Paint Protection Film

[jyl]

Do you guys put that clear film stuff on your cars? I think it is supposed to protect against stone chips. Does it work, does it damage paint, is it a DIY thing?

[LWJ]

I put some clear “helicopter tape” on my mountain bike frame. Supposed to protect carbon from scrapes and similar damage.

Seems too thick and ugly for a car.

[Bob Kontak]

I bought a film kit for a new Mini. A couple hundred bucks. Huge benefit having it pre-cut.

It protects the paint. It does not damage paint but you can screw up if you keep working an area over and over.

I made a couple small mistakes down by the fog lights on the plastic front bumper which were not noticible.

In hindsight, I wish I could have practiced on a Ford Focus first then graduated to the Mini.

[Chocaholic]

I really like the stuff. Have installed on many motorcycles over the years...where knees contact the tank, etc. Have also used it on cars but know enough to not try to install it myself.

[911 Rod]

Reminds me of plastic on furniture.

[GH85Carrera]

We had my wife's 2017 Macan done this a "clear bra" and the front valence, outside rear view mirrors, and the loading area in the back. It has a few spots on the plastic that would have been rock chips. Unless you look closely at the paint, you never see the protective film.

I know one guy in our club that bought a Cayman that was everything he wanted, except the color. He had the entire car wrapped, and unless you look real close, it was not easy to tell it was wrapped. He drove it for four years, had the film peeled, and sold it with perfect paint. He figured the perfect paint was the selling point and it was enough to get the money he spent in the wrap back. He did not want to drive a yellow car.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I had a 2004 C4S that the PO had paid to have the film put on. It was a professional job. The invoice was included and expensive. It did the job though. I've since sold the car but have considered this for my 356.

[Tim Hancock]

I spent days scraping the factory applied 3M "clear" crap off my 2004 motorhome project.... Hopefully the stuff the they make now is better than what was put on in 2004. Once the sun dried it out it apparently got micro cracks in it then the adhesive beneath became discolored.

[Ctopher]

I have the Suntek Ultra done to my 87 Carrera in Nov/Dec of 2017 and it’s still looks amazing. Not only does it offer an ultra gloss(it also has CarPro CQuartz UK and Gliss sealants applied on top) but the self healing that I don’t worry about little things. And regarding rock chips, it does an amazing job. Yes there are a few “rips” which are hard rock hits that pushes or rips the film into little balls that show up as little white spots. Some are so small that you don’t see until up close while a few hard impacts that made larger pin head size spot. Either way the film makes the car look amazing and does its job protecting and sacrificing itself to protect the paint. The chips are not significant yet to the point I want to replace the film. Additionally you can use tweezers to pull the rip film out and cut with a razor blade. Then use a drop of touch up paint to seal and hide the spot. A trick he told me about. And he even put a dot of touch up paint somewhere in the car that I’ve yet to find!

And regarding to your question if you can do it yourself, I’m sure it’s possible. And yes you can get the precut panels but that will leave the ugly edges. When I was having my car done I saw a new Porsche that came in with the front clip done and the car getting the rest done. It was ugly as sin….horrible edges with varying gaps all changing in size. Watching and talking with the installer, it really is an art like many speciality items. In my case there was no template so it was all custom. But he did say that he usually adds like 20-30% (if I remember correctly) to the stock template. This gives him the overlap around the edges to tuck it under the panel or under trim so it’s out of sight. Beyond the benefit of not seeing ugly edges the main benefit is that it’s out of the elements and does not get blown by wind, rain and dirty. He said what happens over time is the dirt slow creeps in along with water and air pushing it to the point that the edges get visibly dirty and slowly the film pulls up.
For a car that you want to protect and have super easy maintenance it is totally worth it. The film hides some scratches on the original paint but making sure it’s in really good shape first is important. Also something that was mentioned is old rock chips will show up under the film, looks like an air bubble. I spent like 40hrs doing touch up after my car had paint correction done. I filled all Rock chips as much as I could, multiple times. But even then you can see some bubbles on the front lower valance. This is where the touch up paint can hide the imperfections.
Also don’t forget to add a sealant to the film to give it additional protection and to help maintain and ease in cleaning. For these past years I rarely have to hand wash the car. Most often I foam the car, power rinse, foam again, let it dwell and foam again before it drys. Then power rinse and hand dry….. Easy Peezy wash!


CTopher

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Ctopher

Also don’t forget to add a sealant to the film to give it additional protection and to help maintain and ease in cleaning. For these past years I rarely have to hand wash the car. Most often I foam the car, power rinse, foam again, let it dwell and foam again before it drys. Then power rinse and hand dry….. Easy Peezy wash!


CTopher

I think it's the "Ammo NYC" guy, but I could be wrong (does a ton of detailing vids on Youtube), that says the same, first to a clear film, then do one of the chemical sealants. The two together are supposed to do a great job of protecting.

[mgatepi]

When I bought my Turbo, the entire car had been covered with Expel. The Expel had been on it since new which was about 8 years. It was definitely starting to show its age. The films all have a life span so count on about 7-8 years. The original owner had the car covered professionally and it was super expensive approaching the $10K area. Anyway, I removed the film myself after watching some DIY You tube videos. Pretty straight forward but it will do a number on your hands / fingers!!! IT takes a lot of strength and time to get it off!! You have to use a glue remover and a steam gun to do the job! Once removed I had the paint professionally corrected and new Expel placed on the front and back bumpers. It looks great!! BUT, I can see little impact spots from where rocks have hit the front bumper so the film protected the paint very well but there are impact marks. Not a lot but a few when you look very very closely.

[ErVikingo]

My R8 has a full XPel Ultimate since new. Yes no rock chips, car is parked inside. No discoloration nor bubbling. Would do it again $$$

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

My R8 has a full XPel Ultimate since new.

How long since new?

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

How long since new?

Bob since mid 2017. I had it ceramic coated (the ppf) in 2018.

[McLovin]

It’s easy to put on, especially if its a precut kit, if you’re remotely handy.
The biggest thing is having a clean place to work.
It won’t damage the paint, but you don’t want to let it stay on too long.
I put one on in 2001 and let it stay for like 15 years.
It was a bear to remove. Needed lots of heat from a heat gun, and a couple packs of plastic razors.

[stealthn]

But why is it as expensive as a new paint job?!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by stealthn

But why is it as expensive as a new paint job?!

A new paint job is going to be 20 grand or more, likely way more if they do a good job. A full wrap is several thousand, but lasts 7 to 10 years. Peel it off, and you have perfect paint.

I guess a cheap paint job on a beater vehicle might be just a 5 grand job. Paint is over 300 buck a pint now from what I heard.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by stealthn

But why is it as expensive as a new paint job?!

Painting a $225K car a unique color will cost way more than the film.

A recent quote to paint my SC is $18k...

[jyl]

Any recommended sources for the film? I’d like to try a DIY effort.