To Ceramic or not Ceramic? PPF!!
Discussion
Hi,
I've purchased a super low milage 8 year old Boxster from a main dealer.
Paintwork looks really nice given the age.
I'm now given options of "Bodycare" for £549, "Bodycare Ceramic" for £749 as well as other more expensive options: "GTechniq Ceramic" for £1,299 and PPF for I suspect much higher amount.
Any recommendations on what to choose and why?
For the record, I'm not the one who would maniacally clean a car all the time, not obsessed with that. But obviously want to ensure this wonderful machine looks the part for the next few years too.
Thanks
I've purchased a super low milage 8 year old Boxster from a main dealer.
Paintwork looks really nice given the age.
I'm now given options of "Bodycare" for £549, "Bodycare Ceramic" for £749 as well as other more expensive options: "GTechniq Ceramic" for £1,299 and PPF for I suspect much higher amount.
Any recommendations on what to choose and why?
For the record, I'm not the one who would maniacally clean a car all the time, not obsessed with that. But obviously want to ensure this wonderful machine looks the part for the next few years too.
Thanks
I have had PPF on a number of cars and it is very effective in stopping stone chips however over the last couple of years costs have really escalated and I no longer think it is worth the money. I had my current cars ceramic coated by the OPC when new and this treatment does make them much easier to clean and avoids the dreaded swirl marks. No protection against stone chips obviously - but these can be minimised by not driving too closely to other vehicles (!) If you want value for money on an older vehicle then I would have the paintwork”detailed” by a reputable valet and then apply ceramic .
Firstly would recommend not to get the dealer to do it, if that's where your quotes are from.
Get a decent detailer to do the ceramic coating on it, where they'll correct the paint first - costs will be less too
PPF is a personal decision, if you're going to be using it a lot might be worth whole getting front and exposed areas (sills, front of wheel arches done) but part of me always thinks a respray is cheaper when the time comes - that said PPF technology has moved on so much (self healing etc) rather than the yellowing, edge curling applications f 15 years ago...
Get a decent detailer to do the ceramic coating on it, where they'll correct the paint first - costs will be less too
PPF is a personal decision, if you're going to be using it a lot might be worth whole getting front and exposed areas (sills, front of wheel arches done) but part of me always thinks a respray is cheaper when the time comes - that said PPF technology has moved on so much (self healing etc) rather than the yellowing, edge curling applications f 15 years ago...
Also depends on what paint colour you have. Something like Ice Grey Metallic, Carrara White or GT Silver are quite a hard paints and I probably wouldn't bother. If you have Artic Grey which is a soft paint or Black which shows everything then I would go front end PPF.
I had my Artic Grey ceramic coated initially, but still had some minor scratch marks appear, so I pushed the budget and had it PPFd annoyingly just after a stone chip on the bonnet. I can still just see it underneath the PPF but it has stopped further damage.
I paid £1400 for a front end PPF including mirrors and screen surround and he applied a piece to cover the front of the rear arches like 911s.
I had my Artic Grey ceramic coated initially, but still had some minor scratch marks appear, so I pushed the budget and had it PPFd annoyingly just after a stone chip on the bonnet. I can still just see it underneath the PPF but it has stopped further damage.
I paid £1400 for a front end PPF including mirrors and screen surround and he applied a piece to cover the front of the rear arches like 911s.
JurassicGTS said:
Also depends on what paint colour you have. Something like Ice Grey Metallic, Carrara White or GT Silver are quite a hard paints and I probably wouldn't bother. If you have Artic Grey which is a soft paint or Black which shows everything then I would go front end PPF.
I had my Artic Grey ceramic coated initially, but still had some minor scratch marks appear, so I pushed the budget and had it PPFd annoyingly just after a stone chip on the bonnet. I can still just see it underneath the PPF but it has stopped further damage.
I paid £1400 for a front end PPF including mirrors and screen surround and he applied a piece to cover the front of the rear arches like 911s.
It's GT Silver actually, and yes makes sense, I had a silver coloured 987 ages ago and it was quite resistant indeed.I had my Artic Grey ceramic coated initially, but still had some minor scratch marks appear, so I pushed the budget and had it PPFd annoyingly just after a stone chip on the bonnet. I can still just see it underneath the PPF but it has stopped further damage.
I paid £1400 for a front end PPF including mirrors and screen surround and he applied a piece to cover the front of the rear arches like 911s.
Would you still do "ceramic" though at the point of purchase or I guess can also be done at any time with the same effect?
Trikster said:
Firstly would recommend not to get the dealer to do it, if that's where your quotes are from.
Get a decent detailer to do the ceramic coating on it, where they'll correct the paint first - costs will be less too
PPF is a personal decision, if you're going to be using it a lot might be worth whole getting front and exposed areas (sills, front of wheel arches done) but part of me always thinks a respray is cheaper when the time comes - that said PPF technology has moved on so much (self healing etc) rather than the yellowing, edge curling applications f 15 years ago...
I'm reading that correcting the paint is important where there are defects, while if it's literally almost showroom condition might be a waste of money?Get a decent detailer to do the ceramic coating on it, where they'll correct the paint first - costs will be less too
PPF is a personal decision, if you're going to be using it a lot might be worth whole getting front and exposed areas (sills, front of wheel arches done) but part of me always thinks a respray is cheaper when the time comes - that said PPF technology has moved on so much (self healing etc) rather than the yellowing, edge curling applications f 15 years ago...
WG said:
I have had PPF on a number of cars and it is very effective in stopping stone chips however over the last couple of years costs have really escalated and I no longer think it is worth the money. I had my current cars ceramic coated by the OPC when new and this treatment does make them much easier to clean and avoids the dreaded swirl marks. No protection against stone chips obviously - but these can be minimised by not driving too closely to other vehicles (!) If you want value for money on an older vehicle then I would have the paintwork”detailed” by a reputable valet and then apply ceramic .
Thanks, good one.I wouldn't use the OPC/Dealer to prepare your car unless this is negotiated within your deal. Many OPC's use detailers now, for example the OPC I bought my car from used a very good local company and it was included after some haggling.
It may be worth organising yourself if it is something you feel like you need.
I've had ceramic coatings and PPF on a number of cars now, others have mentioned that ceramic coating won't prevent stone chips, but it will reduce swirl marks and make cleaning/maintenance easier - but you also need to clean your car differently, different products and will need to "top up" your coating every now and again. PPF has evolved and the norm is now self-healing PPF, so light scratched "melt" away for use of a better word.
The best option is having both for peace of mind, but you need to figure out if the cost is worth it against how long you intend to keep the car, usage, mileage etc - if it's a garage queen and will only come out on sunny days it wouldn't be worth it and vice versa.
It may be worth organising yourself if it is something you feel like you need.
I've had ceramic coatings and PPF on a number of cars now, others have mentioned that ceramic coating won't prevent stone chips, but it will reduce swirl marks and make cleaning/maintenance easier - but you also need to clean your car differently, different products and will need to "top up" your coating every now and again. PPF has evolved and the norm is now self-healing PPF, so light scratched "melt" away for use of a better word.
The best option is having both for peace of mind, but you need to figure out if the cost is worth it against how long you intend to keep the car, usage, mileage etc - if it's a garage queen and will only come out on sunny days it wouldn't be worth it and vice versa.
Hi OP. As others have stated it is better to go elsewhere to get this done.
However, maybe OPC will do wax detail as part of the deal? The Swissvax bag I got with my OPC car was - to my surprise - priced at several hundreds£ when I looked up online.
A professional detailer will clay bar the car & machine polish. You can then get PPF & Ceramic. But for 8 year old Boxster might not be worth it?
Check with any insurers you're using. Some of the standard insurers especially class it as a modification. Or if they don't may refuse to have it reapplied in event of a claim.
However, maybe OPC will do wax detail as part of the deal? The Swissvax bag I got with my OPC car was - to my surprise - priced at several hundreds£ when I looked up online.
A professional detailer will clay bar the car & machine polish. You can then get PPF & Ceramic. But for 8 year old Boxster might not be worth it?
Check with any insurers you're using. Some of the standard insurers especially class it as a modification. Or if they don't may refuse to have it reapplied in event of a claim.
Lots of good advice here. Personal view is ceramic is ok but not worth the money detailers command for it nowadays. Never ended up buying into it but i did invest in a DA polisher long ago and always put PPF on my cars. For example, still have my MY06 987s from new and whilst it does have a partial PPF, the right routine to wash it and an annual machine polish/buff and it doesn't look anything near its true age. Better to put the money elsewhere.
stewieyan said:
It's GT Silver actually, and yes makes sense, I had a silver coloured 987 ages ago and it was quite resistant indeed.
Would you still do "ceramic" though at the point of purchase or I guess can also be done at any time with the same effect?
You need to decide before you pick the car up, whether you want PPF or not, as they’ll take the ceramic off before applying the PPF, so it would be a waste of money. I’d only get PPF on a brand new car, or a used car with absolutely no chips or scratches, as you’ll always see them under the PPF.Would you still do "ceramic" though at the point of purchase or I guess can also be done at any time with the same effect?
stewieyan said:
It's GT Silver actually, and yes makes sense, I had a silver coloured 987 ages ago and it was quite resistant indeed.
Would you still do "ceramic" though at the point of purchase or I guess can also be done at any time with the same effect?
No wait and if you decide to have PPF have them ceramic coat the balance of the car afterwards, although on the GT Silver I really wouldn't bother as it's probably the easiest colour to take care of.Would you still do "ceramic" though at the point of purchase or I guess can also be done at any time with the same effect?
If you're in Surrey I'd highly recommend 'All That Gleams' (https://allthatgleams.co.uk). They fully ceramic coated my SRS (which already had PPF) end of last year, for a not unreasonable £595, and did a really fab job (using xpel products though they could also have used gtechniq halo which would have worked out a bit cheaper), super experienced and knowledgeable too. They carry out loads of work for Guildford OPC for example (especially on their RS stuff), as well as tons of exotica. They do full PPF too, seem good at tailoring the job/products for you.
When I was searching for a car, I was getting quotes of around £4K for PPF alone, I ended up buying a car that already had full xpel PPF in the end. On my search I also came across King PPF (https://www.king-ppf.com), who seemed good/responsive/knowledgeable and also provided the best quote - they recommended Suntek Reaction PPF which already has a ceramic/hydrophobic coating already (so £3700 for PPF without the need for ceramic on top). I'm not familiar with it but they were very +ve about it vs xpel + ceramic on top (which is what I have now anyway).
I'm personally a stickler for ceramic coating, love the finish, extra layer of protection (bird poo, etc) and the ease of cleaning since I prefer to do that myself. Wanted PPF on the SRS since I imagined this was a keeper, and have been on (and planning to go on) tour where following others (with especially wide tyres) will guarantee some bits of tarmac or stones thrown your way!
One thing that troubled me about PPF was the number of issues I'd seen on cars less than a year old - lots of coming away at edges and bubbles on approved used SRS's I'd seen... mostly what appeared to be a result of lack of care when cleaning - I imagined them being jet washed at OPC's without a care/knowledge of PPF and how close the lance should get to the finish or edges :/.
There is no right answer, go with what you're comfortable with and what's important to or bothers you and how much you're willing to spend on that bother
! I'd personally reconsider PPF if it started to get to 5-10% of the purchase price though.
When I was searching for a car, I was getting quotes of around £4K for PPF alone, I ended up buying a car that already had full xpel PPF in the end. On my search I also came across King PPF (https://www.king-ppf.com), who seemed good/responsive/knowledgeable and also provided the best quote - they recommended Suntek Reaction PPF which already has a ceramic/hydrophobic coating already (so £3700 for PPF without the need for ceramic on top). I'm not familiar with it but they were very +ve about it vs xpel + ceramic on top (which is what I have now anyway).
I'm personally a stickler for ceramic coating, love the finish, extra layer of protection (bird poo, etc) and the ease of cleaning since I prefer to do that myself. Wanted PPF on the SRS since I imagined this was a keeper, and have been on (and planning to go on) tour where following others (with especially wide tyres) will guarantee some bits of tarmac or stones thrown your way!
One thing that troubled me about PPF was the number of issues I'd seen on cars less than a year old - lots of coming away at edges and bubbles on approved used SRS's I'd seen... mostly what appeared to be a result of lack of care when cleaning - I imagined them being jet washed at OPC's without a care/knowledge of PPF and how close the lance should get to the finish or edges :/.
There is no right answer, go with what you're comfortable with and what's important to or bothers you and how much you're willing to spend on that bother
! I'd personally reconsider PPF if it started to get to 5-10% of the purchase price though.stewieyan said:
Sent a “no” to the salesman, am now asked to reconsider and have them apply the cheapest “Bodycare” at least, since they will be polishing the car anyway. Very confused, could do with not spending an extra £500 if there’s no immediate need.
Salesman concerned he’s loosing his commission, I’d go to a detailer rather than a dealer if having any work of this nature undertaken. Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff