PPF - is it worth doing on a used car?
Discussion
Recently I've been getting into watching these Vloggers on YouTube. I assume down to the discount they receive for plugging them, they all seem very keen on getting their cars covered in Paint Protection Film. And as with the case with these I've got swept along and now finding myself wanting it on my car. However I'm not sure it's worth it?
So my car is a 2010/11 with 22k on the clock. I've had the car looked at by a detailers, using their analysis tool thingy, apparently my paintwork is in very good condition considering. Would only need a stage 1 to get it perfect? So I'd like to keep it that way and thinking of this film.
Had a quote from Wrapstyle of £3100 + VAT. Can't help but think for that money I could get it professionally detailed / mopped 3/4/5 times? I've already got protection half way up the bonnet so chips aren't too much of a problem. That being said with the pearl paint its not as easy / low cost to get any damage "blown in"
What are others thoughts on this? Keep the money in the back for an annual professional detail? Spend 50% on getting in wrapped in something completely different (ie have something to show for the money
) Of just get it done?
So my car is a 2010/11 with 22k on the clock. I've had the car looked at by a detailers, using their analysis tool thingy, apparently my paintwork is in very good condition considering. Would only need a stage 1 to get it perfect? So I'd like to keep it that way and thinking of this film.
Had a quote from Wrapstyle of £3100 + VAT. Can't help but think for that money I could get it professionally detailed / mopped 3/4/5 times? I've already got protection half way up the bonnet so chips aren't too much of a problem. That being said with the pearl paint its not as easy / low cost to get any damage "blown in"
What are others thoughts on this? Keep the money in the back for an annual professional detail? Spend 50% on getting in wrapped in something completely different (ie have something to show for the money
) Of just get it done?Mine will be going straight from collection to get it done on the whole front end, after the paint has been sorted out first. Frustrating waiting a week for the car after I've picked it up but it'll pay off in the long run I think.
Not sure about a used car but if the paint is in good nick it will help keep it that way I'm sure.
Not sure about a used car but if the paint is in good nick it will help keep it that way I'm sure.
I had my Rapide done in full PPF, but only because it lives outside so I wanted to protect it from the elements, bird poo etc. Otherwise I would have just done the front
If you've already got that frontal cover against stone chips (and the car lives under cover) then I would save the money personally
If you've already got that frontal cover against stone chips (and the car lives under cover) then I would save the money personally
Lives in the garage 99.9% of the time.
The PPF on the front isn't great though, it finishes half way up the bonnet and although you probably wouldn't notice the line going across the middle, it does bug me when I see it. However its not worth spending nearly £4k just for that.
I wonder what difference it would make to resale? That's normally how I use man maths to justify purchases like this It's how I ended up spending twice on this car than I would have on an F Type
The PPF on the front isn't great though, it finishes half way up the bonnet and although you probably wouldn't notice the line going across the middle, it does bug me when I see it. However its not worth spending nearly £4k just for that.
I wonder what difference it would make to resale? That's normally how I use man maths to justify purchases like this
It's how I ended up spending twice on this car than I would have on an F Type Had the front end (including mirrors & lights) of my 2011 V8VS PPFed after paint correction & ceramic coating was done elsewhere. Cost £800ish at Mint Protection in Essex (http://www.mintcondition-uk.com). The quality is excellent (No backhanders for me, I must stress!).
I figured it was cheaper than a respray/new headlight unit etc
I figured it was cheaper than a respray/new headlight unit etc
Edited by HBradley on Monday 3rd April 13:46
A friend has just mentioned about having his Bentley done (after "testing" it on his old Skoda!). He reckoned it was "self healing", not heard of that before?? It was £1000, a fair bit less than quoted here, whether that was mates rates or because it's the poverty stricken north east I don't know.
Loose_Cannon said:
A friend has just mentioned about having his Bentley done (after "testing" it on his old Skoda!). He reckoned it was "self healing", not heard of that before?? It was £1000, a fair bit less than quoted here, whether that was mates rates or because it's the poverty stricken north east I don't know.
For £1000 it will be just a part of the car, such as the front wings, bumper and bonnet edge. I was quoted more like £3000 for a full car of PPF, plus about £800 in detailing before hand to ensure the car is pristine before the wrap is applied.I've got Xpel PPF on mine - the self healing type. Was a bit paranoid picking up a new car with new paint so buckled and got PPF. Can't really see it unless you get a foot away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q75LcIdtVBY
Got it done here: www.autofx.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q75LcIdtVBY
Got it done here: www.autofx.co.uk
I had my 2007V8V filmed at Paintshield in Peterborough.
There were very few stone chips on the car, but I had our local ChipsAway man flatten the few that there were. Go for the Full Front film kit, which covers everything to the A posts, the sills and rear wheel arches. All the edges are wrapped around panel edges and it's impossible to see where the film ends. There's a join around the headlamps, but I couldn't see it clearly even when it was pointed out to me. The pieces of film are computer cut, and the fit is uncanny - clearance around the Aston badge was about 10 thou all round.
The old chips may be sealed under the film, but they are flattened by it and are barely discernible, and yes, the film is self-healing. 'Key' the paintwork and the scratch disappears with the application of heat from a hair dryer (I wouldn't recommend this test on your P&J - I saw it done on a piece of scrap).
The cost is nothing like £3k, and Paintshield give a discount if you wear red trousers and smoke a pipe.
There were very few stone chips on the car, but I had our local ChipsAway man flatten the few that there were. Go for the Full Front film kit, which covers everything to the A posts, the sills and rear wheel arches. All the edges are wrapped around panel edges and it's impossible to see where the film ends. There's a join around the headlamps, but I couldn't see it clearly even when it was pointed out to me. The pieces of film are computer cut, and the fit is uncanny - clearance around the Aston badge was about 10 thou all round.
The old chips may be sealed under the film, but they are flattened by it and are barely discernible, and yes, the film is self-healing. 'Key' the paintwork and the scratch disappears with the application of heat from a hair dryer (I wouldn't recommend this test on your P&J - I saw it done on a piece of scrap).
The cost is nothing like £3k, and Paintshield give a discount if you wear red trousers and smoke a pipe.
I was quoted anywhere between £3500 and £4500+VAT for a full wrap in the self-healing jazz. If I were ordering a brand new car then I'd factor it in to the price, but it was a bit much for me on a used car. I'll get the front blown over as and when (just before I trade it in).
As for resale, a bit like B&O I guess, very nice to have but there aren't many that'll pay much extra for it....IMHO anyway.
As for resale, a bit like B&O I guess, very nice to have but there aren't many that'll pay much extra for it....IMHO anyway.
Big Ry said:
I was quoted anywhere between £3500 and £4500+VAT for a full wrap in the self-healing jazz. If I were ordering a brand new car then I'd factor it in to the price, but it was a bit much for me on a used car. I'll get the front blown over as and when (just before I trade it in).
That would normally be my thought process but with the Morning Frost being a pearl paint I'm worried how easy it would actually be to blow it in and match the paint? If it would be straight forward I'll stop worrying As many will know, i work closely with paintshield in peterborough (despite living near the factory at gaydon) and i prep cars prior to the film going on the car. Most of the cars i do are new cars or those with very few chips. If you get it put on the car and the front end is peppered with chips, then it would be like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Its best to get it painted first, though it will always be worth seeing them and see what they think.
As for partial kits that go up a third of the bonnet, i think there is no point, at least on the bonnet. It would be sods law that you would get a chip above the film, but the worst thing is the big black line across the bonnet, which is never a good look.
There are different types of films, from different companies. Xpel used to be a generation behind suntek, but its getting better. Saying that, i would only recommend suntek to my clients. Its got more clarity and less orange peel in the feel. They have also just released a new film which is called suntek ultra i think. Its probably the best looking film ever made. It is however 10% more expensive i think.
Another thing to keep in mind is to check the experience of the installers. Have seen god awful work from certain companies, even some of the more well known ones. In the last couple of years, the market has been flooded with detailers who also do ppf and lets be honest, you have to be doing one or the other all the time to be at the top of your game. Also, pattern designs vary and some are better than others. God forbid that they ever cut on the car, which some of the dodgy places do.
If you are getting a new car and you intend to keep it, then its worth getting the film on the car. Typically the full front end and sills and even up to the line on the rear 3/4 as the factory ones might as well not be there. Then, having a sealant applied such as crystal serum on the painted panels, but no sealant will offer the protection of the film.
Its also worth considering the colour car you have and where you intend to have the film. A white or yellow car will show lines of the film more than darker colours, so its worth bearing this in mind should you be thinking of not getting whole panels covered.
Detailing the car before the film would be advised, as while the film can hide some things, its worth getting the car looking as shiny as possible first as the film will seal anything in. New Astons are terrible out of the factory and need a good couple of days spent polishing it to get the defects out of the paint.
As for partial kits that go up a third of the bonnet, i think there is no point, at least on the bonnet. It would be sods law that you would get a chip above the film, but the worst thing is the big black line across the bonnet, which is never a good look.
There are different types of films, from different companies. Xpel used to be a generation behind suntek, but its getting better. Saying that, i would only recommend suntek to my clients. Its got more clarity and less orange peel in the feel. They have also just released a new film which is called suntek ultra i think. Its probably the best looking film ever made. It is however 10% more expensive i think.
Another thing to keep in mind is to check the experience of the installers. Have seen god awful work from certain companies, even some of the more well known ones. In the last couple of years, the market has been flooded with detailers who also do ppf and lets be honest, you have to be doing one or the other all the time to be at the top of your game. Also, pattern designs vary and some are better than others. God forbid that they ever cut on the car, which some of the dodgy places do.
If you are getting a new car and you intend to keep it, then its worth getting the film on the car. Typically the full front end and sills and even up to the line on the rear 3/4 as the factory ones might as well not be there. Then, having a sealant applied such as crystal serum on the painted panels, but no sealant will offer the protection of the film.
Its also worth considering the colour car you have and where you intend to have the film. A white or yellow car will show lines of the film more than darker colours, so its worth bearing this in mind should you be thinking of not getting whole panels covered.
Detailing the car before the film would be advised, as while the film can hide some things, its worth getting the car looking as shiny as possible first as the film will seal anything in. New Astons are terrible out of the factory and need a good couple of days spent polishing it to get the defects out of the paint.
AstonExige said:
That would normally be my thought process but with the Morning Frost being a pearl paint I'm worried how easy it would actually be to blow it in and match the paint? If it would be straight forward I'll stop worrying
Morning frost would typically need more paint that a quick blow over, as it would look odd if you just went panel to panel.If some didn't know, you can put sealants over the film as well as waxing them. The thing is, if you are waxing the car, be careful of not getting the wax on the edges of the film. With a clear spray sealant, you can protect the car and not worry about getting it on the edges. You can also get a detailer to apply a proper sealant, but make sure its not a glass coat sealant (something that goes hard if left in an open bottle over night) This stops the self healing properties of the film working as it should. Using Gtechniq as an example, you can use crystal serum and exo over the film, but not C1. Check with your detailer what options he has.
Looking after the film is straight forward, but stay away from the edges of the film with the pressure washer and just be more careful in general, using a wider fan of water.
If they car gets covered in tar from something like a track day then it is possible to remove it on some films without damaging it, but just don't spray the tar remover on the panels, but instead, spray it onto a cloth, wipe over the tar (keeping away from the film) and wash off with a soapy mitt and rinse again. You don't want the tar remover on the film any longer than it has to be.
Like I said, if I were stumping up £150k+ for a new car, buying something very rare or buying something that I knew without question I would keep for a very very long time, then yes I'd do it.
I think we can all overthink things like this sometimes. My Range Rover has just done 20,000 miles in 4 years and other than the odd stone chip it's immaculate. Most (not all
) of us probably wouldn't do that sort of mileage in our Astons in twice as many years, so based on this why would the Aston appear any worse than my RR currently does.....it wouldn't in my view.
I can honestly say I've never had paint repaired on a car other than genuine damage, not the odd stone chip. If I was doing 10k a year in it then yes I'd probably get the nose covered, but i'm not and neither are most.
When it comes down to it though they're cars and it's paint. If it was properly buggered then yes I'd have it blown over but other than an "incident occurring" I can't see how the miles I do would ever allow it to get to that stage. When/if we trade them in, again unless it's serious damage then it's going to be more or less viewed as par for the course. A dealer doesn't care that you've paid 4-5k for a PPF, no more than they're going to be THAT fussed about the odd stone chip on a 5,6,7 year old car, it's to be expected.
@AstonExige - My first V8R was a MF and Chiltern Aston sprayed the bonnet and blended it in with the bumper and wings......seamless (pizza delivery guy reversed into it)
I think we can all overthink things like this sometimes. My Range Rover has just done 20,000 miles in 4 years and other than the odd stone chip it's immaculate. Most (not all
) of us probably wouldn't do that sort of mileage in our Astons in twice as many years, so based on this why would the Aston appear any worse than my RR currently does.....it wouldn't in my view.I can honestly say I've never had paint repaired on a car other than genuine damage, not the odd stone chip. If I was doing 10k a year in it then yes I'd probably get the nose covered, but i'm not and neither are most.
When it comes down to it though they're cars and it's paint. If it was properly buggered then yes I'd have it blown over but other than an "incident occurring" I can't see how the miles I do would ever allow it to get to that stage. When/if we trade them in, again unless it's serious damage then it's going to be more or less viewed as par for the course. A dealer doesn't care that you've paid 4-5k for a PPF, no more than they're going to be THAT fussed about the odd stone chip on a 5,6,7 year old car, it's to be expected.
@AstonExige - My first V8R was a MF and Chiltern Aston sprayed the bonnet and blended it in with the bumper and wings......seamless (pizza delivery guy reversed into it)
Mine is at AM Works and has just had full front respray including bonnet and wings, along with the rear underside. Am having it wrapped as well by Works.
I was in the camp of 'I can just have it painted if it gets chipped' but its not that simple!
Works took panels off the car to paint it but at least i know it has been done to the highest standards. Negative is that it cost an absolute ton of money compared to having it wrapped from the start.
My advice, save yourself a load of hassle and money, get it wrapped. Sounds like advice you give to your youngsters
I was in the camp of 'I can just have it painted if it gets chipped' but its not that simple!
Works took panels off the car to paint it but at least i know it has been done to the highest standards. Negative is that it cost an absolute ton of money compared to having it wrapped from the start.
My advice, save yourself a load of hassle and money, get it wrapped. Sounds like advice you give to your youngsters
AMTony said:
My advice, save yourself a load of hassle and money, get it wrapped. Sounds like advice you give to your youngsters
I hear you, but unless you intend to keep it for a very long time or do huge mileage, then most people will never actually have the front, rear or any other part resprayed really.Also, 4-5k for a wrap is a bit heavy in my book. Us lot on here are fanatical about this stuff, your "average" punter who wants an Aston or Ferrari is going to just take a good look at it, possibly haggle for 5 minutes with the dealer and that's job done. I guess what I'm saying is that when I come to PX mine for something...whatever that may be, then unless it's fecked I can't see it making any real material difference to what I get for it.
However, if I've still got it in 10 years and I need to spray the front end.......
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