Anyone not PPF?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 649
Likes: 803
From: DFW
At the end of the day it's a car. And it's a mass produced car that's a depreciating asset. The days of flipping a C8 for $20k in profit during COVID are done. Yes prices are still strong, but they're going to continue to come down. So for me it's just not worth it. You can do a good enough job with Dr. Colorchip. I did do a DIY ceramic coating on mine which absolutely was worth it to keep the gloss up and make it sooooooooo easy to clean.
Now if this was some rare supercar where they only made a thousand and it would double in value in a 10 years, then yeah. I'd probably protect my investment a bit.
But at the end of the day it's a Chevrolet car.
Now if this was some rare supercar where they only made a thousand and it would double in value in a 10 years, then yeah. I'd probably protect my investment a bit.
But at the end of the day it's a Chevrolet car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 3,485
From: Granada Hills CA
I do not have PPF on my 2022 HTC. Now has 22,600 miles with a few tiny rock chips on the front bumper cover etc. Used the GM $25 paint pen to cover them up - the moment I touch the tip of the paint to the surface, I can not longer see the chip. My '13 GS vert was kept for over 8 years with 87,000 miles. Took the same approach with that car - the paint pen works wonders. And I "saved" about $8,000 by not bothering to PPF the two cars. And don't get me started on those black bras that look worse than a minor paint chip - great example of the cure being worse than the disease. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 25,344
Likes: 222
From: Frisco, TX
It’s a form of insurance. I’ve never had it on a prior car, added to my c8 at 35 miles, and less than 300 miles later had a rock skip off my hood to the windshield. Probably a 1/16” tear in the PPF which will cost another $500 to fix, but I would’ve been gut punched had that been my brand new paint.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 264
Likes: 232
From: Cape Vincent, NY
I have had 5 vettes prior then moved to mid engine cars with a couple of track lotus and an Audi R8. I PPF'd a couple of those and was not happy because I could still tell they had a coating on top of the paint and they would still ding up and then I would either have to live with the ding in the PPF or replace it, which seemed to cost just as much as a paint touch up. I did not PPF my R8 and I am not going to PPF my new C8, but I know that is a divisive topic but in the end what I decided. I am not wildly **** with my cars, I drive them fast and track them and enjoy them, dings and all.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 705
Likes: 591
From: East Tennessee
I was all set to drop 5K on PPF, ceramic and ceramic tint but then saw what a lousy job looks like and decided to pass. It's also good therapy for me to not worship this car and get some perspective on what it's for - to have fun.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 12
From: San Diego
I've never installed PPF on any of my cars, but I do pay for a professional ceramic coat - I think it looks great and makes it so much easier to wash and maintain. Mine is a daily driver so I just need to let my obsession with every little chip and imperfection go... else it would drive me nuts.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 3,485
From: Granada Hills CA
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
I have never put PPF on a car, it just isn't a good value to me. And you have to do a lot of research to find a good shop. If you don't do your research you could wind up with something like this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-ppf-job.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-ppf-job.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 1,801
From: Mandalore
I used to have partial front end PPF and the front end was the most stress free to clean. No worrying about water spots calcifying on the paint. Self-healing under sunlight means less worry of marring the finish. It's like a robust soft shell that's easy to maintain and always looks shiny.
I'm going full body hydrophobic PPF on the C8 because I want a more stress-free maintenance on the whole car this time rather than just the front.
On the argument about it being "just" a Chevy, it's still not cheap. For many of us including me, it's the most expensive car we ever bought, my prior highest cost being a $28k BRZ over a decade ago. Before the C8, I intended to get a GR Supra with full PPF. Now with that plan having changed to the more expensive C8, a full PPF is even more of a no-brainer.
I'm an early adopter of PPF having gotten it on my Celica when new in 2004. PPF has come a long way since the forum skeptics of that era. Funny to see there are still cynics who can't let go of their grudges against it. When people option mudguards, nobody bats an eye. When we talk PPF, people get up in arms even though it performs a similar function as mudguards with major car brands now offering PPF as a factory option or sometimes even standard on areas susceptible to rock chips.
I'm going full body hydrophobic PPF on the C8 because I want a more stress-free maintenance on the whole car this time rather than just the front.
On the argument about it being "just" a Chevy, it's still not cheap. For many of us including me, it's the most expensive car we ever bought, my prior highest cost being a $28k BRZ over a decade ago. Before the C8, I intended to get a GR Supra with full PPF. Now with that plan having changed to the more expensive C8, a full PPF is even more of a no-brainer.
I'm an early adopter of PPF having gotten it on my Celica when new in 2004. PPF has come a long way since the forum skeptics of that era. Funny to see there are still cynics who can't let go of their grudges against it. When people option mudguards, nobody bats an eye. When we talk PPF, people get up in arms even though it performs a similar function as mudguards with major car brands now offering PPF as a factory option or sometimes even standard on areas susceptible to rock chips.
Last edited by switchlanez; Aug 6, 2023 at 12:02 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 1,406
From: Central Ohio
PPF on the nose only was $800 installed and professional ceramic coating on the entire car. 3500 mikes later and looks great. Another thing to consider is the headlight paint peeling issue. It showed up after the PPF and is near the edge of the film. I’m not sure what needs to happen, I haven’t had it looked at yet by a body shop.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 482
Likes: 428
From: NE Ohio
No PPF for me and no regrets. No ceramic either. I enjoy driving my C8 but I'm not big on washing it. Spending thousands of dollars to avoid a few hundred dollars in potential stone chips did not entice me, either.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 781
Here is a good test case: In 2005 we bought two Mercedes: hers a SL430 ($150,000) and mine an SLK350 ($70,000) both Iridium silver. The SLK350 got 3M Clearbra on about half the car provided by the dealership. The SL430 got nothing.
In 2020 (so 15 years later) we decided to sell both cars and they both had about 70,000 miles. The clearbra had held up well but some rock chips etc. so I decided to remove it. Wow! Paint looked like new. Of course it was new! The SL430 had aged and had chips and scratches and looked .... old.
Her new car is 2022 Lexus ES300h and no PPF. It has a few chips and so we bought a touchup pen but the chips are still noticeable.
My C8 got full PPF and there were a few rock chips but I had one PPF piece replaced and the car looks perfect. I think the PPF may also stop swirl marks etc so the car looks great. I think if ordering a metallic color like red mist etc you may not notice small defects but Rapid blue is a "solid" color and will show any marks. If I was buying a black car I would definitely get PPF.
In 2020 (so 15 years later) we decided to sell both cars and they both had about 70,000 miles. The clearbra had held up well but some rock chips etc. so I decided to remove it. Wow! Paint looked like new. Of course it was new! The SL430 had aged and had chips and scratches and looked .... old.
Her new car is 2022 Lexus ES300h and no PPF. It has a few chips and so we bought a touchup pen but the chips are still noticeable.
My C8 got full PPF and there were a few rock chips but I had one PPF piece replaced and the car looks perfect. I think the PPF may also stop swirl marks etc so the car looks great. I think if ordering a metallic color like red mist etc you may not notice small defects but Rapid blue is a "solid" color and will show any marks. If I was buying a black car I would definitely get PPF.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 1,406
From: Central Ohio
Im not a big fan of washing it a lot either. To add to this topic I have to say between the PPF on the nose and ceramic, the monster bug splats I leave on there to bake comes right off without elbow grease, so I’m a fan of these 2 on the nose. My C5 had neither and I scrubbed it like hell, huge difference.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Likes: 67
From: Long Island, NY
I never did PPF before my C8 and unfortunately my previous Audi R8 and Porsche 911 got hit with a dump truck on an expressway I am frequently on just spraying off sand and rocks, the R8 literally went from perfect paint to well over 40 paint chips, the 911 I would say was less but still had quite a bit of chips … I need to drive my car and not worry and PPF to me has been a real piece of mind ….
I do not want to have a repainted front bumper or hood, some will say it’s cheaper and they are right but original paint is more important to me.
I do not want to have a repainted front bumper or hood, some will say it’s cheaper and they are right but original paint is more important to me.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 477
Likes: 219
For me it comes down to how long you plan to keep the car and how pristine you car the paint is. If you only plan to keep the car a few years you likely won’t drive it enough for any real wear and tear to happen. I usually keep me cars 7-10 years but don’t really care if there are a few scratches or chips here or there.
also keep in mind it’s not all or nothing. You can easily do the front bumper, front of hood and mirrors to protect the high impact areas while still keeping the cost reasonable.
also keep in mind it’s not all or nothing. You can easily do the front bumper, front of hood and mirrors to protect the high impact areas while still keeping the cost reasonable.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 781
In my case with the SLK350 and now the C8, because the car was properly prepped ie there was some paint correction and buffing, the cars were brought to their ultimate shine by professionals and then film covered, locking in that shine. I guess you would miss the thrill of polishing but I do not. With the car professionally prepped and the film locking in that shine the SLK looked new for 15 years with no waxing, polishing etc. and I just periodically washed it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,191
Likes: 3,388
From: Morrill Nebraska
PPF was a fad and it is slowly dying. People are realizing they do not need it and there are better ways to spend your money.
