Help, To PPF or not to PPF?

[2023EGM1]

I wonder if the price of a good ppf (4-6k?) is worth on a ~50k non collectible car.

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[Mach 307]

I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze IMO. $1500 also seems very low. A quality PPF job for a full car should run anywhere from $5k-$10k. I think most quality jobs more so towards that $10k mark. At that point is it really worth it? I don’t think, here’s my reason why. You can easily invest $1,500 into a paint correction and 5 year ceramic coating and have great results. If you don’t tailgate, how many rock chips are you really going to get? $5k-$10k worth? I doubt it. I feel in 5 years time you can get any panels that are messed up repainted for that same realm of money, instead of investing that into a temporary film. Also hearing all the things that can go wrong during application, after application and during removal, do you want to risk that? Someone’s always complaining their PPF is peeling, or yellowing, or damaged the paint being applied or being removed. I don’t know, I’ve never had PPF so this is me on the outside looking in, but these are the opinions I’ve gathered on it. Also OP, do you know how long the cars current PPF has been on it, and how long the expected life is? Just so you don’t run into any eventual removal problems. For any sort of quality ceramic coating or PPF near us, whichever route you choose, checkout Chicago Auto Pros. They’re the gold standard.

 

[HeyJD]

@Skye response should be made into a sticky in the Cosmetic section.

My car has all the horizontal surfaces fully covered. I also added the side areas in front of the rear wheels (bc of track days). Most of the crud that builds up on your car literally falls from the sky. My uncovered sides are just as smooth as day one.

I plan to get a fresh ceramic coat next spring.

I think I may do it for peace of mind. The previous owner did the hot spots.

I wonder if the price of a good ppf (4-6k?) is worth on a ~50k non collectible car.

Thats up to you, Im planni

I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze IMO. $1500 also seems very low. A quality PPF job for a full car should run anywhere from $5k-$10k. I think most quality jobs more so towards that $10k mark. At that point is it really worth it? I don’t think, here’s my reason why. You can easily invest $1,500 into a paint correction and 5 year ceramic coating and have great results. If you don’t tailgate, how many rock chips are you really going to get? $5k-$10k worth? I doubt it. I feel in 5 years time you can get any panels that are messed up repainted for that same realm of money, instead of investing that into a temporary film. Also hearing all the things that can go wrong during application, after application and during removal, do you want to risk that? Someone’s always complaining their PPF is peeling, or yellowing, or damaged the paint being applied or being removed. I don’t know, I’ve never had PPF so this is me on the outside looking in, but these are the opinions I’ve gathered on it. Also OP, do you know how long the cars current PPF has been on it, and how long the expected life is? Just so you don’t run into any eventual removal problems. For any sort of quality ceramic coating or PPF near us, whichever route you choose, checkout Chicago Auto Pros. They’re the gold standard.

Thanks for the input. Fair points. The car won’t be tracked but one of the main roads in my city has a ton of semi trucks on it so I figured more “hazard”

$1500 is just for the rear quarter panels which is all I wanted to be done honestly. Reputable shop with lots of experience dealing with c8s, gt500’s and such so not worried about quality.

after reading skyes reply, I think I’ll try improved mudflaps and invest the extra cash into an exhaust. I’m about 50/50 still.

 

[rijndael]

I wonder if the price of a good ppf (4-6k?) is worth on a ~50k non collectible car.

I had the front end done, that's the best bang for the buck, IMO.

It included the hood, bumper, fenders, headlights, side mirrors, and the A pillars. It was around $2250 for Stek PPF.

 

[akoster]

My Mustang GT came with a PPF on the front, but I did manage to get a couple small chips on the front of my roof and side pillers. I would say if you do both of those than you should be fine

 

[docmogas]

Many have brought up a lot of valid points in both directions. Personally for me I did full ppf and I don't regret my decision one bit 3 years down the road. I don't know if anybody's mentioned it, but another bonus is it's very to clean your car from my experience.

 

[Lorne34]

I purchased a 2016Gt and a 2017GT Vert and had both front ends ppf'd.
With both vehicles I got rock chips where the ppf wasn't. I also was not a fan of some of the damaged ppf areas where it did not self heal. Yes, it protected the paint, but left a bubble that snagged on wash rags. If you are ocd and can't live with rock chips AND have the $ then have the whole car done. For me I just finally got to the point where I said the heck with it.. it's a moving object that I love to drive and i'm just going to enjoy the hell out of it rock chips and all. I use dr color chip to touchup the paint every year and move on.

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