Hello ALL!
Looking to get PPF Clear Bra installed as soon as possible but everywhere I go they claim they cannot get hood done in one piece and will require a seam. One place said they might possibly be able to stretch a piece maybe.... I know several have one piece and no lines across the hood. What product should I get and ask for. Also price? I was quoted around 1800 for full front PPF.
Thank you!
Jeff
Columbus Ohio
17 F type

 

I had mine done with xPel in one piece. At least at the time, there was no film wide enough to simply cover the surface. However, a good wrap expert should have no problem stretching the wrap the extra 2 inches that are needed. If they are hesitant to do so, they certainly are not the right folks to wrap it.

 

Neither the xpel I had done two years ago or the suntek I just had done were long enough. The xpel was a precut template which I would not recommend. I asked the installer about stretching the suntek and they wouldn't do it as they said it would compromise the installation long term. It was a sheet though and they took off the hood louvers and wrapped it underneath; also wrapped the Louvers individually. They spliced a small piece in near the windshield on each corner. Definetly ask and have them show you on other cars how they finish edges and corners to prevent lifting. My suntek cost $1800 for full hood, bumpers, front splitters, and cross bar and adding rockers, mirrors and tax in nys came to $2200 or so. Get references from other owners who have had the install for over a year and that the installers have the experience of doing many, many cars and were trained. From unhinged' response it appears his is holding up after a stretch.

 

Mine was done with the pre-cut Xpel. Yes, it can be 'stretched', but I'd personally be wary of that. There's a reason it's manufactured the way it is. The few pros I've talked to about it don't like stretching it. It lays unevenly as it's not simply a matter of stretching over a symmetrical polygon. The way it's pre-cut, the stretch would be up near the front quarter where the hood hinges. (as mentioned by Jaguny above) One said (no confirmation from Xpel) that it could affect the warranty. From my, non-engineer perspective, the hood is particularly exposed to wide temperature deltas and it makes sense that the mfg would know best.

Remember that PPF is 'healing' meaning it's made to retain it's original state.

All that being said, I've seen more than a few cars with seamless pieces where there should be seams and it doesn't appear to be an issue. My sense is that most people don't keep cars long enough to see any PPF live out the 10 year warranty anyway.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that a lot of installers are new to PPF, even though they've been doing vinyl for years. They're different materials.

 

I had mine completed witha full paint correction and installation of Suntek for $1450. It was done in a day and I received a loaner vehicle as well.
I did not want them to stretch it, for several reasons mentioned above. The seam is hardly noticeable.

 

Yes...holding up well after 2.5 years, but done using roll material rather than precut.

 

Unhinged, can't remember-is yours ceramic coated also and if so over or under the film?

 

Does you 1800 include polishing out paint finish to remove clear coat scratches and other paint imperfections?

 

 

My wrap specialist indicates the ceramic applied over the wrap and is only formula that is designed for over wrap. I would except that wrap manufactures may not address coatings over or under their materials?

 

My wrap specialist is adamant about ceramic coating the car before installing the film because otherwise too difficult to remove film in 8-10 years when it needs to be replaced. Also, the film is designed to flex and self heal when impacted. A ceramic coat on top of the film would negate that property. That's his story, anyway, and he's sticking with it.

 

edit: accidental double

 

I'm sorry he's just wrong.

Coating the car before hand seems like a huge and unnecessary expense. You're losing all of the benefit of having the coating. The films are designed to be removed. Done right, it's not that hard.

The idea of coating over the film is that an extra layer of protection is nice, but you also get the 'hydrophobic' benefit. As for not self healing, I think the statement needs qualification. The coating will not stop film from self healing. At least in the case of Xpel. The coating may or may not self heal, which is completely different, (and not relevant, imo). Xpel spells this out clearly. I cannot speak for other MFGs. If debris makes it through the coating, the film is there and will heal. You can re-coat that spot.

Now that it's warning up, I'm getting a few small pieces re-done and will have the whole car C-Pro'd, including wheels.

 

What he said^^^