This should be the title: PPF is no joke, great for looks and managing OCD - not for value
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PPF is no joke
- Thread starter lowtek
- Start date
Yep. I think there is only value if you drive them into the ground.This should be the title: PPF is no joke, great for looks and managing OCD - not for value
AnselmDante
Porn Stunt Double
I did PPF on the front of my car. Someone backed into me. Turns out PPF won't protect against a RAV-4. Still, I bet if I pull the PPF off those dents will look like new.
How hard is it for DIY? Almost all the detailers are saying it's going to be a disaster, as you can imagine
I have read @zoomer0056 's post. It sounds a lot of preparation and practice, but doable.
aerodyne
2 of 3 EV's - Defect Free!
I think a partial frontal PPF on the lights and bumper cover (Fascia) makes sense because that's where most of the damage and bug splatter is likely to occur, and repainting requires fascia removal which is a pain on the Refresh.
Xpel 10 on the wife's MB560 saved a cracked headlight that is 2600 for the part alone.
Thinking that the $700 I spent will be worth it just for reduced bug cleaning and ocd over rock abrasion.
Xpel 10 on the wife's MB560 saved a cracked headlight that is 2600 for the part alone.
Thinking that the $700 I spent will be worth it just for reduced bug cleaning and ocd over rock abrasion.
aerodyne
2 of 3 EV's - Defect Free!
Slice that new car price over 25+ years. Worked for me, and the car ('95 Integra) still works too.
Sadly, although I had dreams of keeping my MS for 15+ years, Tesla service seems intent on making that goal a nightmare.
zoomer0056
Active Member
If you like learning news things, skills, new tools and working with your hands this can be an excellent challenge. You'd get bragging rights plus a protected car. You can go simple and work just high impact areas or you can do the whole car. Start slow on simple pieces to get a feel for the material, tools and process. I like it!!!How hard is it for DIY? Almost all the detailers are saying it's going to be a disaster, as you can imagine
Great points. I will probably start from the fenders which look not too complicated in shape. I saw you did number plate first. It could be great too. I will get a small piece of film from ebay and give it a try.
beatle
Active Member
Agreed that frontal PPF probably offers the best bang for the buck. I would add mirror caps to the list. They take a real beating as well.
The rear bumper might also be worthwhile if you live in or commute to the city and parallel park the car a lot. At that point though, some people may just say "aw hell, just do the whole car."
K.I.T.T.23
Member
I have had mixed feelings about PPF. At first I was 100% behind it in all instances. Sure, it can cost, but to keep costs down just do the bumper, hood, and rear quarters. At least that is what I would do up here, in Colorado we get a lot of road-rocks.
That said, we had my wife's car wrapped, she wanted it purple, so we dropped the $4k (if I recall correctly) to have her MYLR wrapped. The car is white, and the wrap is a dark flat purple that kind-a shimmers to black, very sweet looking, but very dark. Being dark has become an issue because there are a ton, I mean probably hundreds of holes/divots in her bumper wrap. We were contemplating putting a sticker of Tinker Bell on her bumper, like she hit her because the white looks like pixie dust...
That said, we had my wife's car wrapped, she wanted it purple, so we dropped the $4k (if I recall correctly) to have her MYLR wrapped. The car is white, and the wrap is a dark flat purple that kind-a shimmers to black, very sweet looking, but very dark. Being dark has become an issue because there are a ton, I mean probably hundreds of holes/divots in her bumper wrap. We were contemplating putting a sticker of Tinker Bell on her bumper, like she hit her because the white looks like pixie dust...
zoomer0056
Active Member
Don't forget about the flared wheel wells in front of the rear tires. One year on my PPF shows most damage there on my Feb 2022 MSLR. As I write it seems the car runs over things more than running into things. Just run of the mill city/hwy driving in sunny SoCal.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
The front bumper is the hardest by far, as there are a lot of complex shapes that require shaping the PPF. The trunk is also fairly difficult. For those, as I was doing it, I really wanted to have a pro do it.How hard is it for DIY? Almost all the detailers are saying it's going to be a disaster, as you can imagine
However, things like hood, doors, rocker panels, pillars are quite easy. The fenders are about medium difficulty, with rear bumper a bit above that.
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
I would note that wraps are not the same as PPF. They are much thinner, do not provide the same protection and don't have any self healing properties. However, I have seen mentioned there are some vendors coming out with colored PPF that might be able to serve dual purposes.
zoomer0056
Active Member
Also the front bumper is two precut pieces. One for the splitter and one for the rest. Because of that there is a butt joint on either side of the splitter. For the rear it is common to buy a two piece precut for the upper hatch. Instead I went with bulk because I wanted the challenge of stretching around the hatch contour (Feb 2022 MSLR). Definitely DIY possible if you take your time.
Rocker panels is where most of my paint damage has occurred.
throw a set of those $40 front mudflaps on there too, that will cut down on a ton of debris coming up. If you drive in the low setting, it does take a little while for the flaps to wear down and they will rub over small bumps etc. Not a big deal, just know it's normal at first. Or you can trim them a little bit.
Just beware... mud flaps can also catch and *hold* debris (and salt) against the car. There are multiple sources that show this. Here's one:
Tesla's All Weather Protection Kit mud flaps appear to have a design flaw
It didn't take long though for people to begin noticing what may be a design flaw in the free All Weather Protection Kit mud flaps from Tesla.
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