The protection it gave the original Bosxter was amazing even with the minor bump caused by me when I rear ended another car. The PPF was damaged due to the bump but the paint on the plastic bumper wasn’t. Amazed both myself and the installer. Been using the same installer since 2007. The films today are so much better and I say that from experience. The 2016 Cayenne showed a lot of pit marks and bug stains from the winter travels south to Florida and Arizona. Traveling long highway trips are really tough on vehicles especially areas in the southwest. The current 2022 Cayenne with 47k miles is on the 2nd windshield which has many battle scars along with 2 repairs. The PPF looks great with few dings and stains even after a dust storm in New Mexico a year ago. The Traga was a surprise when I got it home as I found the previous owner did a full PPF wrap and ceramic. So easy to take care of. Would I have done a full wrap? I doubt it but like that it has one. Our roads are never clear of rocks and sand. As far as standing up we have a 2011 BMW 3 series with the original PPF. Doesn’t get driven as much but it has stood up. There are a few dings and it has turned yellow a bit as the older PPF tended to especially on a white car. Am I sold on PPF? Most definitely especially since I keep cars for 5 to 7 years. My experience says it’s a great value to someone who wants to drive the car and keep in decent condition. Thats why we have choices, whatever works for you is the right decision.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 126
Likes: 124
The insurance you get with PPF/Ceramic on wheels is not just the deflection of damage. It is the insurance that when, if ever, you sell your 911 that you can get the Max return on your purchase. Look at every You-tube walk around for sale used 911 for sale by the dealer, like Lupe Zarate. They all discuss "road damage, body damage". The better the car, the higher the price or increased demand. It works both ways, one protection and second it protects the classification of you used 911 upon sale. Worth every penny and more.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 110
Likes: 27
From: SF Bay Area / California
Thanks again to all for all the input. At the end of day, because of how the car will be used, PPF/ceramic probably makes more sense than not.
It's not even so much the cost or that I don't think it will do the job it's supposed to that gives me pause. Of course it's a lot of money.
And the peace of mind once the job is done is well worth it to me.
But it's more the reality that we're all human. And the fear of getting a bad result, cut paint from a slipped knife, improperly re-installed parts/panels/headlights, and/or compromised seals or irregular panel gaps that require more time/money to be repaired before I've even driven a few miles in my brand new car.
I agree that full PPF is the option that makes the most sense if cost is not an issue. But this also is the option that is more dependent on the quality of the installer and his/their performance level on the day.
In my admittedly limited research, it seems that the PPF "kits" were not ideal because the film panels didn't wrap around edges and you would have visible edges with built up dirt, wax, whatever that are also more prone to peeling away.
But it seems, and I may be wrong, that more equipped shops have plotters that can now cut more updated and properly sized panels that still cover edges and that get close enough to mirrors, bumpers, and panel edges so as to remove the need for removal of parts to get sufficient coverage?
I may be wrong here and I'm sure someone will further educate me.
And I will certainly have this discussion with my installer when I drop my car off before any work is done.
It's not even so much the cost or that I don't think it will do the job it's supposed to that gives me pause. Of course it's a lot of money.
And the peace of mind once the job is done is well worth it to me.
But it's more the reality that we're all human. And the fear of getting a bad result, cut paint from a slipped knife, improperly re-installed parts/panels/headlights, and/or compromised seals or irregular panel gaps that require more time/money to be repaired before I've even driven a few miles in my brand new car.
I agree that full PPF is the option that makes the most sense if cost is not an issue. But this also is the option that is more dependent on the quality of the installer and his/their performance level on the day.
In my admittedly limited research, it seems that the PPF "kits" were not ideal because the film panels didn't wrap around edges and you would have visible edges with built up dirt, wax, whatever that are also more prone to peeling away.
But it seems, and I may be wrong, that more equipped shops have plotters that can now cut more updated and properly sized panels that still cover edges and that get close enough to mirrors, bumpers, and panel edges so as to remove the need for removal of parts to get sufficient coverage?
I may be wrong here and I'm sure someone will further educate me.
And I will certainly have this discussion with my installer when I drop my car off before any work is done.
Last edited by Junior71; May 10, 2026 at 11:12 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
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Which is worse? A small knife mark along a barely-visible edge, or a handful of chips down to the metal all across the middle of the hood and fenders? The "sandblasting" effect if road dust at speed over many miles?
The 911 hoodline is so low that it gets hit with all sorts of junk that comes up off the road The rear wheel wells similarly are in the path of a whole lot of junk.
I guess there's no perfect solution, but after having a "naked" 997 and dealing with repeated chips and dulled paint, my inbound T is going to have PPF in the main impact zones.
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Joined: Sep 2018
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True, but:
Which is worse? A small knife mark along a barely-visible edge, or a handful of chips down to the metal all across the middle of the hood and fenders? The "sandblasting" effect if road dust at speed over many miles?
The 911 hoodline is so low that it gets hit with all sorts of junk that comes up off the road The rear wheel wells similarly are in the path of a whole lot of junk.
I guess there's no perfect solution, but after having a "naked" 997 and dealing with repeated chips and dulled paint, my inbound T is going to have PPF in the main impact zones.
Which is worse? A small knife mark along a barely-visible edge, or a handful of chips down to the metal all across the middle of the hood and fenders? The "sandblasting" effect if road dust at speed over many miles?
The 911 hoodline is so low that it gets hit with all sorts of junk that comes up off the road The rear wheel wells similarly are in the path of a whole lot of junk.
I guess there's no perfect solution, but after having a "naked" 997 and dealing with repeated chips and dulled paint, my inbound T is going to have PPF in the main impact zones.
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Joined: Feb 2023
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Naw, inspect with a led flashlight. You’ll be sad at the inevitable nics or cuts. These guys/gals get off with knife use for some reason…it’s truly disturbing as you may have gathered.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,712
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I just used my scangrip and don't see a single one. Again, I'm not saying that doesn't happen, but that's why you have to really interview your detailer and ask how they do it, look at reviews, etc, etc. Most of the time, they just score it and peel. It's a shame there are so many bad detailers out there giving the technique a bad name.