Advice Appreciated - Sloppy PPF Install

[19GT350R]

I posted this in the GT500 forum as well but I think this section will get more eyes on it.

I’ve been going back and forth for a couple months now with a particular shop in the greater Houston area regarding my Heritage GT500 CFTP.

I had a slight hesitation using a new-to-me shop after expressing an issue with another shop that had cut into the paint on my GT350R but was assured that they would definitely not allow that to happen as they are very meticulous.

Well…not only did they cut into the rear bumper past the paint, but my car wasn’t even cleaned thoroughly evidenced by trapped debris and gravel by the rockers and front grille area.

There are numerous areas around the car where the PPF isn’t aligned properly (especially around the wing uprights), a spot on the hood where there’s a small collection of razor blade cuts that won’t self-heal under heat or sunlight, and in general, just badly cut edges throughout. Lastly, they never installed the PPF over the A-pillars which is not a big deal at this point as it can be easily added however, I don’t feel comfortable bringing it back to them to ‘fix’. The owner tells me that they can’t refund the labor but willing to credit the material provided I bring it back to them for removal.

I’ve wasted too much of my personal time already on the back and forth between visits, leaving it at a body shop, the phone calls, and now, the owner refusing to reply to my calls and messages.

I don’t think it would be worth going legal but has anyone else experienced something like this and what was the resolution?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to read and provide input.

Sponsored

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

It's really hard to find PPF shops that do high quality work, total crapshoot. Even the ones that have great reputation and tons of reviews.. 1.) people don't know what to look for and 2.) all the high quality work depends on having high quality employees and you don't always have those as they come and go. A business that did amazing work a year ago might have a bunch of 19 year olds that are being trained currently.

I feel for you. I would just leave a review with your findings so the next guy doesn't get burned and find a better shop.. show them the work and see what they say.

Any pictures you can post?

 

[Schuvwj]

All it takes a great PPF shop to do crappy work is one of there employees goes on vacation!

 

[S550HPP]

Demand they remove it all. also they are probably an authorized dealer /applicator of the PPF brand....reach out to the brand they don't want any negative associations with their brand and may take care of you through another dealer, plus it likely came with warranty so you can make a claim.

 

[Skye]

Sorry to read of the failure, time wasted and money spent in finding a qualified PPF installer.

I'd ask this shop for a refund, that they remove it, make a tactful review on Google and possibly file a complaint with the BBB. If the office who did install the PPF is supported by a brand, reach out to the company and explain what happened.

The word "cut" surprised me. I relied on an Xpel franchisee which used plotters and a database vehicles and their body panels to cut the PPF. While the material still requires a qualified tech to install, there was zero cutting involved. Most shops in my area stopped free-handing years ago. As you're well aware, the potential to damage paint is there. And a process involving cutting is slow and inconsistent.

It doesn't have to be an Xpel office, but seek out a PPF installer that's supported, trained and a franchisee of a PPF brand; that they're involved in a system. While this will not guarantee the results you require, it will lessen the chance of error.

Something else to look for in a shop: a clean area. See that they use a paint booth, clean room or other techniques that involve filtered air and prevent people from entering or exiting the area during application.

Finally, tour the shop and look at some recent examples. The office I relied on had a portfolio of previous work and allowed me to witness an application (through the window of a clean room) for as long as I wanted.

 

[Silex]

I did it myself and never cut my car. I only trust myself. It was a lot of work!

 

[TonyNJ]

I posted this in the GT500 forum as well but I think this section will get more eyes on it.

I’ve been going back and forth for a couple months now with a particular shop in the greater Houston area regarding my Heritage GT500 CFTP.

I had a slight hesitation using a new-to-me shop after expressing an issue with another shop that had cut into the paint on my GT350R but was assured that they would definitely not allow that to happen as they are very meticulous.

Well…not only did they cut into the rear bumper past the paint, but my car wasn’t even cleaned thoroughly evidenced by trapped debris and gravel by the rockers and front grille area.

There are numerous areas around the car where the PPF isn’t aligned properly (especially around the wing uprights), a spot on the hood where there’s a small collection of razor blade cuts that won’t self-heal under heat or sunlight, and in general, just badly cut edges throughout. Lastly, they never installed the PPF over the A-pillars which is not a big deal at this point as it can be easily added however, I don’t feel comfortable bringing it back to them to ‘fix’. The owner tells me that they can’t refund the labor but willing to credit the material provided I bring it back to them for removal.

I’ve wasted too much of my personal time already on the back and forth between visits, leaving it at a body shop, the phone calls, and now, the owner refusing to reply to my calls and messages.

I don’t think it would be worth going legal but has anyone else experienced something like this and what was the resolution?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to read and provide input.

If it's a 3M shop or 3M film, you can call them and they will assist with warranty funds or another shop.

Not sure if Expel does the same.

As for the misaligned areas, a little of that can be expected, but definitely not cuts in the paint and lots of debris under the film.

 

[19GT350R]

Thanks for all the replies! It is a 3M shop and I’ll check with them to see if there’s any recourse in getting this right.

 

[TonyNJ]

Thanks for all the replies! It is a 3M shop and I’ll check with them to see if there’s any recourse in getting this right.

You should have been given one of these... 1800 # on the card.

 

[19GT350R]

You should have been given one of these... 1800 # on the card.

Thank you, Sir!

 

[DrZed]

This sucks. Removing PPF is NOT easy. I've PPFd three cars now, and the installer is key, and it's not the shop, or the company, it is the particular installer. One person and their expertise and experience. I really hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction.

Sponsored