When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I would suggest that any of you with no experience who believe that doing an outstanding PPF job is an "Easy DIY" take a good read of above link. One of you will come back with insults like, "mow your own lawn," " No college degree required" etc.. but read this article and use good common sense. I don't really care about how 3M chooses to advertise their products to appeal to the masses but in this case, their advertising strategy of PPF film being an easy DIY is simply false and misleading.
So I am confused.
How does one become an expert in applying PPF?
Is there a school or course?
Or are the tens of thousands of high school dropouts who now do this for a living just born with it, like roofing.
I think I have it, its a skill passed down from many generations.
Me thinks kids just watch a few youtube videos.
Regardless, you missed the point: which is not about folks should apply their own, and many do, point is; its not ASE Certified skilled labor so it should not be expensive.
If it is, its because they see you coming. I recall few years ago dealers were selling Simoniz ceramic coating for up to $3500 and offering warranty. It was a sham. You can bu the bottle on ebay now for $25. And a child can apply it.
Q&C; I do believe their is a premium being paid for having it applied "professionally" as with many other things associated with our cars.
Precisely. And one has to know how to navigate those waters.
Which is why I was showing the other end of the spectrum so folks can see the range.
What spanky was proclaiming- that PPF cost $5k is just laughably wrong and folks should not even register that. For one, its meant to be a sacrificial layer, who would be foolish enough to pay more for the temporary sacrificial layer than the permanent one. It tests logic.
See folks. Just take a look at Queen and Country most recent post. Sarcastic, immature and insulting as always. I will no longer be adding anything else to this thread because nothing of substance is being offered. Only sarcastic and immature comments when certain people get all bent out of shape because there are different opinions than their own.
Good luck to all you DIY"ers who tackle this job. Any problems.......contact Queen and Country because according to him even a monkey can apply PPF film correctly. Q and C- once again you managed to get your last sarcastic and ignorant comment in. I guess that's just your style and many people suffer from this show of inadequacy. Don't know if you are married or not but you must be a real "joy" to come home to.
Good luck to all who have been following this thread to actually learn something. i sincerely hope that your installations go well. Bye!
I applied Suntek PPF to the my headlights, entire hood, mirrors, and rear hips (area in front of rear wheels). I also ceramic coated all surface areas minus glass. In this pic you'll see where I removed the factory ppf which turned yellow over some time. I replaced it which a much larger piece which is virtually undetectable.
I had Xpel on previous white cars which held up very well over the years. I am not married to either brand, I went with Suntek this time around due to recommendation of my installer. From personal experience I would say having a good installer is more important than film used (assuming you are not using cheap ppf).
After: The new film is covering a much larger surface area following the lines of the panel for a cleaner look. Before: The original film became a yellowish eyesore after 2k miles /3 years.
You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.
You are probably right. $5k film to protect $4k paint job. And it doesnt look as good as paint.
Reminds me of when folks put clear plastic to protect their floral print sofas.
BTW. I only paid $700 for mine right out of the dealership. JAGUAR JAGUAR
Not sure what the argument is, but I think the previous comments are denoting that other than standard shop overhead and experience, there is nothing else that should be built into the rates. So, if you are feeling feisty maybe you can beat up your installer a little bit on cost, if you live in a competitive market. If not, you should probably be nice and pay the posted rates.
Not sure what the argument is, but I think the previous comments are denoting that other than standard shop overhead and experience, there is nothing else that should be built into the rates. So, if you are feeling feisty maybe you can beat up your installer a little bit on cost, if you live in a competitive market. If not, you should probably be nice and pay the posted rates.
There are 2 arguments. One is that PPF is cheap, and the other is that there is little skill required to apply it properly. In the case of materials, there are 3 or 4 brands of film (and specific SKUs...important) that are proven, time and again, across the entire automotive enthusiast community to be the best. They all cost about the same, or as near as makes no difference. Of COURSE you can go online and buy cut rate garbage, bulk film of unknown SKU, etc etc. You can also enjoy that it has a litany of performance, adhesion, longevity, discoloration and removal issues.
As for the installation...again...fatuous argument. Anyone can do anything. The labor rate paid is determined by the market. Smart people pay professionals for services because they spent the time learning how to do it properly and have hundreds or thousands or tens of thousands of hours of experience.
There is a recurring theme in this forum...spending $100k on a car is perfectly reasonable, yet spending X, Y or Z on something for that car is mind blowing.
The bottom line is that people with high end cars, who know the market and are looking for particular product/service are all paying the same rates, geographically adjusted. And someone who's done 10,000 hours of applications is producing a better result than some clown in his garage with eBay film and a hair dryer. Some of us care about that.
Actually the argument was not about cost of PPF nor ease of installation.
Those who dislike PPF said it gets damaged easily and cost a fortune and can ONLY be done by professionals.
Moreover- paint touch-up was easier.
Categorically Wrong.
There is no such thing as professional training for PPF. Everyone is self-taught.
There are thousands of PPF installation videos by the manufacturers.
No paint manufacturer would tell you to touch up yourself.
Incidentally the link I posted earlier for PPF @ $5 a sqft is from the Largest PPF reseller in the world. Available to all. And they carry 3m Pro- the best bar none.
Fellers.com
Picture is worth thousand words. Which one of the 2 processes in the video would you attempt or pay more for.
Anyone interested in PPF should simply go to meets, see it up close, get quotes from multiple vendors and go from there. You know, like consumerism 101.
Just remember this thread when you see the guy with peeling, yellowed, crooked, bubbling film. As will I, when I get asked if my car is factory painted, which happens weekly.
Sinjen...your comments are outstanding and I could not have stated them more eloquently and accurately. I have experience with 3 cars, all filmed with Xpel. I have seen the certification paperwork from my installers business. To attempt installing any high end PPF without any training and experience handling this product is a foolish maneuver. Great post....thank you!!
This may explain why some folks are confused about non existing things NOWADAYS such as scratching and yellowing. Its now clear that the naysayers dont even know which film avoids all that entirely.
Ya Larry is a great detailer. Did he say it was the best? I must've missed that. I do love this video where he has the guys from Xpel come install their film on his own 964.
The biggest risk with PPF is that the adhesive bonds or leaches with the clearcoat over time. Lets be honest, no one has a 100% way of telling you what a adhesive invented last year will do 7 years from now. We have some accelerated tests, but they are never the same as real world test where there are other unaccounted factors that go into play.
When we first started using ppf film on protecting our shipments, we found out the expensive way that there were unintended repercussions. Such as some films were not breathable and our still curing paint would get cloudy. Had we used 3M we would have saved ourselves a lot of grief for the following reason....
3M has the most advanced and extensive adhesive testing in the world and guarantee is the nature of their business. When 3M tells you can put attach aircraft panels using their tape, or in the construction of skyscrapers with tape- they put up their bank account as collateral. So their bank balance and reputation in research is far greater than some company that was making sun shades.
The rare as hen's teeth Ferrari TDF is the perfect example. This car has to be perfect and the paint underneath is very valuable. The car is worth more than the smaller companies making PPF.
"PPF Easy DIY"? No WAY!!!
