PPF - % of owners doing it

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Be careful, stek and Suntek are different companies and products. Suntek is a US co, while stek is korean.

Im using Atlanta ceramic coatings and ppf, fka Buff Guys. Way up in alpharetta but very helpful on the phone and in person. Nice shop with about 5 cars in process at any given time. They offer xpel and suntek.

https://www.ceramiccoatingandppf.com...rs-and-trucks/

There's no issue with STEK. I know a couple people who have had it and they were pleased. I've also spoken to several installers and there were no issues to note. It's a good film to consider. Just a note about ppf shops. Volume or type of vehicle in the shop at any given point tells you nothing other than they're relatively busy or popular. It's not a proxy for excellent workmanship. I've been to a highly regarded shop a couple years back and walked away unimpressed. It was interesting to experience a shop firsthand that has received so much hype and praise. Most of the prominent shops in Atlanta are busy...ClearFilm, Detailed Design Auto Spa, AP3, Buff Guys, Atlanta Protective Films, and the list goes on. The subtext is there is enough demand in the area for everyone to eat.

[SpeedyATL]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

There's no issue with STEK. I know a couple people who have had it and they were pleased. I've also spoken to several installers and there were no issues to note. It's a good film to consider. Just a note about ppf shops. Volume or type of vehicle in the shop at any given point tells you nothing other than they're relatively busy or popular. It's not a proxy for excellent workmanship. I've been to a highly regarded shop a couple years back and walked away unimpressed. It was interesting to experience a shop firsthand that has received so much hype and praise. Most of the prominent shops in Atlanta are busy...ClearFilm, Detailed Design Auto Spa, AP3, Buff Guys, Atlanta Protective Films, and the list goes on. The subtext is there is enough demand in the area for everyone to eat.

Thanks Clark.

I think you misunderstood my inference. The prior post referenced STEK, while mine referenced SunTek. I was simply saying be careful not to mix up SunTek and STEK. When I first started learning about PPF on YT, I did not realize they were different companies. So, when you're watching a comparison between Xpel and STEK, just know it's STEK not SunTek and vice versa.

I also agree that the installer is more important than one film vs another.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Thanks Clark.

I think you misunderstood my inference. The prior post referenced STEK, while mine referenced SunTek. I was simply saying be careful not to mix up SunTek and STEK. When I first started learning about PPF on YT, I did not realize they were different companies. So, when you're watching a comparison between Xpel and STEK, just know it's STEK not SunTek and vice versa.

I also agree that the installer is more important than one film vs another.

Ah, I see. My apologies. Would be interested to hear about your experience once complete.

[Mike02z]

Had the XPEL “Cross Country” package completed today. I intend to be buried in this car so I want it as chip free as possible.

I did not do PPF on my prior X3MC as I knew I was only keeping it for 2 years.

[Fastfwd]

Glad I found this thread to give me some context of what people are getting charged for the G87. I thought I was maybe getting gouged a bit on the quotes I was getting for a smaller car like the M2.

A few questions though - is there any particular PPF that works better with the BSM paint? It seems to have a lot of metal flake and as I'm researching this a little maybe some PPF is more clear than others?

Also, if the PPF has any ultraviolet light protection properties what happens to the exposed paint that doesn't on something like the BSM? Would it be wise to cover the entire carbon roof too for UV protection?

I'm leaning Xpel. The info I've seen seems to infer that Xpel is maybe a little more clear than 3M, but not as clear as Suntek possibly, but idk. Generally at least.

Initially, I really wanted to do paint correction, ppf, and ceramic. The pricing is just tough to swallow though. I'm considering doing as much PPF as I can afford and possibly skipping the ceramic, but the prospect of getting it done while brand new to protect it sure does appeal to me as well.


Here's a quote from one of the prospects:

"CQuartz Finest Reserve w/ DQuartz - 5+ year coating All paint, plastic, trim, and glass is coated after prep. Door jambs are coated and a wheels off coating is done as well. $2200

CQuartz Professional w/ DQuartz - 3-5 year coating. All paint, plastic, trim and glass is coated $1200 add a wheels off coating service for $400.

Partial PPF is roughly 24 inches from front of the hood up, that line matches the fender, headlights, front bumper, mirror caps, door cups are all handled. Typically $1000 range

Full front end is the entire hood with edges wrapped, full fender edges wrapped where possible, front bumper, mirror caps, door cups $2000

Rocker panels (both) $525

Add partial roof and a pillars at $175

Full roof in clear PPF $500. Full roof in gloss black PPF (if thats something you'd like) $650

As far as the quarter panel goes, it looks like that area in front of the rear wheels could take a beating. XPEL only has the full quarter panel but we could make a custom template for that splash area if needed. "



I would have to pass on that CQuartz Finest option, but I think that's the only one that he includes a 2 step paint correction service with. I'm not even sure what if any correction would be included in the CQuartz Professional option.

I do have a few quotes that can get the job done cheaper, but for some reason this guy seems like he offers the most complete service. Others seem to just do PPF or ceramic, but maybe not both. A guy that does 3M can do it all too, but it's 3M products.

[nunzo]

The factory paint has terrible orange peel as is. I had full XPEL Ultimate Plus, Fusion Plus Ceramic, and Prime XR Plus window tint done and I can’t tell the difference between factory paint except for the few seams I can point out.

[prostcfc]

Are most places removing parts to PPF (bumper, trim pieces, etc.)? I would think "yes" to make it as clean as possible, but not sure I trust a shop, or anyone for that matter, to R&R things carefully and correctly.

[ledgy]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I would not do full, only what’s front facing. The one time I got the rear done, someone tapped my bumper and it looked worse. Film tore, dirt accumulated underneath and looked terrible… I eventually had to pull off the whole film to get the bumper resprayed.

After that experience I just do bumper, hood, mirrors and pillars. Side skirts is nice but only worth it if you do it day 1.

I do the full car. I had the same experience. Scraped the bumper. But the film save the paint. No damage. The place I use replaces film like this under warranty once a year. So no cost to getting it replaced.

[dudley@07726]

Originally Posted by prostcfc

Are most places removing parts to PPF (bumper, trim pieces, etc.)? I would think "yes" to make it as clean as possible, but not sure I trust a shop, or anyone for that matter, to R&R things carefully and correctly.

My shop removed some trim pieces. Spoiler was removed. The raises on the roof were removed as were the pieces down the sides of the windshield. My M340i was by far, the cheapest car in the shop. I trusted them 100%.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by ledgy

I do the full car. I had the same experience. Scraped the bumper. But the film save the paint. No damage. The place I use replaces film like this under warranty once a year. So no cost to getting it replaced.

Yea but every scrape is obvious different. It’s not the cost of replacing the film that’s an issue. But some scrapes can’t be saved by film. My factory paint got damaged despite having Xpel.

[nunzo]

Originally Posted by dudley@07726

My shop removed some trim pieces. Spoiler was removed. The raises on the roof were removed as were the pieces down the sides of the windshield. My M340i was by far, the cheapest car in the shop. I trusted them 100%.

The shop I used didn’t remove the rear spoiler so there are seams on either side. I may have them fix it on my follow up appointment.

[ElectroGeek]

Originally Posted by Berzerker

XPEL Ultimate Fusion, which is what I believe you're referring to, is self-healing and ceramic coating at least a couple layers on PPF is still worth it.

If you're referring to just the regular XPEL Fusion, that's just a ceramic coating (not PPF) and no ceramic coating self heals

According to XPEL ceramic dose not self heal, maybe a new product?

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by ElectroGeek

According to XPEL ceramic dose not self heal, maybe a new product?

I believe you're confused. There are two products being discussed here.

1. XPEL Ultimate Fusion - PPF pre-treated with ceramic coating. This self heals just as most PPFs on the market.
2. XPEL Fusion - Ceramic coating from XPEL that does not self heal.

[ElectroGeek]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

I believe you're confused. There are two products being discussed here.

1. XPEL Ultimate Fusion - PPF pre-treated with ceramic coating. This self heals just as most PPFs on the market.
2. XPEL Fusion - Ceramic coating from XPEL that does not self heal.

The Ceramic was what I am referring to, I know the PPF dose. Sorry for the confusion.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by ElectroGeek

According to XPEL ceramic dose not self heal, maybe a new product?

Yep it's a bit confusing with their product names.

XPEL Fusion is *just* a ceramic coating, it does not self-heal.

XPEL Ultimate Fusion is a PPF *with* a built-in ceramic coating that does have self-healing properties.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by ElectroGeek

The Ceramic was what I am referring to, I know the PPF dose. Sorry for the confusion.

All good. Yes, the ceramic does not; however, there is at least one on the market that claims to self heal.

[ElectroGeek]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

All good. Yes, the ceramic does not; however, there is at least one on the market that claims to self heal.

I can confirm Feynlabs dose indeed, I had my X5 coated in it, and my M8 it worked wonderfully and I highly recommend their Ceramic coat. My M5 is the first car to have 100% XPEL PPF.

[Clark_Kent]

Originally Posted by ElectroGeek

I can confirm Feynlabs dose indeed, I had my X5 coated in it, and my M8 it worked wonderfully and I highly recommend their Ceramic coat. My M5 is the first car to have 100% XPEL PPF.

Can you share more about your experience with the Feynlabs coating? Did you do any "testing" on it to prove out its self healing properties?

[ElectroGeek]

Originally Posted by Clark_Kent

Can you share more about your experience with the Feynlabs coating? Did you do any "testing" on it to prove out its self healing properties?

So I originally got the Feynlabs Basic ceramic self healing coating on the car except for the front end where I had STek PPF installed. This was my first dive into coatings and PPF so I was skeptical to spend more then a few grand. The STek PPF really worked great at preventing chips and scratches, it really sold me on its performance. Now the ceramic also was amazing even with the basic version, and scuffs or light scratches either would vanish in the heat or the day or during winter after a was or sand storm simply applying hot water would make them clean up. I owned that car for about 3-4 years, the day the M8 arrived I washed it myself for the last time and I was amazed that after this time the paint was in almost as good of shape as when I got it, with dark colors micro scratches are the worst but the car had almost zero of them. So after that the next three cars got either Full PPF or PPF and Ceramic.

The M8 received STek PPF on the front end and roof, and Feynlabs Ceramic Plus on the rest of the car.

The Merc E63s got Full STek PPF

The M5 got Full XPEL PPF

All the cars have had the top tier ceramic XPEL tint on all glass and that's worth every penny also.

The reason I changed to XPEL on the last car is the installer for the STEk his work just had some imperfections that would drive me crazy, it wasnt the product it was just how he installed it. I did find a very well known installer in Houston but didn't want the hassle to ship the car and then drive it back so I opted to try having Xpel do their PPF.. I am happy with it, looks great, slightly more orange peel in XPEL.. Other then that I like it.

[horseygrl]

Has anyone had any experience or knowledge of Revivify Graphene Pro? I'm told it is newer and supposedly does have some self healing properties. A detail shop near me is recommending it . I don't have my car yet, just trying to educate myself. thanks in advance https://www.revivifyglobal.net/products/

[Motonoia]

Does anyone here track their cars regularly (1-2/month)? I am interested in getting XPEL PPF on my car and I am wondering if I should stick with the "track package" which includes front end, A pillars, mirror caps, and rocker panels or opt for the full car.

Hoping to get some insight from owners that track their cars if the doors/roof/other rearward parts of the car are necessary. Thanks in advance.

[Zepin]

I am splitting Xcel PPF on the frontal wind hitting areas then having ceramic on the roof and wheels and calipers. Everything else will be trusted with a quality wax.