Contemplating doing PPF on the front of my new C8. The reason I'm second guessing it is while I've read it protects against SMALL chips, if something large enough hits the front of the car that film isn't going to stop the damage .
I do know it also protects against bug damage on the car; but doesn't regular detailing and removal of bugs work as well ?
Just looking for others opinions . Thanks

 

If bugs are your concern I can’t help you.

what I can say is that I PPFd my car for track use and it’s takes a beating all the time and bounces back.

I did take a hit of a chunk of concrete the size of a baseball and while it did tear the PPF, the paint underneath was damage free.

I’m a believer. Don’t skip the ceramic coating. That has been worth every cent

 

I hit about a 10” chunk of splintered 2x4 wood @ 65mph and thought for sure I would find damage in my PFF. Couldn’t even figure out where it hit. I’m glad I have it on my bumper. Should have done the hood too.

 

My C8 is a daily driver and as such, i get hits all the time from small rocks and debris thrown up by trucks and cars on the freeway. I put PPF on the front end of the car and up the hood and have had several impacts that caused a small ding in the PPF but didn't make it through to the paint. One was on the headlight that damaged the PPF pretty good but saved the headlight. It cost me $700 for the PPF and I consider it worth it.

 

I’ve had cars PPF’d and cars not PPF’d, the cars that have the film always look better after a while. Whether or not it is worth the money is up to you, but I PPF’d my C8.

I really think it depends on your location more than anything, we have love bugs in Florida, they really tear up your car. If I lived in Montana or Idaho, I probably wouldn’t bother with it. Look at some C7s in your area, see how they look.

 

I'm going to say yes, but it's a close thing. The PPF on my car has caught some rock chips that would definitely have damaged the paint otherwise. But now I have a couple of ugly tears in the PPF. It's called "self healing," but only for very small dings.

 

The value of PPF is strictly a personal (and often quite subjective) topic. Paint Protection Film does offer some real benefits, particularly if your car is driven a lot and you are reasonably upset with small chips that occur. The self-healing benefits are real (within reason) but it is by no means a suit of armor given major impacts/incidents. If not embarking on a PPF project, ceramic coatings are your best protection against environmental contamination in addition to providing long-term good looks and ease of maintenance. However despite much marketing to the contrary, ceramics will NOT protect against swirling/scratching.

Particular to bugs, products like Sonax Insect Remover and their Insect Sponge can help with that.

​​​​​​There's a wide variety of protection options available for your new C8, up to and including Paint Protection Film. You can check out some of these in our CORVETTE DETAILING AND PROTECTION GUIDE.

Specific to PPF, we outline a variety if useful information on our Paint Protection Film Installation page on our website including a video on what to watch out for when shopping for PPF:

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While many specifics depend on the situation, a few general answers to your particular questions:

How the covered paint will look?
While some film does have a bit of texture, most modern films are unnoticeable unless you're closely inspecting it to determine if film is applied. The surface is being covered in an 8mil thick film so there will be some effect; would suggest visiting a propspective shop or loacal event and checking out some cars.

Will it retain its look and shine?
If maintained properly and done with quality film, it should retain its aesthetic appeal. PPF can also be ceramic coated for ease of maintenance and long term good looks.

What maintenance does it require?
Maintenance is generally the same as with a non-PPF vehicle. You can check out our Aftercare Guide for PPF that we provide to our clients which includes a video of the proper washing of a car in your driveway; the subject car is fully wrapped in matte/satin Paint Protection Film.

How long before it deteriorates and has to be removed?
That can vary based upon vehicle usage and maintenance; mfg warranties are generally 10 years and cover things like yellowing, cracking, blistering, and delaminating. All mfgs can be different with the specific terms, conditions & limitations of warranties and your greatest protection & resource for any issues is your installer themselves.

And does it damage paint if removed several years later?
There is no guarantee that it won't but with factory paint, it is extraordinarily rare when carefully removed. A bit of info on removal:


Additionally, if you find your PPF is 'not all it can be' a few years down the road, there is the chance that some rejuvenation can be done without complete removal:


And is there a particular brand of film I should be looking to use?
"Shop the installer and not the brand of film they use" Reputable shops use reputable products that they are comfortable with and have had success with in the past. The installer should be your resource before during and perhaps most importantly, AFTER the installation.The key to PPF Happiness is the installer!

I found a reputable installer who quoted me $1895 to do this which seems reasonable compared to other quotes I got.
Much of it depends on location, extent of coverage and how extensive the install will be. Will any 'strategic disassembly' take place, will large bulk sheets be used or stock or customized patterns...there are many things to discuss that will determine project cost.

You can check out our Newsletter Post on C8 Corvette PPF, Tint & Ceramic Coating to get a more in-depth look at what goes into a PPF installation in our studio.

Hope some of this information helps and if you have any further questions, don't hesitate to reach out!

If you are interested in additional protection, customization or paint restoration strategies, please feel free to contact us to discuss the options. While we are located in Central, OH we regularly have cars shipped to us from all corners of the United States and can help arrange transport if needed!

Additionally, Please don't hesitate to reach out at any time with any product or detailing-related questions! You can reach our Product Support line at 614.855.2573 or via e-mail at sales@esotericcarcare.com.

Enjoy the new C8!

 

My C8 is coming through here soon as well, and the quotes that I am getting for PPF for full front are $2800 and Track pack $3500. I dont plan to track the car, is that in line with what y'all have experienced? I live in Austin TX. I dont plan to track the car.

Also, most shops here are saying that they dont do paint correction, because it adds no value unless there are visible swirls. Any input will be greatly appreciated. I am no super picky about my car's looks, have zero consideration for resale value as I plan to keep her for 10 years.

 

I would do the whole front end, a pillars, rockers and behind rear wheels and call it a day


edit: ceramic coating is the best. Either do it yourself or pay the shop to do it right after you take delivery

 

Okay, let's assume for a moment that I think PPF is worth the cost. When it is built, I am going to pick up my C8 at NCM. Has anyone here used Auto Armor (https://nomorenix.com/ in Bowling Green? I understand they will take the car and do PPF and Ceramic coatings before you pickup the car at the museum. How did you like their work?

Thanks!

 

In my case I have a black C8 and I had PPF installed on the entire car. It was VERY expensive but it is a GAME CHANGER on a black car
when it comes to cleaning the car.

 

This is the only balanced video that I could find where someone is not trying to sell something to me. Here is the summary:
+ for PPF
+ Great for track cars/ regular use car where there are a lot of gravel / rocks
+ is worth it only if you do the whole car
+ makes washing car a breeze and easy

- PPF
- It will not look as pretty as non ppf unless you have scratches
- all PPF gets yellow after some time
- unless you are using super high end installer ($20k), some edges will always show and will catch some dust

This goes against the conventional wisdom of this sub. After seeing this video, I have decided to not do PPF but do go with ceramic and invest in some detailing every year for polishing out issues.

 

did you end up using them and how did it turn out, I’m two months out from picking up my car at NCM, thanks!

 

I ended up doing a track wrap at Auto Armor for the drive home and Rudy was fantastic! If I lived in the area I would have had him do the PPF, tint, and ceramic coating. I did that locally so I could get support on any install issues.

 

Never been a fan of PPF or what I would joking call Saran Wrap. I have used full length side skirts to stop rocks hitting the rocker panels in my 2014 C7 Z51, 2017 Grand Sport and C8 Z51. Critical in our rural area. Don't drive on the Interstate and stay back from large trucks. Would get a small ding or so and use touch-up paint. But rockers could get many dings.

BUT no choice on my E-Ray. No full-length skirts available (and would be very difficult to make esthetic.) The wide body Z06 has been out 1 1/2 years and none available. I found a great local shop to put PPF after the 3/4 length side skirts and the area behind the 13-inch wheel, 345 wide tires. I wanted the minimum, which they quoted- under $400.

Very busy large shop mostly doing window tinting that everyone around here has (NOT me and wont.) It's named Evening Shade. Very impressive very clean shop with 8-10 folks. Owner (who has another similar shop ~1 hour away as well) was not there when they quoted what I had asked for the week before. When I arrived for the appointment, the owner was there and fell in love with my E-Ray. His girlfriend loved the interior. He said he was going to do the job himself! He quickly convinced me to go to a seam ~8 inches higher than where I requested both for the rockers and rear.

Here are some pics I took while they were doing my car.

They were doing a Bentley and Lotus! Week before when I made the appointment a Porsche.


Owner defined for Tech where he wanted the pattern, they had available for the E-Ray, cut for my rocker panel past the 3/4 length side skirts. It was cut automatically from the PPF roll on left


Owner would ask for a spray of application fluid and one of the techs would run and bring what was needed.

The owner using a steam generator as he stretched the PPF. I was very impressed with the quality of the install. It does require skill and attention to detail. Don't have pic of finished car as can't see anything. He ended in a body seam. I will have the front section done.

 

So what did the track wrap cost out of curiosity?