I've decided not to do PPF, convince me otherwise?

[MisterMac]

I should note that things are different in the desert southwest US. In my part of the world, we use rocks instead of grass for our yards, therefore rocks are everywhere.

 

[MerlintheMad]

It wasn't a financial decision - extending the coverage back wasn't much more expensive, but I don't like the idea of plastic coating the entire front of the car.

This doesn't make sense to me. Why would leaving part of the front half of the car plastic-free benefit anything?

Here's a Stinger-specific reason for PPF on the entire hood: the windshield wipers if pulled up will chip the rear edge of the hood. My hood would have been marred by the wiper arm if I did not have full PPF on the hood, wrapped right around the rear edge.

 

[MisterMac]

This doesn't make sense to me. Why would leaving part of the front half of the car plastic-free benefit anything?

Here's a Stinger-specific reason for PPF on the entire hood: the windshield wipers if pulled up will chip the rear edge of the hood. My hood would have been marred by the wiper arm if I did not have full PPF on the hood, wrapped right around the rear edge.

Or you could follow the proper procedure for getting the wipers into position to be lifted or changed....

 

[SteveCo]

This doesn't make sense to me. Why would leaving part of the front half of the car plastic-free benefit anything?

It benefits me, because I don't want a prophylactic coating over the entire front end of the car - just the minimal amount of coverage necessary to protect the vulnerable parts of the front end. I like to have as much of the beautiful pearl paint showing as possible, which I can look after, wax and polish to bring out the beautiful deep shine that lives within - same as the rest of the car.

Probably the same reason you never see one of these visually arresting car bras go all the way back to the windshield ...


By the way, looks like someone has come out with a matching thong for the car bra crowd ...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Or you could follow the proper procedure for getting the wipers into position to be lifted or changed....

Me? I am not the problem. It happens when some maroon grabs the wiper arm, to clean your windshield, in OREGON!

 

[MisterMac]

Me? I am not the problem. It happens when some maroon grabs the wiper arm, to clean your windshield, in OREGON!

Oh, my!! Lol, totally my bad!

 

[washguy]

This is why you ppf....Stinger has never been washed with soap...only rinsed once with water...since August of 2018....Rain/dirt just will not stick to the car at all.....of course theres plenty of wax/sealant on the car too...what convinced me was a pic of a white stinger here on the forum with the front fascia peppered with rock chips.....not a pretty sight! Wash

 

[GenesisG70]

It benefits me, because I don't want a prophylactic coating over the entire front end of the car - just the minimal amount of coverage necessary to protect the vulnerable parts of the front end. I like to have as much of the beautiful pearl paint showing as possible, which I can look after, wax and polish to bring out the beautiful deep shine that lives within - same as the rest of the car.

Probably the same reason you never see one of these visually arresting car bras go all the way back to the windshield ...

View attachment 24767
By the way, looks like someone has come out with a matching thong for the car bra crowd ...

View attachment 24768

Perv alert

 

[SilverNitr8]

My car was hit with a shattered tire goi g 70 mph, my entire car was covered with ppf, it showed where it htt the car, but no damage to the paint and the scuff marks just wiped off.

 

[MisterMac]

I had a truck back into my passenger front fender. While it dented my car, I had no paint damage. Very cool.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

My 2016 Corvette was covered with PPF from head to toe, then ceramic coated.
I bought it from the original owner this way - I never would have paid $7k to have this done,
but boy, does this thing shine...
I have not and will not be covering my Kia. I did cover my Infiniti half front along with headlights.
The problem with only going halfway up the hood, is the glue oozes out and the dirt gets in there
and makes an unsightly line. Maybe they have overcome this problem since about 10 years ago
when mine was done.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The problem with only going halfway up the hood, is the glue oozes out and the dirt gets in there
and makes an unsightly line. Maybe they have overcome this problem since about 10 years ago
when mine was done.

How long did it take your "unsightly line" to manifest? So far, almost a year in, my PPF has clean edges.

 

[eflyguy]

Mine has had them around the factory-installed pieces on the lower door sections since I brought it home.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Mine has had them around the factory-installed pieces on the lower door sections since I brought it home.

That was my first thought when I noticed those patches: a dirty line is going to form around each one of them over time and they will look like crap. But so far, nothing. What would cause the difference?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

How long did it take your "unsightly line" to manifest? So far, almost a year in, my PPF has clean edges.

It was a long time ago, and it didn't happen right away. I guess the glue holding the film in place oozes out
at the edges causing this. I am in Florida, and perhaps the heat of the sun hastens the process.
They probably also have better quality film today compared to around 10 years ago.
Hopefully yours will not have this problem.

 

[westcoastGT]

Or you could follow the proper procedure for getting the wipers into position to be lifted or changed....

unfortunately the cops that issue parking tickets or guys that wash your windshields dont know the trick , I wrapped the contact points of both the wiper blades and the hood with clear ppf , you dont see it and it does its job for the goons that might grab your wipers

 

[westcoastGT]

Mine has had them around the factory-installed pieces on the lower door sections since I brought it home.

clean them with clay and a soft tooth brush with cleaner wax , they need a bit of attention every 3rd or 4th wash

 

[Gtecko]

what do you folks think of this ppf ??

 

[SteveCo]

what do you folks think of this ppf ??

According to 3M, the 'Scotchguard' product is middle tier, between their '3M' branded film, and 'Scotchguard Pro'.

Paint protection film | Post factory installation | 3M Canada

My installation was done with Xpel brand product. The few installers/companies I talked to seem to think that Xpel was a superior product to 3M, but I'm sure you'll find 3M advocates out there as well.

I think that proper surface preparation and installation is probably a bigger factor than brand in how it performs over time. If you are experienced at installation, you could save some money - otherwise I'd check around for an installer with a good reputation that will guarantee their work. I used a mobile installer who has been doing this for years, who did a meticulous job and charged a fraction of what the dealers/tint shops wanted.

Please put your location in your profile - you'll find it a big help.

 

[Gtecko]

location updated

I am not sure if the material is expensive or the labour is. if I was to go to a professional, they charge in the upwards of 900+tax to install the clear bra ... I thought I could be saving some money by buying the material myself.
I was debating between the clear bra and the Ceramic Pro - I read that CP is great but wont do anything against road hazards ... still debating what to go for.