So I took a crack at PPF this past week. I Started with a front door panel thinking it would be easy, but I didn't really appreciate how difficult it would be and left more than a few bubbles. It seems just because there are no bubbles now doesn't mean that some won't appear. The water flows and gathers underneath the film when it dries. I did the opposite door the following day and it turned out much better, but still with a few bubbles that I am hoping would go away. There is a constant stretching and restretching to get rid of the fingers that needs to be done, and I think it would have been easier if my garage were warmer. I put a space heater in there, but really I needed the space heater just a few inches from the car for best results.
I figured the first piece or two would be the cost of tuition and handled a front quarter panel reasonably well. I didn't have any real issues with it and minimal if any bubbling. Again it is the constant and gentle stretching to handle the curves. The opposite quarter panel was going well too, but then I didn't leave enough excess because the stretching displaced where I wanted it to go, so I ended up leaving about a quarter inch uncovered. I was unhappy with that and in the process of trying to stretch it out ripped the film. I quickly tried to salvage that piece and did my mirrors and all 4 footwells. It wasn't a complete loss, but in some ways it really was a complete loss because I'm sure I would have had scraps that could have covered those areas as well. Also, I likely broke the clamps that house the side marker lights prying them out. They still pop back in, but I am sure there was more plastic before.
The hood wasn't too problematic, thought a few bubbles did appear. It also took a really long time just to wrap all the edges. The hood is really the only piece I would suggest amateurs try. I'd be really unhappy with the bubbles if I had paid someone to do it. Also, because it is such a large piece I put a few creases in the film when I was trying to unroll it, so I feel I traded in protection from scratches for creases.
Now I was ready to try the front fender. I was extremely careful and meticulous gently stretching as I went along. I was getting the film to lie perfectly (and occasionally I had to cut off some excess to keep it from creating wrinkles in the film), but I was so slow (4+ hours) that I didn't get to the edges and I feel like the film lost it's tack. I didn't even get to the bottom, so I had to basically cut off the bottom third in the middle because it was no longer tacky by the time I got to it. Some of the edges didn't stick and I fear that they will lead to the entire film peeling up. If I were to try this again, and I will never try this again, I would just do the aggressive coast to coast stretch. There are so many curves and concave surfaces on the front that it was nearly impossible. If there was an infinite work time, then maybe I could have gotten more than 2/3 placed, but there is a reason those pre cut kits have separate pieces for the bottom of the fender. I have enough scraps I can cut another strip to cover that, but it was foolish to try to do in one piece. There were two fingers up top next tot he hood that popped up and I can't get to stick back down, and that is most prominent surface. I'm torn between trying to glue it down and just ripping the whole thing off.
If I could do it over I would maybe do the hood myself, and just pay someone to do the front fender. The rest seems unnecessary, and I don't know if taking creases and bubbles if they don't go away is worth the trade off. I doubt I saved much off Autoflex spray shield, but there isn't a dealer anywhere within 3 hours. That would be my first choice if I did this again, either that or just leave it be.