DIY PPF and what I need to cover
#1
Le Mans Master
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Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Paoli, IN
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St. Jude Donor '17, '19
DIY PPF and what I need to cover
Hey Guys,
I wanted to know if anyone has applied the PPF on their own or know of kits to buy with precut pieces? 3k is a lot for me to spend even though it is very good. I try to do everything myself if I can.
I would think the bumper would be the hardest, so I can could see paying someone to do that. But the hood or rear panel are mostly flat.
My vette will have side skirts and I hope to put on the splash guards too. So I need it fro the rear panels in front of the rear tires? What about behind the rear tires? I don't think the whole car needs wrapped so I want to make sure I get all the right places.
What I think:
- front bumber
- hood
- rear quarter panels (if side skirts protect this, then remove from list)
- maybe side mirrors
I am considering the top just because I would handle it so much. Protect it from rings, handling when not 100% clean, and basic use.
Thanks for the help.
I wanted to know if anyone has applied the PPF on their own or know of kits to buy with precut pieces? 3k is a lot for me to spend even though it is very good. I try to do everything myself if I can.
I would think the bumper would be the hardest, so I can could see paying someone to do that. But the hood or rear panel are mostly flat.
My vette will have side skirts and I hope to put on the splash guards too. So I need it fro the rear panels in front of the rear tires? What about behind the rear tires? I don't think the whole car needs wrapped so I want to make sure I get all the right places.
What I think:
- front bumber
- hood
- rear quarter panels (if side skirts protect this, then remove from list)
- maybe side mirrors
I am considering the top just because I would handle it so much. Protect it from rings, handling when not 100% clean, and basic use.
Thanks for the help.
#3
Race Director
I've seen the professionals struggle with installs, so not something I would want to try even though I'm pretty handy in the garage.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 12-23-2017 at 08:10 AM.
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pkincy (12-22-2017)
#8
Hey Guys,
I wanted to know if anyone has applied the PPF on their own or know of kits to buy with precut pieces? 3k is a lot for me to spend even though it is very good. I try to do everything myself if I can.
I would think the bumper would be the hardest, so I can could see paying someone to do that. But the hood or rear panel are mostly flat.
My vette will have side skirts and I hope to put on the splash guards too. So I need it fro the rear panels in front of the rear tires? What about behind the rear tires? I don't think the whole car needs wrapped so I want to make sure I get all the right places.
What I think:
- front bumber
- hood
- rear quarter panels (if side skirts protect this, then remove from list)
- maybe side mirrors
I am considering the top just because I would handle it so much. Protect it from rings, handling when not 100% clean, and basic use.
Thanks for the help.
I wanted to know if anyone has applied the PPF on their own or know of kits to buy with precut pieces? 3k is a lot for me to spend even though it is very good. I try to do everything myself if I can.
I would think the bumper would be the hardest, so I can could see paying someone to do that. But the hood or rear panel are mostly flat.
My vette will have side skirts and I hope to put on the splash guards too. So I need it fro the rear panels in front of the rear tires? What about behind the rear tires? I don't think the whole car needs wrapped so I want to make sure I get all the right places.
What I think:
- front bumber
- hood
- rear quarter panels (if side skirts protect this, then remove from list)
- maybe side mirrors
I am considering the top just because I would handle it so much. Protect it from rings, handling when not 100% clean, and basic use.
Thanks for the help.
Like other responders, I strongly suggest letting a pro do the whole job. And not just any "pro" but the best shop within range. I'm near you in Bloomington, IN but I took it to Esoteric Auto Detailing near Columbus, Ohio. A superb job. They recommend Suntek, which I got, but will do Expel also. I learned that it was not for amateurs when I applied Expel's temporary "Track-Wrap" because my appointment was 6 weeks away. As an amateur doing your first car, you would be highly dissatisfied with your end result. I did everything forward of the doors, rocker panels all the way back, the mirrors and some behind the rear wheels. And all of the Stage 3 aero except the rear spoiler. Around $2500 in 2016. (ZO6/ZO7).
Last edited by Widgeon5; 12-27-2017 at 09:49 PM.
#9
Burning Brakes
No it's not that easy. And it takes a lot more time than you think.
First of all this is where you can buy pre-cut Xpel Ultimate kits as well as bulk stock. Also get yourself a squeegee or two from them too.
http://44tools.com/
Start with the easier panels. Anything straight and flat. The easiest ones I did were the hood (bikini cut), mirrors, door sills and head lights. Anyone can do those. I did my side skirts and splitter (off the car) and those were a bitch because they are not straight at all.
Some suggestions:
1 - Be Clean. Clean the car, clean your tools, clean your hands. If you get something under the film you will see it.
2 - You want two spray bottles. One for tact and one for slip. Slip is just tap water with a little baby soap. Tact is just distilled water and alcohol (google it).
3 - The film stretches a lot. A lot more than you think. I did my bumper and could not believe how far the pre-cut kit stretched.
4 - I don't suggest you cut any film on the car. Cut it before you apply.
5 - If you get a bubble or two they will probably dry out. But don't chance it, do a good job with the squeegee starting from the center moving out. Press down hard and even.
I bought pre-cut kits for the bumper and the the bikini cut for the hood and fenders (it also included the mirrors). The rest I did with bulk pieces. I probably spent $350 for all of the above and that includes re-doing the hood (twice .. once for a bubble that pissed me off and the second time I had a blade of grass under the film) with bulk stock. When I re-did the hood I was also able to wrap the edges.
Don't let anyone tell you that you cant do it. It just takes patience. I did it for fun.
First of all this is where you can buy pre-cut Xpel Ultimate kits as well as bulk stock. Also get yourself a squeegee or two from them too.
http://44tools.com/
Start with the easier panels. Anything straight and flat. The easiest ones I did were the hood (bikini cut), mirrors, door sills and head lights. Anyone can do those. I did my side skirts and splitter (off the car) and those were a bitch because they are not straight at all.
Some suggestions:
1 - Be Clean. Clean the car, clean your tools, clean your hands. If you get something under the film you will see it.
2 - You want two spray bottles. One for tact and one for slip. Slip is just tap water with a little baby soap. Tact is just distilled water and alcohol (google it).
3 - The film stretches a lot. A lot more than you think. I did my bumper and could not believe how far the pre-cut kit stretched.
4 - I don't suggest you cut any film on the car. Cut it before you apply.
5 - If you get a bubble or two they will probably dry out. But don't chance it, do a good job with the squeegee starting from the center moving out. Press down hard and even.
I bought pre-cut kits for the bumper and the the bikini cut for the hood and fenders (it also included the mirrors). The rest I did with bulk pieces. I probably spent $350 for all of the above and that includes re-doing the hood (twice .. once for a bubble that pissed me off and the second time I had a blade of grass under the film) with bulk stock. When I re-did the hood I was also able to wrap the edges.
Don't let anyone tell you that you cant do it. It just takes patience. I did it for fun.
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~Stingray (12-29-2017)
#10
Le Mans Master
I love DIY and don't want to discourage you, but this is one project I'd leave to an experienced professional. A lot of examples on the forum of a DIY job that resulted in the film going in the trash.
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Woodson (12-29-2017)
#12
Le Mans Master
There isn't much I won't DIY. I have extensive paint experience as well as the love of tearing things apart and rebuilding them better than ever. In an attempt to save you hundreds of dollars in wasted materials, please don't DIY this. I hated paying for it, but had no choice. Had both my Camaro and Corvette professionally XPELed.
#13
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2011
Location: Paoli, IN
Posts: 5,799
Received 398 Likes
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264 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
There isn't much I won't DIY. I have extensive paint experience as well as the love of tearing things apart and rebuilding them better than ever. In an attempt to save you hundreds of dollars in wasted materials, please don't DIY this. I hated paying for it, but had no choice. Had both my Camaro and Corvette professionally XPELed.
#15
Le Mans Master
OP, applying PFF on a test are will not damage your clearcoat at all (unless you use some superhuman strength to gouge through). So you're fine there. However, I'd recommend paying about $20 for a 1'x3' section of XPEL instead of the cheap stuff. This way you get to practice with the good stuff and see actual results.
#16
Burning Brakes
[QUOTE=~Stingray;1596311142]Have you ever heard of the PPF damaging the clear of the paint? [/0QUOTE]
I'm no expert, but not in my experience. Aged PPF might need a little heat to help it off, but I never had a problem.
I'm no expert, but not in my experience. Aged PPF might need a little heat to help it off, but I never had a problem.
#17
Burning Brakes
You are right though, places like the front bumper are difficult and very time consuming. It cost me $175 for a pre-cut if I remember right and I would not have been happy if something went wrong.
#18
Le Mans Master
This is a pic of the hood on my 13 1LE. It came wrapped from the factory. I had damaged it early on, then damaged it again during a trackday last summer. So I decided to rewrap it. I’m sure most will consider this a relatively flat panel. Good news here is it’s not see-thru, lots you can hide. Even this I tried but quickly realized that it’s above my skill level, took it to a buddy who does wraps and had him do it. I helped, but mostly with beer and pizza. My extensive paint, interior and mechanical skills mean nothing in this department. But try it yourself with a few small pieces and see what you think.
#19
Burning Brakes
This is a pic of the hood on my 13 1LE. It came wrapped from the factory. I had damaged it early on, then damaged it again during a trackday last summer. So I decided to rewrap it. I’m sure most will consider this a relatively flat panel. But try it yourself with a few small pieces and see what you think.
p.s. - did you use a pre-cut piece or did you start with a ~5 ft piece of bulk?
#20
Le Mans Master
5' bulk. Yes sir, I just wasn't talented enough to get any further than the flat cowl area