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I got my 2022 Macan S about a month ago, and like many of you, I didn't like the fingerprint magnet the all-glass center console controls were. As obsessive as I normally am with keeping my car's interiors in mint condition, I knew right away that this would be a problem.
To fix that, I decided to try to use PPF (Xpel Stealth) to make those surfaces non-reflective, to eliminate fingerprints and to help avoid reflections. After an hour or so taking measurements with a Digital Caliper, I used my vinyl cutter to cut out the pieces and try them out.
Color me surprised when I tried them on, and they were basically perfect the first time! Needless to say, I installed them right away and they have been on for about a month now. So far, so good.
I can't fathom why Porsche and/or other car manufacturers don't do this at the factory. I think it looks cleaner, does not add unwanted reflections, eliminates scratches, and adds durability.
Here are some pictures with the vehicle on and off. What do you think?
I get it, people want the clean & sleek look these days - just like our smartphones. But I do agree - scratch magnets and just not worth it. That covering looks good enough to be factory. Makes me wonder why they didnt do it as standard? Oh wait, just read last months Panorama and Porsche makes 16% profit averaged out over their cars - why do something like this when it impacts the profit? :-)
Oh, and I will never realize why they dont fit a forward / back track buttons either!
I get it, people want the clean & sleek look these days - just like our smartphones. But I do agree - scratch magnets and just not worth it. That covering looks good enough to be factory. Makes me wonder why they didnt do it as standard? Oh wait, just read last months Panorama and Porsche makes 16% profit averaged out over their cars - why do something like this when it impacts the profit? :-)
Oh, and I will never realize why they dont fit a forward / back track buttons either!
FWIW we have a 2019 Golf R that is covered in the glossy surface plastic stuff with some haptic buttons (not as many as the Macan) and it has held up pretty well but there are some light surface scratches after 3 years and 40K miles.
I get it, people want the clean & sleek look these days - just like our smartphones. But I do agree - scratch magnets and just not worth it. That covering looks good enough to be factory. Makes me wonder why they didnt do it as standard? Oh wait, just read last months Panorama and Porsche makes 16% profit averaged out over their cars - why do something like this when it impacts the profit? :-)
Oh, and I will never realize why they dont fit a forward / back track buttons either!
They put the buttons back in 95B.3. Only the 95B.2 owners missed out.
@alex_c did you see any evidence of a film layer overtop the haptic button panel? I talked to my PPF guy he is willing to try it but he is worried. He says he did the same in a new BMW recently that has a similar gloss plastic interior and when putting down the film he found it had a thin laminate protective layer on top from the factory that peeled up as he was working the film into place. He had to buy the customer a new panel which was not cheap. Thoughts?
I get it, people want the clean & sleek look these days - just like our smartphones. But I do agree - scratch magnets and just not worth it. That covering looks good enough to be factory. Makes me wonder why they didnt do it as standard? Oh wait, just read last months Panorama and Porsche makes 16% profit averaged out over their cars - why do something like this when it impacts the profit? :-)
PIano black is not used as a cost cutting measure. OEMs are incentivized to impress in the showroom, and most consumers think piano black looks high-end and "fancy" these days. Unfortunately it's not actually great to live with. It's the same thing with screens galore (though that is partially a cost saving measure).
Unfortunately it's ubiquitous across the industry. I'm hoping it's a fad that will pass once more consumers own a car with it.
@alex_c did you see any evidence of a film layer overtop the haptic button panel? I talked to my PPF guy he is willing to try it but he is worried. He says he did the same in a new BMW recently that has a similar gloss plastic interior and when putting down the film he found it had a thin laminate protective layer on top from the factory that peeled up as he was working the film into place. He had to buy the customer a new panel which was not cheap. Thoughts?
I did not see any film on top of the panels. I actually installed the PPF and removed it later and it didn't remove anything underneath it when I removed it.
I did not see any film on top of the panels. I actually installed the PPF and removed it later and it didn't remove anything underneath it when I removed it.
Had mine done today with my detailer on our 22 GTS. They did the touch strip near the buttons too (but over the 150mph sticker which I would have removed first but whatever). Came out great. Buttons work just as before no change noted in sensitivity. This is Xpel PPF in regular gloss, I chose not to go w/ the matte as the OP did above, personal preference.
06-04-2022 | 07:37 PM
DIY Improve 2022+ touch controls
