Ditto!
PPF longevity?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 233
From: Chicago Illinois
Good question, and I will be watching for the answers. I put PPF on my 06 C6 after a clear coat correction when I bought it 7 years ago. The PPF still looks ok, and it has performed well in its purpose of protecting the clear coat.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 41
From: Northridge Ca
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 247
From: Seattle, WA
Racer
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 482
Likes: 308
From: SoFlo
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There are many variables that effect the longevity of PPF and the biggest is that bright ball in the sky and how close you live to it. Most of the PPF films are rated 7-10 yrs outdoor exposure. If you garage your car and it's a weekend cruiser in NH, you may never need to replace it. If the car sits outside all the time somewhere here in FL, you are probably going to be in the 6 -8 yr range. Best advice is to keep your eye on it, when you notice corners lifting, yellowing, slight cracks, crazing, then its time to remove it. Don't let it totally fall apart as it is a bitch to remove and could damage the paint in extreme cases.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 211
Likes: 72
From: Ellisville Missouri
Our 2011 GS was PPF wrapped March 2011. The has 26,000 + miles and lives in the garage when not being driven.
The Vette is waxed, detailed etc. And Yes it is a garage Queen.
3MM PPF is the best investment.
The Vette is waxed, detailed etc. And Yes it is a garage Queen.
3MM PPF is the best investment.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,582
Likes: 1,661
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
One likely factor in the 15-year life of my 3M is that I have a Velocity Yellow car. Don't see the yellowing that might appear sooner on a white car.
My tip for removing is to get a steamer like this. Worked very well on nasty old film after trying everything else.
My tip for removing is to get a steamer like this. Worked very well on nasty old film after trying everything else.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 41
From: Northridge Ca
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,328
Likes: 6,508
From: Melbourne, FL
It all depends. If the car is stored inside in a low sunshine area, it's probably fine. If it sits outside in Florida... It's gonna wear out a lot faster than you think.
A year or two is all the PPF on my wife's Expedition lasts, sitting outside every day in Florida.
A year or two is all the PPF on my wife's Expedition lasts, sitting outside every day in Florida.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 124
I'm of two minds on removing it - on the one hand, nothing like freshly waxed/polished paint, especially the metallics. (LBR, my favorite). Mine was done by the po, and practically covered the whole car.
On the other, its nice to have it protected.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 41
From: Northridge Ca
Above is the exact answer I rec'd from Expel tech support last week. Its guaranteed for 10 years, which is how long its been on my '15, but it still looks fine. They suggested having it removed by an installer just to be on the safe side.
I'm of two minds on removing it - on the one hand, nothing like freshly waxed/polished paint, especially the metallics. (LBR, my favorite). Mine was done by the po, and practically covered the whole car.
On the other, its nice to have it protected.
I'm of two minds on removing it - on the one hand, nothing like freshly waxed/polished paint, especially the metallics. (LBR, my favorite). Mine was done by the po, and practically covered the whole car.
On the other, its nice to have it protected.
had the paint corrected/ polished before the XPEL ultimate went on over 6 years ago and with a white car dirt gets trapped under some of the lower seems where not over lapped.
The cars paint was perfect/ shinny before the Xpel went on. May just have it removed now that I’m retired and don’t drive a zillion miles on the freeway. May do a ceramic coat to bring out the shine. 2500 bucks has been well spent imho.
thanks,
BK
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,328
Likes: 6,508
From: Melbourne, FL
FWIW, the PPF on our car never cracked or yellowed, it just got dull. It has just the front slip done and you could see a BIG difference between the PPF areas and the painted ones the PPF areas looked dull and not glossy pretty much no matter what.
It also ripped a bunch when taking it off, and left a bunch of glue behind so that was it's parting gift to us lol. I'll never do PPF again, it's easier to just touch up rock chips if needed. If a car I'm interested in has a PPF or wrap on it, removal prior to sale or thousands of dollars off will be required. Just not worth the hassle of dealing with it.
It also ripped a bunch when taking it off, and left a bunch of glue behind so that was it's parting gift to us lol. I'll never do PPF again, it's easier to just touch up rock chips if needed. If a car I'm interested in has a PPF or wrap on it, removal prior to sale or thousands of dollars off will be required. Just not worth the hassle of dealing with it.
