PPF - is it worth doing on a used car?
Discussion
Big Ry said:
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.......
Being a dark colour didnt help I must admit.
Having had the time of my life, it always bugged me having gravel rash on the car.
Thing is, i thought about having it wrapped just before i went. Would have been quids in if i had carried out the work.
Not many things make my eyes water but i have to say that when i got the bill it surprised me. Thank god it wasn't a full respray, now that is mega expensive.
Now I am that poor i cant even afford to pay attention
Car is a keeper so it was worth it.
Going to have all my other cars wrapped now for good measure.
moveover said:
In my view, you're paying a lot of £££ to protect the paintwork for the next owner. Just get a top quality detail and sealant and enjoy the car in its naked state as it's supposed to be.
A little strategic PPF to a front valance, or leading edges of protruding rear arches and sills makes sense, and can be done for less than a couple of hundred pounds ... spending £K’s on half and full wraps unless you’re buying a keeper I don’t see the value ...I’ve just sold an F-type which I used daily, and yes, it picked up a few chips, but once treated with the chippex system, and a pre-sale detail, it sold no problem. I used the saved cash for more Super unleaded and smiles!
As the OP questioned, are we just getting caught up in the latest Emperors New Clothes scenario ...
Ive had many black cars over the last 15 years or so, and had with/without PPF.
I would always have PPF on at least on the front bumper, bonnet, arches - all the key areas that will be peppered with stonechips within a couple of years.
Not sure I would spend thousands on a full car job though, you are getting close to respray costs. £600-1000 seems enough to protect vital areas on a new car or a car with fresh paint.
I would always have PPF on at least on the front bumper, bonnet, arches - all the key areas that will be peppered with stonechips within a couple of years.
Not sure I would spend thousands on a full car job though, you are getting close to respray costs. £600-1000 seems enough to protect vital areas on a new car or a car with fresh paint.
Full body PPF for a supercar is around 3200, that's from a good installer using the best films cut with a plotter, but I'd only do a full body on a Zagato, for anything else then I'd just get the most at risk panels done, that'll be around 1600 and have the rest ceramic coated to protect the paint from light damage. If your car need a full paint correction before the PPF is applied then that will cost you more.
I had half the car done and then quickly followed up with the whole car.
It is not just about protecting from stone chips and other light impacts but the with PPF you get zero swirl marks. After only a few careful washes the difference between the PPF and non-PPF panels was stark and I could not live with it.
I was looking at cars at an Aston dealer the other day (and the prep I have to say was not great) and a couple had the PPF half way up the bonnet (never any idea why anyone would do this given the small extra cost of doing the whole bonnet) and it was amazing to see swirl city above the line and perfect finish below on the PPF part.
With PPF you can drive and wash without worrying and that is worth a lot in my opinion. In most cases we are talking about 3-4% of the cost of the car.
It is not just about protecting from stone chips and other light impacts but the with PPF you get zero swirl marks. After only a few careful washes the difference between the PPF and non-PPF panels was stark and I could not live with it.
I was looking at cars at an Aston dealer the other day (and the prep I have to say was not great) and a couple had the PPF half way up the bonnet (never any idea why anyone would do this given the small extra cost of doing the whole bonnet) and it was amazing to see swirl city above the line and perfect finish below on the PPF part.
With PPF you can drive and wash without worrying and that is worth a lot in my opinion. In most cases we are talking about 3-4% of the cost of the car.
I’ve recently had my lower front bumper and roof done. Both were machine polished first. Where there were a few stone chips in the bumper, they first wrapped it and then injected paint through the self-healing PPF. The reason I had the roof done is because that exquisite deep black finish was very vulnerable to swirl marks and bird mess.
The whole car has now been ceramic coated, and I’m hoping that that, combined with rinsing with 0ppm / purified water and hence not needing to dry it with a towel, will keep swirl marks to a minimum.
The whole car has now been ceramic coated, and I’m hoping that that, combined with rinsing with 0ppm / purified water and hence not needing to dry it with a towel, will keep swirl marks to a minimum.
Felonious said:
I’ve recently had my lower front bumper and roof done. Both were machine polished first. Where there were a few stone chips in the bumper, they first wrapped it and then injected paint through the self-healing PPF. The reason I had the roof done is because that exquisite deep black finish was very vulnerable to swirl marks and bird mess.
The whole car has now been ceramic coated, and I’m hoping that that, combined with rinsing with 0ppm / purified water and hence not needing to dry it with a towel, will keep swirl marks to a minimum.
Same here. I went for full coverage both for the ease of cleaning but also, on my first DB9 a bird crapped on the roof while it was parked. Got it off as soon as I saw it but it still left a stain in the paint. It’s one less thing to worry about The whole car has now been ceramic coated, and I’m hoping that that, combined with rinsing with 0ppm / purified water and hence not needing to dry it with a towel, will keep swirl marks to a minimum.
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