To PPF or not to PPF
Discussion
Never used it on the many Porsche cars I have owned over the last 40 odd years but feel now might be the time to revaluate due to the improved quality and effectiveness of modern film.
My DB11 has film on the front of the rear aches (I believe this was from the factory)?
I’m not looking to cover the whole car just the most vulnerable areas including the headlights.
I’m in North Essex and would appreciate your thoughts, good and not so good, also any recommendations re installers.
Thanks
My DB11 has film on the front of the rear aches (I believe this was from the factory)?
I’m not looking to cover the whole car just the most vulnerable areas including the headlights.
I’m in North Essex and would appreciate your thoughts, good and not so good, also any recommendations re installers.
Thanks
Cost varies a lot. I think its quite a levered product. Some go to town and remove headlamps and roll it over edges super neat so you don't see seams. I can live with seeing an edge with my nose 2" from it!
I'm doing front end of my new car for 3 figs, same as my Rapide 3 yrs ago - no issues and does its job. Find a solid trusted local guy without fancy pant mark ups or if you can afford it go for the best film with the best installation and warranty at 3x that cost. Horses/courses - I treat it as a disposable to be renewed so don't want to pay a fortune.
I'm doing front end of my new car for 3 figs, same as my Rapide 3 yrs ago - no issues and does its job. Find a solid trusted local guy without fancy pant mark ups or if you can afford it go for the best film with the best installation and warranty at 3x that cost. Horses/courses - I treat it as a disposable to be renewed so don't want to pay a fortune.
It seems to be well accepted that Aston paint is quite soft, I believe for two reasons: modern water-based paints tend to be and Aston has to use a low-bake paint because the bonding adhesive does not like prolonged exposures to high temperatures. So PPF can be a good idea.
If you're going to do it then I'd have the car detailed first. Also, any stone chip repairs need to be sanded/polished so that they are at worst flush, otherwise the PPF might "tent" over any raised blobs of paint that have been dibbled into a chip crater.
As far as who then I can't help, but I'd want to know if they have CAD-designed, pre-cut shapes, or if they're going to apply it from a roll then trim the PPF to shape round the edges of your beloved Aston's panels with a box-cutter. Ask how they'll treat the badges, etc. - cut round or remove and refit.
If you're going to do it then I'd have the car detailed first. Also, any stone chip repairs need to be sanded/polished so that they are at worst flush, otherwise the PPF might "tent" over any raised blobs of paint that have been dibbled into a chip crater.
As far as who then I can't help, but I'd want to know if they have CAD-designed, pre-cut shapes, or if they're going to apply it from a roll then trim the PPF to shape round the edges of your beloved Aston's panels with a box-cutter. Ask how they'll treat the badges, etc. - cut round or remove and refit.
I purchased my V12VSM with a full vehicle PPF already applied five years earlier by Topaz. The quality and fitment was simply superb and remains so - albeit it was an “investment” cost even back then.
The car having this protection was a major plus point at purchase for me - and it’s already proven it’s worth by bearing the impact of some numpty opening their door onto mine. Panel and paint totally undamaged. Job done. Recommended.
The car having this protection was a major plus point at purchase for me - and it’s already proven it’s worth by bearing the impact of some numpty opening their door onto mine. Panel and paint totally undamaged. Job done. Recommended.
The arch film is factory applied, ironically it was optional for removal from the order process so there is cars without oddly.
In terms of AM got to be careful, like all manufacturers basecoats are water based, but very few clearcoats actually are, there is just less solvents than there used to be. The bit you touch I.e. the clear is highly likely to be solvent based.
On the low bake method, I think more Gaydon painted cars up until 2021 were subject to this, anything post that is now BIW done at Gaydon, shipped to St Athan for painting (excluding specific high end requests) and then put on the factory line at Gaydon for completion. St Athan is using a 3 stage bake.
Easiest possible way is to check the sill plaques - Gaydon painted cars could have these retrofitted I suppose, but they will likely say handbuilt/handmade in England. Later St Athan painted cars are hand-built/handmade in Great Britain due to being painted in Wales.
Second century I.e DB11 cars onwards painted at Gaydon still seem to suffer with microblistering. Regarding St Athan painted cars hard to say, but there seems less complaints although these cars may still be a little young to tell whether they are suffering with paint issues due to prep/paint tech etc.
I bring this up as PPF on those issues can be contentious with Gaydon and I have seen it go both ways. That being said paint defects with Gaydon seem contentious as a topic (including mine which is an AM6 Vantage, painted at Gaydon but going to Works for bonnet; driver's 3/4 and passenger door to be redone. If it had PPF I would worry if Gaydon would cover it...
In addition, PPF seems also highly contentious with insurers as seen with a thread not long back with someone not declaring it as modification to AXA and the problematic results (as some won't even touch it considering it a "wrap"). Equally I have seen some insurers arguing about it post repair alongside ceramic coatings etc.
Overall, I decided to not go ahead with it accepting the odd stone chip and really brutally questioning the problematic nature of them. Equally having seen some cars with PPF in person, one of AM's big credits is the lack of orange peel their paint has unlike many manufacturers and PPF I believe personally still fails to offer complete clarity.
In terms of AM got to be careful, like all manufacturers basecoats are water based, but very few clearcoats actually are, there is just less solvents than there used to be. The bit you touch I.e. the clear is highly likely to be solvent based.
On the low bake method, I think more Gaydon painted cars up until 2021 were subject to this, anything post that is now BIW done at Gaydon, shipped to St Athan for painting (excluding specific high end requests) and then put on the factory line at Gaydon for completion. St Athan is using a 3 stage bake.
Easiest possible way is to check the sill plaques - Gaydon painted cars could have these retrofitted I suppose, but they will likely say handbuilt/handmade in England. Later St Athan painted cars are hand-built/handmade in Great Britain due to being painted in Wales.
Second century I.e DB11 cars onwards painted at Gaydon still seem to suffer with microblistering. Regarding St Athan painted cars hard to say, but there seems less complaints although these cars may still be a little young to tell whether they are suffering with paint issues due to prep/paint tech etc.
I bring this up as PPF on those issues can be contentious with Gaydon and I have seen it go both ways. That being said paint defects with Gaydon seem contentious as a topic (including mine which is an AM6 Vantage, painted at Gaydon but going to Works for bonnet; driver's 3/4 and passenger door to be redone. If it had PPF I would worry if Gaydon would cover it...
In addition, PPF seems also highly contentious with insurers as seen with a thread not long back with someone not declaring it as modification to AXA and the problematic results (as some won't even touch it considering it a "wrap"). Equally I have seen some insurers arguing about it post repair alongside ceramic coatings etc.
Overall, I decided to not go ahead with it accepting the odd stone chip and really brutally questioning the problematic nature of them. Equally having seen some cars with PPF in person, one of AM's big credits is the lack of orange peel their paint has unlike many manufacturers and PPF I believe personally still fails to offer complete clarity.
I have a full PPF with Xpel from a very high end installer. They prepped the car to make it spotless, did the PPF on the entire body, then applied ceramic coating. I also got the wheels ceramic coated which is great for cleaning. Also some extra details.
Amazing result. No orange peel effect. The metallic still pops as much as ever. So easy to clean and a wallaby that jumped out and thankfully glanced off the front did no damage at all.
Their shop had a couple of Ferraris, a Porsche and a fancy AMG Merc in there at the time. Amazing much how higher quality Aston paint finish is than those other brands. That was an eye opener. The Germans are always orange peely. The Ferrari looked like Tony sprayed it in the garage. And it was new!
It wasn’t cheap, I think about 5000 of your pounds, but I’m very happy with the result.
Note: I only did this because I never intend to sell the car and like to keep it in time warp condition.
Amazing result. No orange peel effect. The metallic still pops as much as ever. So easy to clean and a wallaby that jumped out and thankfully glanced off the front did no damage at all.
Their shop had a couple of Ferraris, a Porsche and a fancy AMG Merc in there at the time. Amazing much how higher quality Aston paint finish is than those other brands. That was an eye opener. The Germans are always orange peely. The Ferrari looked like Tony sprayed it in the garage. And it was new!
It wasn’t cheap, I think about 5000 of your pounds, but I’m very happy with the result.
Note: I only did this because I never intend to sell the car and like to keep it in time warp condition.
Never put ppf on a car before but decided to with the v12v s Because of the paint softness .
I went for partial coverage which covers the entire front end ,lower sills ,etc the areas most likely to get damage .
I posted an enquiry on ph regional thread about reputable fitters in my area and got useful replies so I would suggest you try that .
I went for partial coverage which covers the entire front end ,lower sills ,etc the areas most likely to get damage .
I posted an enquiry on ph regional thread about reputable fitters in my area and got useful replies so I would suggest you try that .
My son and I have all had our cars (non-Aston) PPF'd and we always get it done by Jules Sturges Automotive.He is based just outside of Cambridge and always does a first class job. Cambridge Autogleam is at the same location and I highly recommend Nathan there for a first class detail
Ken Figenus said:
Cost varies a lot. I think its quite a levered product. Some go to town and remove headlamps and roll it over edges super neat so you don't see seams. I can live with seeing an edge with my nose 2" from it!
I'm doing front end of my new car for 3 figs, same as my Rapide 3 yrs ago - no issues and does its job. Find a solid trusted local guy without fancy pant mark ups or if you can afford it go for the best film with the best installation and warranty at 3x that cost. Horses/courses - I treat it as a disposable to be renewed so don't want to pay a fortune.
This is the way to go if you haven't got a clue what you are doing and any old crap will do because a couple of hundred quid is enough. But you might as well cover it in Sellotape I'm doing front end of my new car for 3 figs, same as my Rapide 3 yrs ago - no issues and does its job. Find a solid trusted local guy without fancy pant mark ups or if you can afford it go for the best film with the best installation and warranty at 3x that cost. Horses/courses - I treat it as a disposable to be renewed so don't want to pay a fortune.
Better to go to a professional installer as others have said on this thread. The process has many steps such as paint correction and preparation, requires expertise and skill to apply, necessitates expensive climate controlled environment for application, needs exacting quality control, good templates (they are different between film manufactures and some companies make their own as well), and last of all the product itself; Xpel Ultimate Plus is a great product as it is self healing, UV protection and hydrophobic, etc... suitable for concours.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.
GingerMunky said:
This is the way to go if you haven't got a clue what you are doing and any old crap will do because a couple of hundred quid is enough. But you might as well cover it in Sellotape
Better to go to a professional installer as others have said on this thread. The process has many steps such as paint correction and preparation, requires expertise and skill to apply, necessitates expensive climate controlled environment for application, needs exacting quality control, good templates (they are different between film manufactures and some companies make their own as well), and last of all the product itself; Xpel Ultimate Plus is a great product as it is self healing, UV protection and hydrophobic, etc... suitable for concours.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.
Spot on. Better to go to a professional installer as others have said on this thread. The process has many steps such as paint correction and preparation, requires expertise and skill to apply, necessitates expensive climate controlled environment for application, needs exacting quality control, good templates (they are different between film manufactures and some companies make their own as well), and last of all the product itself; Xpel Ultimate Plus is a great product as it is self healing, UV protection and hydrophobic, etc... suitable for concours.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.
Previoulsy worked on the fact that will pick up a few stone chips as part of the general wear and tear, however, my china grey DB11 was heavily chipped after the 3 years plus I had it, so have installed PPF on my DBS.
PPF done by Topaz Bristol and they have done a great job, doing PPF under the badges not simply cutting around, and extra PPF on the rear arches to replicate how it comes from the factory so retains the factory look, so woudl definitely recommend them.
PPF done by Topaz Bristol and they have done a great job, doing PPF under the badges not simply cutting around, and extra PPF on the rear arches to replicate how it comes from the factory so retains the factory look, so woudl definitely recommend them.
GingerMunky said:
This is the way to go if you haven't got a clue what you are doing and any old crap will do because a couple of hundred quid is enough. But you might as well cover it in Sellotape
Better to go to a professional installer as others have said on this thread. The process has many steps such as paint correction and preparation, requires expertise and skill to apply, necessitates expensive climate controlled environment for application, needs exacting quality control, good templates (they are different between film manufactures and some companies make their own as well), and last of all the product itself; Xpel Ultimate Plus is a great product as it is self healing, UV protection and hydrophobic, etc... suitable for concours.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.
I've used this one outfit 3 times after 2 mates recommended them following having their Mac's done. Extremely happy with the process and film and durability. Macan at 44,000 miles had taken a beating but PPF all came off to reveal great paint for a trade in. Job done. But as I said you are welcome to pay far more if you want the car disassembled and all corners rolled over etc I'm sure you'll get thousands more when they look in Glass's guide down the line Better to go to a professional installer as others have said on this thread. The process has many steps such as paint correction and preparation, requires expertise and skill to apply, necessitates expensive climate controlled environment for application, needs exacting quality control, good templates (they are different between film manufactures and some companies make their own as well), and last of all the product itself; Xpel Ultimate Plus is a great product as it is self healing, UV protection and hydrophobic, etc... suitable for concours.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for.
Intruder here on the Aston section (Ferrari owner) as was looking for the Aston spotted thread but couldn't resist a comment here. Had 2 Ferrari's, had a ceramic coat on the first one and turned down the ppf due to cost and massively regretted it very quickly. Several stone chips in the first year. Just got my 2nd car and had Topaz do a full PPF on it (including the windscreen). Expensive but worth it, have already heard a couple of dings in the first few weeks of ownership but can't seem to find a thing on the car!
I think I paid 6 or 7k for it and don't think I'd get another 6 figured car without it.
I think I paid 6 or 7k for it and don't think I'd get another 6 figured car without it.
ZT260SE said:
Topaz is a name I see coming up quite a bit. All seems positive. I see you’re Surrey based. Which branch did you use?
HR Owen arranged it, I believe Premier Park as that's where they used to prep cars etc before they moved up to Hatfield. That's why I'm not 100% certain what I paid for it as I negotiated the overall price of the F12 with full PPF and trading in the Roma, told them I don't care where they show money or discounts as long as overall cost to change reached X.I have had it done on my last two Vantages and owing to the propensity for gravel rash over the rear wheel arches I consider it essential . Dealerships when it comes to PX time love it too as they simply strip it off and have an immaculate car underneath . In fact some Dealerships if the car has it already fitted and even if it’s marked will give you the option of retaining it till you make your own arrangements . Drop me a PM and I shall give you the details of the Bloke who Aston Works use at Newport Pagnell . A first class job and doubtless he will be happy to advise
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