Price is not a factor. When you touchup paint you are not replacing what was lost, nor returning the finish to its original condition. Its just masking a loss. When you replace film, its just few dollars a square foot, to go back to new.

The way to come out ahead on price is to learn to do the film yourself, its incredibly easy- especially these days because you can cut the film on car without any risk, thereby negating the need for perfect positioning and templates.

 

Queen and Country,

When doing paint touch up the proper way and you are only doing a few chips, it can certainly look as good as new. You need proper paint, brushes, leveler and knowledge of wet sanding. Then a good machine polishing and good as new. You simply can't do this repair with PPF film. For a panel that does not have PPF if you develop too many chips you would need to repaint entire panel.Most people will not replace a section of film for a few scuff marks from flying dirt, gravel, etc... Don't forget that I have had PPF done on 3 cars and they all developed scuff marks from flying rocks etc. and then you are stuck. Pay a few hundred bucks to have that section of film replaced? With money taken out of this equation you have many more options when doing a proper paint touch up then replacing film for every mark made from normal driving conditions. And I seriously disagree that a well done PPF install is a DYI project. There are so many variables involved in a good install that even the work of some professionals does not look very good. I experienced this with an experienced 3M installer. After he was done I had so many PPF mistakes that I told him to remove film and I paid him nothing. And this was a certified professional who does this every day. Your assertion of how easy PPF installation as a DYI project is seriously misleading and inaccurate.

 

If any of your argument was remotely correct, they would never sell PPF nor would it be invented! Folks would just save money and get their rock chips inexpensively and perfectly repaired by hand touching.

I have had it on my car for 5 years and it looks absolutely perfect. Never seen anyone paint a car with a paintbrush and get perfect results. Not even possible with spraying paint.

Moreover; a simple video is worth a million words

 

I have the full hood, bumper, mirrors, rockers and a pce behind the rear wheels......Haven't got a ton of miles on the car but the film has definitely saved me from some serious chips already so I'd definitely do it again.

Dave

 

On an F Type, we would typically recommend a "full nose": front bumper, hood, fenders, headlights and mirrors. This is considered the high impact area. The rocker panels are also a good idea to do as well.

 

 

There is some good advice in there; just need to separate it from the chaff.

Having just polished out some damage most foul, I can attest to the high risk areas: nose, mirrors, and behind the doors where the factory put the protection film. The hood is not free from chips, but they're surprisingly light.

Any part of the car has potential to get damaged, but that's where the 25k miles I've done show the most.

 

 

Interesting that your autocorrect turned "chaff" into "shaft."

Whatever have you been teaching it?

 

i don't particularly like clear bra - as a hobbiest detailer, the peel and synthetic look bugs me

i only apply it to side skirts - for the f-type this means the full rocker panel and under skirt blades to have zero edges

and i replace it every 12 months

 

 

I did my whole car in Xpel, in part because I wanted a particular look. I'd have to disagree with the notion of ceramic coating being a 'gimmick' with regards to rock chips, as it's another layer to get through. If the coating is all that's damaged, it did its job. As for the film, after nearly (only) 6k miles, it's still perfect, thanks to the self healing properties. There are terrible roads around here and a lot of asphalt reclaiming. I'm glad I have it.

 

Queen and Country,

There is no need to get nasty since my comments are based on experience. You talk about how much PPF is being sold and installed. I don't know of one person (nor does my body shop) who has PPF and this includes some very expensive cars. This is certainly not a good argument to defend the use of PPF. This is a very individual decision that most owners need to make based on their preferences.

And regarding your 3M video about this being a DYI project........this is CERTAINLY not a DYI project. I know that most people like to do things themselves for personal satisfaction and to save a few bucks. But.....just look at all of the DiY videos on this forum as well as other forums regarding how to easy it is to change brake pads etc... Then continue to read the forums and you will see many problems that this supposed DIY project has encountered and the owner then needs to go on the forum and ask questions because they are stuck and they don't know what to do. I am not saying that I am against PPF because I have had it installed on 3 cars. I am merely pointing out some issues that users of PPF may encounter which could easily be remedied with a good and solid paint touch up. I am not talking about taking the dealer's touch up paint with the fat brush which can be seen from miles away. I am talking about a proper touch up which requires skills, equipment, experience and most of all patience. Everyone has their own preferences is what I am saying and there is no need for you to turn this thread into a nasty debate.

 

Stick to the facts please, so as to be helpful to those looking for answers.
If someone believes no-protection is better than protection- Fine it speaks more to their emotions as opposed to logic.
1. PPF is inexpensive
2. Highly durable- 7+years
3. Easy DIY and no college degree is offered nor required. Not true of paint.
4. Available at virtually every detail shop- also a DIY trade.

 

Queen and Country,

1) inexpensive? About two grand or even more depending on what you want covered
2) highly durable? Yes unless a rock hits it which will leave marks on the film. Self healing? I got a bridge to sell you.
3) Easy DIY? This is about the most ridiculous thing you have said yet. I once had the shop foreman of a dealership who did PPF on the side do one of my cars. Once completed, I had him remove all film and paid him nothing. Air bubbles, seams, creases, etc. but you can keep telling everyone that it is an easy DIY
4) Every detail shop? Not quite accurate since most detail shops and dealers will contract this out to a sub who comes in to do the job. In fact, most good detailers will have a relationship with a PPF professional who actually does the job after paint corrections have been done by detailer. They know enough to know that this work needs to be done by a trained professional to get a good result but Queen and Country says EASY DYI. You can't be serious with this statement.

Queen- you can keep writing your inaccurate and insulting comments. I have nothing more to add to this thread which has become confrontational and immature. .Why don't we have everybody on the forum do a DIY for PPF and contact you to come and fix their mistakes because most of these jobs will look like crap. Now that is accuracy. Good night!

 

I had entire body excluding doors and roof glass panel done in xpel ultimate. This includes spoiler.

 

 

 

Lol please elaborate on this..

 

Agree with tzoid9. Took my car straight from the dealer to my guy for paint correction, PPF, and CQuartz. Used Suntek for the first time, have used Xpel on an R8, 911GTS, multiple Vipers and Raptors, as well as a 1098R and Brutale. Colors ran from orange, white, blue, red, black and lime green. Suntek appears to have more clarity at this point.

PPF and coating play different roles. I don't have time at this point to detail cars like I used to so the CQuartz is a blessing.

I love how the grass reflects in this CQuartz coated black Hellcat I used to own. Kind of Predator "blend in the background" camo.