PorscheK

I am struggling to make a decision whether to do a full body PPF or full front only (full hood, full bumper, full fender and mirror caps). The quote I got is roughly double for full body vs full front.

Is it true that the headlight should not have PPF because of the lamination on headlights?

Nickshu

I did:
Front bumper
Entire Hood
Entire front fenders
A-pillars and front edge of roof
Behind rear wheels
Lower rocker panels and in front of rear wheels
Door cups
Mirror caps
Headlights (yes I know you're not supposed to but I always do them on all my Porsches and have never had a problem. Those headlights are EXPENSIVE if they get rock damage)

#1SomeGuy

I'm almost identical except no behind wheels or lower rockers...but add in door edges and trunk load lip.

Nickshu

Oh yeah I did rear hatch load lip too. Forgot about that. All Xpel 10 mil film. Then ceramic coating overtop.

pitt911

there should be a choice for no PPF
I am for PPF on some cars , but not an SUV . I had a base Macan that I drove for 8 k miles, not a single chip on the front. When I get my GTS in couple of weeks , I will skip PPF
I think the PPF thing is getting too much.
I know a person PPF'd the sole of his 1 k dress shoes

Terry Adams

Van Larson

Xpel now has big enough product to do entire hood vs. front 1/3 btw.

rasetsu

I PPF'd hood, rear bumper for loading and unloading protection, and headlights. Yes, I'm aware of the risks of PPF on headlights which happens IF you remove the film but why would I remove the film? I would only remove the film if it takes a hit big enough that it would have saved the light from breaking and costing my over $1000 so I would spend a couple hundred to have the coating polished off and PPF reapplied. I didn't PPF my front bumper thinking there's so much open space anyways. But then highway debris struck the bottom area leaving a big scratch. It's hard to tell it's there fortunately.

CapitalAL

I got PPF on the full front including bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps. Them a ceramic coating on the entire car including all door jambs, wheel faces and Barrels and brake calipers. My detailer refused to do PPF on the headlights because of the lamination issue which seems to be quite common if PPF has been left on long term.

Fred R. C4S

Ask for PPF to be applied on the center console. Either gloss or matte looks and works great. Easy to wipe off fingerprints and prevent scratches.

JC Lacayo

my 16 turbo got rock chips on the hood and side mirrors. my wife's ring gets the area under the door handles.
wish I had it on those spots in retrospect.

Nickshu

We live in Colorado. In our area it's like you can be the only car on the road with no one around and you will still get hit with a giant rock out of nowhere. PPF is essential. If I lived somewhere w/o winter and rocks all over I might not be as aggressive with it. We go through about 1 windshield per 12-18 months on each of our cars it seems like.

I have, however, often thought about the cost to repaint the hood and front bumper vs Xpel PPF. Nowdays the PPF is getting so expensive that could be an option to consider. Unfortunately color match, non factory paint, etc is a concern w/ that approach. YMMV.

Chav

Any good or bad feedback for a particular brand over another?

Nickshu

Xpel 10mil seems to be the most popular w/ the good detailers. Also not all PPF can have ceramic coating applied over it, some types are too hydrophobic so they won't absorb the coating.

In my experience PPF gets bug stains very easily but if it's ceramic coated overtop I have seen no issues w/ bug stains.

supercup

My 2023 GTS is finally coming in later this week and I should have next week. I got a 2022 S to drive in until the GTS I ordered came in - put no PPF on it - I already have small chips in bumper, hood and one on the passenger mirror with only 3,8xx miles over 5 months here is S.Cal - most of the driving has been on the freeway. So will do PPF - front clip (bumper, hood, fenders), mirrors, behind front wheel - low part of door to rear wheel - behind back wheel, loading area and door sills.

Have had both XPEL & 3M in the past - will see what the boys like as I have not done a car in a few years, so not up on the latest and greatest film