PPF recommended?

[Titan]

Just said I'd ask this question on here as I think there might be a few people who have put some PPF on their cars.

I have just got my 205 back from being painted and I've been thinking of maybe getting some,the front mostly or all of it PPF'd.

Just wondering for those who have put it on their cars what do you think about it and would you say it's mostly worth it?

If you have a nice Metallic paint,does the PPF greatly reduce the look of such paint?As you would imagine the plastic might take away a little bit from the sparkle.

Appreciate any responses.

 

[SharkyUK]

If it's a cherished Trophy and wearing fresh paint then I think you have a good case for PPF application (and then ceramic coating on top of that). I would certainly consider it.

A quality PPF does not really diminish the flake of a metallic paint, nor does it affect the gloss too much. In fact, I had full PPF on my Porsche GT4, which enhanced the gloss of the flat Guards Red paintwork. With ceramic coating on top, the shine is incredible, and the peace of mind it offers is also worthy of consideration. I've already been saved twice by PPF from what could have been quite expensive damage otherwise.

BUT... I don't know if you've had any quotes... a quality PPF from a reputable specialist is expensive. It can be as much as respray, sometimes more. Thankfully the Trophy is a small car, but a full PPF will still cost a fair old chunk of hard-earned! We are talking in the thousands from a reputable provider for full PPF.

And, of course, you can get the healing PPF (which works nicely) or PPF that has a frosted effect to make a glossy paint appear satin or matte. Just remember to mention any PPF to your insurance provider - regardless of whether it's full or partial coverage. Your premium MAY be affected, more so if it's a special PPF as opposed to the clear variety (as insurance providers tend to see them as wraps in that case). Sounds crazy, but insurance policies have been voided through the owner not declaring PPF... yep, I kid you not. I'm with ClassicLine and all is good in terms of my clear, self-healing PPF (provided and installed by Topaz Detailing).

 

[Titan]

Thanks for that reply Sharky.

No unfortunately it's not for a Trophy,just a 205 Gti.

I have gotten a figure of around €2k for ceramic coating the car and putting PPF on the front end.
I was sort of expecting something in that price range.

To be honest a big part of it for me is the hardship of trying to find a good painter,that both does a good job and you can trust.
I have been burned several times by so called bodyshops/painters.
So if the front end needed to be done again,that could be a problem.

The painter who just did my car,is talking about finishing up so he might not be available in the near future.

 

[SharkyUK]

I hear you @Titan - finding a quality body shop/painter is increasingly difficult it seems these days!

(And sorry, I completely missed the "205" bit in your original post, although my points still stand!)

I have gotten a figure of around €2k for ceramic coating the car and putting PPF on the front end.
I was sort of expecting something in that price range.

Yes, that sounds about right in my experience. I only mentioned it as I know some people are genuinely shocked when I have highlighted the cost to them in the past. If "a mate can do it for a couple of hundred quid next weekend" then you probably aren't going to get a great result!

Personally, I felt it was a worthwhile outlay as I use the GT4 and I plan to keep it, and I wanted to maintain the mint paintwork condition. It already had PPF from the first owner so I had to have that removed as part of the process, followed by the cleansing and detailing to prep for the fresh PPF application, and then the additional PPF-friendly ceramic coating (a couple or three coats). I got incredibly lucky with Topaz Detailing as I was able to take the spot of a last-minute cancellation and I had a friend who worked there (who put me in touch with the MD who then offered me a great deal).

I think I would be leaning heavily towards getting it done if I were in your shoes.

 

[Titan]

Can I ask why you had to get it redone Sharky?

Topaz would have a very good reputation,so I believe anyway from watching some of the YouTube videos from there.

Unfortunately I'm not that well connected

I have already spent way,way more than I originally planned,so I'm probably leaning more towards getting at least the front end done.
I would just cry (not being overly dramatic or anything!!) if I got a stone bouncing off the bonnet.

 

[NickReilly063]

Now that’s what a 205Gti should look like Francis - I remember them well and in fact I wrote one off after rolling one at 90mph coming past Bretton County Park - shame your over in Ireland as I could help you on both counts ( Bodyshop and the PPE ) - he now does the ceramic coating like most detailers do as there is good money to be made from it now however I’m not sure I believe in it that much - I’ve got a new unopened bottle of it sat on my desk which you can have if you want - in my view there’s nothing wrong with a good polish on a car that’s not used much

 

[Titan]

Thanks Nick,much appreciated with that offer but theres no need for that.
I have a few dusty old bottles myself

Theres a few detailers here that have pretty good reputations so I'll just quiz them up and see what transpires.

It seems anyone you talk to who had one back in the day,soon follows it up with either some very close tail swapping tails or it ended up with all four wheels reaching for the sky

I'm hoping modern tyre technology will help in both potential situations these days

Knowing my complete lack of on the edge driving skills will hopefully keep me well away from finding out if its "reputation" is still hiding and waiting to spring a surprise .

 

[Titan]

Oh and in the picture the car is actually sitting on a pretty steep hill,even though it doesn't look like it.

So the rear looks to be sitting a bit lower than the front,its a bit more equal on level ground,of which there isn't much around me

 

[SharkyUK]

Can I ask why you had to get it redone Sharky?

Topaz would have a very good reputation,so I believe anyway from watching some of the YouTube videos from there.

Unfortunately I'm not that well connected

I have already spent way,way more than I originally planned,so I'm probably leaning more towards getting at least the front end done.
I would just cry (not being overly dramatic or anything!!) if I got a stone bouncing off the bonnet.

Francis, the PPF has already come to my rescue twice - and it was as a result of the first incident that I decided to get it refreshed and go full PPF (originally the car had PPF only on the front bumper, bonnet, sills, impact areas around the wheel arches, rear wing and leading edge of the roof).

Shortly after having the GT4 delivered I took it for a drive (as in within an hour or two of receiving it) and I was close to tears when something fell from a lorry and I saw it bouncing towards my windscreen! No idea what it was but it looked like a bolt or some metallic rod-like "thing". Anyways, it impacted right in the centre of the bonnet and left a nasty mess. It looked awful and you could see the lighter/white colours coming through where the object had gone right through and to the paintwork!

I lived with it for a while before deciding to go full PPF (including the fix to the damaged bonnet). As the old PPF was being removed from the bonnet I was pleasantly surprised to find that the light/white colouring was not damaged paintwork or primer or even a scratch! It was the glue used to bond the laminated layers of PPF together! I had absolutely NO damage at all on the paintwork (other than a minor dent that was popped out). No broken paint, no scuff, nothing - just a perfect bonnet once again. It was due to the PPF taking the damage and needing replacement that lead to me going full PPF (and the fact it worked so well).

The second time was when my car got vandalised, although I didn't need to refresh the PPF on this occasion. The scuffs and marks around the damaged area self-healed and you can't even see where it happened now. Ok, I needed a new light cluster, etc. but the bumper marks and scuffs completely vanished and as good as new.