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PPF or not PPF
- Thread starter asterothe
- Start date
zoomer0056
Active Member
In the Model S, the rear wheel wells are flared out. Rocks kicked up find the area in front of the rear wheel.
Seriously considering the MYLR to replace my '23 Bolt EUV Premier (with SC and S&S) and I was going to "take Ultra Red for $2,000, Alex"...or Art (Fleming), for us old folks). But I'm NOT going to "cover my couch with plastic," so I think "I'll take Pearl White for $1,000" to better hide the chips. Unfortunately, here in Texas, it seems like at least 90% of vehicles, when you include pickups and work vans, are WHITE.
I am totally on the white bandwagon when it comes to Tesla. I am on my 4th white Tesla. Three of them were purchased in Texas. The other in Florida. The white has held up well.
For the MYLR, and its bulbous nose, which is what I ordered first and in Florida, white was really the only way to go. I saw a red Y with less than 1 year and 20k highway miles and the face looked so pockmarked it was like a high schooler with an acne breakout. I never thought about going with another color since then.
I didn't PPF my 3 and it has done better than I thought it would. I did full PPF on my MS LR and Plaid. Doing something for the Plaid was a must for the rear and the nose given the speeds it sees. Launching hard with all that power and big sticky tires, sure flings up a lot of crap on the car. The PPF has kept the car looking pretty much perfect.
I am not OCD to the point of being CDO, but I like my cars looking nice. That's why our kid rides in my the 3 and not the Plaid most of the time (it is mostly my wife's car).
For the MYLR, and its bulbous nose, which is what I ordered first and in Florida, white was really the only way to go. I saw a red Y with less than 1 year and 20k highway miles and the face looked so pockmarked it was like a high schooler with an acne breakout. I never thought about going with another color since then.
I didn't PPF my 3 and it has done better than I thought it would. I did full PPF on my MS LR and Plaid. Doing something for the Plaid was a must for the rear and the nose given the speeds it sees. Launching hard with all that power and big sticky tires, sure flings up a lot of crap on the car. The PPF has kept the car looking pretty much perfect.
I am not OCD to the point of being CDO, but I like my cars looking nice. That's why our kid rides in my the 3 and not the Plaid most of the time (it is mostly my wife's car).
TBrownTX
Active Member
A few weekends ago, I got the clay bar out, cleaned the car well, and stripped any old wax. I used the touchup paint to carefully fill chips on the rockers, hood, front bumper, and rear fender flares.
Next was a gentle polish and a fresh coat of wax. It looks almost as good as new.
You can see an indention where the chips were in the right light when up close, but they are otherwise indistinguishable. I've swung back the other way now, thinking a good detail and touchup will keep me happy.
I reserve the right to change my mind again of course before placing my order in the spring.
Our latest blog posts to help answer common questions about PPF or Vinyl Wraps. Will be many more added in coming days weeks and months so stay in touch.
How does PPF compare to vinyl wraps?
Is Paint Protection Film Expensive?
Paint Protection Film vs Ceramic Coating Brentwood
TBrownTX
Active Member
My '24 has a small bit of film applied in this area from the factory. Not sure if that's normal or new, but figured I'd mention it.
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Bigriver
Member
My November 2023 model S also has it. Don’t like the line/ridge it creates on a partial panel application though. Good enough for now.
Yes, as said earlier ’23 had it as well (inclufing my late masch 2023 MSP).
Stones hit above that area.
The PPF Kit I got mounted includes ripping that off and mounting a much higher one.
zoomer0056
Active Member
My 2022 MSLR also had factory applied PPF on that part of the car. I took it off when PPFing my car and found it was thicker than regular PPF. Very nice. After applying PPF to my car, I then reapplied it to that area and other high wear areas.
TBrownTX
Active Member
Yes, it seems pretty beefy, that's for sure. I'm glad it's there. That area was beaten to snot on my M3P, and I'm sure the S would be worse with the more pronounced flair.
After 22k miles on my MS, there are a lot of rock chips on on rear half of the rear door as well. So if you're looking for more protection you might want to cover that part of the door as well. Having said that, if I were to PPF my cars I would only do the bumpers to protect against people scraping my bumpers in the parking lots. Minimizes the risk of repainting the whole bumper. You can't see most of these rock chips if you're standing a few feet away. Save your money.
As I wrote earlier I was not very positive to PPF when I had the half kit installed.
Knowing what I know now I would do the complete car.
TBrownTX
Active Member
How do the rockers hold up on the Model S without PPF, compared to say the front bumper?
Generally speaking, they will begin to eat themselves in time especially with highway driving; to what extent is based on how the highways are in your area with sand, rocks, road debris.
If you drive any amount of miles do yourself a favor and install mud flaps on at least the front. Even more important on the current refresh. The ones Tesla is currently selling are good. Stiff on the top and flexible on the bottom. The early version was probably too long. These are better. They will drag occasionally but doesn’t seem to bother them at all.
BMW M4s and 911s come with this same lame patch. Totally inadequate obviously. Tesla paint is much more chip prone than these other makes/models. The entire rear door and rear haunches get peppered with debris over time.
My 2023 MSP's been XPel'ed since birth. Zero chips and the best part is since I own a black car, zero swirls since it self heals. 100% satisfied.
TBrownTX
Active Member
I have finally made up my mind on how I will proceed with my Model S.
After over three years of ownership, my Model 3 was peppered with stone chips. I'd guestimate 90% of those chips were on the front bumper, mirror caps, and rocker panels. I had some additional on the hood and rear doors, but nothing like the aforementioned areas.
So, on my S, I am going to go with those three areas only. There's a good hunk of factory PPF at the rear doors. I can accept some small chips on the hood and rear doors; I'm good with touchup paint for those areas; they don't get sandblasted like the others.
These areas are also all plastic, so I'm not so worried about uneven fading versus doing the popular "front end" ppf that includes the hood and fenders. I have no desire to PPF the whole car, i like detailing, hand washing and polishing my car, so the value is not there for me.
The bonus is that the PPF guy will also remove the front plate holder for me.
After over three years of ownership, my Model 3 was peppered with stone chips. I'd guestimate 90% of those chips were on the front bumper, mirror caps, and rocker panels. I had some additional on the hood and rear doors, but nothing like the aforementioned areas.
So, on my S, I am going to go with those three areas only. There's a good hunk of factory PPF at the rear doors. I can accept some small chips on the hood and rear doors; I'm good with touchup paint for those areas; they don't get sandblasted like the others.
These areas are also all plastic, so I'm not so worried about uneven fading versus doing the popular "front end" ppf that includes the hood and fenders. I have no desire to PPF the whole car, i like detailing, hand washing and polishing my car, so the value is not there for me.
The bonus is that the PPF guy will also remove the front plate holder for me.
This is no narrow, tiny body, budget Model 3. The refreshed Model S has some seriously beautiful rear haunches. That entire rear door area plus the rear quarters will get blasted.
I went in thinking the way you did, partially doing it, but quickly ealized if I'm spending the money, do it all or don't do it at all especially since the XPel film self heals under the sunlight.
Front plate is stupid ez to do. Just get some Home Depot string, adhesive remover and gonzo.
Gl!
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