Protective film covering (PPF) pros / cons?

[Snowflee17]

Looking for pros and cons of the protective film covering???

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[Skye]

Along with what others contribute this morning, I'm enclosing links of previous threads.

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/thoughts-on-paint-protection-wrap-ceramic-teflon.157283/

https://www.google.com/search?q=mus...HbwyOeUQrQIoBHoECBkQBQ&biw=1466&bih=743&dpr=2

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/is-paint-protection-film-ppf-worth-it.159790/

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/anyone-add-ppf.162824/

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/ppf-xpel-on-a-dark-horse.160874/

 

[MAT1955]

@Snowflee17 ..... IMO depends where you are going to drive. If the roads will have a lot of dust, dirt and some gravel on a regular basis I'd consider the film. A friend had it done to the front of his Mercedes and the mirrors of his car. It was the best available applied by a top rate detailing company and cost about $800. It looked awesome for about 3 months then you could easily see where the film ended as there seemed to be a dirt line along the edges. Also, I didn't like the look in the sun - it looked like a plastic surface (which I guess it is). I just did not line the look. That said, within a few days of driving my 2024 GT I got a stone chip on the front. I did touch that up myself and it's very hard to see. Did I then get the film? No, cause I just don't like the look. Again, it really depends where you are going to be driving - for example interstate versus local roads (lower speed and traffic) is a big difference due to trucks and stones. My 2014 Mustang got maybe three stone ships in 10 years. it was Oxford White so I found it easy to touch-up. My 2024 GT is vapor blue metallic and I found that easy to touch-up too. After a couple of years if I do get a bunch of chips I'll use the money I would have spent on the film and get the front sprayed. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Snowflee17]

@Snowflee17 ..... IMO depends where you are going to drive. If the roads will have a lot of dust, dirt and some gravel on a regular basis I'd consider the film. A friend had it done to the front of his Mercedes and the mirrors of his car. It was the best available applied by a top rate detailing company and cost about $800. It looked awesome for about 3 months then you could easily see where the film ended as there seemed to be a dirt line along the edges. Also, I didn't like the look in the sun - it looked like a plastic surface (which I guess it is). I just did not line the look. That said, within a few days of driving my 2024 GT I got a stone chip on the front. I did touch that up myself and it's very hard to see. Did I then get the film? No, cause I just don't like the look. Again, it really depends where you are going to be driving - for example interstate versus local roads (lower speed and traffic) is a big difference due to trucks and stones. My 2014 Mustang got maybe three stone ships in 10 years. it was Oxford White so I found it easy to touch-up. My 2024 GT is vapor blue metallic and I found that easy to touch-up too. After a couple of years if I do get a bunch of chips I'll use the money I would have spent on the film and get the front sprayed. Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Edson8r]

I have my front end with PPF and I think it was worth it. I think as long as the detailer is good then it shouldn’t be an issue with how it looks. It’s hard to tell I have PPF and rest of my car is ceramic coated. I also have a dark colored car (dark matter gray) and it’s hard to notice because everything is tucked in so well. It’s saved me from rock chips and I probably noticed one little dent in the front caused probably from the few times I’ve gotten on the highway and it looks to have absorbed it well cause without the PPF I would have like half the size of a dime paint chip and ding. At least with the PPF it’s just a little mini ding that’s hard to find unless you’re like me and try to look for every little thing

 

[Snowflee17]

I have my front end with PPF and I think it was worth it. I think as long as the detailer is good then it shouldn’t be an issue with how it looks. It’s hard to tell I have PPF and rest of my car is ceramic coated. I also have a dark colored car (dark matter gray) and it’s hard to notice because everything is tucked in so well. It’s saved me from rock chips and I probably noticed one little dent in the front caused probably from the few times I’ve gotten on the highway and it looks to have absorbed it well cause without the PPF I would have like half the size of a dime paint chip and ding. At least with the PPF it’s just a little mini ding that’s hard to find unless you’re like me and try to look for every little thing

Thanks, I'm getting the Brittany Blue which is light in color, I guess if I did the whole front clip it won't show any lines or anything!?

 

[Edson8r]

Thanks, I'm getting the Brittany Blue which is light in color, I guess if I did the whole front clip it won't show any lines or anything!?

Nice color choice! As long as they’re good at doing it then you should be fine. They should be able to hide it fine. Mine looks like it’s only ceramic coated.

 

[Radiant]

If you're primarily dealing with rock chips, it prevents that from being an issue. Otherwise, just get a good body shop on speed dial. Crap happens, you're going to get a dent or scratch that goes to the bare metal at some point. Thankfully, it can be professionally repaired to factory new.

 

[Timry2]

I like it on the bumper, headlights, but I only did the front half of my hood. On a dark car, you can see the edge of the ppf when it gets a little dusty. On a light car color you probably wont see it. I wish I would have done the entire hood, not just the front. It does work to prevent rock chips and overall happy with it's performance.

 

[akawease]

I have my front end with PPF and I think it was worth it. I think as long as the detailer is good then it shouldn’t be an issue with how it looks. It’s hard to tell I have PPF and rest of my car is ceramic coated. I also have a dark colored car (dark matter gray) and it’s hard to notice because everything is tucked in so well. It’s saved me from rock chips and I probably noticed one little dent in the front caused probably from the few times I’ve gotten on the highway and it looks to have absorbed it well cause without the PPF I would have like half the size of a dime paint chip and ding. At least with the PPF it’s just a little mini ding that’s hard to find unless you’re like me and try to look for every little thing

I was planning on getting a full ceramic plus PPF from the bumper to the top of front pillars...$2200. 10 year warranty. I doubt I can find a better option.

 

[MAT1955]

@Edson8r and @Snowflee17 ...... @Edson8r makes a good point in that the color of the car likely makes a big difference. My friend's Mercedes was white so that likely made the line of the PPF more visible and if the car's finish has been professionally finished by ceramic or specialty buffing the transition from coating to paint could also be less visible.

 

[Alan Applegate]

I can imagine it now. About 100 year ago, you didn't have a choice of roads. Then about 75 years ago, along came the interstates. About 50 years ago, the monies to keep roads smooth went into fighting people instead of pot holes. In the last 25 years, things have just gotten worse, and apparently, we're back to choosing which roads are less dusty and rock strewn! Lord, we're back to the 1920s!

 

[akawease]

I can imagine it now. About 100 year ago, you didn't have a choice of roads. Then about 75 years ago, along came the interstates. About 50 years ago, the monies to keep roads smooth went into fighting people instead of pot holes. In the last 25 years, things have just gotten worse, and apparently, we're back to choosing which roads are less dusty and rock strewn! Lord, we're back to the 1920s!

Your comments are unhelpful and unproductive. Let's focus on the topic at hand and find ways to improve the situation. I hope you treat your Eco-Boost like a real car. I don't wish damage to it.

 

[Bear376]

While PPF and ceramic have their positive virtues, they have their limitations. The big issue is that road construction cannot keep up with the traffic demands. The interstates are overloaded with trucks and they beat the roads and throw rocks. IMHO, the best way to go is a good ceramic coating and use a decent bra when on long trips.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Okay, you want me to focus. Your words "While PPF and ceramic have their positive virtues, they have their limitations." (emphases mine)

The question is, what are you trying to protect? Your vehicle or your pride? If it is your vehicle, the coating adds a wee bit of protection from tiny little particles, but will do nothing for rocks falling from a gravel truck. You mention using a car bra. They offer a bit of protection too, but you can't cover all of the grill opening with one, nor everything else on the car.

If it is pride of ownership, I get that as long as it isn't an OCD thing. If you plan on keeping the vehicle as an investment, I get that too. If it is, you might want to look at this: https://www.mustangspecs.com/mustang-sales-numbers-by-year/

You can read many things into the numbers listed. If nothing else is evident, it is the fact that Mustangs do not hold the mystique they once did, except in the eyes of their owners and some rather rare (numbers made) models.

There are a few exceptions to all of this, and that is specific (limited) colors. Over the years Ford has painted Mustangs with color schemes which defy description, including a couple which looked like the inside of a baby diaper, so they didn't sell well for obvious reasons. However, historically those rare color models have drawn the most monies at auctions especially unrestored one! So what color is yours?

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