Full PPF or no?

[Zenkuto]

I'm taking delivery of a 2022 absolute zero Supra next week, so I'm looking into PPF in my area. Just wanted to get input from people who have gotten PPF for their supras. I have a few questions I couldn't really find through existing forums so here they are...

1. On the fence about getting full front or full car PPF. With full front only, I'm concerned that the difference between a wrapped surface and non-wrapped surface will become more and more apparent over time. Any input?

2. I've contacted a few shops, and most are doing a custom cut for the hood so they can wrap the edges. As for the front bumper, they say it may not be possible to wrap the edges without removing the bumpers. Is this the case? Or are there shops that can wrap the edges on the bumper without removing parts?

3. If there happens to be some unwrapped edges, would it be a constant battle to keep dirt and grime from sticking to the edges? Theoretically should be more apparent on a white car.

4. How long does PPF typically last before they turn yellow, cracking, etc, and need to be reapplied?

5. And a follow up to number 4, if the film were to be removed years down the road, would the paint underneath be the same as it was before applying PPF, or should I expect some level of damage or discoloration?

Most shops I've called are using XPEL btw.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as it's such a huge investment!

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[A90 Shop]

Hey man!
Ill try to answer you're questions in order the best I can.
1. PPF is really only meant for impact zones on a vehicle. I would recommend the full front PPF. The problem with doing PPF on a full vehicle is the seam lines. You'd likely be able to see seam lines around your whole car.
2. Unfortunately if you want them to PPF AROUND the edges and not just UP TO the edge, then they will have to remove the bumper.
3. Unwrapped edges aren't really too big a big deal. Most shops in my area don't wrap around but instead right up to the edge. You wont notice dirt in those edges as long as you're washing your car regularly.
4. PPF normally last around 5 years depending on driving conditions, wear and tear, and the method of care before it starts to fail.
5. I used to do PPF install and removal and normally you don't have to worry about any discoloration. The only thing I have seen a few times is PPF ripping the paint off during removal. However this normally only happens on cars that were not factory paint and had been repainted.
Hopefully some of this information was useful to you!

 

[SupraGR21]

YES get PPF!! Your car will stay looking new! If it wasn’t for my PPF I would have about 8 rock Chips on the paint, instead it’s in the PPF. Worth every penny.

1. If you do white/grays/silver I would do just full front. Yellow/blue/black/phantom I would do entire car. Reason is if the color shows swirl marks the front of the car will be flawless and the back half will show marks. Heat makes swirls disappear on PPF so basically flawless exterior.(get expel ppf). Your concern on fading if done on half the car was mine too, I have tungsteno so I’m not worried and did half the car, if you choose blue/yellow/phantom I too would be concerned about the colors changing over time but I assume that’s like 5-10 years later not in a couple of years unless youlive in FL and park outside all day. Again, the grays/silver I’m sure we don’t have to worry about color fading differences.

2. My shop did pre cut EXPEL PPF and they did not have to remove anything. Personally I wouldn’t want them to remove bumpers for misalignment issues, this would kill me. Also, seem lines are more apparent on the blue/phantom/black colors. All other colors you can’t even tell it’s invisible.

3. No, they wouldn’t get dirt in them it’s sealed, unless you scrub the opposite way if you wash “abrasively” over hundreds of times. But my ppf was pre cut and I don’t have but maybe2-4 unwrapped edges.

4. The new stuff does not turnyellow like our fathers had back then. Expel has a warranty that if it turns yellow they replace it. Personally I replace my ppf after I got enough rock chips in it that it starts to look a bit bad, but don’t need to replace all the parts. But if the car stayed perfect then I suppose every 5-10 years, depending on conditions.

5. There should be no damage, as long as it’s removed correctly and the person knows what they are doing the paint should be as when it was laid on. Again, depends on condition, for ex: if I lived in a very hot climate and parked outside everyday with sun hitting it, o would replace it after about 5 years. I park in a garage all day so I’m good for 7-10 yeas or if I change it due to chips on the ppf(paint underneath is perfect). Keep in mind large rock may still penetrate through the ppf and paint but theres Nothing you can do there(don’t tailgate and you’ll be ok).

Hope this helps!!

 

[zrk]

The new stuff does not turnyellow like our fathers had back then

You calling me old, motherfucker?!

 

[SupraGR21]

You calling me old, motherfucker?!

I’m assuming your comment is a joke. Ha, ha, you didn’t have to curse.

 

[zrk]

I’m assuming your comment is a joke. Ha, ha, you didn’t have to curse.

It's a joke, and as a New Yorker living in Chicago, I'm not sure what cursing is. Words are words mostly.

 

[SupraGR21]

It's a joke, and as a New Yorker living in Chicago, I'm not sure what cursing is. Words are words mostly.

We’ll if it’s a joke then that was funny, I read it as a serious comment, curse is ok then

 

[zrk]

We’ll if it’s a joke then that was funny, I read it as a serious comment, curse is ok then

The internet is a little dry. My humor is very dry. Add it up and you get confusion.

 

[SupraGR21]

The internet is a little dry. My humor is very dry. Add it up and you get confusion.

Yea I know what you mean, I’m the pick up the phone and call rather than email people I’m old school

 

[Andrew4Supra]

I won’t have a car without it (especially if new) but I’m very particular about my cars. I enjoy driving them but also want to keep them as nice as humanly possible. My Supra is fully wrapped in xpel (all precut with the exception of the hood - xpel bulk film to wrap edges).

Our other 2 cars (wife’s glc43 and my winter car GTI)… both have a partial xpel kit (bikini cut hood, full front bumper, headlights, mirrors, trunk load zone, etc).

You shouldn’t have any issues with dirt under the edges of the car if kept for a day or so and the films edges are secured with heat multiple times before delivery.

Remember… the film is only as good as the installer! And all installers are not created equal. Always inspect the prior installers work before committing to a particular shop.

Money well spent to me.

 

[Zenkuto]

EXP

YES get PPF!! Your car will stay looking new! If it wasn’t for my PPF I would have about 8 rock Chips on the paint, instead it’s in the PPF. Worth every penny.

1. If you do white/grays/silver I would do just full front. Yellow/blue/black/phantom I would do entire car. Reason is if the color shows swirl marks the front of the car will be flawless and the back half will show marks. Heat makes swirls disappear on PPF so basically flawless exterior.(get expel ppf). Your concern on fading if done on half the car was mine too, I have tungsteno so I’m not worried and did half the car, if you choose blue/yellow/phantom I too would be concerned about the colors changing over time but I assume that’s like 5-10 years later not in a couple of years unless youlive in FL and park outside all day. Again, the grays/silver I’m sure we don’t have to worry about color fading differences.

2. My shop did pre cut EXPEL PPF and they did not have to remove anything. Personally I wouldn’t want them to remove bumpers for misalignment issues, this would kill me. Also, seem lines are more apparent on the blue/phantom/black colors. All other colors you can’t even tell it’s invisible.

3. No, they wouldn’t get dirt in them it’s sealed, unless you scrub the opposite way if you wash “abrasively” over hundreds of times. But my ppf was pre cut and I don’t have but maybe2-4 unwrapped edges.

4. The new stuff does not turnyellow like our fathers had back then. Expel has a warranty that if it turns yellow they replace it. Personally I replace my ppf after I got enough rock chips in it that it starts to look a bit bad, but don’t need to replace all the parts. But if the car stayed perfect then I suppose every 5-10 years, depending on conditions.

5. There should be no damage, as long as it’s removed correctly and the person knows what they are doing the paint should be as when it was laid on. Again, depends on condition, for ex: if I lived in a very hot climate and parked outside everyday with sun hitting it, o would replace it after about 5 years. I park in a garage all day so I’m good for 7-10 yeas or if I change it due to chips on the ppf(paint underneath is perfect). Keep in mind large rock may still penetrate through the ppf and paint but theres Nothing you can do there(don’t tailgate and you’ll be ok).

Hope this helps!!

Thanks for the writeup! I see that you live in Georgia as well. Which shop did you go to if you don't mind me asking? Because I probably called all the major ones in Atlanta haha

 

[Zenkuto]

Hey man!
Ill try to answer you're questions in order the best I can.
1. PPF is really only meant for impact zones on a vehicle. I would recommend the full front PPF. The problem with doing PPF on a full vehicle is the seam lines. You'd likely be able to see seam lines around your whole car.
2. Unfortunately if you want them to PPF AROUND the edges and not just UP TO the edge, then they will have to remove the bumper.
3. Unwrapped edges aren't really too big a big deal. Most shops in my area don't wrap around but instead right up to the edge. You wont notice dirt in those edges as long as you're washing your car regularly.
4. PPF normally last around 5 years depending on driving conditions, wear and tear, and the method of care before it starts to fail.
5. I used to do PPF install and removal and normally you don't have to worry about any discoloration. The only thing I have seen a few times is PPF ripping the paint off during removal. However this normally only happens on cars that were not factory paint and had been repainted.
Hopefully some of this information was useful to you!

Thanks for the tips! I'm taking the car straight from the lot to the PPF shop with the factory paint. I wonder how durable the factory paint is by itself.

Unrelated, but I already ordered so many parts from your shop haha. Just waiting for my armaspeed intake to be sent out. Do you guys typically keep those in stock or do you have the manufacturer send it out? Just curious because it's the first thing I ordered but looks like it'll be the last thing to be sent out. Not a complaint, just curious! A90 shop is awesome!

 

[SupraGR21]

Thanks for the writeup! I see that you live in Georgia as well. Which shop did you go to if you don't mind me asking? Because I probably called all the major ones in Atlanta haha

I did it with AP3 in Alpharetta, they did our Macan S as well and turned out great. Every time I went all I saw were super cars in the shop. When you drop off the car they house it in a garage until the next day so it never sits outside. Talk to Tony he is a really nice guy to work with and ask for a discount he usually knocks off $100 here or there. I did my full front end with door sills for $1,200.

 

[AMB BA 714]

What should this cost? I asked a well rated shop by me and they want between $3700 and $5300 depending on the amount of layers. This is for hood bumper and side fenders, with ceramic coating on the rest. Is that just absurd, or realistic. I know where i live its going to cost more than anywhere else, but is this a rip off?

 

[3TMagnetMan]

I did full PPF on my car and did windshield film. I track my car and so far is holding up great. The thing is make sure its a very good shop with a great reputation. Also make sure it does not have a lot of cars in the lot and has a master installer. A lot of cars means rush jobs and poor work and less experienced installers. Also see if they have done work on Supras.

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