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For something with that kind of price tag, 100% do PPF. Especially if you're tracking it. The self-healing properties of PPF alone are worth the cost. At a minimum, I recommend front end PPF; but having the entire car done isn't a bad idea. Definitely needs the rocker panels done to protect from marbles and other track debris.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Yes, absolutely PPF it. No, do not let the dealer do it. You want a shop that does great quality work using higher quality materials. If a dealer is doing it, they are probably outsourcing it to the cheapest vendor they can find. A really good PPF vendor will wrap the edges and have very minimal (or even no) exposed cut lines in the PPF and will remove/reinstall badges instead of cutting the PPF around them. Ask your local Corvette club or other car clubs/forum/FaceBook groups who is the best in your area.
As to what to do, for the price of the ZR1, I'd probably look at doing the entire car, or at least a "front half" package (front bumper cover, fenders, hood, mirrors and maybe lower side rockers). At a bare minimum, I always do the front bumper cover and mirrors as this is where 80-90% of the impacts occur.
I agree. This dealer sends the car out to a place that does exotics, they don't do it themselves. I trust them as the GM (whom I know) sends his Maserati's to this place.
Most talk about PPF from a protection standpoint, which I get. Is it worth getting the high gloss PPF for the constant look of a just-waxed car?
You are right, this is a ZR1... If I do it I should do the whole car.
It's really up to you. If you want the car to look like it's always just been detailed, ceramic over the PPF is the way to go. I personally am 50/50 debating XPEL Fusion (hydrophobic, gloss) vs XPEL Stealth (would be the first time anyone has ever seen a matte-finish AYM C8).
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by sweet34
I agree. This dealer sends the car out to a place that does exotics, they don't do it themselves. I trust them as the GM (whom I know) sends his Maserati's to this place.
Most talk about PPF from a protection standpoint, which I get. Is it worth getting the high gloss PPF for the constant look of a just-waxed car?
You are right, this is a ZR1... If I do it I should do the whole car.
If they are sending out to a top end shop, then I'd be ok with letting the dealer have it done (you're likely going to pay more, but it's definitely more convenient). All the higher end PPFs will look good, but some of them also have hydrophobic properties that act to some degree like ceramic coating.
I'm the wrong person to ask, been 100% clear wrapping my cars for about 25 years now, yes it's insane but I am old and have a lot of cars and it's the only way I can keep them looking great with little effort
I view PPF several ways, and once I did an entire car GT3RS due to black in color and washing was simple. I’ve done the entire front because that’s where the rocks chips kill the paint. No matter how good PPF is done over time edges will show, but only you will know so not major. Also, how long with you keep the car? I have buddies that PPF’d 100% of the car and sell in a year, and no matter what people tell you ……no you don’t get it back.
So ask yourself what’s the use, and how long will you keep the car? My F12 just the full front and Speedster the same, and I will do the same when the ZR1 arrives. Sometime I like to wax my cars, and touch the paint 😎
They still look new and I drive them pretty hard.
Last edited by Maverick787; Oct 31, 2025 at 02:48 AM.
100% get the PPF. Had it on several cars. XPel is what I've always had installed. A lot of folks will have their new cars put on a flatbed at a dealership and taken to a shop to have it put on before they even drive it.
Imo I would skip on the fusion unless they install for same price. Did fusion 2 cars ago and seems like the coating wears off just like a ceramic coat so I had to ceramic 2 years after application
The install is the key. I've done it on several corvettes and even the same good installer has good and bad installs. Just take it to a reputable shop that YOU can research yourself. The product nowadays is not 10% of the decision to me its all about who is putting it on.
I'm gonna be the lone dissenter here. I've had PPF on multiple cars and I'm not a fan. I fully acknowledge the protection aspect, however, I don't like that the edges can get dirty and there is a chance edges can peel (though the install is key). I prefer ceramic coating (which admittedly does not protect at all like PPF). I've had my C8 Z06 for 7 months that I run in the mountains every weekend, 6500 miles, ceramic coated, no PPF, much easier to clean and I have a single, extremely tiny tiny little chip in the front left head light, otherwise the car is perfect. I had a Z/28 for about a year, no PPF and it had a single small rock chip when I sold it. I personally won't do PPF anymore, but to each his own and fully respect folks that do it. Your call.
Do not let the dealer do it or manage it. Research yourself to find the best installer in your area, ship the car if you have to, and manage the process yourself. Full body PPF on a car like this isn’t cheap, have it done properly.
Waste of money. I was going to, but I talked myself out of it. Plus the cost. Shops by me wanted $9000-$10K, and said they would tint my windows for free.. lol
I challenge anyone to find a paint chip on my 2023 Z06 that has over 10K miles on it. Id rather save that money and put that towards upgrading things around my house.
And even if you did find a small paint chip, who cares? All Ive ever done to my sports cars is put a ceramic coating, paint correcting, and some wax.
Waste of money. I was going to, but I talked myself out of it. Plus the cost. Shops by me wanted $9000-$10K, and said they would tint my windows for free.. lol
I challenge anyone to find a paint chip on my 2023 Z06 that has over 10K miles on it. Id rather save that money and put that towards upgrading things around my house.
And even if you did find a small paint chip, who cares? All Ive ever done to my sports cars is put a ceramic coating, paint correcting, and some wax.
It depends on use case. Those who enjoy applying frequent waxings...probably don't need to bother. Those who want fire/forget, probably should look into it.
Waste of money. I was going to, but I talked myself out of it. Plus the cost. Shops by me wanted $9000-$10K, and said they would tint my windows for free.. lol
I challenge anyone to find a paint chip on my 2023 Z06 that has over 10K miles on it. Id rather save that money and put that towards upgrading things around my house.
And even if you did find a small paint chip, who cares? All Ive ever done to my sports cars is put a ceramic coating, paint correcting, and some wax.
I PPF'd my other car as well as my C7 Z06, worked great. I chose not to PPF my C8 because it was a Museum Delivery and I quite frankly forgot. And yes, it has a chip in the hood.
I will definitely PPF my ZR1 when it comes in. Thanks for the reminder
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
PPF or no?
