keraj

I have a 2017 C63s Edition 1 in excellent condition (only 9kkm of mileage). I want to apply a clear matte protective PPF film to the entire car, but I'm facing a dilemma. As we know, the stripes on Mercedes are just regular stickers, and PPF film is also a type of sticker.

Possible solutions:

1. One detailing workshop suggested covering the original stripes with matte film, but unfortunately, the stripes would become matte as well and lose their effect. We tried it, and I don't like the result.
   
2. Another detailer wanted to trim the PPF film to the edges of the stripes, which was a good idea, but they changed their mind after considering the amount of work involved. No other detailer wants to take on this task.
   
3. Another option I came up with is to cover the original stripes with matte film and then apply new stripes on top using PPF film. This solution is not well-known among detailing workshops, and they are not very eager.
   
4. Most detailing workshops recommend removing the original stripes, applying the PPF film, and then reapplying new yellow stripes on top of the PPF film. This seems like a reasonable approach.
   

Questions:

1. Has anyone here applied protective film to a Mercedes Edition 1 with stripes? If so, what technique did you use?
   
2. Will potentially removing the original stripes to apply new ones on the film be seen as a loss of originality in the future?
   

Thanks

mars c63s

I applied matte ppf over the whole car. I thought I would hate the fact that the stripes lost their gloss but there's still a very strong contrast between the grey and yellow. I like it better somehow. Its balanced nicely and you can still see that the stripe is shinier than the paint job.

Yes, I wouldn't recommend cutting and patching the ppf around the stripes. Not only would this be a big job but prone to more mistakes and imperfections. Also every edge would introduce the possibility of pealing and dirt getting stuck in the edges.

Putting the stripes on top of ppf would mean buying stripes and installing them twice if you remove the ppf. And yes I believe you lose the originality of the edition 1 and those stripes will never be exactly in the same place again. I didn't go this route cause I didn't want anything removed from the original spec.

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keraj

In 7-10 years, there will be a need to replace the PPF film due to aging. Do you think that when removing the PPF film, yellow stripes will remain on the car's body, or will they come off along with the film? Have you discussed this matter with a detailing workshop? Of course, I am assuming that your car would still be an eye pleaser in a dozen years or so as a classic. These PPF films are not car lifetime, and they will need to be replaced.

japamg

Don’t ppf your car

keraj

Can you elaborate on your opinion? Unfortunately, after every even quiet ride, I get new stone chips on the paint, and it bothers me a lot.

japamg

To me ppf the car is like the Iphone screen protector….🤣

Having said that if chips bother you so much, then ok. To me I just drive the car as it is I will manage if something happens but won’t worry beforehand

keraj

There's nothing wrong with using a screen protector for an iPhone, as long as it's very good quality.

After conducting many tests at detailing shops, I found a PPF that looks great from every angle and doesn't ruin the matte paint of a Mercedes.

But what you mentioned is off-topic. We're not discussing whether to apply PPF or not, but rather how to apply it the best.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

This is, without a doubt, the worst piece of advice I've seen on this forum.

japamg

No ppf, no problems with the decals

Enjoy your car, don’t be like the guys that have a car like this when they cannot even afford it 🤗

kashkashio

mhm so following your logic, I should buy an iPhone 14 pro max for $1.4k and I shouldn't put a screen protector and just let it be. if it break I will pay the 379$ of screen replacement or 559$ of the back plate?

Well, I think that this kind of way of thinking fits people who are filthy rich and really don't mind buying a new iPhone or paying the money to fix that stuff.

I do not agree with you, I just PPF'ed my car for a freaking $8k, yes its a lot of money but I have OCD, and I'm a perfectionist and every scratch or touch in the body would bother me, and will make me hate my car or wanting to replace it.
So 8k bought me a huge piece of calm and silence in my mind. Instead of parking it and always worrying that someone will door me, or good forbid getting keyed. this is matte color and trust me, fixing the paint will be such an headeach so most of us rather to prevent. we like to act instead of react. when you act you get to choose, to maneuver. when you react, you are in the grace of so many things.

FDNewbie

So what I did with my EDN1 was PPFed matte the entire car (stripes included), then they applied clear (shiny) PPF over the stripes only. And that turned them from matte back to nice and shiny like OEM. That's my suggestion.

keraj

Wow, very interesting solution. I will ask my detailing store. And is it good from all viewing angles, don't you have that from some angles the yellow color disappears because of the two films?
Only with one matte film I have so that from some viewing angles the yellow color is completely lost.








BTW:
1 = Avery
2 = Stek 200
3= stek 150
all matte

FDNewbie

No, I haven't noticed any change in the color at all, irrespective of the angle.

FYI, we used Xpel film for both (stealth for the matte, then regular over the stripes). And if your PPF guy is good and takes his time, and cuts the PPF to match the exact dimensions of the stripes, you'll never be able to tell that the stripes are covered twice.

keraj

Thank you, you don't know how much you helped me. Today we did tests in the detailing workshop with STEK films and they came out very well. The yellow color is 100% faithfully preserved under every viewing angle. Under some angles yellow stripes become more shiny than they were, but I prefer this solution over losing color in case of matte foil. So we put STEK matte on the whole car, and then STEK shiny in cutouts only on yellow stripes. Eureka! Thanks again.Your detailing workshop's specialists are really very ingenious. I have been to five different detailing workshops and no one has come up with this idea.

FDNewbie

So glad I could help Even more happy you're keeping (and protecting) the factory stripes. The EN1 is a rare beast, and looks amazing in its original form, decals and all!