PPF longevity

[qingcong]

I washed the car then dried it,
Then used Griots iron remover,
Rinsed it off then repeated,
Iron removed again then rinsed,
Used the Meguairs clay bar kit on the whole car,
Then dried for a final time and applied a Full Meguairs Ultimate Wax.

Super happy with the results and don’t think ceramic will make it any better. Just make it so I don’t have to wax. But at a high cost.

I put on some 3M PPF on my old Si in 2014 and took it off in 2023. It had yellowed quite a bit. The yellowing was not noticeable when it was on the car (sunburst orange pearl), but was definitely noticeable when I took it off. I was able to remove it myself as an amateur, no special tools or anything. They claim newer PPF is much better as far as longevity, but obviously not enough years have passed in the 2020 era for anyone to know for sure. Also, you can wax or ceramic coat on top of PPF, which should help it last longer.

For wax vs ceramic coating, I don't see any reason to do wax anymore. Prep work is basically the same. Ceramic will last a whole lot longer and protect better. The ceramic bottle itself is probably $50-80 which will last 1 application, vs a thing of Turtle Wax for like $10 which will last a few times, but the result is way better. You also don't have to worry about ceramic coating getting on the plastic or rubber bits and discoloring them. If you miss having things to do to your car, they recommend applying that topper stuff to ceramic coatings, which would take the place of waxing.

Sponsored

 

[Bazgab]

As others have said, modern PPF is a lot better of a product compared to 20 years ago (hell, even 10 years ago).

I had Suntek Ultra applied on my last car once I took delivery and it was miles better than the PPF I had on a car from 5 years prior. The front bumper PPF did start to look a little ratty by the 5th/6th year I had the car. I removed the PPF with a steamer and it came up pretty easily once heated up with the steam, removing vinyl wrap is harder IMO. There was no noticiable yellowing of the Suntek when I removed it. That car was white too, so would have been more obvious overall if there was any yellowing.

I went with a Stek product on my FL5 and it has been even better than my experience with the slightly older Suntek product. I have had my FL5 since July 2023 and had the front bumper, front fenders, rocker panels, headlights, mirror caps, hood, and a small section of the ledge of the rear bumper protected with PPF after I did my own paint correction. The PPF looks pretty much new at this point. My last car had a few debris strikes that penetrated through the Suntek and damaged the paint by this time, but nothing like that on the FL5 so far. The only paint chip I have is midway up the passenger side rear quarter panel from a rock strike (unprotected by PPF).

 

[Nikw91]

Just dropped her off. Elected to do just the bumper for $350. Thanks guys! I was nervous!

I have a white gmc sierra and my mom had a new white Acura MDX that are all like checker boards in the front from all the rocks chips.

Glad you guys talked me into it

 

[Nothing]

I would recommend headlights before anything else. You can correct paint, bumpers take more damage, but once the headlights start to get UV damage it's a mitigation game. I did full front and fenders for my FL5 but for the outback just headlights.

 

[johnnybags]

I would recommend headlights before anything else. You can correct paint, bumpers take more damage, but once the headlights start to get UV damage it's a mitigation game. I did full front and fenders for my FL5 but for the outback just headlights.

It wasn't even about the UV damage for me, it was mostly about how soft the lenses are. They can pick up microscratches/swirls when being washed that are super obvious when looking at the lights while they are on at night. Definitely worth the small cost IMO.

 

[jcfishel]

the installer mentioned yesterday they even do PPF for windshields now. Considering a new OEM windshield costs $2k+ and most insurance will not cover OEM glass replacements it's definitely worth thinking about if you do a lot of highway driving.

 

[MooMoo]

you will regret not doing the hood and fenders. Really if you already going to get the bumper you shoulda done the others. Seriously, you still have time to call em and add the hood and the fenders. Specially the hood, stone chips always find their way into the hood.

My last car I had no ppf (and the paint was better than the type R, albeit not by much), the bumper was peppered, the hood had tons of chips, fenders were ok but the roof also had paint chips so on the type R I did all front + A pillars + partial roof)

Also $350 for the bumper is a pretty good deal, hopefully they do a good job

edit - oh yeah get the lights done, the lights are #1, they are expensive and unlike bumper, ect... they can't just be painted you will have to get new ones and its not if but when they will get peppered with stone chips

 

[Nikw91]

https://wmcustoms.shop/

My car is on WM Customs instagram pages story for about 18 more hours.

They are giving me a 10 year warranty.

 

[MooMoo]

https://wmcustoms.shop/

My car is on WM Customs instagram pages story for about 18 more hours.

They are giving me a 10 year warranty.

it does not work like that. PPF manufacturer gives 10 year warranty if there is an issue with the ppf (yellowing or won't stick or whatever). But its a warranty for the product, every one that uses that product gets that warranty.

 

[Nikw91]

it does not work like that. PPF manufacturer gives 10 year warranty if there is an issue with the ppf (yellowing or won't stick or whatever). But its a warranty for the product, every one that uses that product gets that warranty.

Yeah I know. And I’d have to repay for the labor which is the most expensive part.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

Youtube channel Project Farm tested quite a few auto ceramic coatings and a Turtle Wax spray came out on top. The price is under $20 for a bottle.
My car still looks new, so I haven't done wax or ceramic coating yet. The salesman claimed they waxed the car before delivery, but sales folks are known to hedge the truth.

 

[jcm]

xpel and llumar platinum are both pretty fuggin good quality, you should not really see any yellowing, having the ceramic applied over the PPF works wonders as well as it fills the micro pores and makes it more UV resistant

this is the first vehicle i've had full ppf on, i'm told by a local pro shop that has contractual arrangements with ferrarri/lambo etc that paint lifting is very uncommon upon removal these days. I basically told them that I would effectively want to replace the entire PPF at or before the 5 year mark depending on the health of the wrap, he pretty much said it may not even be necessary and he's seen some go longer, I will still likely replace it and call on warranty option whenever possible or realistic, i mean at the end of the day yes ceramic coating will reduce UV degredation but it's still a polyurethane and regardless of how often you park in the garage it's still getting UV exposure so

 

[RP2000R]

I would recommend headlights before anything else. You can correct paint, bumpers take more damage, but once the headlights start to get UV damage it's a mitigation game. I did full front and fenders for my FL5 but for the outback just headlights.

Always headlights keeps them clean and crisp and most cars they are very expensive. Headlights also take alot of stone chips and sun damage.

 

[Clark_Kent]

@Nikw91 I hope it all works out for you. Let us know how it goes. If you're in the pro ppf camp, my perspective is to purchase as much film/coverage as you're comfortable with. If you care deeply about the aesthetics of your car and have a low tolerance for imperfections, you won't regret it.

As an aside, I see comments in these threads often about shops working on "high end" cars and the waterfall of assumptions based on that. A shop working on high end cars is not a proxy for high quality or an elevated attention to detail. All it means is they work on high end cars. If you've visited or done business with many of these types of outfits you'll know a lot of these shops work on high end cars, it's very common. I can think at least 6 shops in my city that parade through Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Porsche GT cars, etc. (and even Rimac) on a weekly basis and some of them are mediocre in IMHO. You should still be meticulous in your dealings with them whether the shop is packed with mundane commuter cars or exotics. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, look at the work in detail, if something is not right - respectfully ask for it to be corrected. Don't assume something is "ok" because they consistently work on vehicles 5-10x the cost of yours. Anyhow, happy ppf hunting!

 

[Nikw91]

@Nikw91 I hope it all works out for you. Let us know how it goes. If you're in the pro ppf camp, my perspective is to purchase as much film/coverage as you're comfortable with. If you care deeply about the aesthetics of your car and have a low tolerance for imperfections, you won't regret it.

As an aside, I see comments in these threads often about shops working on "high end" cars and the waterfall of assumptions based on that. A shop working on high end cars is not a proxy for high quality or an elevated attention to detail. All it means is they work on high end cars. If you've visited or done business with many of these types of outfits you'll know a lot of these shops work on high end cars, it's very common. I can think at least 6 shops in my city that parade through Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Porsche GT cars, etc. (and even Rimac) on a weekly basis and some of them are mediocre in IMHO. You should still be meticulous in your dealings with them whether the shop is packed with mundane commuter cars or exotics. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, look at the work in detail, if something is not right - respectfully ask for it to be corrected. Don't assume something is "ok" because they consistently work on vehicles 5-10x the cost of yours. Anyhow, happy ppf hunting!

You’re right. I’m not super picky though and don’t try to stress over such small things.

I think they did a great job for $350. I can’t really tell it’s even there. Let me know what you think!