Experience of PPF

[zappy-chops]

Hi folks. Just picked up my 2017 RS6 PE in mythos black. Just over a year old and with tiny mileage. The original owner really looked after it and the paintwork is immaculate (apart from a little bit of very light swirling from washing - which would polish out easily). I want to keep it that way so am thinking about PPF. Anyone here done full PPF on their car? I am sure there are good and less-good places to get it done or products to use but I am curious if anyone has done it and regretted it in any way.

Does it last as long as they say it should? Does the film age / yellow over time?

I am told it's a lot thicker than vinyl wrap so I presume it will definitely stop stone chips (unless something hurls up half a brick at you ).

Any thoughts welcome.

Cheers.

[Markp]

Used it on a GT3 I tracked a lot to stop stone chips / track rash, but wouldn't use on a road car and removed it as soon as I stopped tracking. It was hard to spot but never looked as good as polished paint. Unless you track your car (where you can get 20 stone chips in one session) I struggle to see the point - bit like covering your leather sofa in clear plastic to protect it. Kind of defeats the object.

[Markp]

PS Congratulations on the new car

[gsc]

I have PPF on the front end of my car, combination of Suntek and 3M Ventureshield, latter for the areas that get more debris. Yellowing is not a common feature anymore, the films have a 5 year guarantee in any event and I have mine ceramic coated too which enhances the UV stability of the film. It can also be machine polished.

It will stop most stone chips, even car park bumps to an extent but sharp stones and bricks will cut it and chip the paint.

Only downside, if any part of a car has been repainted to sub optimal standard then if you remove the film it will take the paint off too. Just had that with my car, poor front end respray by Audi prior to them selling me the car.





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[Scotty C]

I had full Xpel coverage due to lots of European/Autobahn driving... paintwork vs stones at 165mph doesn't stand much of a chance, especially as the rubbish they use these days is water based.

[MikeFish]

I have almost all of my car covered and love it. You can't see it. As gsc has done, mine is polished and ceramic coated. I have one stone chip on the bonnet from a very large stone but other than that my car would normally have been riddled with stone chips by now. I originally only had the front end done but soon picked up some chips on my roof so had the roof and all doors covered too. Just wish I'd done those bits sooner. I'm also a little less obsessive about people parking next to be as they are less likely to scratch my paint when they open their doors into mine.
And I can wash it as much as I like like as little care as I like. Swirls marks? What swirls marks? They just disappear once the ppf heats up.
I don't understand the comment about it being like covering your sofa. It's nothing like that, I can't see it, I can't feel it when I sit on it, it looks the same as the parts without the ppf except less swirls marks.

[zappy-chops]

Thanks MikeFish. Do you have to use special products when you wash it or just the usual stuff? Does it wash easier? Is it ok to use a power/jetwash on it (any risk of dislodging the film?)

[MikeFish]

I use my 145bar jet wash at full power. No issues so far in about 2.5 years. I have the car ceramic coated too so easier to wash than normal but I think the ppf helps too. No special products. I even clay bar the ppf without any issues. And don't have to worry about swirl marks. I can sometimes see them but they disappear with a bit of heat.

[pteyeo]

I had high impact area's covered in Suntek PPF, whole front end and sill areas, the rest of the car including windows and alloys ceramic coated with Gtechniq. If you hate the sight of stone chips on your pride and joy, like your car protected, easy to clean then it is defiantly for you. Its not cheap, depending what you call expensive, all in it was around 2k but for me, well worth it. As long as you wash the car correctly i.e. 2 bucket method etc swirl mark are greatly reduced. After a year the body work is still immaculate!!

[Markp]

I have almost all of my car covered and love it. You can't see it. As gsc has done, mine is polished and ceramic coated. I have one stone chip on the bonnet from a very large stone but other than that my car would normally have been riddled with stone chips by now. I originally only had the front end done but soon picked up some chips on my roof so had the roof and all doors covered too. Just wish I'd done those bits sooner. I'm also a little less obsessive about people parking next to be as they are less likely to scratch my paint when they open their doors into mine.
And I can wash it as much as I like like as little care as I like. Swirls marks? What swirls marks? They just disappear once the ppf heats up.
I don't understand the comment about it being like covering your sofa. It's nothing like that, I can't see it, I can't feel it when I sit on it, it looks the same as the parts without the ppf except less swirls marks.

Mine was 7 years ago and definitely knew it was there. Sounds like latest versions much better, and I never coated mine - just paintwork underneath.

[MikeFish]

Having a dark colour car helps of course. You can probably see it easier on a light coloured car. But it will only be visible close up if you are looking for it on a Mythos car.

Have a look at the photos in my build thread. Every one from the first detail onwards has ppf on it.

[MikeFish]

This is with front end, roof and doors covered.

And the front end was 2 years old at this point.

[zappy-chops]

Look amazing Mike. So if I really want to protect the paint and give it an awesome shine it looks like I should do paint correction then a ceramic coating and then PPF.

Will cost a few bob but I am sure I'll love the results.

[zappy-chops]

So if I really want to protect the paint and give it an awesome shine it looks like I should do paint correction then a ceramic coating and then PPF.

Correcting myself after doing further research. First paint correction, then PPF and then ceramic coating on top of the PPF. That's the correct order of things.

Who knew!

I've found a company not too far away from me that seem to know their sh@t and have asked for a detailed breakdown of the work and a price quote. If I decide to go for it I'll certainly report back on the outcome.