PPF for long term ownership- bad things waiting?

[BRGreen]

I recognize the benefits PPF can have over that time, but seems there are some potential major downsides waiting for me years from now?

While PPF seems like a good thing upfront, and I'm ok with cost, if I'm planning on keeping car for very long term (10+ years), the process or removing PPF after 5-8 years seems to be risky (damage paint) and costly. Not to mention need to then re-PPF the car.

Thoughts/experiences.

[moriluvatar]

Mate, this topic’s been around since the dawn of time — or at least since the first guy put a clear bra on an E46 and another guy called him crazy for it. 😄

Honestly, there are more opinions on PPF vs. wrap vs. bare paint than there are A-holes on the internet… and that’s saying something.

Here’s my two cents:
• PPF is armor. It’s a car condom, though it self-heals a bit, and it does a good job against chips and scuffs. But yeah — in 5–8 years, it can yellow, shrink, or start lifting at the edges, and removing it is a low risk gamble depending on how the paint underneath was prepped. If you keep the car forever, you’re basically signing up for a redo later, and that’s not cheap.
• Wraps are more for looks. Great for a color change or matte finish, and they have their own pain in the ass aspects (and again there’s a million posts about this stuff)

Me? I’m in the “let the car be a car” camp. I’ll clean it, polish it, maybe throw on a ceramic coat and call it good. Rock chips happen. Every scar tells a story — especially if you actually drive the thing.

If you’re OCD about perfection, go PPF and budget for a redo later. If you’re like me and think of paint as a consumable, skip the film and just enjoy the machine. Either way, you’ll still get roasted here by someone claiming the other path is “the only smart choice.”

GL out there.

[OneThousandMonkeys]

Originally Posted by moriluvatar

Mate, this topic’s been around since the dawn of time — or at least since the first guy put a clear bra on an E46 and another guy called him crazy for it. 😄

Honestly, there are more opinions on PPF vs. wrap vs. bare paint than there are A-holes on the internet… and that’s saying something.

Here’s my two cents:
• PPF is armor. It’s a car condom, though it self-heals a bit, and it does a good job against chips and scuffs. But yeah — in 5–8 years, it can yellow, shrink, or start lifting at the edges, and removing it is a low risk gamble depending on how the paint underneath was prepped. If you keep the car forever, you’re basically signing up for a redo later, and that’s not cheap.
• Wraps are more for looks. Great for a color change or matte finish, and they have their own pain in the ass aspects (and again there’s a million posts about this stuff)

Me? I’m in the “let the car be a car” camp. I’ll clean it, polish it, maybe throw on a ceramic coat and call it good. Rock chips happen. Every scar tells a story — especially if you actually drive the thing.

If you’re OCD about perfection, go PPF and budget for a redo later. If you’re like me and think of paint as a consumable, skip the film and just enjoy the machine. Either way, you’ll still get roasted here by someone claiming the other path is “the only smart choice.”

GL out there.

Do carbon roofs change the calculus? If you’ll have it parked outside all the time, do they protect against UV and delamination?

[cronut]

PPF does protect the carbon roof finish. Also I think that clear coat is less finicky than paint finish which is also clear coat. So less risk of damage when peeling off.

For the price of PPF one could get carbon ceramic brakes or another set of wheels and coil-over suspension though with EDC there is less need for that. But certainly camber plates, ball joints on the front and rear control arms would be a good upgrade.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by moriluvatar

Mate, this topic’s been around since the dawn of time — or at least since the first guy put a clear bra on an E46 and another guy called him crazy for it. ��

Honestly, there are more opinions on PPF vs. wrap vs. bare paint than there are A-holes on the internet… and that’s saying something.

Here’s my two cents:
• PPF is armor. It’s a car condom, though it self-heals a bit, and it does a good job against chips and scuffs. But yeah — in 5–8 years, it can yellow, shrink, or start lifting at the edges, and removing it is a low risk gamble depending on how the paint underneath was prepped. If you keep the car forever, you’re basically signing up for a redo later, and that’s not cheap.
• Wraps are more for looks. Great for a color change or matte finish, and they have their own pain in the ass aspects (and again there’s a million posts about this stuff)

Me? I’m in the “let the car be a car” camp. I’ll clean it, polish it, maybe throw on a ceramic coat and call it good. Rock chips happen. Every scar tells a story — especially if you actually drive the thing.

If you’re OCD about perfection, go PPF and budget for a redo later. If you’re like me and think of paint as a consumable, skip the film and just enjoy the machine. Either way, you’ll still get roasted here by someone claiming the other path is “the only smart choice.”

GL out there.

In my opinion a proper high quality PPF job is way to expensive for what you get. Even if you get rock chips over the lifetime of the car you could probably get it professionally corrected years down the road. It will look good enough to the naked eye. I think part of the problem for me also is that I have a basic black paint. Won`t be hard to fix. Maybe others with some individual paint might have harder time.

I also have yet to meet a person with PPF who doesn`t later on or early on need adjustments to the film.

[NGT2]

I put PPF on the CF roof of my M8 and will likely do the same on the M4 when it comes in. If that roof peels or gets damaged, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. So I feel like the protection is worth it.

I’m torn on the paint. I ordered an individual color and I’d like to protect it. I do absolutely plan to drive the car and enjoy it.

I am thinking of doing a full front PPF with bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps. But not the entire car.

[specced]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I put PPF on the CF roof of my M8 and will likely do the same on the M4 when it comes in. If that roof peels or gets damaged, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. So I feel like the protection is worth it.

I’m torn on the paint. I ordered an individual color and I’d like to protect it. I do absolutely plan to drive the car and enjoy it.

I am thinking of doing a full front PPF with bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror caps. But not the entire car.

The roof can be repaired. They peel all the time especially on older e9x/f8x.

If something is gonna damage your roof it’s likely gonna be severe enough where it would’ve gone through the ppf anyways.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by specced

The roof can be repaired. They peel all the time especially on older e9x/f8x.

If something is gonna damage your roof it’s likely gonna be severe enough where it would’ve gone through the ppf anyways.

Interesting. I’d been told by multiple people that they cannot be repaired. I know that no one in Memphis will repair them. I had a friend with an f8x that had a peeling roof and no one would fix it.

[lexcruiser]

I have a 10+ yr old car with PPF installed at delivery. To date, I’ve yet to have issues or a reason to remove it.
The car is white and the PPF has not discolored a bit which is a surprise to me.

The car also spent most of its life parked outside in all elements and weather conditions.

I think ultimately it’s about your personal risk tolerance. My non-PPF car before was pitted to shit by the time I sold it. I don’t think I’ll ever skip PPF - at a minimum the front end should be done.
/2 cents

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by lexcruiser

I think ultimately it’s about your personal risk tolerance. My non-PPF car before was pitted to shit by the time I sold it. I don’t think I’ll ever skip PPF - at a minimum the front end should be done.
/2 cents

Correct me if I am wrong here. If I own my car for lets say 4-5 years. During that time it experiences normal wear and tear. Rock chips are present on the front grill. I take it to a body shop or detail shop. They bring the car to a acceptable level. They charge me 500 bucks. I then sell the undamaged car for a normal used market value price.

Where is the risk?

[kjx]

Originally Posted by Ezio

Correct me if I am wrong here. If I own my car for lets say 4-5 years. During that time it experiences normal wear and tear. Rock chips are present on the front grill. I take it to a body shop or detail shop. They bring the car to a acceptable level. They charge me 500 bucks. I then sell the undamaged car for a normal used market value price.

Where is the risk?

See, your motivation is different - you are okay with damaged paint during ownership and want a reasonably okay looking paint at sale.

I'm not okay with imperfections in the paint, including micro-scratches, pitting (oh the pitting) and other paint 'casualities' like dullness.

I got full-body PPF because I want my paint work to look new every day of ownership and look about the same on day N as it did on Day 1. My car's now about 4 years old and it looks so clean that people think it's brand new. They said the same thing about my last car at 5 years.

It was and remains 100% worth it to me. Having every part of my car look and feel new at year 4 with every option I wanted, has invalidated any itch I could have felt about changing the car - so I'm 100% coming out ahead financially too.

[thopwood4]

I have a G80 which I did PPF up through the A-pillar. I know I will own this car a long time. I also have an E90, that I was the second owner, the first owner is one of my best friends and I know the car was well taken care of. He did PPF up half the hood, front bumper and rear bumper. This summer I removed the front PPF as it was drying and cracking and looked like shit. It was also 17 years old. Removal from the hood wasn't bad, the front bumper was a pain in the ass with all the curves around the brake ducts and what not. To each his own though. I haven't reapplied PPF on the front of the E90, because I need to do a clutch and rod bearings on it, so it's getting mechanical money thrown at it, and not aesthetic money thrown at it.

[kfresh]

Originally Posted by kjx

See, your motivation is different - you are okay with damaged paint during ownership and want a reasonably okay looking paint at sale.

I'm not okay with imperfections in the paint, including micro-scratches, pitting (oh the pitting) and other paint 'casualities' like dullness.

I got full-body PPF because I want my paint work to look new every day of ownership and look about the same on day N as it did on Day 1. My car's now about 4 years old and it looks so clean that people think it's brand new. They said the same thing about my last car at 5 years.

It was and remains 100% worth it to me. Having every part of my car look and feel new at year 4 with every option I wanted, has invalidated any itch I could have felt about changing the car - so I'm 100% coming out ahead financially too.

100% this is why I went with FULL PPF. Another reason was when I wash my car I dont have to worry about using 4-5 towels and mittens so dont I dont use "contaminated" dirty towels on clean surfaces. 1-2 towels and i'm done

[Lupeskew]

I'm sure someone will be more than happy to correct me on this forum, however, isn't the yellowing issue from older technology PPF's? The newer ones ( last 10 years or so) don't experience that issue anymore.

[lexcruiser]

Originally Posted by Ezio

Correct me if I am wrong here. If I own my car for lets say 4-5 years. During that time it experiences normal wear and tear. Rock chips are present on the front grill. I take it to a body shop or detail shop. They bring the car to a acceptable level. They charge me 500 bucks. I then sell the undamaged car for a normal used market value price.

Where is the risk?

And you raise a perfect example that like all things, it’s not one size fits all.

I typically keep my cars on average 8-10yrs and like some of the responses after my msg above, prefer to keep them looking pristine throughout my ownership.
People regularly comment on how my 10yr old cars look brand new. Also, pitting across the hood, fenders and front bumper etc. would def exceed $500 to repair to my level of acceptance.

I personally would not skip PPF. I’m more than happy to take the upfront $$ hit for peace of mind. But everyone’s different so 🤙

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by kjx

See, your motivation is different - you are okay with damaged paint during ownership and want a reasonably okay looking paint at sale.

I'm not okay with imperfections in the paint, including micro-scratches, pitting (oh the pitting) and other paint 'casualities' like dullness.

I got full-body PPF because I want my paint work to look new every day of ownership and look about the same on day N as it did on Day 1. My car's now about 4 years old and it looks so clean that people think it's brand new. They said the same thing about my last car at 5 years.

It was and remains 100% worth it to me. Having every part of my car look and feel new at year 4 with every option I wanted, has invalidated any itch I could have felt about changing the car - so I'm 100% coming out ahead financially too.

That makes senses.

[nunzo]

I had full PPF done on my car, ceramic coating inside and out. Rock chips and scratches drive me fucking insane. Individual color / individual interior, that I have no faith in paintwork matching down the road, plus paint is only original once.

Being a darker color, it's incredible to see it without swirls, chips, pitting, etc. hand washing it weekly. Just for the ease of washing alone I would recommend.

In 9k miles, the windshield is pock marked like crazy, I can only imagine what the paint would look like.

[gado5420]

I'm not doing any ppf and I daily my car. I did ceramic coat it by myself but I just have been keeping my distance from trucks as best as I can. I plan on driving it in the winter in the Midwest. Ppf peels and breaks and I don't want to have more ocd. For me, there is no amount of protection you can put on a car that you plan on daily driving like a camry or an accord. If you have this thought process, and feel like driving the car as a true daily, this will make you sleep better at night. Just don't crash the car and maintain the car so you can enjoy it over and over.

[26LagunaG80]

My .02 is I am OCD and the peace of mind is worth it to me. I figure I am already spending $100k on a car, another $5500 for full PPF is easily worth it to me. I did Euro delivery on a 435 when I was 22 and didn't even know what PPF was - that car had rock chips a pain chip on the door when it landed stateside after 2k miles driving around Europe...and it drove me absolutely crazy. I'm also having the interior carbon fiber and display done as well.

I don't know how long I am going to keep the car, and while not a major factor in my decision - I know that many (myself included) would pay a premium for a car that has been PPF'd since day one...not only for the protection but also because it would give me the impression that owner #1 likely took good care of the car.

I totally get the "it's just a car" crowd though...it IS a little silly if you think about it....Not sure if anyone else here is a member of the "Obsessed Garage" FB group - but I honestly never ever thought about this stuff until my friend told me to check it out like ~10 years ago. Being a member of that group has made me ultra neurotic about swirl marks, rock chips and other regular wear and tear BS I literally never gave a second thought to before.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by gado5420

I'm not doing any ppf and I daily my car. I did ceramic coat it by myself but I just have been keeping my distance from trucks as best as I can. I plan on driving it in the winter in the Midwest. Ppf peels and breaks and I don't want to have more ocd. For me, there is no amount of protection you can put on a car that you plan on daily driving like a camry or an accord. If you have this thought process, and feel like driving the car as a true daily, this will make you sleep better at night. Just don't crash the car and maintain the car so you can enjoy it over and over.

Ceramic doesn’t do squat for impacts. Also modern PPF doesn’t “peel
And break”

[Crester]

Just make sure you pay for quality PPF film and you will be fine.

When you see them yellowing or even cracking... those people cheaped out on the process.

[silvermanor]

Full PPF (ceramic infused). 2022 M3. Tracked. Winter driven. Daily driven. Car looks new. Not a scratch in it.