paint protection film - on vehicles

[911boost]

My 911 has Xpel that is a maybe 4 years old, for my Land Cruiser I am getting Solar Gard.

[David]

I got it on my Cayman when new. Only thing I'd do different is get the full hood and not halfway. First month I had it I got a chip on the hood just above the film line.

[911boost]

Agree on the full hood, mine has it. I had a Volvo XC90 that only had part of the hood and the line bothered me.

[ramonesfreak]

good vid. this process is more $$ than I thought it would be for just a partial covering of the front end

[911boost]

Had the full front done in ppf this week and then the whole thing ceramic coated. Not the best pic but it needed to stay dry for 24-48 hours so it’s in the garage. I am very happy and can’t even tell where the ppf is without looking closely.

[David]

Following up on my comments about the film on my Cayman. It’s been on too long and is a real pain to remove. Not sure what the proper replacement time is but I’m thinking 4-5 years max.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by David

Following up on my comments about the film on my Cayman. It’s been on too long and is a real pain to remove. Not sure what the proper replacement time is but I’m thinking 4-5 years max.

This.

Why I don't want a full frontal. Taking it off is a real PITA, especially if you wait to the point when it's yellowed and discolored- and I never keep cars long enough to justify spending double for full.

rjp

[KNS]

Originally Posted by David

Following up on my comments about the film on my Cayman. It’s been on too long and is a real pain to remove. Not sure what the proper replacement time is but I’m thinking 4-5 years max.

I've heard people have had success with very hot (boiling?) water. Try in a small area first.

[RANDY P]

Could you imagine leaving behind the adhesive? I know the feeling, tried to remove window tint once.

NEVER, EVER, AGAIN.

I'll proudly pay a pro next time.

[Steve Carlton]

Looks like good info:

https://scorpionwindowfilm.com/how-long-does-paint-protection-film-last/

[Hugh R]

An "option" that I had to pay for on my Winnebago, a few hundred dollars, the PPG film, I think. 17K miles on it and not a front end chip. Including driving it across country in the Summer twice through bug country. One tip, clean the bugs off the day they get stuck to it, a lot easier than a week later after they've baked in the sun.

[Steve Carlton]

My '85 911 had it when I got it about 9 years ago. Still looks good, but the car has always been in a garage while I've had it. I don't know what would happen if I tried to replace it.

[cabmandone]

I don't get PPF and then ceramic coating. Seems like overkill. The PPF is, if you get a good one, self healing. I would think that it alone would be sufficient.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Ctopher

The ceramic coatings while durable for keeping the car clean and pretty looking don’t really seem to add any actual rock impact protection. In my case I’m doing it for two parts, UV protection of the film for additional longevity and keeping the car clean and glossy. I’m just over the 3yr mark on the ceramic coating and probably time for a new application. Honestly the car lives in the garage and is kept clean and I use the Reload spray on sealant so the car doesn’t show any signs of coating lost.
CTopher

Are you saying that a car living in the garage needs the ceramic re-applied after 3 years?

[David]

Originally Posted by KNS

I've heard people have had success with very hot (boiling?) water. Try in a small area first.

That’s a thought. I’ve been using a heat gun which isn’t doing my finger tips any good. I have about 4 hours just on the hood and have blisters on my picking fingers. Occasionally I’ll get a few square inches piece but usually it’s a dime-quarter size piece.