PPF, Ceramic, Nano?
Discussion
I’m taking delivery of a 991.2 C4 GTS in a few weeks and wanted some advice in regards protecting the paintwork.
It’s my first 911, with my two previous Porsche’s having been Macans. With those I had a ceramic coating, and this seems to have been sufficient.
I’ve read that with cars that sit lower, PPF is a good idea, especially at the front end and rear wheel arches, to protect against stone chips etc.
I would appreciate any real world feedback in relation to a wide bodied 991.
Many thanks
It’s my first 911, with my two previous Porsche’s having been Macans. With those I had a ceramic coating, and this seems to have been sufficient.
I’ve read that with cars that sit lower, PPF is a good idea, especially at the front end and rear wheel arches, to protect against stone chips etc.
I would appreciate any real world feedback in relation to a wide bodied 991.
Many thanks
I run two 991s, one wide, one narrow, used as daily drivers, 35k miles between them.
No PPF, no ceramic. They get washed every 5k whether they need it or not.
So far one stone chip only, and that took all of 10 mins to hide with Chippex which cost £20 for a pot that would do loads of chips.
At no point have I ever regretted not spending £5k each on paint correction & PPF.
Much better to spend the money on a winter wheel/tyre set and have some fun.
No PPF, no ceramic. They get washed every 5k whether they need it or not.
So far one stone chip only, and that took all of 10 mins to hide with Chippex which cost £20 for a pot that would do loads of chips.
At no point have I ever regretted not spending £5k each on paint correction & PPF.
Much better to spend the money on a winter wheel/tyre set and have some fun.
WizzBang said:
I run two 991s, one wide, one narrow, used as daily drivers, 35k miles between them.
No PPF, no ceramic. They get washed every 5k whether they need it or not.
So far one stone chip only, and that took all of 10 mins to hide with Chippex which cost £20 for a pot that would do loads of chips.
At no point have I ever regretted not spending £5k each on paint correction & PPF.
Much better to spend the money on a winter wheel/tyre set and have some fun.
Thanks for that. Just out of interest, are they light or dark in colour?No PPF, no ceramic. They get washed every 5k whether they need it or not.
So far one stone chip only, and that took all of 10 mins to hide with Chippex which cost £20 for a pot that would do loads of chips.
At no point have I ever regretted not spending £5k each on paint correction & PPF.
Much better to spend the money on a winter wheel/tyre set and have some fun.
White and light grey.
I did angst about it for ages when I got the first one. There's no universal answer - I've heard that PPF is good if one likes to clean the car regularly and that isn't me, at least, with those cars it's not.
I've got ceramic on a restored '69 which I had done because I want that car to look spotless and ceramic really helps.
Congrats on your forthcoming car - I'm sue you'll have a ball.
I did angst about it for ages when I got the first one. There's no universal answer - I've heard that PPF is good if one likes to clean the car regularly and that isn't me, at least, with those cars it's not.
I've got ceramic on a restored '69 which I had done because I want that car to look spotless and ceramic really helps.
Congrats on your forthcoming car - I'm sue you'll have a ball.
WizzBang said:
White and light grey.
I did angst about it for ages when I got the first one. There's no universal answer - I've heard that PPF is good if one likes to clean the car regularly and that isn't me, at least, with those cars it's not.
I've got ceramic on a restored '69 which I had done because I want that car to look spotless and ceramic really helps.
Congrats on your forthcoming car - I'm sue you'll have a ball.
Thanks again. It’s crayon, so I’m hoping paint swirls won’t show too much even if they are there, and I don’t go with any correction/protection.I did angst about it for ages when I got the first one. There's no universal answer - I've heard that PPF is good if one likes to clean the car regularly and that isn't me, at least, with those cars it's not.
I've got ceramic on a restored '69 which I had done because I want that car to look spotless and ceramic really helps.
Congrats on your forthcoming car - I'm sue you'll have a ball.
I’m tempted to go with at least ceramic.
Nano/ceramic is pointless for protecting from stone chips, it’s desogned to make the car easier to wash.
I didn’t ppf my Boxster, it had loads of sound chips after 20k miles, annoyed me.
I have full topaz ppf coverage on my 911 GTS (so wide body), I didn’t want the same again, plus as I went viper green, so PTS, I wanted to keep the car perfect, plus protect against bird poo, swirl marks and malicious damage. After 9 months and 6500 miles, there’s not a mark on it.
Imo it’s worth every penny for peace of mind and will definitely be doing it again on subsequent cars. The 992 comes with a factory ppf front end protection option too.
I didn’t ppf my Boxster, it had loads of sound chips after 20k miles, annoyed me.
I have full topaz ppf coverage on my 911 GTS (so wide body), I didn’t want the same again, plus as I went viper green, so PTS, I wanted to keep the car perfect, plus protect against bird poo, swirl marks and malicious damage. After 9 months and 6500 miles, there’s not a mark on it.
Imo it’s worth every penny for peace of mind and will definitely be doing it again on subsequent cars. The 992 comes with a factory ppf front end protection option too.
Davidkn said:
Nano/ceramic is pointless for protecting from stone chips, it’s desogned to make the car easier to wash.
I didn’t ppf my Boxster, it had loads of sound chips after 20k miles, annoyed me.
I have full topaz ppf coverage on my 911 GTS (so wide body), I didn’t want the same again, plus as I went viper green, so PTS, I wanted to keep the car perfect, plus protect against bird poo, swirl marks and malicious damage. After 9 months and 6500 miles, there’s not a mark on it.
Imo it’s worth every penny for peace of mind and will definitely be doing it again on subsequent cars. The 992 comes with a factory ppf front end protection option too.
Thanks for that. I’ve read that some ceramic coat on top of PPF, did you bother with that too?I didn’t ppf my Boxster, it had loads of sound chips after 20k miles, annoyed me.
I have full topaz ppf coverage on my 911 GTS (so wide body), I didn’t want the same again, plus as I went viper green, so PTS, I wanted to keep the car perfect, plus protect against bird poo, swirl marks and malicious damage. After 9 months and 6500 miles, there’s not a mark on it.
Imo it’s worth every penny for peace of mind and will definitely be doing it again on subsequent cars. The 992 comes with a factory ppf front end protection option too.
I had a 430 for 4 years (Red) and after an annual road trip into Europe the front end finally needed a re-paint, not necessarily the whole front, but certainly the bumper.
Last year I bought a GTS and decided that ppf on the bumper would be worthwhile. So far just one trip into France last year and absolutely no marks at all. I dont think nano or ceramic would offer the same level of protection, and you have to look really hard to spot the ppf...I'm happy with my decision.
GG
Last year I bought a GTS and decided that ppf on the bumper would be worthwhile. So far just one trip into France last year and absolutely no marks at all. I dont think nano or ceramic would offer the same level of protection, and you have to look really hard to spot the ppf...I'm happy with my decision.
GG
CarHabit said:
I got a ceramic coat thrown in from Porsche on my Carerra T. Was sceptical whether it would make a difference...
... but I’m impressed. The surface “feels” different and makes washing a doddle. Dirt sprays off. no additional stone chip prevention but will stop bird turd
Thanks, I've had the same experience with the ceramic coat on my Macan, it's makes it much easier to keep it clean.... but I’m impressed. The surface “feels” different and makes washing a doddle. Dirt sprays off. no additional stone chip prevention but will stop bird turd
GG33 said:
I had a 430 for 4 years (Red) and after an annual road trip into Europe the front end finally needed a re-paint, not necessarily the whole front, but certainly the bumper.
Last year I bought a GTS and decided that ppf on the bumper would be worthwhile. So far just one trip into France last year and absolutely no marks at all. I dont think nano or ceramic would offer the same level of protection, and you have to look really hard to spot the ppf...I'm happy with my decision.
GG
Thanks. I think I'm leaning towards PPF on the front end.Last year I bought a GTS and decided that ppf on the bumper would be worthwhile. So far just one trip into France last year and absolutely no marks at all. I dont think nano or ceramic would offer the same level of protection, and you have to look really hard to spot the ppf...I'm happy with my decision.
GG
Where are you based?
I had my front end, mirrors, lights, side skirts and rear bumper corners done. I drive in groups so it's saved me a respray!
PM - My friend does detailing and PPF and saved me over £2000 for the same job as some other companies. PPF is blind robbery. Most of my friends have had their Supercars done by Callum along with a detail and ceramic coating over the top for way less than half price of top companies.
I had my front end, mirrors, lights, side skirts and rear bumper corners done. I drive in groups so it's saved me a respray!
PM - My friend does detailing and PPF and saved me over £2000 for the same job as some other companies. PPF is blind robbery. Most of my friends have had their Supercars done by Callum along with a detail and ceramic coating over the top for way less than half price of top companies.
PMacanGTS said:
Thanks for that. I’ve read that some ceramic coat on top of PPF, did you bother with that too?
No I didn't, I had it done on the wheels but wouldn't again as it was non-existent after a couple of months due to washing them and having to use a cleaner to get rid of the brake dust still.I have no issues washing the car with the PPF on, its very easy and beads lovely afterwards. Unless I told someone, theres no way they would spot that the car has PPF.
Yes Topaz are expensive, but they do a bloody good job, use the best stuff, its self healing too (which I've experienced) and if theres any issue whatsoever they sort it no questions asked. Its why the best cars in the country are all done there, its worth it just to see the stock they have in being done, multi million pound plus cars, my 911GTS was one of the cheapest cars there.
The only thing to watch, is if theres a very hot summer like last year, you really don't want to leave bugs on the front of the car, they need cleaning off or else they will bake themselves into the PPF, the healing properties work both ways.......including absorbing flies when you don't want them too. I just carry some water wipes (the baby things) in the frunk and wipe the front end with those after a run to get rid of the bugs. Still its better than them welding into the paint! I also had a mark on the PPF, well I created it using a dry towel too viciously, left loads of scratches, an hour in the hot sun and they had disappeared from the self healing.
It also protects against someone keying your car too if you have the sides done, again peace of mind.
Davidkn said:
No I didn't, I had it done on the wheels but wouldn't again as it was non-existent after a couple of months due to washing them and having to use a cleaner to get rid of the brake dust still.
I have no issues washing the car with the PPF on, its very easy and beads lovely afterwards. Unless I told someone, theres no way they would spot that the car has PPF.
Yes Topaz are expensive, but they do a bloody good job, use the best stuff, its self healing too (which I've experienced) and if theres any issue whatsoever they sort it no questions asked. Its why the best cars in the country are all done there, its worth it just to see the stock they have in being done, multi million pound plus cars, my 911GTS was one of the cheapest cars there.
The only thing to watch, is if theres a very hot summer like last year, you really don't want to leave bugs on the front of the car, they need cleaning off or else they will bake themselves into the PPF, the healing properties work both ways.......including absorbing flies when you don't want them too. I just carry some water wipes (the baby things) in the frunk and wipe the front end with those after a run to get rid of the bugs. Still its better than them welding into the paint! I also had a mark on the PPF, well I created it using a dry towel too viciously, left loads of scratches, an hour in the hot sun and they had disappeared from the self healing.
It also protects against someone keying your car too if you have the sides done, again peace of mind.
Thanks for the advice, especially about the flies, that's good to know.I have no issues washing the car with the PPF on, its very easy and beads lovely afterwards. Unless I told someone, theres no way they would spot that the car has PPF.
Yes Topaz are expensive, but they do a bloody good job, use the best stuff, its self healing too (which I've experienced) and if theres any issue whatsoever they sort it no questions asked. Its why the best cars in the country are all done there, its worth it just to see the stock they have in being done, multi million pound plus cars, my 911GTS was one of the cheapest cars there.
The only thing to watch, is if theres a very hot summer like last year, you really don't want to leave bugs on the front of the car, they need cleaning off or else they will bake themselves into the PPF, the healing properties work both ways.......including absorbing flies when you don't want them too. I just carry some water wipes (the baby things) in the frunk and wipe the front end with those after a run to get rid of the bugs. Still its better than them welding into the paint! I also had a mark on the PPF, well I created it using a dry towel too viciously, left loads of scratches, an hour in the hot sun and they had disappeared from the self healing.
It also protects against someone keying your car too if you have the sides done, again peace of mind.
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff