Coating and Clear Bra, PPF

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Zileas

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When using a clear bra (PPF, Paint Protection Film), is it best to do the coating first, then the PPF over the coating? Or put the PPF on the bare paint?

There seem to be opinions on both sides. I've heard experts, installers recommend it either way, which is why I'm a little confused.

Mainly, I'm thinking of Opti-Coat, Gloss Coat, CQ and Xpel & Suntek.

Thanks for any input!
 
From XPel's FAQs:

Can/should Opticoat or cQuartz be applied to the car before the film is installed?

"We do NOT recommend applying sealants such as Opticoat or cQuartz to the parts of the car that will be covered with film. The low surface energy of paint sealant products such as these will cause adhesion problems both during installation and over the life of the product. In addition, it is worth noting that there is really no benefit to applying sealant to the paint before the film anyway, since the film will provide far more environmental protection to the paint than a sealant ever could."

**************************************************

Hope this helps.

Bob
 
Im glad someone has asked this. I have been wondering myself about this very topic. I have a buddy of mine who does PPF and Xpel has told him not put anything over the top.

He also stated that the films actually move, so wouldn't putting a hard coating over them negate that aspect? Also, what happens if you take the film off? Does the coating crack?

HUMP
 
FUNX725 said:
From XPel's FAQs:

Can/should Opticoat or cQuartz be applied to the car before the film is installed?

"We do NOT recommend applying sealants such as Opticoat or cQuartz to the parts of the car that will be covered with film. The low surface energy of paint sealant products such as these will cause adhesion problems both during installation and over the life of the product. In addition, it is worth noting that there is really no benefit to applying sealant to the paint before the film anyway, since the film will provide far more environmental protection to the paint than a sealant ever could."
**************************************************
Hope this helps.

Bob
Click to expand...

I've seen that, but I'm always a little wary of these recommendations. Sometimes, I think they're looking out for the best interest of their film (adhesions issues), not necessarily the best interest of your car, which is what most of us want. They are not one in the same. They don't want warranty issues, or a bad rap. Arguements on both sides have merit IMO. I understand Xpel, etc's point, and agree somewhat. But then I think to myself, maybe it won't wear as evenly or the same as the rest of the car, or that the extra layer of coating will protect the car when it comes time to remove the PPF. Interested to hear from end users' experiences either way.

As it stands, I'm leaning towards putting the PPF on the bare paint... my bro did that for his WRX, but he had other issues and needed to have the PPF redone on his bumper.
 
HUMP DIESEL said:
Im glad someone has asked this. I have been wondering myself about this very topic. I have a buddy of mine who does PPF and Xpel has told him not put anything over the top.

He also stated that the films actually move, so wouldn't putting a hard coating over them negate that aspect? Also, what happens if you take the film off? Does the coating crack?

HUMP
Click to expand...

That's what's been a little confusing for me. I've had Xpel-authorized installers say to do it OVER the coating, and others say the opposite.

As far as the film 'moving', I wonder if that refers to the self-healing properties of the film. And my understanding is that Xpel and Suntek film already have a 'clear-coat' on them, which is why it's easier/possible to put things like Opti-coat and CQ on them and bond. I don't think the coating is hard enough to crack... but I have no clue.
 
Big difference between an installer's recommendations and those of the PPF manufacturer.

I have never had any problems with my PPF.
But, then again:
I always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.


Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
Big difference between an installer's recommendations and those of the PPF manufacturer.

I have never had any problems with my PPF.
But, then again:
I always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Bob
Click to expand...

Agreed. I will probably just follow the manufac's recs.

Zileas said:
They don't want warranty issues, or a bad rap.
Click to expand...

I just caught this. What a terrible pun, LOL. :bash:
 
there will be people who have put film over coating and it worked fine. film guys will say they face issues at times applying film over coated cars. the manufacturer as Bob pointed out doesn't recommend it, using very valid points for their stance. the most important one to me is that there is no benefit for coating paint that will be underneath film. and having adhesion issues with film SUCKS.

re: putting it over the film...i can see why that would possibly at least have some benefit vs. putting it under (which seems to have none), but i still think that if you buy into the current film tech and its self-healing properties, i don't know if coating would do any good vs. harm. might just be a waste of time that could impede the technology from doing what it is supposed to do.

side note, somewhat off topic: i've recently been told from a very reliable source that light marring doesn't even show up under film. i guess it's sorta like when body shops scuff clear and then reshoot clear over it, it looks...clear again. same concept i guess. pretty cool.
 
builthatch said:
side note, somewhat off topic: i've recently been told from a very reliable source that light marring doesn't even show up under film. i guess it's sorta like when body shops scuff clear and then reshoot clear over it, it looks...clear again. same concept i guess. pretty cool.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna pretend I didn't read that, cuz I just bought all my stuff to correct the light marring so I can put the PPF over it.
:autowash:
 
Zileas said:
I'm gonna pretend I didn't read that, cuz I just bought all my stuff to correct the light marring so I can put the PPF over it.
:autowash:
Click to expand...

haha, it came up because i was saying how it appeared that the hood of uncorrected cars look so good with film applied by run of the mill places, as if the film masks the light stuff.

trust me, either way, just because film is going on, i'd never let a hood go uncorrected first on anything i own! you are not alone.
 
FUNX725 said:
From XPel's FAQs:

Can/should Opticoat or cQuartz be applied to the car before the film is installed?

"We do NOT recommend applying sealants such as Opticoat or cQuartz to the parts of the car that will be covered with film. The low surface energy of paint sealant products such as these will cause adhesion problems both during installation and over the life of the product. In addition, it is worth noting that there is really no benefit to applying sealant to the paint before the film anyway, since the film will provide far more environmental protection to the paint than a sealant ever could."

**************************************************

Hope this helps.

Bob
Click to expand...


You forgot the other part, Bob. ;)


From XPel's FAQs:

"Will Opticoat or cQuartz hurt the film?"

Sealants such as Opticoat and cQuartz will not hurt the film or interfere with our Ultimate paint protection film's self healing properties.
Click to expand...

Eric Witt of Tru-Shine Detailing actually had a syringe of Opti-Coat Pro sent to the Xpel training center while he was there for training. They applied the coating on top of the film and tested the self healing properties multiple times. It aids in cleaning, helps with removal of bugs, and helps resist against staining from bugs and bird poo.
 
I put Opti Coat under the film on my new car, but only because I couldn't get an appointment right away. If you can, there is no reason to coat the paint. On top of the clear bra? YES!!!
 
RaskyR1 said:
You forgot the other part, Bob. ;)




Eric Witt of Tru-Shine Detailing actually had a syringe of Opti-Coat Pro sent to the Xpel training center while he was there for training. They applied the coating on top of the film and tested the self healing properties multiple times. It aids in cleaning, helps with removal of bugs, and helps resist against staining from bugs and bird poo.
Click to expand...


there you go, good info.
 
builthatch said:
side note, somewhat off topic: i've recently been told from a very reliable source that light marring doesn't even show up under film. i guess it's sorta like when body shops scuff clear and then reshoot clear over it, it looks...clear again. same concept i guess. pretty cool.
Click to expand...


Not the best pic, but yeah. New film over a swirled hood.

 
 
builthatch said:
no, that pic is awesome. very interesting. thanks for sharing that! have you ever seen a marred hood before vs. after with film? looking at that, it obviously doesn't mask them as i was told. but does it make them much less visible? i mean the obvious guess would be yes, but i don't know.

being new film, i can't imagine any of that is on top.
Click to expand...

I couldn't see any of the light swirls under the film and I actually quoted see this car before it was applied. It was several weeks after the install when I detailed it though and some bugs had etched the film already. It won't hide the major stuff, but light webbing shouldn't be a problem IMO.
 
RaskyR1 said:
I couldn't see any of the light swirls under the film and I actually quoted see this car before it was applied. It was several weeks after the install when I detailed it though and some bugs had etched the film already. It won't hide the major stuff, but light webbing shouldn't be a problem IMO.
Click to expand...

hmm...any idea what brand/type of film that was?
 
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