All models PPF Paint Protection Film

[PVGR]

£3600+vat??

I need educating as to why this is so expensive.

And I guess it's not going to protect a car from debris large enough to cause a dent?

So when you get a dent in the bonnet it'll be hundreds to fill/repaint the bonnet, and then another grand to redo the protection?

It's just not worth it for me, super expensive and you still get stone chips! They are in the PPF rather than the paint but are you going to pay a grand to redo the panel only to get more.......?

Plus looks silly up close, dirty edges and other bits peeling and coming up here and there.

I'll just deal with the chips and if they really upset me after a few years I'll get some parts resprayed and still have saved money Vs PPF.

 

[Dal3D]

It's just not worth it for me, super expensive and you still get stone chips! They are in the PPF rather than the paint but are you going to pay a grand to redo the panel only to get more.......?

Plus looks silly up close, dirty edges and other bits peeling and coming up here and there.

I'll just deal with the chips and if they really upset me after a few years I'll get some parts resprayed and still have saved money Vs PPF.

My Focus had the front end from new 6 years ago and the front is still unmarked so no stone chips on the Film or in the paintwork at all. The thing that impresses me most about the new generation of films from when I got my Focus done is their hydrophobic qualities as much as the protection. You can literally wash it with dirty water and it runs straight off. It's so much easier to clean. And there are zero swirl, marring, hologramming marks to worry about either with a careful wash technique. If none of that bothers you then there's no benefit

Looks silly up close? Can't tell mine has it unless your're right up to the paint and even then only on the parts where it's not wrapped around the edge due to the shape - and as for dirty edges and peeling? - think wherever you've seen that needs a new installer!

It's a choice obviously - some don't see the benefit, some do.

 

[PVGR]

Yeah totally an individual thing. I'm mostly going by the discussion in this thread (7 pages worth) where you can see a car is wrapped by the edges, with some lifting and collecting dirt in some cases.

I like the idea of the hydrophobic qualities but my understanding was that is down to the ceramic coating which seems to need to be reapplied regularly, particularly to maintain the hydrophobic qualities.

But I'm a guy who doesn't fit a screen protector on my phone so maybe I'm on the extreme end.

And genuinely happy to be convinced but haven't felt a good enough case yet with the expense involved.

 

[v8s]

I am thinking about getting just the vulnerable parts done, and leaving, doors, roof and boot. If the car is going to be a keeper, and I think it will be since this is the last of a generation, then it's a decent investment.

 

[Dal3D]

I like the idea of the hydrophobic qualities but my understanding was that is down to the ceramic coating which seems to need to be reapplied regularly, particularly to maintain the hydrophobic qualities.

Xpel ultimate Fusion doesn't have a hydrophobic ceramic coating on top, it's built into the film so is guaranteed as long as the film is.

ULTIMATE FUSION | Hydrophobic Paint Protection Film

Get the best of both worlds. ULTIMATE FUSION PPF combines the impact resistant protection of ULTIMATE PLUS, with next-level hydrophobic performance from FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating to deliver a PPF unlike any other.

www.xpel.com

 

[ZN8]

Well I have just provisionally booked in my imaginary GR86 for PPF and ceramic coating at KDS Keltec here in Kent, these guys are regarded as some of the best in the industry.

I've gone all out, PPF (can't remember the brand but they laughed when I asked 'is it Xpel?'), bumper, wings, bonnet, side skirts, A-pillar & wing mirrors, all edges wrapped under the panel so there are no visible lines. Then it will have a coat of G-techniq Crystal Serum and 2 coats of EXO on top, this includes wheels and brakes, interior fully treated too. 9 year warranty.

Cost is around £3-3.5k. Mental but this car is a keeper and you can't actually do any better. What I have learnt is its soul destroying watching the paintwork on your shiny new car degrade as it takes hits from stones etc. My GT86 paint has suffered, it's not hard at all, this will be no different.

 

[LukeC22]

Well I have just provisionally booked in my imaginary GR86 for PPF and ceramic coating at KDS Keltec here in Kent, these guys are regarded as some of the best in the industry.

I've gone all out, PPF (can't remember the brand but they laughed when I asked 'is it Xpel?'), bumper, wings, bonnet, side skirts, A-pillar & wing mirrors, all edges wrapped under the panel so there are no visible lines. Then it will have a coat of G-techniq Crystal Serum and 2 coats of EXO on top, this includes wheels and brakes, interior fully treated too. 9 year warranty.

Cost is around £3-3.5k. Mental but this car is a keeper and you can't actually do any better. What I have learnt is its soul destroying watching the paintwork on your shiny new car degrade as it takes hits from stones etc. My GT86 paint has suffered, it's not hard at all, this will be no different.

One thing I wonder about is the A pillars; they are a continuous sweep right round to the bottom of the rear quarter panel so getting a seamless A pillar installation is impossible (unless covering most of the side of the car). This might be something that I leave out if I decide to go down the PPF route.

 

[Conscript]

Well I have just provisionally booked in my imaginary GR86 for PPF and ceramic coating at KDS Keltec here in Kent, these guys are regarded as some of the best in the industry.

I've gone all out, PPF (can't remember the brand but they laughed when I asked 'is it Xpel?'), bumper, wings, bonnet, side skirts, A-pillar & wing mirrors, all edges wrapped under the panel so there are no visible lines. Then it will have a coat of G-techniq Crystal Serum and 2 coats of EXO on top, this includes wheels and brakes, interior fully treated too. 9 year warranty.

Cost is around £3-3.5k. Mental but this car is a keeper and you can't actually do any better. What I have learnt is its soul destroying watching the paintwork on your shiny new car degrade as it takes hits from stones etc. My GT86 paint has suffered, it's not hard at all, this will be no different.

I've been planning to contact them myself! I've known the name for a while, they do indeed have a fantastic reputation. I probably won't bother with PPF, but I do want to get the car machine polished and was thinking about the ceramic coating...I was going to go for the Crystal Serum Ultra, as it seems like the most durable and permanent coating solution.

I haven't made enquiries with them yet though, I was going to wait until I have a firm date for delivery - I also would wait until I had the spoiler fitted, and given delivery is going to be in the depths of winter, not sure when I can get around to that :/

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

That's a bit of a stretch for me and similar costs to a local detailer doing Xpel. Ceramic I'm still thinking about, may get them to quote to see but I'm still planning to do a few coats of Fusso which should last well into next year, then get it corrected and ceramic coated if I need to. Have been looking into Lanoguard to treat underneath.

 

[ZN8]

One thing I wonder about is the A pillars; they are a continuous sweep right round to the bottom of the rear quarter panel so getting a seamless A pillar installation is impossible (unless covering most of the side of the car). This might be something that I leave out if I decide to go down the PPF route.

Yeah so this was part of the front-end setup they do, I may change my mind on it for that reason, I don't want any lips or areas which can collect dirt.

I've been planning to contact them myself! I've known the name for a while, they do indeed have a fantastic reputation. I probably won't bother with PPF, but I do want to get the car machine polished and was thinking about the ceramic coating...I was going to go for the Crystal Serum Ultra, as it seems like the most durable and permanent coating solution.

I haven't made enquiries with them yet though, I was going to wait until I have a firm date for delivery - I also would wait until I had the spoiler fitted, and given delivery is going to be in the depths of winter, not sure when I can get around to that :/

I spoke to a guy called Jay, he was laid back, I explained the situation and lack of clarity on when I will get my hands of the car and he was unfazed by it, he said 'they sound like Porsche' so I imagine it's a situation they have faced before. He assured me they will get it done without an issue. They will need the car for 10-14days though, you need to factor that in, it may be a bit shorter for just ceramic coating, this is due to cue times.

I may complicate matters and have Lepsons next door respray the wheels too, I don't want to ceramic the wheels when intend to change their colour.

That's a bit of a stretch for me and similar costs to a local detailer doing Xpel. Ceramic I'm still thinking about, may get them to quote to see but I'm still planning to do a few coats of Fusso which should last well into next year, then get it corrected and ceramic coated if I need to. Have been looking into Lanoguard to treat underneath.

I want to get Lanoguard or Dinitrol done too, but that's going to have wait, my head will spin off if I spend any more money on protection.

 

[Conscript]

Yeah so this was part of the front-end setup they do, I may change my mind on it for that reason, I don't want any lips or areas which can collect dirt.



I spoke to a guy called Jay, he was laid back, I explained the situation and lack of clarity on when I will get my hands of the car and he was unfazed by it, he said 'they sound like Porsche' so I imagine it's a situation they have faced before. He assumed me they will get it done without an issue. They will need the car for 10-14days though, you need to factor that in, it may be a bit shorter for just ceramic coating, this is due to cue times.

I may complicate matters and have Lepsons next door respray the wheels too, I don't want to ceramic the wheels when intend to change their colour.



I want to get Lanoguard or Dinitrol done too, but that's going to have wait, my head will spin off if I spend any more money on protection.

Ooof. Not sure I could stand a couple of weeks without the car straight after waiting all this time so far for delivery I may wait until spring and just keep the car regularly snow foamed in the meantime.

Regarding the wheels - maybe take this with a pinch of salt and have a read around yourself, but I would actually avoid them. I know they have a reputation for being one of the best, but there was a time a few years ago when it seemed that their finishes had terrible longevity. I've known about 3 different people who went to Lepsons and said that while the initial workmanship seemed fantastic, the finish started to fall apart, sometimes only after about 12 months or so. That, and the fact that they were significantly more expensive than other places, was enough that when I needed my wheels done, I actually went elsewhere.

Not saying that's definitively still the case, just offering it as anecdotal advice to maybe look around for more recent testimonials before committing. They are next door to KDS and think work together, so I concede that they would be the most convenient choice.

 

[PVGR]

Well I have just provisionally booked in my imaginary GR86 for PPF and ceramic coating at KDS Keltec here in Kent, these guys are regarded as some of the best in the industry.

I've gone all out, PPF (can't remember the brand but they laughed when I asked 'is it Xpel?'), bumper, wings, bonnet, side skirts, A-pillar & wing mirrors, all edges wrapped under the panel so there are no visible lines. Then it will have a coat of G-techniq Crystal Serum and 2 coats of EXO on top, this includes wheels and brakes, interior fully treated too. 9 year warranty.

Cost is around £3-3.5k. Mental but this car is a keeper and you can't actually do any better. What I have learnt is its soul destroying watching the paintwork on your shiny new car degrade as it takes hits from stones etc. My GT86 paint has suffered, it's not hard at all, this will be no different.

Holy that's expensive! Fair play that's some belief in the products! I think you could get the whole car resprayed for that.

Well I'm genuinely curious how this will work out long term - I'd be keen to see the car when done and in a couple of years time as I'm doing nothing at all!

Look forward to some meet ups!

 

[ZN8]

I haven't fully committed yet I can still back out... It is expensive it's not for everyone, it wouldn't benefit anybody who doesn't keep cars long or have a degree of OCD, but unfortunately, I am a bit insane in that regard, so it suits me.

 

[LukeC22]

I think a big positive for PPF is more the protection against things like swirl marks and mocromarring, both of which reduce shine on the vehicle. I know that a good wash routine can certainly help with this too but sometimes it’s inevitable.

 

[KobayashiMaru86]

Lot of plastic bits on the GR86 too. Even breathing on the ducktail I have at home and there's a few fine marks. Gave it a light polish and 2 coats of Fusso, then detailing spray to remove any excess residue and it came up good.

 

[Dal3D]

Holy that's expensive! Fair play that's some belief in the products! I think you could get the whole car resprayed for that.

Well I'm genuinely curious how this will work out long term - I'd be keen to see the car when done and in a couple of years time as I'm doing nothing at all!

Look forward to some meet ups!

The difference comes in that a PPF covered car will always look like new and stone chip free especially at the front.

A car without will have the odd stone chip that may / may not annoy the owner on a daily basis; waiting for the time they can get the respray.

My Xpel PPF'd Focus RS is now 6 and a bit years old as doesn't have a single stone chip and still looks like new.

You have to also factor in the paint matching scenario. My Focus has a 3 layer pearlescent paint (the lairy nitrous blue - not unlike the neptune blue of the GR86 but has sparkly bit in it) and a respray may be a difficult match.

My GR86 is booked in for a head to tail covering of the new Xpel Fusion hydrophobic covering after seeing the OH dog wagon covered front end with it.

Fit and forget the stress of stone chips.

 

[Conscript]

What happens if the PPF gets chipped? Does it need to be replaced every so often, or is it soft enough to "self heal" as it were?

This is my concern with PPF. The paint underneath might be protected from chips but if the PPF gets damaged and needs replacing, it seems like it might be just as expensive to do that as it would to respray.

 

[Dal3D]

My xpel stuff is self heal which as maybe why it still looks like new. But then I don't drive 1m from the car in front either.

 

[Conscript]

I see. I may enquire about maybe getting the bonnet and front bumper done, and maybe the skirts. I'm hoping that as I don't commute anymore that I'll be able to keep it in good nick anyway.

How does maintenance work with PPF? Can a ceramic coating be applied on top? Presumably further polishing etc is not necessary and the car just needs washing. But does it affect the finish at all? One thing I'm looking forward to having done is a proper paint correction for the first time on a car I own, so I don't want a film if it dulls the effect of that.

 

[Dal3D]

My Xpel is the old stuff that doesn't have the hydrophobic coating so I add a layer or 5 of C2v3 now and again to add the hydrophobic properties.

The PPF stuff doesnt need any further coatings per say - the C2v3 just makes it easier to wash.

Prior to the PPF Going on you can have the option of a machine polish, but the extra clear coat type covering of the PPF makes the swirls disappear!