Paint protection

[Jspoon54]

I recently purchased a dark matter grey 2022 GT. We took the car on a road trip and upon getting back home and giving it a wash I found 3 chips on the front end /hood . It had less then 500 miles and already suffered paint damage. I get it sh*t happens, and I bought the car to drive but geez this sucks.

What are people using these days to protect the paint ? An6 recommendations greatly appreciate.

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[Rev68]

I went with STEK PPF (full vehicle), but you could probably get away with partial/front exposure if you don't want to drop $5k+.

 

[VooDoo_Ed]

I agree I have a 20 GT350 and a 21 GT500 both fully wrapped in STEK and then ceramic coating over the film. No issues so far. If you didn't want to do the full wrap I would recommend at least the impact areas.

 

[Rev68]

I agree I have a 20 GT350 and a 21 GT500 both fully wrapped in STEK and then ceramic coating over the film. No issues so far. If you didn't want to do the full wrap I would recommend at least the impact areas.

I just went ceramic on the wheels for the first two years, but a year 3 I will put ceramic on the STEK. as well.

 

[MattMPA]

My former '18 SHO had a few stone chips after a very short time on the highway. Put PPF on the first third of the fenders and hood, headlights, fascia, etc. Was a huge help. At 31,000 miles it only had one chip further back on the hood and a couple little nicks in the PPF. I should add at one point a retread came off a truck in front of me, hitting the headlight, fender and bumper. Except for the PPF needing to be replaced, no other damage to the vehicle.

My '22 GT got a similar treatment. Fascia, lights, foglights, grill, door cups, first 1/3rd (or so) of the hood and fenders. My reason for not doing the whole front clip was because when PPF gets a nick, I find it more noticeable than a good touch-up.

 

[TonyNJ]

Most PPF is engineered and manufactured by 3M, and sold under other brand names. The big name brands all have their pros and cons. Just pick one you're comfortable with and get it on your car soon. Put some factory touch up paint on those chips prior to installing and get back to enjoying your car.

 

[Specracer]

We have 3 cars that are 100% wrapped with Xpel, and others with the front clip (A pillar forward). 100% is great, but obviously expensive. If your going to do it, the experience of the installer is far more important than the product (xpel, vs Suntek etc). I would also consider doing the entire hood, fenders (front clip), as this will eliminate the seam (that is visible when only doing the front 1/3rd of the hood / fenders).

 

[Skye]

Agree with others that PPF is the way to go, and, to review/interview installers.

PPFing the front third of the car would be a great start. Everything forward-facing. Also consider along the wheel wells and the rocker panel areas, where rocks get kicked up. Afterwards, it'd be up to you (and your budget) if you'd like to PPF more or do a combination of PPF and ceramic.

PPF generally takes two weeks to dry out and cure, with a follow-up by the installer. Ceramic can take a few days to apply and cure.

As part of the project discussion, the installer can then recommend a paint/PPF sealer. Some do ceramic on top of the PPF, if not the entire car, which is fine; the installer could discuss with you how to best maintain any applied materials and coatings (which is not difficult or time consuming).

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