Paint protection
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 40
From: Canada
Paint protection
I'm just curious, how many of you have done some sort of paint protection film (PPF) on at least the front of your cars. I am considering it but just not sold on whether or not it is worth it given the amount of miles i put on it. I know some of you may say the repair of a rock chip would be worth the cost, but there is also risk that the PPF would provide much protection if the rock hitting a fiberglass fender or hood is on the bigger side.
The other issue I have is that I have the Grans Sport with the Heritage package and the hash marks on the fenders and the stinger decal.
I was told that the PPF if laid over top of the hash marks or stinger decal could peel off the decal if the PPF was ever required to be removed. Also wondering what your thoughts are on that.
I've always been over protective of my vehicles and is it time to just stop and enjoy the damn thing ... lol
Thanks in advance
The other issue I have is that I have the Grans Sport with the Heritage package and the hash marks on the fenders and the stinger decal.
I was told that the PPF if laid over top of the hash marks or stinger decal could peel off the decal if the PPF was ever required to be removed. Also wondering what your thoughts are on that.
I've always been over protective of my vehicles and is it time to just stop and enjoy the damn thing ... lol
Thanks in advance
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
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There are literally DOZENS AND DOZENS of threads (in all sections for that matter) about PPF.
Search is your friend
Search is your friend
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
I did a lot of research and put a quite a bit of thought into it, even visited the booths at Carlisle right after I got my '17 GS and just couldn't justify the $800>$3000 (pending on coverage) it cost.
I'm careful in that I try not to follow too close especially behind trucks, construction equipment/ trailers etc and try to stay off the interstate highways during busy times. So far I have NO damage.
To make my decision easier, someone hit a door against my Tacoma fender flare putting an ugly nick in it. Took it to my Body Shop and they repaired/painted it perfectly for $191. So my point is that I can get a hell of a lot of stone chips fixed for $1500>$3000.
Just not worth the cost to me. If you drive daily in a busy metropolitan area then it may be worthwhile to you.
I'm careful in that I try not to follow too close especially behind trucks, construction equipment/ trailers etc and try to stay off the interstate highways during busy times. So far I have NO damage.
To make my decision easier, someone hit a door against my Tacoma fender flare putting an ugly nick in it. Took it to my Body Shop and they repaired/painted it perfectly for $191. So my point is that I can get a hell of a lot of stone chips fixed for $1500>$3000.
Just not worth the cost to me. If you drive daily in a busy metropolitan area then it may be worthwhile to you.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Jun 12, 2020 at 06:00 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 92
From: Wynnewood Pennsylvania
Perhaps you play the odds? . I have PPF on the nose, mirrors and headlights only at a really affordable price at the time. I try to pay close attention to drivers ahead of me. Three years later, there are two marks on the nose and none elsewhere. When it gets more dinged up, I'll replace the PPF. Have fun; drive your car!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 666
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From: USA - Already a great country!
I haven't done it. It costs a lot, and I've seen some that frankly do not look very good. Removal can be a problem as well. Lots of folks love it. Clearly it is a personal choice. Ultimately, my decision was to save the $$$ now, and if it really needs it get it repainted down the road. I've had a handful of sports cars, and never regretted that stance. Had one front end repainted, but I bought that car used, and it needed it when I bought it.
Done lots of highway trips in my Vette during the past year, so far not a scratch or a chip.
Done lots of highway trips in my Vette during the past year, so far not a scratch or a chip.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,274
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From: Rochester, NY
Save your money follow Kevin Jones advice per his post. You can always get a chip fixed for very little cost or purchase drcolorchip and do it yourself. Changes are you will not have to do either. Not sure why owners think they have to wrap their car in plastic.
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I went the full front end install of Xpel on my car and yes, it was expensive (around $2K all total). But it was my choice to give the car as much protection as I could. I know for a fact that the Xpel has prevented damage to the paint on the car. Was it $2K worth of damage - not at this point but over time it very well may prove to cost more to repair than the Xpel cost.
Bottom line is you just have to decide for yourself whether installing the PPF is worth it to you. As evidenced in this thread, some feel it is, some feel it is not.
Bottom line is you just have to decide for yourself whether installing the PPF is worth it to you. As evidenced in this thread, some feel it is, some feel it is not.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 872
From: Indian land SC
I’d say go with just the front bumper....other than that seems overkill....the front bumper does take a betting and for about 400 bucks you can get it wrapped and protect it...other than that I don’t think necessary.
im having mine done in two weeks and have been debating for a couple months too
im having mine done in two weeks and have been debating for a couple months too
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
For those who do decide to have PPF installed I would recommend you be VERY Selective in choosing your installer as there's a wide range of install quality out there.
Some you can hardly tell they're covered while others are obviously at a glance.
Some you can hardly tell they're covered while others are obviously at a glance.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Jun 12, 2020 at 09:44 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 600
Most everyone with PPF will say it is worth it.... The real answer is "It Depends"
your going to pay one way or another... It will cost about 3 grand to "remove, repair, repaint, and put parts back on the car" and pray you get a great painter that can match the rest of your car....
or, you use dr color chip and repair it yourself> this will get 1 to 3 grand taken off when you trade in
or you could pay for PPF
I think all this will depend on how much your going to drive your car and how YOU use it....
I daily drive mine, just hit 49,000 miles and have 15 rock quarries around me with tons and tons of sand, gravel and work trucks driving on all the roads around me.... I chose to fully wrap my car in PPF, yes its spensive but the car is protected in everything these roads can throw at me, I have gouges taken out of the PPF but no damage to the paint.. On my last car I did not have PPF on the hood and a 1 inch x 1/2 inch gouge out of the hood with 1 rock from a passing truck = bad day.. at 100,000 miles it will still look the way it was when new and that is worth the extra cost for me...
your going to pay one way or another... It will cost about 3 grand to "remove, repair, repaint, and put parts back on the car" and pray you get a great painter that can match the rest of your car....
or, you use dr color chip and repair it yourself> this will get 1 to 3 grand taken off when you trade in
or you could pay for PPF
I think all this will depend on how much your going to drive your car and how YOU use it....
I daily drive mine, just hit 49,000 miles and have 15 rock quarries around me with tons and tons of sand, gravel and work trucks driving on all the roads around me.... I chose to fully wrap my car in PPF, yes its spensive but the car is protected in everything these roads can throw at me, I have gouges taken out of the PPF but no damage to the paint.. On my last car I did not have PPF on the hood and a 1 inch x 1/2 inch gouge out of the hood with 1 rock from a passing truck = bad day.. at 100,000 miles it will still look the way it was when new and that is worth the extra cost for me...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 1,159
From: Wauconda Il
I'm just curious, how many of you have done some sort of paint protection film (PPF) on at least the front of your cars. I am considering it but just not sold on whether or not it is worth it given the amount of miles i put on it. I know some of you may say the repair of a rock chip would be worth the cost, but there is also risk that the PPF would provide much protection if the rock hitting a fiberglass fender or hood is on the bigger side.
The other issue I have is that I have the Grans Sport with the Heritage package and the hash marks on the fenders and the stinger decal.
I was told that the PPF if laid over top of the hash marks or stinger decal could peel off the decal if the PPF was ever required to be removed. Also wondering what your thoughts are on that.
I've always been over protective of my vehicles and is it time to just stop and enjoy the damn thing ... lol
Thanks in advance
The other issue I have is that I have the Grans Sport with the Heritage package and the hash marks on the fenders and the stinger decal.
I was told that the PPF if laid over top of the hash marks or stinger decal could peel off the decal if the PPF was ever required to be removed. Also wondering what your thoughts are on that.
I've always been over protective of my vehicles and is it time to just stop and enjoy the damn thing ... lol
Thanks in advance
Advanced
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Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Stockton, ca
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 414
Likes: 85
From: Lexington Park, Md
I had it done, love it...it depends on where you live and what kind of roads you drive on. Here in Maryland the roads are ruff and had some chips but were fixed. So it's up to you easy to clean just spray and wipe....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,137
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From: Kannapolis MA.
Going on 24k miles now.No hovering around trucks.Pass them suckers quickly
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
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From: South Dakota
I had Xpel applied to my C7 on the entire front bumper, headlight covers and rear view mirrors. It was $495.00 plus tax. I feel it was worth it to avoid all the little chips from road grit that can occur over the years.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 60
From: Oregon
I went with the Xpel on mine and was expensive. I plan on driving the car and want it to look good for many miles. The PPF keeps the shine regardless how good at the wax job. I have had the road department paint the car for me(white on a Drk blue car )so I was able to get the paint off of the sides with out damage to the cars paint or the PPF. I did a road trip on Rt 66 (before sideskirts and fender extentions) and it really did a number on the lower area in front of the rear fender on both sides. All we had done was strip the PPF in that area and the paint was fine. Had the PPF reinstalled and now with sideskirts and the extentions it is no longer a problem.
Just my two cents
Just my two cents