Advice concerning PPF and matte black stripes
09-07-2018, 06:41 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Advice concerning PPF and matte black stripes
For those that have used paint protection films in conjunction with stripes (in my case matte black), I would appreciate some advice.
I am having PPF and ceramic coating placed on my 2012 Centennial Edition Grand Sport by a professional. My matte black stripes are in good condition, but certainly not perfect. At the recommendation of the detailer I am replacing the stripes on the hood where the PPF is being overlayed.
My question...he is recommending the new stripes be installed on TOP of the PPF. I believe I understand why, but wanted to get the thoughts of folks more experienced than myself. Is this a sound recommendation?
I am having PPF and ceramic coating placed on my 2012 Centennial Edition Grand Sport by a professional. My matte black stripes are in good condition, but certainly not perfect. At the recommendation of the detailer I am replacing the stripes on the hood where the PPF is being overlayed.
My question...he is recommending the new stripes be installed on TOP of the PPF. I believe I understand why, but wanted to get the thoughts of folks more experienced than myself. Is this a sound recommendation?
09-08-2018, 07:39 PM
#2
I was told not to put PPF over stripes because there is a good chance of getting air bubbles. My installer cut around the the fender stripes on my GS and stopped at the center stripe which is matte black and it is very difficult to see the edges of the PPF. Another thing to consider is that the PPF will be glossy on top of the matte stripe.
09-08-2018, 10:01 PM
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
I was told not to put PPF over stripes because there is a good chance of getting air bubbles. My installer cut around the the fender stripes on my GS and stopped at the center stripe which is matte black and it is very difficult to see the edges of the PPF. Another thing to consider is that the PPF will be glossy on top of the matte stripe.
Thank you for that reply. I did some deeper searching on the forum and found that most folks, with matte black stripes did, in fact, put the stripes over the PPF or cut up to the stripes as you say. I am going to stick with the recommendation of my detailer and do the stripes on top. We'll see how it turns out.
10-02-2018, 09:58 PM
#4
Instructor
Thank you for that reply. I did some deeper searching on the forum and found that most folks, with matte black stripes did, in fact, put the stripes over the PPF or cut up to the stripes as you say. I am going to stick with the recommendation of my detailer and do the stripes on top. We'll see how it turns out.
Last edited by pcbreflectionsllc; 10-02-2018 at 09:58 PM.
10-02-2018, 10:17 PM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
The PPF went over the whole front clip of the car, the mirrors, rockers and rear fenders. I chose to put the new stripes over the PPF since the stripes are matte.
It turned out extremely good. I only have one low-light picture on my computer that doesn't do much to show how good the final product is, but I'll post it here anyway. I still have a half-dozen BB-sized bubbles under the film on the car after 3 weeks. My detailer said if they aren't gone by 6 weeks, to bring it back and he will correct.
I'm especially pleased with the new stripes. The are clean and perfect (detailer did a great job installing them) and the matte stripes are much more in contrast now to the ultra-shiny paint.
It was an expensive project, but it's such a nicer feeling to know the car has extra paint protection now.
10-04-2018, 10:18 PM
#6
Instructor
Very Nice. Opti Coat Ppf recently released a plus film. It is suppose to a improvement over the previous film. I hope y'all get the bubbles worked out. Typically within 2-3 days and a little sun exposure it is as good as it gets in regards to liquid absorption from the adhesive and the actual clear coat absorbing. We install Opti Coat Pro and Pro Plus Ceramics and Install Xpel for our Ppf.
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hogfanandy (10-07-2018)
10-05-2018, 10:17 AM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Very Nice. Opti Coat Ppf recently released a plus film. It is suppose to a improvement over the previous film. I hope y'all get the bubbles worked out. Typically within 2-3 days and a little sun exposure it is as good as it gets in regards to liquid absorption from the adhesive and the actual clear coat absorbing. We install Opti Coat Pro and Pro Plus Ceramics and Install Xpel for our Ppf.
If I may ask, what makes the Xpel a better PPF than the Opti-Coat product in your mind? Hoping I didn't make a bad choice as I know that the Opti-Coat PPF aren't nearly as widely used as XPEL.
Last edited by hogfanandy; 10-05-2018 at 10:17 AM.
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10-05-2018, 03:00 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Honestly, I don't know how each line item broke out price wise--he gave me a cost based on the entirety of work done as follows:
1. Paint correction--was quite minor, but we went ahead and did the whole car
2. Opti-Pro PPF over front end, hood, fenders (front and rear) rockers and mirrors
3. Opti-Pro Ceramic Coating over the entire vehicle
4. Installation of new matte black stripes
5. Restoration of all black trim and moldings (had faded over time)
6. Interior detail
Total Bill was $3350.00
1. Paint correction--was quite minor, but we went ahead and did the whole car
2. Opti-Pro PPF over front end, hood, fenders (front and rear) rockers and mirrors
3. Opti-Pro Ceramic Coating over the entire vehicle
4. Installation of new matte black stripes
5. Restoration of all black trim and moldings (had faded over time)
6. Interior detail
Total Bill was $3350.00
10-15-2018, 08:35 PM
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
No, because as time goes by, they are disappearing. I went from having 6 "BB" sized bubbles to 2 now. I'll give it two more weeks, and then if not perfect then, I will run it back over to him.
10-15-2018, 08:42 PM
#12
Instructor
That is awesome. Keep us up on how your enjoying your new peace of mind protection service. Its always exciting to see and hear how our customers/friends benefit from our services like you have done.
10-15-2018, 08:50 PM
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
1. The paint looks much better now (and it was nearly flawless before)
2. The most important thing to me was the fact I don't worry nearly as much about every small rock and pebble I hear hit the car now. A month before I decided to do this work, I had gotten caught driving on a 1/2 mile stretch of highway that they had milled, but hadn't swept clean yet. Traffic was one lane only and there was nowhere to pull over or off. Got a couple of small nicks just behind the doors, but high enough up they were noticeable. I decided that day to have this work done and I'm very, very glad I did. Hopefully it will prove to be a good investment
Last edited by hogfanandy; 10-15-2018 at 08:51 PM.
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