Paint protection film and ceramic coating

[Capital AL]

I will be purchasing a stinger in the coming months and would like to know your experience on paint protection film and ceramic coating if you have done that to your stinger. I am just curious to know how you like it and would like to know a rough idea of what it would cost to get full front paint protection film (bumper, hood, front fender, and mirrors) and a ceramic coating on the entire car.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Lots of talk about this elsewhere. But before this thread gets locked (hopefully with a link or two included), I'll just say that after three months I got full PPF front coverage and haven't regretted a thing in a year. It has saved my car numberless times. Ceramic coating is more about keeping the car clean and shinier than it could ever be without the ceramic. Ceramic does not protect against road debris injuries.

My full frontal PPF cost under a thousand, but was listed at under fifteen hundred, i.e. the body shop gave me a deal. It is 3M. Full PPF can run over three thousand.

Ceramic is more variable in price. Do it yourself applications run either side of a hundred bucks. A full ceramic job, with one of those five to ten year guarantees (with yearly renewal) can run into similar pricing as full PPF. You can of course put ceramic over PPF.

 

[Karl Davlin]

I did both about 8 months ago. My opinion, the clear wrap (bra) on the front is worth it. I'm sure I'd have several chips otherwise.

I wouldn't have done the ceramic coating knowing what I know now. The ceramic coating really didn't do much. The car doesn't stay cleaner any longer (rain/water spots, debris from the road), it doesn't wash any easier (still need to use a sponge/rag/something and it still needs a shammy.

Will it prevent staining? Maybe... (I don't want to test this one!)

It is nice and shiny when clean, but I'm not sure how much more than it was before it was done. Certainly not enough to justify the cost for me.

 

[Ruturaj]

I got following ppf Coverage:
- Full Bumper (Painted Areas)
- Partial Hood (Bikini Cut)
- Partial Fenders
- Rocker Panels
- Door Cups
- Added additional A-Pillar strips
- Mirrors
- Grill trim
- Luggage area kit
- Headlights

 

[SteveCo]

I am just curious to know how you like it and would like to know a rough idea of what it would cost to get full front paint protection film (bumper, hood, front fender, and mirrors) and a ceramic coating on the entire car.

PPF, IMO, is well worth it. Pricing is whatever the market will bear - dealerships mark it up heavily and normally outsource it anyway. I had mine done by a mobile service and she did an excellent and meticulous installation job in my garage, at a fraction of what the dealership and detailing 'salons' wanted.

The key is to get a good quality film installed by someone who knows what they are doing. Some, in my opinion, go way overboard in covering areas that see minimal if any damage from normal road debris. Make sure the front bumper, grille trims, headlights, mirror caps and front portion of the hood are done.

No interest in getting a temporary ceramic coating - I make sure to keep the exposed, painted sections of the car cleaned and waxed.

 

[washguy]

AL best money ive spent on a car... ppfing is much needed on the Stinger ....the front fascia takes a beating...so does the hood.....the good ppfers have a pc with a plotting/cutting board so they can cut the body panel sheets to their needs....if they don't have the plotter in house walk on by..... Wash

 

[ShannonC]

I did both about 8 months ago. My opinion, the clear wrap (bra) on the front is worth it. I'm sure I'd have several chips otherwise.

I wouldn't have done the ceramic coating knowing what I know now. The ceramic coating really didn't do much. The car doesn't stay cleaner any longer (rain/water spots, debris from the road), it doesn't wash any easier (still need to use a sponge/rag/something and it still needs a shammy.

Will it prevent staining? Maybe... (I don't want to test this one!)

It is nice and shiny when clean, but I'm not sure how much more than it was before it was done. Certainly not enough to justify the cost for me.

I think your expectations of ceramic may have been far too high. If a quality product was correctly applied,

• Surfaces will be shinier
• Dirt will not adhere so easily
• Rain will bead off, particularly at speed
• Will you have to wash it?.....of course
• Washing will be easier and faster
• Will you have to dry it?.....of course
• Drying will be easier and faster
• How long should it last?.....depends on the number of coats but a minimum of 1 to 2 years.
• I did 3 coats on mine and as it's under cover most of the times I would expect 3 to 5 years.

 

[Stiletto]

I did both about 8 months ago. My opinion, the clear wrap (bra) on the front is worth it. I'm sure I'd have several chips otherwise.

I wouldn't have done the ceramic coating knowing what I know now. The ceramic coating really didn't do much. The car doesn't stay cleaner any longer (rain/water spots, debris from the road), it doesn't wash any easier (still need to use a sponge/rag/something and it still needs a shammy.

Will it prevent staining? Maybe... (I don't want to test this one!)

It is nice and shiny when clean, but I'm not sure how much more than it was before it was done. Certainly not enough to justify the cost for me.

I've never known anyone to state the issues you have. What brand of ceramic coating did you choose?

 

[GenesisG70]

Definitely need ppf and ceramic coating apply Car pro cqartz uk 3.0 yourself for less than 100 dollars results amazing

 

[Dreddpax]

I'm also looking at getting ceramic coating done. PPF film i was going to give a miss as it can be hella expensive from my understanding..

Those that have got PPF did the applier/detailer make sure that the paint is perfect? As in all swirl marks gone etc. I find that is what is the most expensive process of ceramic coating?

I have a aurora black GT so i'm trying to keep it as prestine as possible.

 

[washguy]

I have a aurora black GT so i'm trying to keep it as prestine as possible.

Pristine = PPFing....best money you can spend on your Stinger Wash

 

[Dreddpax]

Pristine = PPFing....best money you can spend on your Stinger Wash

Indeed. But pointless if the paint underneath it isnt treated and detailed to near perfect!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Those that have got PPF did the applier/detailer make sure that the paint is perfect?

Not being a perfectionist, exactly a year ago when I decided to pull the trigger on PPF, and my car's front end having gone through three months of road wear, I got out my touch up pen, cleaned the front off, applied a dab of paint to each of the c. half dozen rather small blemishes I could see, and took the car to the body shop. Yes, I could have done the detailer thing and also had the already existing road rash spots professionally cleared up before getting PPF. But not being a perfectionist has its uses: I walk around a car and if, at five or six feet away, nothing draws my eyes to it, then it's good to go. When I get up close, washing off bugs, I notice this teensy spot or that one, from my touch up a year ago, but I don't let it bother me. The PPF has prevented all subsequent (potential) damage and the car looks virtually new to me.

 

[washguy]

Indeed. But pointless if the paint underneath it isnt treated and detailed to near perfect

Any good ppf er will correct the paint before applying the clear....that's why cost is high ...very labor intensive ...and that's before the ppfing is done Wash