PPF

[Rsurfer]

Is it necessary to protect PPF? If not protected how long should it last? Is there a "best" brand of PPF?

 

[Mike Hoekstra]

I have Xpel on the front of my Camry that I had a another local detailer install (support the trade and small business). 10 year warranty, self-healing, won't yellow, etc. Xpel is one of the more common/popular brands across the country to my knowledge. I don't know that it's "necessary" to protect PPF, but I applied Dr. Beasley's PPF coating to my vehicle to keep the hydrophobic properties, and not have to use a separate product when I'm doing the coating maintenance for the rest since it all uses the same booster.

 

[joebruin77]

If you go to the website of the PPF manufacturer, they should list cleaning and care instructions for your particular brand of PPF.

Like Spikey Mike, I also have Xpel PPF. But I chose not to do a coating. At first, I tried protecting it with Xpel's liquid sealant. I did not care for this product because, despite my best of efforts to avoid it, some of the liquid dried under the edge of a plastic covering that I can't get off. From that experience, I decided to only use spray-on sealants. Whatever you use, just make sure it is PPF safe. If you want to go with the budget friendly option, Turtle Wax Seal and Shine will work just fine. I have also used a couple different ceramic-infused spray sealants with great results. After I wash the PPF, I have used Meguiars D156 as a drying aid for added protection between sealant applications.

 

[The Guz]

Is it necessary? No but why not go ahead and coat it. Most come with a hydrophobic layer. With that said it is not the most hydrophobic which is why most have it coated. PPF specific coatings are designed to be more flexible that a typical coating. Plenty of videos from GTechniq going into detail with their Halo PPF Coating. Avi told me that Cquartz Skin stays flexible over the PPF without hindering any of the PPF's qualities but stated the other Cquartz coatings would be fine to use. The benefit to Skin is how slick it is.

As far as longevity that is going to depend on the manufacturers claims. 10years is about the norm. You are going to have to research the so called "best". XPEL is commonly known. I heard Suntek is better in the aesthetics aspect as it has less orange peel compared to XPEL with comparible results. I believe Esoteric uses this brand.

 

[FUNX650]

My PPF choice is XPEL Ultimate.

•I use PPF-specific cleaners/sealers from:
-XPEL
-Premier Protective Films International.


Bob

 

[Rsurfer]

Is it necessary? No but why not go ahead and coat it. Most come with a hydrophobic layer. With that said it is not the most hydrophobic which is why most have it coated. PPF specific coatings are designed to be more flexible that a typical coating. Plenty of videos from GTechniq going into detail with their Halo PPF Coating. Avi told me that Cquartz Skin stays flexible over the PPF without hindering any of the PPF's qualities but stated the other Cquartz coatings would be fine to use. The benefit to Skin is how slick it is.

As far as longevity that is going to depend on the manufacturers claims. 10years is about the norm. You are going to have to research the so called "best". XPEL is commonly known. I heard Suntek is better in the aesthetics aspect as it has less orange peel compared to XPEL with comparible results. I believe Esoteric uses this brand.

So if I have perfectly polished paint (wet sanded). PPF will add orange peel?

 

[Bruno Soares]

Yes, it will add orange peel. Some brands more than others. Some add very little but always adds some.

 

[FUNX650]

So if I have perfectly polished paint (wet
sanded) PPF will add orange peel?

I’ve never had any of XPEL’s PPF add
any orange peel to my vehicles. I am
complety satisfied with their products.

Of course: YMMV
_____________________________________________

Couple of hood/fender shots of XPEL Ultimate;
(It’s been on for 5 1/2 years)

From this:

To this:

Here’s a shot of some “pre-Ultimate” XPEL:
(It’s been on for 10 years)

Bob

 

[joebruin77]

Like Bob, I have been extremely satisfied with my Xpel Ultimate PPF. I have had it for 2 years on a vehicle that is parked outside 24/7 and it looks just as amazing as it did after it was installed. Xpel's films come with a 10 year warranty that is transferrable to a new owner if I sell the car before the warranty expires. And my installer recommended Xpel in part because they really stand behind their film. He said that if there is ever a problem with the film, Xpel will replace it on their dime.

 

[Thomkirby]

Okay, I'll chime in and confuse all. I started with Suntek on the front bumper and about 20-inches up the hood. After about 3-years it started showing more color (yellowing). My original installer had closed shop so I visited another one that was doing PPF. They were authorized both for Suntek and Xpel. They took pictures and contacted Suntek. Suntek honored their 5-year warranty and provided the replacement materials to the new installer I selected. That job was fine and at the same time I requested they install a full hood only and for that went with the Xpel.

Now both sections were equal quality and both had 10-year warranties from yellowing. 60-days afterwards a car on the highway threw something up and turned out to put a tear in the hood about the size of a small pea. That was a few years ago now and still going strong except that hole and minor dent.

Now back to your first question, should you protect the PPF? I do and have used the Carpro SKIN topper but after about a year, switched over the GTechniq HALO. I am pleased more with the HALO than the SKIN, but we are talking about very minor differences. To top that off every few washes I use the PBL Surface Coating.

Still happy with both products of PPF on the car. And also have the Suntek on the front of my F150 too!

 

[The Guz]

So if I have perfectly polished paint (wet sanded). PPF will add orange peel?

Possibly. Depends on the brand. Budget will be the one to ask. He had PPF applied at esoteric.

 

[BudgetPlan1]

To me, who is doing the install is more important than what they'll be using; Suntek, Xpel, STEK, etc. Quality shops will use quality stuff and the differences are kinda like this coating vs that coating...they're generally all really good among the top mfg's.

We had wife's black C7 completely wrapped with STEK DynoShield when new in 04/2019. It was a fun process and I'm very pleased w the outcome after living with it for 2 years now. Will be sending my summer toy down at some point to get PPF'd so it's working for me.

With regards to texture, if ya look close enough you'll see some...not really orange-peelish but you can discern a bit of 'something'. I stare at our cars a lot (especially for the entire 10 minutes a black car stays clean after washing) and I don't notice it in the least. And it has the advantage of looking far better than chips look on black paint; they really should offer color-matched primer as an option...I'd pay a bit extra for it.

Does it need to be coated, probably not but like Guz said, why not? Especially if you're used to living with coated cars cuz not much has to change w regards to maintenance and a little 'extra' can't hurt. Ours is coated w a PPF-specific coating, nice and slick but if dunno if I'll redo it when it ages aside from the entertainment of doing it.

Was a little suspect of something that to me seemed to be a more porous (PPF) at first but after 2 years and more than a few 'aerial environmental incidents', no worries with staining or etching...acts just like a car with any quality LSP.

Given the way we use our fun cars, it works out well and I don't even think about the potential downsides (texture, protection, seams, fading, peeling, etc) that I obsessed over when deciding to have it done. I look at the cars with the same satisfaction I would if they were coated, sealed or waxed...minus the rock chips.

Find a good shop, let them work with you to meet expectations...it'll probably turn out to be a fun part of the process.