PPF and headlight Lense correction

[White340]

Hi,

I leased my m3 so didn't get this done initially but now that I'm buying it out I want to have some ppf installed on the front bumper, hood and fenders.

My questions are:

1) what do you recommend? Xpel, 3m, other?

2) How much am I looking at price wise for the self healing version?

3) I have a few pebble size paint chips on the bumper and hood already. Will this be a problem?

4) any recommendations for installers in the Long Island area?

Thanks!!

[espressoo]

My questions are:

1) what do you recommend? Xpel, 3m, other?
I have both Xpel Ultimate and Suntek Ultra on different parts of my vehicle. Suntek Ultra IMO is smoother looking. It's very difficult to tell unless it's on the same vehicle on body parts next to each other. Knowing what I know now, I'd choose Suntek Ultra over Xpel Ultimate.

2) How much am I looking at price wise for the self healing version?
If you went with Xpel or Suntek, I would opt to get the best film they offered. Price wise, you're paying for the install labor and not necessarily the film. A couple hundred difference in film isn't near the price shock as the install cost itself.

3) I have a few pebble size paint chips on the bumper and hood already. Will this be a problem?
Yes. This will be an eye sore IMO. I would considered getting these areas repaired before paying for PPF.

4) any recommendations for installers in the Long Island area?
I'm not in your area but shop around for the best installer first then decide if each installer's price is worth the difference. Ask yourself if you're paying more for a better install job and if the upcharge is worth it.
Ask the installer to see cars they're either working on or have completed to get a sense of their work and if it's up to your standards. If you're blind as a bat, you won't notice a difference and might opt to go with the price conscience installer. If you're OCD, you will probably opt for the better installer even if there's an upcharge.

[White340]

Originally Posted by espressoo

My questions are:

1) what do you recommend? Xpel, 3m, other?
[COLOR="Blue"]I have both Xpel Ultimate and Suntek Ultra on different parts of my vehicle. Suntek Ultra IMO is smoother looking. It's very difficult to tell unless it's on the same vehicle on body parts next to each other. Knowing what I know now, I'd choose Suntek Ultra over Xpel Ultimate.[/COLOR]

2) How much am I looking at price wise for the self healing version?
[COLOR="blue"]If you went with Xpel or Suntek, I would opt to get the best film they offered. Price wise, you're paying for the install labor and not necessarily the film. A couple hundred difference in film isn't near the price shock as the install cost itself.[/COLOR]

3) I have a few pebble size paint chips on the bumper and hood already. Will this be a problem?
[COLOR="blue"]Yes. This will be an eye sore IMO. I would considered getting these areas repaired before paying for PPF.[/COLOR]

4) any recommendations for installers in the Long Island area?
[COLOR="blue"]I'm not in your area but shop around for the best installer first then decide if each installer's price is worth the difference. Ask yourself if you're paying more for a better install job and if the upcharge is worth it.
Ask the installer to see cars they're either working on or have completed to get a sense of their work and if it's up to your standards. If you're blind as a bat, you won't notice a difference and might opt to go with the price conscience installer. If you're OCD, you will probably opt for the better installer even if there's an upcharge.[/COLOR]

Thanks! I didn't even think about singulars. I will look into it. Regarding the chips I can either touch up or repaint. The latter isn't worth it since I don't have money and I've never seen a good touch up job. Usually the touch up paint stands out more than the chip did beforehand. Maybe I can use dr color chip to hide it a bit.

[espressoo]

I've seen restoration videos where chips are filled in and polished flat so a new paintjob is avoided. Your run of the mill body shop might not have the patience to do this and usually suggests a respray.

If you decide to repaint a body part, there's a wait period before you can apply PPF. It's 30-45 days depending on who you ask. During that timeframe, fresh paint is more prone to chipping. I basically didn't drive my car for 4-5 weeks after getting my GTS hood painted and waiting for PPF. Things to consider!

[FrozenGT]

I would not waste thousands of dollars protecting the car for someone else to enjoy! don't throw away your money enjoy the car turn in your lease when you finance something you like then invest in PPF.

It's not worth it you don't want to PPF a leased car!

[SolidWater]

Originally Posted by White340

Hi,

I leased my m3 so didn't get this done initially but now that I'm buying it out I want to have some ppf installed on the front bumper, hood and fenders.

My questions are:

1) what do you recommend? Xpel, 3m, other?

I had mine done in Xpel (10mil front-facing items, 8mil for entire CF roof and B-pillars.
They also did ENTIRE front (corrected headlights, covered them, covered mirrors and A-pillars).
Re-covered the rear fender flares with thicker, non-yellow xpel 10mil.

2) How much am I looking at price wise for the self healing version?

Mine is self healing. All done it was $2800.

3) I have a few pebble size paint chips on the bumper and hood already. Will this be a problem?

No, they can fill them as able, or if small enough, use a small syringe to suck any air out afterwards to make it flush.

4) any recommendations for installers in the Long Island area?

They're not quite close to LI, but Autocotoure always does good work and have guys in house that do quality jobs.

Thanks!!

Answered in-line.

[White340]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

I would not waste thousands of dollars protecting the car for someone else to enjoy! don't throw away your money enjoy the car turn in your lease when you finance something you like then invest in PPF.

It's not worth it you don't want to PPF a leased car!

I'm buying out my lease so I'm keeping it for a while.

[FrozenGT]

Originally Posted by White340

I'm buying out my lease so I'm keeping it for a while.

Okay! Then you want to find a good shop who has A reputation for installing PPF. I would highly recommend expel ultimate self-healing.

[NSX2M4]

I like the Suntek stuff. It's very hard to tell it has a clear bra.

[RickFLM4]

SunTek is glossiest / least noticeable (I have had SunTek, Xpel and 3M)

I paid $1,700 for full front (bumper, headlights, hood, fenders) and backs of mirrors

I also leased and did this when I bought my car at the end of the lease; did not fix a few chips and they are not noticeable unless you look for them. Unless you will obsess over them or plan to do it yourself, don’t waste the money getting them touched up.

Sorry no suggestions for LI but find someone who is an authorized dealer and will provide the warranty paperwork.

I don’t know what color your car is, but I would avoid PPF on a while car because it will yellow noticeably. Won’t notice anything on other colors.

Edit: Whatever prices you find in this thread, expect to pay a bit more due to inflation. Everything costs noticeably more today than last year or the year before.

[M 4 FUN]

I use STEK self healing ppf on my whole car, including headlights. It's amazing.

[White340]

Originally Posted by M 4 FUN

I use STEK self healing ppf on my whole car, including headlights. It's amazing.

Must have been $$$. 6-7k?