I have many questions about Protective Paint Film. First can you guys give me some type of cost to have the complete C8 done? I am assuming Xpel is the way to go but manybe not any thoughts?

I am on the fence on having this done so for those guys that have had it completed on their cars I a would love to get your thoughts.

Thanks

 

I didn't do complete car - I did a 'track' package - front hood, bumper, front fender, headlights, side skirt area, boomerang and area right behind tires and the cost was $3,000 including tinting my windows (two door windows and HTC back window). I did the thicker mil on the side skirt area with the XPEL.

 

XPEL is only one of 4 or 5 quality brands of PPF.

First and foremost, the installer matters more than brand of film.
Second, you want self-healing film.
Third, you want the brand your installer prefers. Why? Because if it installs easier, then the installer is much more likely to do a better job with fewer defects.

 

Technically it screws your paint warranty and is also a TOTAL AND COMPLETE WASTE OF $$$$$.. That said.. Enjoy the rest of the comments...

 

I really think PPF is an overkill unless you are tracking the car or drive in areas with a lot of road debris. Ceramic coating is more than enough if you take care of your car and park it indoors. Just my opinion.

 

I also went with the track package. Paint chips in my last two Corvettes was just too irritating. So I decided to cover what's likeky to get rock and road debris hits.

I agree with the poster above, it's more about the installer than the particular PPF brand. I suggest looking at the certified installers listed for your area for the top PPF brands to cull your list down to the top installers. Just search the PPF brands sites for their certified installers.

I expect a full PPF job to run at least $6,000 to $7,000. Quiz them on whether they remove and replace the emblems, amount of paint correction before the install, pre-cut vs. customized fits, etc. I would do it all over again, but have seen PPF installs that would make me run!

Edit: I never tracked my cars and don't have unusual rock-prone roads. Rocks and chips happen. And my car is garage kept and driven only in nice weather.

 

I had xpel on the entire car and it was almost $8000 (including tax). They did remove the emblems and I bought replacements off the web for them to install after the xpel was all done.

 

Ceramic will not protect your car from rock chips any better than a coat of wax. If you don’t have PPF, you will get chipped paint. Not just my opinion, it’s a fact.

 

I did the entire car with XPEL Ultimate and then ceramic coating on top of that. I also had some film put on the door sills. Finally, ceramic coating on the wheels and calipers. Total was $6,200. Plus $150 to wrap the rocker panel "fins" in black. Figured you only live once and I generally keep my cars for years.

 

I'm debating on doing it, but the price seems a bit high.

 

I've had about 10 cars and my rv done, wouldn't have a car without it. I use Suntek, they have a 10 uear warranty and the place I go used to offer Xpel and Suntek and stopped carrying Xpel due to warranty issue's. I know lots of people love it, I have no experience with but have had great results with Suntek over the years.

I had my entire front end, hood, fenders, mirrors and a pillars done and it was $1600. I think the whole car is overkill but just my opinion. I live in AZ and have lots of rock and sand chips that happen and I've never had any marks on my car with only doing the front areas. Regardless, with how low Vettes sit, at least do the front and protect your investment.

 

Since you can’t wrap every edge without taking body panels off, do any of you.notice the edges of the ppf where it stops on each panel and does it trap any dirt or wax or anything?

 

This was a big concern for me, especially since my car is Artic White. That's why I selected an installer that makes hiding (eliminating where feasible) seems a priority. Selecting a quality installer is key.

(My first in-person observation of a PPF-covered yellow Z06 a few years ago had me turned off to the idea. The PPF edge line was clearly visible around the entire hood. None of the edges were wrapped, and I found it very distracting. )

Since I got the track package, there is a seem along the doors above the rockers. My installer modified the PPF pattern so the edge falls just below the character line, avoiding an edge line facing straight up and therefore much less visible. PPF patterns apparenty have a cut line for the front facia. My installer modified the pattern and test-fit two PPF sheets to get a pattern that allowed him to eliminate a vertical cut line that would be highly visible and a dirt trap. See photo below.

I do notice some of the lines when doing a waterless wash, particularly those surrounding the rear wheels and those on the inside door sills. I'm just careful to wipe away from the edges and leaving a clean edge. I have a 10-year ceramic coating (time will tell), so I don't plan on "waxing" it for a long time. I also only use PPF-safe washing practices (e.g., handwashing and a 1,100 psi power washer).

After four months and nearly 3,500 miles, I notice the edges far, far less than expected--usually just when cleaning. I credit my installer for doing an exceptional job. The PPF is STEK.


PPF installed. No vertical cut line, no dirt collection.

 

You Always will notice the edges and it gets worse over time and it traps dirt and wax. I had a 15 Z06 done and traded it locally a few years ago. I cringe every time I see it today. You can see every edge. Save your money.

 

Thanks,
Does your coating go over the edge to prevent buildup or can you still feel an edge when you run your fingers over the ppf edges?

 

What color was your Z06?
My problem is I’m going with Red Mist which is hard to touch up rock chips with touch up paint. My last metallic painted car had a lot of chipped paint that I could see from a mile away.

 

XPEL has precut template CAD files that installer scan download to their large film roll knife plotter/cutter. This makes the film faster and easier to install for the installer.
I would probably not recommend going with installers that use the precut forms. They are sized for ease of installation and not a invisible/best installation.
Most installers seem to start out as one guy doing everything himself, high attention to detail, and building the resulting reputation.
Once he gets big enough he hires assistants to do the bulk of the work. Then the results are not the same. If you hear "we are training new guys" walk away.
Guys that are not huge yet, do their own work, and hand cut the film from the roll is the way I will go on my Z06 when I get it.

After 6 months of ownership and personally washing/caring for the car I dont think a full wrap is necessary. Front and pillars for sure. Headlights is a MUST, for everyone. The film works and is worth it.
Do I think its worth 6-8k (in California)? No. At that point I repaint the entire car. Other states.. debatable.
For people that live and drive in winter treated roads with sand/gravel/rain/mud ect then a full wrap may make sense. It the car is parked outside most of the time.. sure maybe.
Gauge the cars exposure to possible damage and match the coverage to suit.

My entire front is wrapped. Its the first car I ever PPFd and I dont like pissing money away on everything the heard jumps on. Do I think the PPF was worth it? Absolutely.
Consider that if you hit anything that tears through the PPF, the price to replace it is high. Almost as high as paining the panel.

 

Laguna Blue