PPF for long term ownership- bad things waiting?

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by fdheadwear

Not really trying to justify anything... it's just the fact my head is spinning from this site and all the awesome color combos and making me second guess what to go with. LOL.

I feel ya man. If I walked you through my last five years of car swapping and the detailing I put into each one, you’d think I’m nuts. Ultimately, you just do what you want to do that’s within whatever budget works or makes sense to you and don’t worry what anyone else thinks.

[bimmerstar]

Nothing beats original paint. also gone are the days of $500 resprays. From one of the best shops in our area that can come very close to matching oem paint, a front bumper now costs $1200-1500 to respray. start adding hood, fenders and other high impact areas which may be hard to blend, PPF starts to look reasonable.

What sold me on ppf was my last mercedes, black basic paint, 38k miles after i would clean the car, the hood and bumper would still look dirty. i realized it was a bunch of peppered spots from road rock chips, debris etc. After i could no longer make the car look clean, thats when i started to get front ppf (hood bumper), then after working under the hood and being an amateur DIY at the time, i noticed my fenders started getting chewed up from leaning under the hood. Yes could have been solved with wrap or fender protectors, but does the average DIY use those, maybe maybe not. Then start to look at the cups behind door handles, or the area near the trunk where you got a little sloppy with groceries or luggage, etc. Now what about the carbon roof. all the little things add up. With new film durability and robustness IMO full PPF will keep car looking pristine for years while you drive it. As long as you are buying quality film and not finding the new joe on the block that could wrap a car, go to a good shop, and protect your 100k daily driver. Especially important on matte paints, or other paints that could be hard to blend. a 4-8k expense (track pack ppf vs full car) to protect a 100k car for years should not be a question of affording if you are buying this car. if you are the type of person that gets rid of a car in 1-2 years, maybe this doesnt make sense, but if you plan to keep for a bit, PPF makes sense.

[FrozenGT]

The information I’ve provided is up to you. I won’t lower my standards by name-calling, unlike many people on this platform. I’ve professionally installed PPF on my 2025 M4 comp. Most of you on this platform DD your M cars because you don’t have a choice.

However, PPF is both a liability and a luxury, not something you “need.” You’re more than welcome to spend $5K or $10K on PPF, but be warned that it won’t increase your car’s value. If you plan to sell your car in the future, you can say yes, I PPF the car. But if your car was DD, it will have pits and other imperfections. I won’t continue arguing with people who can’t understand. Remember, those who try to tear down others are usually the ones with a poor self-image, immature, and no control over their own lives. It’s called weakness.

Thanks!

[Crester]

Originally Posted by FrozenGT

The information I’ve provided is up to you. I won’t lower my standards by name-calling, unlike many people on this platform. I’ve professionally installed PPF on my 2025 M4 comp. Most of you on this platform DD your M cars because you don’t have a choice.

However, PPF is both a liability and a luxury, not something you “need.” You’re more than welcome to spend $5K or $10K on PPF, but be warned that it won’t increase your car’s value. If you plan to sell your car in the future, you can say yes, I PPF the car. But if your car was DD, it will have pits and other imperfections. I won’t continue arguing with people who can’t understand. Remember, those who try to tear down others are usually the ones with a poor self-image, immature, and no control over their own lives. It’s called weakness.

Thanks!

I've never seen somebody so confident while being wrong in my life. Are you a politician? lol

You think a slight indentation in the PPF layer from a rock chip is bad... but somehow don't mind the front end of your car looking like it's full of polka-dots because of all the stone chips tearing thru the car's OEM paint and leaving holes that are a different colour... LOL

[Tall Tom Cruise]

Originally Posted by Crester

I've never seen somebody so confident while being wrong in my life. Are you a politician? lol

That literally sums up the forum's collective view of FrozenGT. Arrogant + typically dead wrong on almost all issues

Just one of those socially awkward kids growing up, always on the slower side... but now he's older, bought a BMW, and decided to start babbling nonsense on this forum lol.

[Phillies8008]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy a car with re-sale value in mind. After all, if you're turning over a car that quickly it's already a losing proposition financially. The reason I'll get my car PPF'd is because I want it to look as good as possible for as long as possible, because it makes me happy and I plan on keeping the car (Z4 M40i that's on order) pretty much forever. That's worth the price of the PPF alone, in my eyes. Your eyes may focus differently, and that's okay.

But yeah, if you plan on getting out of the car in a few years then it probably doesn't make strictly financial sense to PPF it. But then again, buying one of these cars really doesn't make strictly financial sense to begin with, so maybe that's not the biggest consideration. YMMV.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy a car with re-sale value in mind. After all, if you're turning over a car that quickly it's already a losing proposition financially. The reason I'll get my car PPF'd is because I want it to look as good as possible for as long as possible, because it makes me happy and I plan on keeping the car (Z4 M40i that's on order) pretty much forever. That's worth the price of the PPF alone, in my eyes. Your eyes may focus differently, and that's okay.

But yeah, if you plan on getting out of the car in a few years then it probably doesn't make strictly financial sense to PPF it. But then again, buying one of these cars really doesn't make strictly financial sense to begin with, so maybe that's not the biggest consideration. YMMV.

Exactly. Do what YOU want. Don’t do what YOU don’t want to do. And no reason to shit on someone for valuing things differently. And you final point is your best point - none of this makes sense from a strictly financial perspective. So those arguments are kind of comical.

[Phizzzle]

Got PPF done on the entire front of our car leading up to the sunroof and some custom pieces done as well. It's piece of mind knowing that our expensive car is protected from debris on the road. Lifetime warranty as well so if it ever yellows or cracks, it'll get replaced.

[Phillies8008]

Originally Posted by Phizzzle

Got PPF done on the entire front of our car leading up to the sunroof and some custom pieces done as well. It's piece of mind knowing that our expensive car is protected from debris on the road. Lifetime warranty as well so if it ever yellows or cracks, it'll get replaced.

Really? I guess I'm surprised that a lifetime warranty was offered, given that PPF is known to have a definite lifespan. I'd also be curious to know what exactly "lifetime" means in the context of the contract. Most "lifetime" warranties aren't really lifetime warranties in the way one would reasonably think, but rather have exceptions tacked on to them to ultimately limit the warranty. I'd take a gander at the fine print to see if there are any caveats and exceptions.

I guess the installer could be figuring that the offer of a lifetime warranty will ultimately make him more money than the expense of whatever percentage of people will ever take him up on it. Of course, that's also assuming he's even in business by that time.

[TimmyTurbos]

I think the installer may be playing semantics..I believe they gave you a "lifetime" warranty on their WORK, the film you chose will have its own timeframe..For instance my STEK PPF is a 10yr warranty on the film itself..Installer gave me a lifetime warranty on his work. The film will need to be removed in 10yr, so the warranty is only 10yrs. They will not reinstall new film for free.

[BroDoze]

I’ve got PPF on an 11yr old vehicle right now. Looks new. Only thing I messed up on was not getting the entire thing done.
All my other vehicles have full-car PPF now.
There’s no going back.
They look new. No swirls, no BS paint issues.

[Phizzzle]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Really? I guess I'm surprised that a lifetime warranty was offered, given that PPF is known to have a definite lifespan. I'd also be curious to know what exactly "lifetime" means in the context of the contract. Most "lifetime" warranties aren't really lifetime warranties in the way one would reasonably think, but rather have exceptions tacked on to them to ultimately limit the warranty. I'd take a gander at the fine print to see if there are any caveats and exceptions.

I guess the installer could be figuring that the offer of a lifetime warranty will ultimately make him more money than the expense of whatever percentage of people will ever take him up on it. Of course, that's also assuming he's even in business by that time.

Yeah, I was skeptical at first too. Its a local mom and pop business and they stand by their work. The lifetime warranty is plastered right inside their office, and reiterated again after completion of the work in their pamphlet.

I do agree with you though, definitely review the fine print on lifetime warranty offers. PPF installers are not all the same.

[highflier]

Originally Posted by ForrestGreen

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.

Seems there are many opinions on here lol... I have always PPF'd my cars in recent years. Lower value DD's the partial front, some of my lesser driven higher end vehicles the entire front end/hood. Cost from minimal to front end varies from $800 to $1500. I started using ppf years ago when my vehicle with a 3 stage PTC starting showing road rash and I couldn't touch it up to my satisfaction and there was no way a respray was going to match. It is easy to find an installer and is value added if you drive a vehicle much and road rash across the front bothers you. Since I used to detail cars and have a full detail setup in my garage... yeah it is bothers me greatly.. .. SO... easy to get installed but NO ONE wants to remove it LOL. I personally have removed it several times. I have found that age isnt a good predictor. I have had vehicles that had it on 7-8 years that it peeled right off. I have also had vehicles that had it on 3-4 years that were more problematic. Using a wall paper steamer (with the edges taped just in case) plastic scrapers/razors and adhesive remover I can usually do an entire front end in <2-4 hrs. I did have one that took me >6hrs though... it does happen, where it doesn't peel right and comes off in smaller pieces. I would ask the installer you use if they will take it off at a "reasonable" cost when it is time 4-5 years down the road if you are having them reapply PPF. Their answer will tell you if they are an installer you want to use.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by Crester

You think a slight indentation in the PPF layer from a rock chip is bad... but somehow don't mind the front end of your car looking like it's full of polka-dots because of all the stone chips tearing thru the car's OEM paint and leaving holes that are a different colour... LOL

You are being silly - PPF is way softer than paint, and more likely to collect nicks, pits, and bug guts imbedding into the film. BTDT. Yeah, PPF will self heal for a while, until it stops doing that.

The bigger challenge with PPF resale value is that PPF hides paint defects. So the buyer never gets to inspect paint's quality (unless you pay someone to remove PPF before sale), and will discount the value on remote probability that you are covering up major paint defects.

Originally Posted by Tall Tom Cruise

That literally sums up the forum's collective view of FrozenGT. Arrogant + typically dead wrong on almost all issues Just one of those socially awkward kids growing up, always on the slower side

Why don't you guys learn some manners?

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Maybe it's just me, but I don't buy a car with re-sale value in mind. After all, if you're turning over a car that quickly it's already a losing proposition financially. The reason I'll get my car PPF'd is because I want it to look as good as possible for as long as possible, because it makes me happy and I plan on keeping the car (Z4 M40i that's on order) pretty much forever. That's worth the price of the PPF alone, in my eyes. Your eyes may focus differently, and that's okay.

That's fair.

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

But yeah, if you plan on getting out of the car in a few years then it probably doesn't make strictly financial sense to PPF it.

True 'dat.
Zero sense to PPF a leased car, or something with limited ownership timespan.
Subjective value in PPF-ing a car you intend to own for a long time, but do what makes you happy!

Originally Posted by highflier

I would ask the installer you use if they will take it off at a "reasonable" cost when it is time 4-5 years down the road if you are having them reapply PPF. Their answer will tell you if they are an installer you want to use.

That is an EXCELLENT suggestion.
To get total cost of ownership for PPF, don't forget to find out how much it will cost you to take that sh*t off, and if the installer will even bother to support you in that effort!

It's one thing to promise uncollectable "lifetime" or "10-year" warranties, it's another to see if the shop will give you a firm quote to take the condom OFF your car!

a