Is PPF repairable?

gatorfast · 03-19-2017, 09:58 AM

I just noticed a tear in my suntek PPF

Does anyone know if something like this could be repaired somehow? Would hate to have the whole thing taken off and reapplied for a small tear.

RickFLM4 · 03-19-2017, 10:01 AM

Some PPF is self healing for small issues but otherwise I'm not aware of any way to repair a rip or tear. That is small enough that you may want to leave as is since paint is still protected otherwise.

M3Luck84 · 03-19-2017, 10:38 AM

I am not sure about the fix for the above. But what i strongly recommend for anyone who cares about their car is to get an Xpel clear wrap on the car. I just did the nose and the panels under the doors and its great. You can't even tell its there and it prevents stuff like above from happening. Its expensive 2100 for the job but saves you money and headaches in the long run.

RickFLM4 · 03-19-2017, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Luck84

I am not sure about the fix for the above. But what i strongly recommend for anyone who cares about their car is to get an Xpel clear wrap on the car. I just did the nose and the panels under the doors and its great. You can't even tell its there and it prevents stuff like above from happening. Its expensive 2100 for the job but saves you money and headaches in the long run.

"Stuff like above" is on the PPF. OP is questioning if PPF can be repaired when it is damaged doing its job.

dr.mba · 03-19-2017, 10:49 AM

I would leave it. This can't be fixed and is not worth removing the PPF and reapplying it. Live with it.

M

gatorfast · 03-19-2017, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr.mba

I would leave it. This can't be fixed and is not worth removing the PPF and reapplying it. Live with it.

M

Yea I def don't think I want to have the whole thing replaced. It's really just one "chunk" of film that is damaged. Maybe I'll swing by the installer and see if they can carefully cut off the chunk and flatten the area the best they can.

RickFLM4 · 03-19-2017, 11:37 AM

I wouldn't be too eager to have them cut into it because it could be difficult to do without getting bumper too. Maybe they can heat it and make it a bit better but otherwise I'd leave it alone unless installer has good solution.

Who is your installer? Pepi by chance?

KevinM · 03-19-2017, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr.mba

I would leave it. This can't be fixed and is not worth removing the PPF and reapplying it. Live with it.

M

Agree. You won't notice it in a few weeks.

gatorfast · 03-19-2017, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I wouldn't be too eager to have them cut into it because it could be difficult to do without getting bumper too. Maybe they can heat it and make it a bit better but otherwise I'd leave it alone unless installer has good solution.

Who is your installer? Pepi by chance?

Yep autosupershield. It looks more noticeable in person than it does in the pics.

While I'm sure I would get used to it over time it's one of those things that once you see it your eyes immediately gravitate towards it.

RickFLM4 · 03-19-2017, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

I wouldn't be too eager to have them cut into it because it could be difficult to do without getting bumper too. Maybe they can heat it and make it a bit better but otherwise I'd leave it alone unless installer has good solution.

Who is your installer? Pepi by chance?

Yep autosupershield. It looks more noticeable in person than it does in the pics.

While I'm sure I would get used to it over time it's one of those things that once you see it your eyes immediately gravitate towards it.

Well, I would trust whatever Pepi suggests. If nothing can be done he'll tell you straight rather than screwing with it and risk making it worse. If he can do something he will. So it is a worthwhile stop to ask.

Eric S · 03-19-2017, 05:54 PM

needs to be left along, replaced, or trimmed out.

as with vinyl, it is possible to patch clear bra, but I wouldn't recommend it, but it would look flatter than that. Basically cut a square around that piece, then lay a bigger piece over the square and then trim inside the lines to make it fit/seam up. If dome perfectly, it would be tougher to notice, but still not perfect.

Professor///M · 03-31-2017, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Yep autosupershield. It looks more noticeable in person than it does in the pics.

While I'm sure I would get used to it over time it's one of those things that once you see it your eyes immediately gravitate towards it.

This happened to my e90... except it was a tar-like rock so it stained it too. My cars are AW, so any small nicks you can't see, unless they get debris in them. In my case, I learned to live with it. Over time it flattened a little bit. I had peace of mind knowing that it happened to the wrap, and not the fender, which I would have definitely wanted to get fixed. Had I kept the car, I would have removed the 1/4 fender, and wrapped the entire fender in replacement.

I'd just live with it for now, and see if it bothers you in a few weeks still. Remember this is exactly why you bought the wrap!

papasmurf_m3 · 05-13-2020, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I just noticed a tear in my suntek PPF

Does anyone know if something like this could be repaired somehow? Would hate to have the whole thing taken off and reapplied for a small tear.

Sorry to revive and old thread, Same exact thing happened to me. Small tear.What did you end up doing?

TIA

gatorfast · 05-13-2020, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papasmurf_m3

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I just noticed a tear in my suntek PPF

Does anyone know if something like this could be repaired somehow? Would hate to have the whole thing taken off and reapplied for a small tear.

Sorry to revive and old thread, Same exact thing happened to me. Small tear.What did you end up doing?

TIA

Ended up just leaving it. If there is any film hanging off you can try to trim it with a razor but other than that not much you can do.

papasmurf_m3 · 05-13-2020, 10:22 AM

I was afraid of that... I'm ok with leaving it for now. But, I wash my car with pressure washer and I know this tiny little tear will lift up a bit trap dirt then it looks brown. Then it will drive me mad lol FML.

gatorfast · 05-13-2020, 10:26 AM

Yea I would def avoid using the pressure washer on that area as, like you said, it could definitely lift the film.

Eric S · 05-14-2020, 11:50 AM

trim it out, put a patch it. done. or trim and no patch. I wouldnt want to leave overhang or loose film

papasmurf_m3 · 06-09-2020, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric S

trim it out, put a patch it. done. or trim and no patch. I wouldnt want to leave overhang or loose film

How can you trim it without putting a blade to the paint surface?

I would think once you lift the film to make a cut it will lose adhesion and would lift up anyways.

TrauCon · 06-11-2020, 08:33 AM

get a nail nipper to cut flat without pulling the film up

Darth One · 06-11-2020, 12:10 PM

I have damage exactly like OP's, but on the hood. Coincidence - my PPF was also installed by Pepi

It's unsightly but I'm leaving it alone. If I fix it, I know I'll have to replace the whole hood piece or I'll still not be happy.

To the other person who asked - if it's bad enough that the tear or the pocket is holding dirt, I'd replace the piece. More because of the aesthetics than anything.

But that's just me - maybe it doesn't bother you that much

papasmurf_m3 · 07-08-2020, 04:23 PM

I'm living with it. I got the self healing PPF, the next day it shrunk and i can barely notice at all.

Left it out in the sun all day. That's it.

GerrS65 · 07-08-2020, 05:41 PM

I would trim it, and put a clear round sticker over it for now. You'll get more. When it reaches your unbearable level, replace the whole ppf on the front of the car.

03-19-2017, 09:58 AM	#1
gatorfast Major General 4995 Rep 6,862 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Is PPF repairable? I just noticed a tear in my suntek PPF Does anyone know if something like this could be repaired somehow? Would hate to have the whole thing taken off and reapplied for a small tear. Attached Images
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03-19-2017, 10:01 AM	#2
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10968 Rep 4,821 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	Some PPF is self healing for small issues but otherwise I'm not aware of any way to repair a rip or tear. That is small enough that you may want to leave as is since paint is still protected otherwise. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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03-19-2017, 10:38 AM	#3
M3Luck84 Enlisted Member 28 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Stamford ct iTrader: (1)	I am not sure about the fix for the above. But what i strongly recommend for anyone who cares about their car is to get an Xpel clear wrap on the car. I just did the nose and the panels under the doors and its great. You can't even tell its there and it prevents stuff like above from happening. Its expensive 2100 for the job but saves you money and headaches in the long run.
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03-19-2017, 10:49 AM	#5
dr.mba Captain 275 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 2017 F. Grey M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I would leave it. This can't be fixed and is not worth removing the PPF and reapplying it. Live with it. M __________________ A mind is a terrible thing to waste
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03-19-2017, 11:37 AM	#7
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 10968 Rep 4,821 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't be too eager to have them cut into it because it could be difficult to do without getting bumper too. Maybe they can heat it and make it a bit better but otherwise I'd leave it alone unless installer has good solution. Who is your installer? Pepi by chance? __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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03-19-2017, 05:54 PM	#11
Eric S Lieutenant 293 Rep 546 Posts Drives: in pre-order stages Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: orange, ca iTrader: (1)	needs to be left along, replaced, or trimmed out. as with vinyl, it is possible to patch clear bra, but I wouldn't recommend it, but it would look flatter than that. Basically cut a square around that piece, then lay a bigger piece over the square and then trim inside the lines to make it fit/seam up. If dome perfectly, it would be tougher to notice, but still not perfect.
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05-13-2020, 10:22 AM	#15
papasmurf_m3 Captain 455 Rep 844 Posts Drives: YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I was afraid of that... I'm ok with leaving it for now. But, I wash my car with pressure washer and I know this tiny little tear will lift up a bit trap dirt then it looks brown. Then it will drive me mad lol FML. __________________ 60-130 mph 6.72 secs 1/2 mile trap speed 158 mph ecutek - bend calibration pro tune - flex fuel - mpe - stock turbos - oem+
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05-13-2020, 10:26 AM	#16
gatorfast Major General 4995 Rep 6,862 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Yea I would def avoid using the pressure washer on that area as, like you said, it could definitely lift the film.
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05-14-2020, 11:50 AM	#17
Eric S Lieutenant 293 Rep 546 Posts Drives: in pre-order stages Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: orange, ca iTrader: (1)	trim it out, put a patch it. done. or trim and no patch. I wouldnt want to leave overhang or loose film
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06-11-2020, 08:33 AM	#19
TrauCon Private First Class 60 Rep 115 Posts Drives: F80 M3 AlpineWhite Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Saigon Vietnam iTrader: (0)	get a nail nipper to cut flat without pulling the film up
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06-11-2020, 12:10 PM	#20
Darth One drunk poster 6613 Rep 3,649 Posts Drives: M4 GTS \| E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I have damage exactly like OP's, but on the hood. Coincidence - my PPF was also installed by Pepi It's unsightly but I'm leaving it alone. If I fix it, I know I'll have to replace the whole hood piece or I'll still not be happy. To the other person who asked - if it's bad enough that the tear or the pocket is holding dirt, I'd replace the piece. More because of the aesthetics than anything. But that's just me - maybe it doesn't bother you that much
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07-08-2020, 04:23 PM	#21
papasmurf_m3 Captain 455 Rep 844 Posts Drives: YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I'm living with it. I got the self healing PPF, the next day it shrunk and i can barely notice at all. Left it out in the sun all day. That's it. __________________ 60-130 mph 6.72 secs 1/2 mile trap speed 158 mph ecutek - bend calibration pro tune - flex fuel - mpe - stock turbos - oem+
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07-08-2020, 05:41 PM	#22
GerrS65 Private First Class 155 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Utah, US iTrader: (0)	I would trim it, and put a clear round sticker over it for now. You'll get more. When it reaches your unbearable level, replace the whole ppf on the front of the car.
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