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Would welcome any input on PPF and what people think. I know a lot of it is personal preference but wondering if after install you can tell the difference of where it's been installed and where it hasn't. Does it really make a difference? Living in TX with construction going on everywhere we are considering. Prices seem crazy high, however, if it delivers...
Would welcome any input on PPF and what people think. I know a lot of it is personal preference but wondering if after install you can tell the difference of where it's been installed and where it hasn't. Does it really make a difference? Living in TX with construction going on everywhere we are considering. Prices seem crazy high, however, if it delivers...
Thanks
Well, it really depends on the road conditions.
As example: driving in the winter with salt and sand on the road will make significant damage to the paint —> ppf is a must
However, driving in the LA with summer condition all year around does not make any sense
I've had PPF for 9 years combined with two cars so far. Sold the first car with PPF after 6 years. It did the job. Numerous rock impacts were stopped by the film. Left damage to the film, but didn't make it through to the paint. My previous cars all had a white rash on the front after the same timeframe from all the rocks and debris that gets thrown up on the highways. I live in NorCal, so you don't need salt and sand to get your paint blasted over the years. I've always had black cars, so any rock chips show as a white dot. PPF protects from many things, including stuff that edges the paint. I have some stains on the hood in the PPF from something that edged into the film. Won't even come out with alcohol. This would be in the paint if I didn't have PPF. Eventually I might redo the PPF on the hood to get it out, but they are not very visible unless you look for it, so it's not necessary at the moment, but glad to know it's only the film.
It all comes down to how much you value the paint looking great for years, instead of starting to show rock chips. Sure you could eventually respray the bumper etc., but in the meantime it'll collect rock chips. You can't see the PPF if done properly. Get a custom install with wrapped edges, so you can't see the film and do the full front instead of partial hood. The lines are visible and they collect dirt if you don't do the full panel. The only place where I can see the film are the door edges. I didn't do the whole doors, just the edges to protect it in case I accidently swing the door open too much. I have all the high impact areas covered with PPF. Full front up to the A-pillar, side mirrors, door handle cups, door edges and complete rear bumper. I had done the same on the previous car. BTW, my mirrors and A-wing in the front are carbon fiber and so is my diffuser and rear spoiler, so they'd be expensive to replace if damaged. Well worth it, IMO. The current PPF I have is self-healing, too, meaning minor scratches come out on their own by just parking the car in the sun. All it needs is heat.
Yes, it is pricey, and I wouldn't do it on a leased car, but if you plan to keep the car for a while and want it to keep looking great it's worth the price of admission.
Last edited by superswiss; May 23, 2022 at 01:11 AM.
I've had PPF for 9 years combined with two cars so far. Sold the first car with PPF after 6 years. It did the job. Numerous rock impacts were stopped by the film. Left damage to the film, but didn't make it through to the paint. My previous cars all had a white rash on the front after the same timeframe from all the rocks and debris that gets thrown up on the highways. I live in NorCal, so you don't need salt and sand to get your paint blasted over the years. I've always had black cars, so any rock chips show as a white dot. PPF protects from many things, including stuff that edges the paint. I have some stains on the hood in the PPF from something that edged into the film. Won't even come out with alcohol. This would be in the paint if I didn't have PPF. Eventually I might redo the PPF on the hood to get it out, but they are not very visible unless you look for it, so it's not necessary at the moment, but glad to know it's only the film.
It all comes down to how much you value the paint looking great for years, instead of starting to show rock chips. Sure you could eventually respray the bumper etc., but in the meantime it'll collect rock chips. You can't see the PPF if done properly. Get a custom install with wrapped edges, so you can't see the film and do the full front instead of partial hood. The lines are visible and they collect dirt if you don't do the full panel. The only place where I can see the film are the door edges. I didn't do the whole doors, just the edges to protect it in case I accidently swing the door open too much. I have all the high impact areas covered with PPF. Full front up to the A-pillar, side mirrors, door handle cups, door edges and complete rear bumper. I had done the same on the previous car. BTW, my mirrors and A-wing in the front are carbon fiber and so is my diffuser and rear spoiler, so they'd be expensive to replace if damaged. Well worth it, IMO. The current PPF I have is self-healing, too, meaning minor scratches come out on their own by just parking the car in the sun. All it needs is heat.
Yes, it is pricey, and I wouldn't do it on a leased car, but if you plan to keep the car for a while and want it to keep looking great it's worth the price of admission.
Like I said: it depends! There is no “one size fits all”
Have a 2011 with 138k miles in my garage with no rock chips or any other damage to the paint.
I have a 2021 E63s that was ceramic coated right after delivery. I considered PPF and decided against it as we don't put a lot of miles on it and don;t drive it unless the weather is good. After eight months I noticed the front bumper and grill were accumulating chips from rocks and road debris. I've had those repaired and the front end wrapped with PPF. It has definitely helped control damage to the paint. As mentioned, the film may catch a small nick, but the paint is protected. The only way I can tell the film is there is to put my finger at the edge and feel for it. It is pricey, but in the scheme of things a good option if you want to keep the paint from being damaged.
I put PPF just on the front end and ceramic coated the whole car. Glad I did. For starters, bugs don’t stick to it nearly as bad as they do to paint so washing is a breeze. My car is white and it is impossible to tell there is anything on there. A partial is the way to go if you are concerned about the cost.
In my opinion PPF isn't an option. If you go anywhere near a city, if there are any rocks at all on your roads, if you ever drive behind a pickup or a semi, it's critical. I have my car PPF'd and ceramic coated, both do different things. Ceramic coating won't prevent rock chips.
PPF is a must for anyone who puts legit miles on a nice car. When it’s on you will be less picky about weather and leaving it outside. Think of it as a car condom lol
I am a PPF convert. You made the right choice. Invisible, and less stressful when you get caught behind a loaded dump truck on the highway...or park next to your toddler's balance bike.
I am a PPF convert. You made the right choice. Invisible, and less stressful when you get caught behind a loaded dump truck on the highway...or park next to your toddler's balance bike.
I still avoid driving behind a dump truck, semi or pickup whenever possible. The most vulnerable part of my front end is the windshield now. I've cracked enough of them to be reminded that there's more debris flying through the air than one might think. We also have large radiators in the front that are not immune to be pierced by a flying rock, although, AMG has started to fit them with a protective mesh around 2019 and there's even a recall/campaign for earlier models. My '19 C63S coupe has them from the factory.
I’ve been fully wrapping my cars for years now. My first car that I wrapped was a BMW M3 back around 2008. I met up with the current owner last fall and the car still looks brand new on the outside after 14 years. We have so much gravel from winter, and dust being in the prairies, front ends are constantly sand blasted.
You do want to wrap it and consider ceramic coating
E63 will never see the bad weather of W.Pa. but wrap and then ceramic coat are a must. Have a daily driver 2012 E350 that is wrapped and although the film has a few tears the paint is undamaged. Plus you can scrub the bugs without worrying. Cant see the film even after 10 years on diamond white paint. The E63 is matte gray and they Expel makes matte finish film that is only evident if it is broken on a panel. The front bumper, hood and a pillars are 100% wrapped and is not visible. I should have done the full front fenders instead of partial because if you look you can see the seam/break. I also having the mirrors, door handle cups and trunk step done my total with Xpel 10mm film was about $1500. The ceramic coat was another $1500 including wheels and calipers using 7 year Duraslic extreme product. Money well spent in my opinion.
The car is at the installer and we were notified that they ripped one of the fender badges when removing to do the install. They are offering to order and replace but I'm wondering if the car would look better with the fender badges removed. I know it's personal preference but curious if anyone has removed the fender badges and what they thought?
Aren't you left with holes and grommets if you don't replace the badges?
No, they are actually held on by adhesive. Here is the photo they sent me without the badging. Kind of like it, however, waiting for the wife to weigh in.
Mine came with the badges, you can "delete" them from the factory. When I had my car wrapped and ceramic coated, they asked if I wanted the badges back on, I elected to leave them off. I don't need to "announce" to anyone that I have an E53. If they see the 4 exhaust tips, that's enuff!!!
I did full PPF and ceramic coating on my 21 E63S wagon. I didn't want to mess around with rock chips on the Brilliant Blue magno paint, and I'm not sure how easy paint correction would be on the magno colors. Plus, hand washing with the PPF/ceramic coat is a breeze. It's the first car I've done this for, so I'm a convert now. Would definitely do it on future vehicles as well.
I had PPF installed on my car, and I absolutely love it! It’s one of the best investments I’ve made for keeping my car looking pristine. The protection it provides against rock chips, road debris, and minor scratches is incredible. I live in an area with lots of construction, and without the PPF, my paint would have taken a beating.
The dealer did the front end/hood/mirrors/front fenders treatment before purchasing the vehicle in '19 and I've had no regrets, would absolutely do it again! But just today I noticed some damage to the top of the hood. Not sure if its in the paint or just the coating, likely just the coating. Is there a way to repair that or does it need to be replaced in its entirety?
