Problem with PPF?

[kilobravo]

I'm no expert but anything put on will need to be removed and re-applied before it fails.

I have had partial PPF on three vehicles, Glenn and, I helped the installer (a friend and certified XPEL installer,) apply the vinyl on all three. I'm sure that all the vinyl manufacturers have continued to improve their film (increasing longevity and impact resistance,) but as you accurately stated, it's not a "fire and forget" situation. Plus, removing film years after application is an ugly and sticky ordeal even if you have a steamer which is the best method.

My friend was quite good with the razor knife and never nicked the clear coat (and I looked closely,) but the risk is always there with PPF and much more so than a wrap due to the greater thickness of PPF film.

My main complaint with all three installs were the inevitable "dirty edges" that could never be cleaned completely and the resulting loss of adhesive caused them to pull away. I got very tired of looking at those every time I detailed one of them and that finally convinced me not to go that route with the current 500.

The other negative at least for me, is the film "gloss," it just jumps out at me every time I see a filmed vehicle and definitely isn't the same gloss as a polished clear coat. Again, just my opinion.

Yes, I will probably get a few rock chips without the protection but in my experience, even the best film won't protect you from any impact other than very small pebbles. Anything larger will almost always tear the film beyond the point of self healing and nick the paint anyway. Then you have those much larger tears to look at every time you give the vehicle a bath. So, even though I opted for POTS, I chose not to film this car and, the nicks will just get spot touchups.

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[docmogas]

Got full XPEL and while it was pricey I'm very glad I did. Like others said earlier, mine came with a 10 year warranty. Only about 10 months old but is showing no signs of aging to this point. Also makes the car much easier to clean.

 

[wingnutt]

I have had partial PPF on three vehicles, Glenn and, I helped the installer (a friend and certified XPEL installer,) apply the vinyl on all three. I'm sure that all the vinyl manufacturers have continued to improve their film (increasing longevity and impact resistance,) but as you accurately stated, it's not a "fire and forget" situation. Plus, removing film years after application is an ugly and sticky ordeal even if you have a steamer which is the best method.

My friend was quite good with the razor knife and never nicked the clear coat (and I looked closely,) but the risk is always there with PPF and much more so than a wrap due to the greater thickness of PPF film.

My main complaint with all three installs were the inevitable "dirty edges" that could never be cleaned completely and the resulting loss of adhesive caused them to pull away. I got very tired of looking at those every time I detailed one of them and that finally convinced me not to go that route with the current 500.

The other negative at least for me, is the film "gloss," it just jumps out at me every time I see a filmed vehicle and definitely isn't the same gloss as a polished clear coat. Again, just my opinion.

Yes, I will probably get a few rock chips without the protection but in my experience, even the best film won't protect you from any impact other than very small pebbles. Anything larger will almost always tear the film beyond the point of self healing and nick the paint anyway. Then you have those much larger tears to look at every time you give the vehicle a bath. So, even though I opted for POTS, I chose not to film this car and, the nicks will just get spot touchups.

ditto on all points…well said

 

[kilobravo]

ditto on all points…well said

Thanks, Michael, obviously I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

[RowdyRam]

I’ve been hesitant to put PPF on my car because of images like this. Has there been an advancement in the materials that would keep it from turning into this image eventually?

Not sure about other areas of the country, but here in the Houston area we have dealers who insist on installing this and including it in a mandatory "package" for paint protection, with all of the profit margins built in. If that's the case here, I wouldn't doubt that this owner paid over $2K for this disaster of an install.

Also, these add on packages don't necessarily use the higher grades of PPF.

We had a 2015 Rogue that had this "mandatory" package on it - thank you Sterling McCall Nissan. We never had a problem like this but I have a family member who did after ~8 years of ownership. She had mold growing in the leftover adhesive from (and around the sticky edges of) the PPF on a white Maxima. No amount of bleach or other chemicals we had access to would resolve the issue. Eventually she had the whole mess removed and never looked back. She'd rather have rock chips than PPF that looks like this.

 

[kellyreno]

If you go with something that is non-yellowing and self-healing, you should be good. I prefer XPEL.

The EXPEL on my wifes white car yellowed after 1 year. Garage kept 7000 miles. Cannot tell on my Race Red. My hood and bumper started peeling off after 1 year under the windshield and around the turn signals. Also had both ceramic coating applied to both. Will not repeat EXPEL on the next car and will try another vendor/shop.

 

[MiamiGT350]

The EXPEL on my wifes white car yellowed after 1 year. Garage kept 7000 miles. Cannot tell on my Race Red. My hood and bumper started peeling off after 1 year under the windshield and around the turn signals. Will not repeat EXPEL on the next car and will try another vendor/shop.

What kind of XPEL film is this and who installed it?

 

[kellyreno]

What kind of XPEL film is this and who installed it?

XPEL Ultimate plus with EXPL Fusion Plus Ceramic coating. Shop in Greenville S.C. that claims they do factory BMW work too. Both cars have been back for Annual Maintenance, decontamination, clay bar, 1 layer of XPEL Boost. This really brought the "wet look" shine back. They claim the peeling is because they ceramic coaled the hood and bumper prior to striping the coating and adding PPF. Done with them.

 

[First Stang]

I didn’t know about the maintenance required for ppf. I always thought it was one and done.

 

[kellyreno]

I didn’t know about the maintenance required for ppf. I always thought it was one and done.

Annual maintenance is for the ceramic coating. Sorry

 

[rcald]

I’ve done the maintenance boosts myself there are a couple that are really good…. Adams Ceramic Boost and Jax Wax every couple months, Iron decon once/year. Even if garage kept and reasonable miles the sides pick up a bunch from the brakes. The last wash I did, used the Adams after the wash wash completely done sprayed on and the pw’ed rinsed off. Big difference in gloss. My XPEL w IGL Ceramic will be three years in April, 100% best decision to spend the $$.

 

[tobaccokid]

Have XPel on my 2016 sports car, red, for 8 years now. Looks identical to the day it was applied.
Absolutely critical is who does the job. I travelled 100 miles to one of the best east of the Mississippi.

 

[MiamiGT350]

XPEL, Inc. (the “Company”) expressly warrants to the owner that, for a period of ten (10) years (the “Warranty Period”) from the date of initial installation. The Company will cover defects on the ULTIMATE PLUS & STEALTH (the “Product(s)”) such as: yellowing, cracking, blistering, and delaminating.

I would be making some calls...

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

XPEL Ultimate plus with EXPL Fusion Plus Ceramic coating. Shop in Greenville S.C. that claims they do factory BMW work too. Both cars have been back for Annual Maintenance, decontamination, clay bar, 1 layer of XPEL Boost. This really brought the "wet look" shine back. They claim the peeling is because they ceramic coaled the hood and bumper prior to striping the coating and adding PPF. Done with them.

So they admit they messed up but won’t fix it?

 

[kellyreno]

So they admit they messed up but won’t fix it?

No they fixed it twice but it will come up again. They made it out like it happened because I changed my mind to add it once it was ceramic sealed. Of course they told me they could handle it. I have to take the white car back about the yellowing. You can only see it in the sun at the right angle. I'm sure they will have an excuse for that. Paid them $6200 for both cars (window tinting, sealing wheels, rotors). Sucks they are 1 hour away. As I said, done with them.

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