Removing the ceramic coating before PPF is applied?

[armoredsaint]

So a high end local installer using Xpel Ultimate Plus told me they don't need to remove the ceramic coating, they will just "adjust the adhesion" to make it more sticky to the paint, that is interesting to hear and I am not all too sure about that.

I was going to use Sonax Perfect Finish to take it off myself.

 

[Bosko]

So they will spray glass cleaner on it........

 

[chefwong]

As long as you/he feels comfortable from a warranty perspective...As the film settles, u will need to do a round 2 visit 3-4 weeks out from initial install to trim/reglue lifted edges, etc that may occur as she cures and shifts a smidge

 

[Flash Gordon]

What they told you is correct. Ppf also hides imperfections so there's really no need to polish.
Having said that, if I were in your shoes I would polish anyway

 

[TTQ B4U]

So a high end local installer using Xpel Ultimate Plus told me they don't need to remove the ceramic coating, they will just "adjust the adhesion" to make it more sticky to the paint, that is interesting to hear and I am not all too sure about that. I was going to use Sonax Perfect Finish to take it off myself.

You don't need to remove it. There's lots of debate, and everyone has an opinion, but I've been working with PPF for over 25 years and doing ceramic coatings for a long while too. No need to "remove them" The activator and adhesive on most films will bond just fine. Ceramic actually makes removal with steam down the road a lot easier.

 

[sippy2]

Maybe a lil late...but I'll throw my personal experience in.

New truck June 2022. Full decon,clay,polish...Optimum Gloss coat. Month later had Llumar Platinum series PPF applied to my bumper. No wash for 7 days....then hand wash for two more weeks...since have been using drive thru wash.(I dont need a sermon on this) Now 6 months later PPF is coming off. Went back to the dealer...owner said their ppf was ceramic friendly and shouldnt be an issue...then installer said ppf and ceramic is a bad mix. 10 yr warranty so no problem with that. But I am going to polish off coating before reinstall.

I plan to use Sonax cut and finish...if anyone has any comments on .....will the Sonax remove the OGC? Or any other additional steps needed to remove the coating.

 

[The Guz]

Maybe a lil late...but I'll throw my personal experience in.

New truck June 2022. Full decon,clay,polish...Optimum Gloss coat. Month later had Llumar Platinum series PPF applied to my bumper. No wash for 7 days....then hand wash for two more weeks...since have been using drive thru wash.(I dont need a sermon on this) Now 6 months later PPF is coming off. Went back to the dealer...owner said their ppf was ceramic friendly and shouldnt be an issue...then installer said ppf and ceramic is a bad mix. 10 yr warranty so no problem with that. But I am going to polish off coating before reinstall.

I plan to use Sonax cut and finish...if anyone has any comments on .....will the Sonax remove the OGC? Or any other additional steps needed to remove the coating.

Gloss Coat is not a strong coating. You can remove it polishing by hand if that gives you an indication of how easily it can be removed.

 

[chefwong]

Maybe a lil late...but I'll throw my personal experience in.

New truck June 2022. Full decon,clay,polish...Optimum Gloss coat. Month later had Llumar Platinum series PPF applied to my bumper. No wash for 7 days....then hand wash for two more weeks...since have been using drive thru wash.(I dont need a sermon on this) Now 6 months later PPF is coming off. Went back to the dealer...owner said their ppf was ceramic friendly and shouldnt be an issue...then installer said ppf and ceramic is a bad mix. 10 yr warranty so no problem with that. But I am going to polish off coating before reinstall.

I plan to use Sonax cut and finish...if anyone has any comments on .....will the Sonax remove the OGC? Or any other additional steps needed to remove the coating.

Sippy - drive through as the brushes/large fabric things that flap or -touchless-
In the definition of coming off, are you discussing the edges or the entire -sheet-

If touchless, it may be the pressure jet head that lifted the edges and then subsequent from there.

 

[PaulMys]

.then installer said ppf and ceramic is a bad mix.

I would tend to trust the below information over whatever "installer" gave you that opinion. What are his credentials? The credentials of the member below are proven 1,000 times over..........

You don't need to remove it. There's lots of debate, and everyone has an opinion, but I've been working with PPF for over 25 years and doing ceramic coatings for a long while too. No need to "remove them" The activator and adhesive on most films will bond just fine. Ceramic actually makes removal with steam down the road a lot easier.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

Gloss Coat is not a strong coating. You can remove it polishing by hand if that gives you an indication of how easily it can be removed.

I remove CQUK3.0 by hand with Essence


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BudgetPlan1]

If touchless, it may be the pressure jet head that lifted the edges and then subsequent from there.

This…or the powerful but indiscriminate air blower at the end of the line. Would never take a PPF’d vehicle through a touch less.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[sippy2]

This was from a reputable well vetted shop...will probably wait til spring for the redo and then ask owner if he wants me to polish the coating or what he suggests.

Just wanted to share so others knew there is a potential.

And as stated and I knew... Optinum isnt even one of the best/slickest coatings.

 

[chefwong]

The point was the it may not be the shops fault if it's the -touchless wash- if you are going to.....

 

[dlc95]

Maybe a lil late...but I'll throw my personal experience in.

New truck June 2022. Full decon,clay,polish...Optimum Gloss coat. Month later had Llumar Platinum series PPF applied to my bumper. No wash for 7 days....then hand wash for two more weeks...since have been using drive thru wash.(I dont need a sermon on this) Now 6 months later PPF is coming off. Went back to the dealer...owner said their ppf was ceramic friendly and shouldnt be an issue...then installer said ppf and ceramic is a bad mix. 10 yr warranty so no problem with that. But I am going to polish off coating before reinstall.

I plan to use Sonax cut and finish...if anyone has any comments on .....will the Sonax remove the OGC? Or any other additional steps needed to remove the coating.

The Cut and Finish should remove it.

3D ONE on a B&S standard blue pad, with a PC 7424 xp s wasn't able to remove Gloss Coat.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I would tend to trust the below information over whatever "installer" gave you that opinion. What are his credentials? The credentials of the member below are proven 1,000 times over..........

Thanks for the props. Agree with your statement to go with whatever that particular installer deems comfortable for them.

Would never take a PPF’d vehicle through a touch less.

Touchless washes are 100% fine. The water sprayers nor air pressure of the dryer nozzles will harm it. If either do, it's a poor installation.

 

[BudgetPlan1]

Touchless washes are 100% fine. The water sprayers nor air pressure of the dryer nozzles will harm it. If either do, it's a poor installation.

It's really not a question of the installation but rather the caution needed as the PPF ages & wears, notably in high impact areas such as the underside of the rocker panels and other lower areas of the vehicle that are subjected to excessive wear from normal vehicle usage. Even on the best of installations, the underside of the rocker panels and fender/quarter panels, wheel arches and such are constantly bombarded with road debris in the best of times and rock salt, cinders and chemical deicers in the worst of times....areas where the PPF 'ends' and whether seen or not (usually not seen unless you put the car on a lift to inspect it), these areas are likely pitted (and in some cases breached) from road debris. Given that these areas of my cars are about 5" from the pavement, they see a very hard life and the need to run them through a pressure wash, especially one with "undercarriage spray and dry" can't help anything with regards to overall integrity of the PPF; may not hurt it but it certainly won't help it.

Do I want an undercarriage pressure jet spraying high velocity water 6" away from my most vulnerable areas of my PPF...maybe it's just me but given the rather limited overall benefit of that experience, I'll pass. As you point out, a quality installation will take care of the easy (i.e. visible) areas/edges of the PPF but it's often what you can't see that is susceptible to damage and once bad things start in those areas, they can creep into more visible areas.

Like anything, personal preference when it comes to this stuff and YMMV.

 

[TTQ B4U]

It's really not a question of the installation but rather the caution needed as the PPF ages & wears, notably in high-impact areas such as the underside of the rocker panels and other lower areas of the vehicle that are subjected to excessive wear from normal vehicle usage.

well, I say installation as those areas should be wrapped not cut or pre-cut. I wrap all my rockers and fenders period. One of the key quality differences of a good install vs average is the minimization of exposed edges.