Ppf
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 139
Likes: 52
Ppf
Hey guys looking for some advice. Getting my brand new Eray this week. I am going to get it ceramic coated but I am still unsure about getting PPF put on. I have heard it does a good job protecting the paint but I have also been told by many people that the edges can lift and get a lot of dirt or mold under it. I have been getting quotes for like 4000 for ceramic and PPF. Looking for anyone who has had PPF and the goods and bads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 1,118
From: Western Mass
I find it worth it if it's done correctly. Correctly meaning that all edges are wrapped. I have the front of my car PPF'd and find that cleaning track rubber is easy and protects from chips and such. Ask the right questions to your potential PPF installer and ask how they handle edges and if they use precuts or not. Pre-cuts need to be large enough to wrap around edges and tuck into gaps.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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^ I agree, find an experienced installer that wraps the film over the edges.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 1,830
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
Yeah, anyone who has had the issues you described had a bad installation. I have always used Xpel and just had my new Z06 covered two weeks ago, they have a 10 warranty and will address any issue that may arise...
Do yourself a favor, contact a local corvette club (if you are not a member already) and get feedback from them on which PPF installers they have had good experiences with, they may also offer discounts to members...
Do yourself a favor, contact a local corvette club (if you are not a member already) and get feedback from them on which PPF installers they have had good experiences with, they may also offer discounts to members...
Last edited by ahalachis; Mar 25, 2026 at 08:52 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 1,015
From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I wouldn't have a vehicle w/o PPF at this point, at least on the nose and headlights, if not full front end plus rockers, which is what I usually do.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 2,036
From: Columbus OH
PPF only makes sense if you’re actually keeping the car long-term. Otherwise, you’re just spending a few grand to hand the next owner a nicer front end.
My biggest issue with PPF is what happens when it doesn’t self-heal. One decent hit and you’re left with a nasty gouge or scar in the film that sticks out like crazy—especially on dark paint. And unlike real paint, you can’t fix it with touch-up. You’re just stuck staring at this ugly blob until it gets bad enough to justify ripping off and replacing that section which isn’t cheap.
Honestly, in those cases, it ends up looking worse than a small chip in bare paint.
My biggest issue with PPF is what happens when it doesn’t self-heal. One decent hit and you’re left with a nasty gouge or scar in the film that sticks out like crazy—especially on dark paint. And unlike real paint, you can’t fix it with touch-up. You’re just stuck staring at this ugly blob until it gets bad enough to justify ripping off and replacing that section which isn’t cheap.
Honestly, in those cases, it ends up looking worse than a small chip in bare paint.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 430
Likes: 402
If you plan to keep the car for >2 years, ppf it. BUT find a good shop. My last car (BMW Z4) the shop did a decent job, but not great. With my ER, I got a better referral and man what a job they did!! Outstanding work. About $4500 for track pack plus full doors and ceramic on entire car. Just got back from a mountain road weekend with some buddies and the only chip I got was on an area that was not ppf'd (leading edge of the side blade). Makes driving the car so much more fun as you aren't warried about debris damage. Well worth it IMO.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 1,830
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
PPF only makes sense if you’re actually keeping the car long-term. Otherwise, you’re just spending a few grand to hand the next owner a nicer front end.
My biggest issue with PPF is what happens when it doesn’t self-heal. One decent hit and you’re left with a nasty gouge or scar in the film that sticks out like crazy—especially on dark paint. And unlike real paint, you can’t fix it with touch-up. You’re just stuck staring at this ugly blob until it gets bad enough to justify ripping off and replacing that section which isn’t cheap.
Honestly, in those cases, it ends up looking worse than a small chip in bare paint.
My biggest issue with PPF is what happens when it doesn’t self-heal. One decent hit and you’re left with a nasty gouge or scar in the film that sticks out like crazy—especially on dark paint. And unlike real paint, you can’t fix it with touch-up. You’re just stuck staring at this ugly blob until it gets bad enough to justify ripping off and replacing that section which isn’t cheap.
Honestly, in those cases, it ends up looking worse than a small chip in bare paint.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 257
From: Michigan
I 100% think at least front end/strike zone PPF is worth it on a $100k car you plan to keep and regularly drive. I'll do that and regular wax/polish jobs once a year and I'm good to go. That recipe has worked well for me on my toy cars and daily driver trucks for a couple decades now, and the films are barely noticeable these days.
The vette stays clean, doesn't see winter, and gets hand washed. With those parameters I somewhat oppositely don't really think spending big money on ceramic is worth it, whereas strike zone ppf saves me from bug damage and chips, which are the main issues for me here in Michigan with Michigan filthy highway driving.
The vette stays clean, doesn't see winter, and gets hand washed. With those parameters I somewhat oppositely don't really think spending big money on ceramic is worth it, whereas strike zone ppf saves me from bug damage and chips, which are the main issues for me here in Michigan with Michigan filthy highway driving.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,543
From: Rochester, NY
PPF only makes sense if you’re actually keeping the car long-term. Otherwise, you’re just spending a few grand to hand the next owner a nicer front end.
My biggest issue with PPF is what happens when it doesn’t self-heal. One decent hit and you’re left with a nasty gouge or scar in the film that sticks out like crazy—especially on dark paint. And unlike real paint, you can’t fix it with touch-up. You’re just stuck staring at this ugly blob until it gets bad enough to justify ripping off and replacing that section which isn’t cheap.
Honestly, in those cases, it ends up looking worse than a small chip in bare paint.
My biggest issue with PPF is what happens when it doesn’t self-heal. One decent hit and you’re left with a nasty gouge or scar in the film that sticks out like crazy—especially on dark paint. And unlike real paint, you can’t fix it with touch-up. You’re just stuck staring at this ugly blob until it gets bad enough to justify ripping off and replacing that section which isn’t cheap.
Honestly, in those cases, it ends up looking worse than a small chip in bare paint.
Save your money all this PPF and Ceramic coating is the latest money grab. Wax and drcolorchip is all you need. Why would anyone spend thousands of dollars to wrap their corvette against the possibility of a paint chip, oh my.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 538
Likes: 431
If the PPF gets a chip, you can have it replaced. It saved my paint twice already, and looks a ton better than touch up paint. I think the PPF/ceramic coating is great for a person that actually drives their car regularly. For garage queens, yeah it may not be worth the price to some.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 547
Likes: 229
From: East Coast Traveler
Hey guys looking for some advice. Getting my brand new Eray this week. I am going to get it ceramic coated but I am still unsure about getting PPF put on. I have heard it does a good job protecting the paint but I have also been told by many people that the edges can lift and get a lot of dirt or mold under it. I have been getting quotes for like 4000 for ceramic and PPF. Looking for anyone who has had PPF and the goods and bads.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 38
Likes: 31
From: Tampa, FL
You need to make the decision to do PPF upfront. You do not apply PPF over the top of ceramic coating. However, you can apply ceramic on the top of your PPF. Mine is having this done and should be ready for pickup tomorrow afternoon
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 66
Likes: 21
From: Missouri
These guys have covered it, great installer, do it while it's new, spend the $ if you plan to keep it. I did the whole car in Xpel. Drove a couple of hours to an installer that does exotic cars (St. Louis) and I am happy with what I have. I did the front and lower section and behind the wheels (Track pack) on my 2017 Chevy SS (Black). and that is what sold me to do the whole car (and Ceramic coat) on the C8 Z06. Sealant from Xpel a couple times a year and spray wipe the bugs between washes. Good luck with your decision.
Pro
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 651
Likes: 306
From: About an hour north west of Albany, NY
I'm not sure you even need that. My '11 SRT I bought new. Never PPF'd, ceramic'd or even waxed other than what they spray on at the local egg beater car wash. Car still looked awesome 12 years later when I sold it to the first person to look at it. PPF reminds me of my grandmas plastic couch covers.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,592
Likes: 1,710
From: Converse TX
Here is my results from having my Stingray fully PPF and trade in at 4 yrs, sales man said front has lots of rock chips, I said have your sales manager look at this fully PPF on my Stingray and then give me the trade on the ERay I want, I got high trade in on a 11k off on top of that on my ERay last July. With that I have done the same process on my ERay.