Tesla has PPF for rear fenders for US$50. Has anyone purchased it before? Are there better alternatives?
Model 3 All Weather Protection Kit
Model 3 All Weather Protection Kit
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Tesla Paint Protection Film for rear fenders
- Thread starter Mako3
- Start date
Interesting. The installation instructions show nothing about the PPF, but the picture seems to show that the piece of PPF fits over the back part of the rocker and the flare around the wheel wells. Seems like a good package and price to me.
XLR82XS
D M C
MUCH better alternatives. That small section helps but does not tackle rocker paint damage 100%. Best to install Xpel or STEK PPF on the entire rocker and up the 1/4 panel in front of the rear wheel.
I DIY'd for $124, using 3M scotchguard pro from invisiblemask.com. They have coupons, FAST5, for 5%. They include a nice kit with spray bottles, squeegees, microfibers.
You need 3 hands or two people, because the pieces are long. I used rhino ramps to raise the side up. Still you need to lay on your back. It's fairly easy, except that you have to lay on your back.
There are a couple other places that have good kits. 2018-2020 Tesla Model 3 3M Pro Series Clear Bra Rocker Panels Paint Protection Kit. I like this kit because it also includes the lower door parts. $180. You can pay $40 more for Xpel. I probably would have bought this kit, but I had already done the doors, so didn't need the lower door pieces, so got the invisible mask version.
Of course, Xpel also has a DIY kit.
You need 3 hands or two people, because the pieces are long. I used rhino ramps to raise the side up. Still you need to lay on your back. It's fairly easy, except that you have to lay on your back.
There are a couple other places that have good kits. 2018-2020 Tesla Model 3 3M Pro Series Clear Bra Rocker Panels Paint Protection Kit. I like this kit because it also includes the lower door parts. $180. You can pay $40 more for Xpel. I probably would have bought this kit, but I had already done the doors, so didn't need the lower door pieces, so got the invisible mask version.
Of course, Xpel also has a DIY kit.
Dolemite
is my name
This. I installed something a local installer calls the "track pack" - covers up any high-wear areas.
I DIY'd full hood, full fenders, door mirrors, full rocker panels coming up about 3/4 of the way in front of the rear wheels, the bottoms of the doors below the fold, A-pillars, headlights & fog lights. Took it to the local XPEL pros to do the front bumper & behind the rear wheels. Any areas that get very 3-dimensional, you're getting into some deep *sugar*. That's best left for the pros.
Just tried installing the same exact kit today and failed miserably by myself. The piece is too long to do yourself, and I ended with bubbles everywhere. did you have bubbles during the initial install?
I might just do the rear wheel well area and call it. Does anyone sell just those two rear pieces?
If you got bubbles and it's been a while don't try to get them out. Leave them and they slowly go away. It takes like a week.
Dolemite
is my name
Depends on the bubbles - only time will tell. Sometimes the fluid evaporates and the bubble remains.
Black306
Active Member
Yes, I tried the PPF kit. Not a fan. A picture on Tesla’s website suggests it’s a 1-piece kit; it’s not.
My intent was to show the install process, but for the life of me I could get them to line up in a way I liked. Ended up messing up the lower section and replacing it with some carbon fiber looking vinyl I had lying around.
I wouldn’t recommend this kit. If anything, buy a sheet of clear 3M material and cut out the area yourself.
My intent was to show the install process, but for the life of me I could get them to line up in a way I liked. Ended up messing up the lower section and replacing it with some carbon fiber looking vinyl I had lying around.
I wouldn’t recommend this kit. If anything, buy a sheet of clear 3M material and cut out the area yourself.
Attempted the other side and it has water bubbles along the panel. Hoping these will eventually dry out.
I should’ve did the rockers earlier with my front. There bottom corner is pitted and there is etched in stains all along the bottom. Clashing and polishing it didn’t remove the stains.
I should’ve did the rockers earlier with my front. There bottom corner is pitted and there is etched in stains all along the bottom. Clashing and polishing it didn’t remove the stains.
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I installed the Tesla kit on my white car.
Its alright. It seems as though the line in that lower area on your car is somewhat made by hand, as its not straight, or not the same on either side of the car. So the pieces of clear vinyl install slightly differently. I ended up using a LOT of heat from the hair dryer to get it to stick into that line indent that is there, likely because the line is higher on my car than it should be.
Used kid body was or shampoo or whatever it is in the exact amount the instructions say, no bubbles at all although I did work at it for awhile.
It is thick, so no more damage in that part of the car. I drive on paved roads only and by 4k miles already had a couple spots in that area where there were paint chips.
I'd say its thicker than the xpel I had professionally installed on other parts of the car, so you do see the edges.
Its alright. It seems as though the line in that lower area on your car is somewhat made by hand, as its not straight, or not the same on either side of the car. So the pieces of clear vinyl install slightly differently. I ended up using a LOT of heat from the hair dryer to get it to stick into that line indent that is there, likely because the line is higher on my car than it should be.
Used kid body was or shampoo or whatever it is in the exact amount the instructions say, no bubbles at all although I did work at it for awhile.
It is thick, so no more damage in that part of the car. I drive on paved roads only and by 4k miles already had a couple spots in that area where there were paint chips.
I'd say its thicker than the xpel I had professionally installed on other parts of the car, so you do see the edges.
Payjack
Member
I installed this kit on my 2020 after having rock chips in my white model 3 even with Amazon mud flaps after 4K miles also. I live in Arizona and we have lots of pebbles and gravel on the road. I had no issues with install but I took my time and went back and made sure it was down and pushed edges and bubbles out a couple times. I wasn’t a huge fan of each side being in 2 pieces but it didn’t come out bad at all. I have the front ppfd in expel and I think this is a little thicker.
danarcha
Member
Is it possible to remove this film if I installed it and didn't like the way it turned out? Or will it damage the paint if you try to remove it after installation?
Payjack
Member
It will come off pretty easy as long as you apply heat while you remove it. Plenty of YouTube videos showing ppf removal and if it’s new it’s easier.
Dolemite
is my name
You can buy in bulk off ebay. That's what I did & did most of the car myself. Not for the faint of heart.
Yup I’m thinking I didn’t use enough soap in the solution to allow the film to “slip”. It seemed to stick and lock in the bubbles. No amount of squeegeeing released them. Will try again as I ordered another full set for the rockers.
Dolemite
is my name
Guys just order in bulk from eBay, cut it roughly into shape, and apply it. It still won’t be “cheap,” but you’ll have enough material to get several tries. With the exception of the few inches between the door and wheel well, and the rocker panel portion (unless you’re wrapping the whole rocker - which I did on mine), everything else can be edge wrapped in that area. Cut straight edges with a fresh razor and a ruler for the visible portions. There’s nothing magical about the Tesla solution - in fact it might not even be 3M Pro Series. Just make sure you go over the little that runs down the side extremely thoroughly because it’s hard to get the air out and often you won’t see bubbles there until it’s too late.
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