Ceramic coating and PPF

[Simpo Two]

Apols if this has been done before but... I got some good advice here recently on how to look after a car that was coated last year with Gyeon.

The car is now starting to get used and as you can see it's in rather splendid condition:



And of course with use it will pick up small chips and dings on the front, which would be a pity.

So I visited a top local PPF place yesterday and got a quote to do the whole front end - bonnet, wings, splitter, headlights, door mirrors and A-pillars. They're Avery Dennison specialist installers and work for the local Porsche and Ferrari dealers.

This means that the surface would be going from super-dooper ceramic coating to plastic film. How sensible is that, and also, what's the best way to keep it clean, given that the front of the car would be PPF and 60% ceramic-coated paint?

[Belle427]

Lovely colour that.
As far as I am aware you can ceramic coat over ppf but this is something to clarify with the installer really as it already may have some properties where it is not really needed.

[Simpo Two]

Thanks Belle, that's a good idea.

Another idea is to leave it and just get it fixed when/if the marks get too bad... I'm not sure what costs more!

[Notsofastfrank]

I have used Gyeon PPF ceramic coat over the PPF and am very pleased with the result. It adds extra slickness and shine, just like standard ceramic coat. I believe the only difference is the PPF ceramic is more flexible. If you have “self-healing” PPF the Gyeon ceramic does not affect this.

[Simpo Two]

Notsofastfrank said:

I have used Gyeon PPF ceramic coat over the PPF and am very pleased with the result. It adds extra slickness and shine, just like standard ceramic coat. I believe the only difference is the PPF ceramic is more flexible. If you have self-healing PPF the Gyeon ceramic does not affect this.

Interesting, thanks. 'Gyeon PPF ceramic coat' is yet another detailing product - for a mere £69!

The PPF would be self healing (Avery Dennison). I have this; would it suffice? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08Z2ZZCMS?th=1

[Notsofastfrank]

I use Ceramic detailer as well to top up the ceramic coat, roughly every couple of months, it is good. It also helps to disperse water when drying the car. Ceramic detailer will last a couple of months on its own, whereas the ceramic coat will last several years and give a bit more protection.
Ceramic Detailer is much easier to apply, although ceramic coat (PPF or not) isn’t that difficult.

[Simpo Two]

That sounds great, many thanks

[hilly10]

Simpo Two said:

Apols if this has been done before but... I got some good advice here recently on how to look after a car that was coated last year with Gyeon.

The car is now starting to get used and as you can see it's in rather splendid condition:



And of course with use it will pick up small chips and dings on the front, which would be a pity.

So I visited a top local PPF place yesterday and got a quote to do the whole front end - bonnet, wings, splitter, headlights, door mirrors and A-pillars. They're Avery Dennison specialist installers and work for the local Porsche and Ferrari dealers.

This means that the surface would be going from super-dooper ceramic coating to plastic film. How sensible is that, and also, what's the best way to keep it clean, given that the front of the car would be PPF and 60% ceramic-coated paint?

We do trips down to Spain every year and due to the blunt nose of the new shape X3 I had all the front PPF which was done over the Ceramic coating I had done three months before. It’s been on for six months and no problems

[Simpo Two]

hilly10 said:

We do trips down to Spain every year and due to the blunt nose of the new shape X3 I had all the front PPF which was done over the Ceramic coating I had done three months before. It s been on for six months and no problems

Interesting; I've been told by the place that will fit the PPF and also by a former PH detailing expert 'it would need at least a single stage machine polish, especially if there are previous coatings on it, otherwise it won’t stick properly'. If I ignore the fitter's advice and there are later problems, they won't be likely to help fix it...! I'm not confident enough with a DA to tackle this job myself so am waiting for a quote.

[hilly10]

Simpo Two said:

Interesting; I've been told by the place that will fit the PPF and also by a former PH detailing expert 'it would need at least a single stage machine polish, especially if there are previous coatings on it, otherwise it won t stick properly'. If I ignore the fitter's advice and there are later problems, they won't be likely to help fix it...! I'm not confident enough with a DA to tackle this job myself so am waiting for a quote.

Sorry areas were cleaned prior to application of the PPF

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

If you are thinking the PPF route don't forget to check with your insurer. There have been a few horror stories on PH of insurance claims and undeclared modifications relating to PPF.

[Simpo Two]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

If you are thinking the PPF route don't forget to check with your insurer. There have been a few horror stories on PH of insurance claims and undeclared modifications relating to PPF.

Thanks; I suppose it makes the car slightly more valuable, but then it's also slightly heavier therefore slower which makes it safer

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Simpo Two said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

If you are thinking the PPF route don't forget to check with your insurer. There have been a few horror stories on PH of insurance claims and undeclared modifications relating to PPF.

Thanks; I suppose it makes the car slightly more valuable, but then it's also slightly heavier therefore slower which makes it safer

...but slipperier?

[Simpo Two]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

If you are thinking the PPF route don't forget to check with your insurer. There have been a few horror stories on PH of insurance claims and undeclared modifications relating to PPF.

It was good advice. I just rang my broker - if I get PPF fitted the insurer (Aviva) won't cover me!

The next cheapest quote was £2,000 so that's bye bye PPF I think.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Simpo Two said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

If you are thinking the PPF route don't forget to check with your insurer. There have been a few horror stories on PH of insurance claims and undeclared modifications relating to PPF.

It was good advice. I just rang my broker - if I get PPF fitted the insurer (Aviva) won't cover me!

The next cheapest quote was £2,000 so that's bye bye PPF I think.

Crazy isn't it? I dare bet most people who get PPF fitted don't even consider it a mod.

Anyhoo, glad to be of service!

[Simpo Two]

The only glimmer of logic I can see is that the car might be more expensive to repair if you insist that the PPF is reinstated. But you could always add it at your own cost later.

[21TonyK]

Long while ago I ended up with a bodyshop clearcoating OVER existing PPF when they should have done a very small localised repair (which wasn't even under the PPF!).

Resulted in a Lotus Elise courtesy car for 3+ months and a full front-end respray plus new PPF and vinyl work afterwards.

Never saw the final bill but I expect it wasnt a cheap option.

[Simpo Two]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

If you are thinking the PPF route don't forget to check with your insurer. There have been a few horror stories on PH of insurance claims and undeclared modifications relating to PPF.

It was good advice. I just rang my broker - if I get PPF fitted the insurer (Aviva) won't cover me!

The next cheapest quote was £2,000 so that's bye bye PPF I think.

Crazy isn't it? I dare bet most people who get PPF fitted don't even consider it a mod.

Anyhoo, glad to be of service!

Update:I called the broker again today to check on something else, and took the opportunity to mention PPF again. Today they say that it's NOT a modification and so it won't affect my insurance. Apparently the person I spoke to before had put it down as wrap/respray/change of colour or something. it seems they're not really sure what PPF is!

[_Rodders_]

I'd get it in writing before I believed them.

[Digga]

Notsofastfrank said:

I have used Gyeon PPF ceramic coat over the PPF and am very pleased with the result. It adds extra slickness and shine, just like standard ceramic coat. I believe the only difference is the PPF ceramic is more flexible. If you have self-healing PPF the Gyeon ceramic does not affect this.

^This. The local Gyeon detailer and PPF installer is just around corner from my office, so he's done quite a few cars, both ceramic and PPF. He always suggests to put the ceramic coating over the PPF.

IME the ceramic coating makes a massive difference to how easy it is to wash the car and keep it looking clean. It definitely does shed dirt, as well as adding a bit more depth/lustre to paint.