To PPF or not to PPF
Discussion
Astontony said:
To PPF or not to PPF that is the question.
I recently had a quote to repaint my bonnet on my Gen 2 Vanquish. I ppf'd the front, roof, side mirrors, exposed guards with what they call a race pack. This was done 3 years ago and 35k klms ago.
The bonnet was looking very marked and needed refreshing hence the quote for a respray.
To do this I had to have the old PPF removed which I did through the original installer. It came off relatively easily and there was no damage done in its removal.
Once removed and any residual glue polished off I was astounded to see that there was only one stone chip that was visible as an addition since the PPF was installed.
As a consequence I will touch up this minor chip myself and have the new PPF installed. The cost for removal $160 the new ppf $600 cost to repaint $1300, so I am very happy with the protection the PPF provided. There were many klm done in lively convoy driving with like minded Aston Owners Graze being one of them. There was no yellowing or change in clarity of the ppf either.
Some comparison photos attached for your edification.
That’s great. Especially as in reality without also blending into the other areas you would end up with the car looking like it had been in an accident. Love PPF. Wonderful stuff. I recently had a quote to repaint my bonnet on my Gen 2 Vanquish. I ppf'd the front, roof, side mirrors, exposed guards with what they call a race pack. This was done 3 years ago and 35k klms ago.
The bonnet was looking very marked and needed refreshing hence the quote for a respray.
To do this I had to have the old PPF removed which I did through the original installer. It came off relatively easily and there was no damage done in its removal.
Once removed and any residual glue polished off I was astounded to see that there was only one stone chip that was visible as an addition since the PPF was installed.
As a consequence I will touch up this minor chip myself and have the new PPF installed. The cost for removal $160 the new ppf $600 cost to repaint $1300, so I am very happy with the protection the PPF provided. There were many klm done in lively convoy driving with like minded Aston Owners Graze being one of them. There was no yellowing or change in clarity of the ppf either.
Some comparison photos attached for your edification.
My Rapide S in black had a few front end chips and because the primer is white they were quite noticeable. Reading up on other owners who had had resprays the summary seemed to be: expensive and never quite looked original.
So my thinking was to not let it get any worse so had paint correction done to fix minor imperfections, accept that some chips would remain and apply PPF to hopefully not let it get worse.
So my thinking was to not let it get any worse so had paint correction done to fix minor imperfections, accept that some chips would remain and apply PPF to hopefully not let it get worse.
atrossity said:
It's obvious what was meant. You either enjoy the beautiful paint job in all its natural glory, or you cover it in plastic. Yes, plastic – the dirty word that PPF advertisers don't like to use because... well, it's plastic.
Your scenario of buying a second-hand car has absolutely nothing to do the point made. Yes, PPF is great for selling a car on. But it prioritises the enjoyment of the future owner (who takes the plastic off) over yourself. Do that if you want.
There's a certain irony in getting upset that plastic is covering plastic. Your scenario of buying a second-hand car has absolutely nothing to do the point made. Yes, PPF is great for selling a car on. But it prioritises the enjoyment of the future owner (who takes the plastic off) over yourself. Do that if you want.
Edited by atrossity on Friday 15th December 15:40
Just to get this right
PPF = bad plastic
CFRP = good plastic.
skyebear said:
My Rapide S in black had a few front end chips and because the primer is white they were quite noticeable. Reading up on other owners who had had resprays the summary seemed to be: expensive and never quite looked original.
So my thinking was to not let it get any worse so had paint correction done to fix minor imperfections, accept that some chips would remain and apply PPF to hopefully not let it get worse.
One more step - immediately before you get the ppf applied touch in the stone chips with visible primer with a black Sharpie - that way you won't see the pale grey primer through the ppfSo my thinking was to not let it get any worse so had paint correction done to fix minor imperfections, accept that some chips would remain and apply PPF to hopefully not let it get worse.
skyebear said:
My Rapide S in black had a few front end chips and because the primer is white they were quite noticeable. Reading up on other owners who had had resprays the summary seemed to be: expensive and never quite looked original.
So my thinking was to not let it get any worse so had paint correction done to fix minor imperfections, accept that some chips would remain and apply PPF to hopefully not let it get worse.
If I can offer some advice, best practice would be to ensure any existing stone chips and imperfections are corrected properly before applying PPF. These chips could bubble underneath the PPF and look particularly obvious especially on a black car. So my thinking was to not let it get any worse so had paint correction done to fix minor imperfections, accept that some chips would remain and apply PPF to hopefully not let it get worse.
My choice of PPF would be Suntek Reaction. It is superior to Suntek Ultra. Even on a black car, if installed well, this PPF is virtually undetectable to most casual observers. The shine and clarity are excellent.
AlexT said:
If I can offer some advice, best practice would be to ensure any existing stone chips and imperfections are corrected properly before applying PPF. These chips could bubble underneath the PPF and look particularly obvious especially on a black car.
My choice of PPF would be Suntek Reaction. It is superior to Suntek Ultra. Even on a black car, if installed well, this PPF is virtually undetectable to most casual observers. The shine and clarity are excellent.
Thanks, I'll keep this in mind for future.My choice of PPF would be Suntek Reaction. It is superior to Suntek Ultra. Even on a black car, if installed well, this PPF is virtually undetectable to most casual observers. The shine and clarity are excellent.
AlexT said:
If I can offer some advice, best practice would be to ensure any existing stone chips and imperfections are corrected properly before applying PPF. These chips could bubble underneath the PPF and look particularly obvious especially on a black car.
Aston Martin Leeds would disagree with you.M1AGM said:
Aston Martin Leeds would disagree with you.
If any installer puts PPF over imperfections without warning of the potential consequences then look elsewhere. I've seen the results many times. It doesn't make the job any easier for the installer either - each time they put the film down what looks to be dust can turn out to be a physical paint imperfection which costs time in removal, spray down and re-application. A fully corrected/new finish is best.Edited by AlexT on Monday 22 April 01:32
I drove my KIA straight from the dealer to All That Gleams near Guildford (they had previously done a fantastic job on my Honda) and had the front protected by ppf as the paint is quite soft.
Its virtually impossible to tell it’s there and there’s no a single stone chip more than a year later.
The cost was £1200 which seemed pretty reasonable to me.
Its virtually impossible to tell it’s there and there’s no a single stone chip more than a year later.
The cost was £1200 which seemed pretty reasonable to me.
AlexT said:
If any installer puts PPF over imperfections without warning of the potential consequences then look elsewhere. I've seen the results many times. It doesn't make the job any easier for the installer either - each time they put the film down what looks to be dust can turn out to be a physical paint imperfection which costs time in removal, spray down and re-application. A fully corrected/new finish is best.
Agree. Bit late for me unfortunately. £3k spent and been told ‘used car so suck it up buttercup’. Never ever again.Edited by AlexT on Monday 22 April 01:32
Frankychops said:
A lot depends on the cost of PPF, it can be 'cheaper' to repaint the front end of the most expensive cars, if a bonnet/wings/bumper cost £5k to repaint, that can work out the same or less than correction/PPF/removing and replacing PPF over a 5 year period.
Even if it was cheaper to repaint the car every so often it’s just such a ballache. Apart from which there’s potentially a possible mismatch then all the dust and crap everywhere. And at the end of it you have a car that’s not original, had paint, then raises a question when u come to sell.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff