The Paint Protection Film ( PPF ) Thread

[JTGuy]

The leading edge of the rear fender is all I want covered really. The factory stuff is a joke.

Sponsored

 

[JTGuy]

Got a price for the rear fender flares for PPF. $250 for both covered complete they come to me.

 

[Silverator]

I was cautioned by local shop that removing the factory PPF on the rear fender flares could also remove some paint. Has anyone removed it and was there any paint damage ? I want to put a PPF that better covers the forward area. I could just stack it but I hear that doesn't look that good.

Yes. Had the local shop do it. I think it was about $100-150 to have them remove the factory PPF on the rear bumper and put on new 3M PPF from bottom to top. I didn't do the rear of the fender as it never gets rocks hitting it or mud on it to speak of.

BUT, ironically, PPF is not magic. There are plenty of rock "nicks" in it, and it's starting to look crappy after less than a year. Thinking about spending $6k plus to do the entire truck is out of the question for me. Let it get hammered.... But I will redo the rear fenders in a year or two.

 

[JTGuy]

Thinking I could just use some wide electrical or duct tape for when I do go off road and remove it when I get home.

 

[loganjeeps]

Thinking I could just use some wide electrical or duct tape for when I do go off road and remove it when I get home.

not a bad idea as long as that doesn't leave gross tape goo behind.

and I fully expect i will have to replace my rear fender PPF at some interval, easier than new paint though

 

[Silverator]

not a bad idea as long as that doesn't leave gross tape goo behind.

and I fully expect i will have to replace my rear fender PPF at some interval, easier than new paint though

Try real gaffers tape. Similar to duck/duct tape, but no residue. At least if you buy quality stuff. Quite expensive though compared to duck tape. Haven't tried this brand, but it's what I landed on..... https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...and_001UPCG355MBLA_Pro_Gaffer_Cloth_Tape.html

And yeah, big time on the PPF replacement - especially if you do lots of gravel roads or if you've got significant poke.

 

[Dogbane22]

What brand PPF? XPEL

Self or Pro install? Pro

Areas covered? 12" of hood with cutouts around diesel hood decal and rubicon decal, front fenders to the inner edge, rear fenders complete with <1/4" gap to body, door cups, rear hinges.

Mileage at install? 1050

Mileage at time of replying to thread? 1100

Any standout good or bad aspects of the PPF? Debated about sides of bed and door sills, I have RR door sill protectors now but those generally allow leaks when fording water. May still go back for both areas. I will likely just upgrade the headlights and fogs lights when they fad like my last jeep so skipped that on this vehicle. Install was $1300, but installer said he underquoted fenders for full coverage and would change the next guy $2000 for same install. I've done a few vehicles and PPF is worth it on the hood just for bugs.

 

[JonMN]

Just adding to a useful thread . . . Whether or not to PPF depends a little on how OCD you are about paint chips. I've had a variety of touchup systems and paints, and can do a pretty good job. But I am a fan of applying a limited amount of PPF first to avoid as many as possible.

TLDR? I like PPF. Don't use paste wax or clay bar unless you are willing to tape off PPF edges first.

Application: I am not a fan of large scale application--not a full body wrap, or even a full hood wrap. PPF is never perfect, and seeing a small bubble or enclosed dust particle is almost as bad as a paint chip. So I have always done partial hood, partial fenders, and headlights. On the Jeep I added in the grill surround. Part of my choice comes from the fact that with all the years on trucks, SUVs, and Vettes, the only chips I every had were on the front of the grill or front of the fenders.

DIY? NO WAY! I tried just a couple small pieces on our van--very simple and very flat, and it is not something to do without training.

Visibility: I have had PPF of 3 brands so far, on white, grey, red, and Sarge Green cars. No matter what, it is slightly visible on white cars. I saw an analysis of this once, and the conclusion was it is kind of like a thicker clear-coat and has a warming effect. On anything darker it is really invisible. Ask for wrapped edges when possible--especially leading edges like on the hood (sometimes wrapped edges are an option and not standard).

Custom cut or Patterns: Personally, I would always go with patterns. My first experience was with a custom cut (on the car). The film install was not that great, but since they actually cut the film on the car I did not dare replace it for fear there was a cut in the paint all across the hood. Since then I have only went with patterns, typically Xpel patterns.

Exposed edges: I have had exposed edges on all my cars (partial hood, for example) and they do not collect dirt if the installation was good. You can, however, screw them up in at least two ways (I have done each once). First, if you are going to use paste wax, tape off any exposed seams. The same holds for clay bar. Twice I thought I could skip the taping part and remember where the film edges were. You get either paste wax or clay bar on the edge, and then try to get it off, then push it just a little under the edge . . . Anyway I had to have the section pulled and replaced.

Removal: This gets a little tricky. At the 5 year mark do you keep the film or have it removed while removal is still relatively easy? I have had a couple things removed and replaced for minor damage, but never just for the sake of it. The film we have on our white truck is about 14 years old, and has just a bit of a yellow color to it. Probably just leave it. The 10 year old film on our grey SUV looks fine.

The concern with removing PPF is whether or not it will take off paint. I have had removal on three vehicles, with only a relatively minor problem on my Jeep. I did something stupid so had the hood piece replaced at only 2 months. When the Xpel installer removed the piece, there was no damage to any visible paint. However, it did pull some paint off below the hood. Seemed to take off some paint just beyond the clearcoat of the hood, down to the white primer. Easy touchup and very hard to detect, but a surprise to me. (A variety of installers have told me that this is not unusual in a variety of cars. Note that several cars don't paint under the hood anyway, leaving it primed)

[FYI, I was too surprised to take a photo of the paint, but this white tape is about the location that was pulled off with the Xpel. DR Colorchip filled in the paint and I can hardly find the repairs.]

 

[loganjeeps]

Just adding to a useful thread . . . Whether or not to PPF depends a little on how OCD you are about paint chips. I've had a variety of touchup systems and paints, and can do a pretty good job. But I am a fan of applying a limited amount of PPF first to avoid as many as possible.

Thanks for the extensive info. Very helpful. I'm now on 18k miles and just over a year with full hood, grill and fenders. I'm very likely to go back soon and have the rest of the Jeep done. I've already had a couple incidents with chips / scraches on unprotected areas I regret.

 

[Solar Sparky]

Anyone else get rock damage on their rear fender? I live on a gravel road so it isn't totally surprising but still pretty bad for 10 months ownership.

Is there some way to avoid this? I thought it was just part of the deal

 

[JonMN]

Is there some way to avoid this? I thought it was just part of the deal

That's a challenge. Removing and replacing the factory protection film is kind of risky. I have read the same thing about removing factory BMW, Porsche and Corvette film too--might pull off some of the factory paint. If this is from an occasional rally, something like Xpel Tracwrap (LINK) might help. It's a home applied, lower adhesion version designed to protect your car on a track day.

 

[punk'n]

I've used TrakkTape for temporary protection before (on the track). Very easy to remove with no paint damage or residue.

https://trakkrats.com/collections/trakktape-paint-protection-film

 

[BearFootSam]

Is there some way to avoid this? I thought it was just part of the deal

I think it is just part of the deal. Wide track, deep tread, a lot of gravel forest roads. Mud flaps might help but then I’m confident they would be ripped off.

I guess there is a good reason they designed the fenders with dark black plastic.

 

[loganjeeps]

I picked up my 2024 from having full XPEL PPF installed professionally today. Same place that did my 2022.

On my 2022 I only did the front clip and fenders and learned my lesson the hard way. A commercial lawnmower threw rocks at my passenger side door sitting in traffic one day. Chipped the crap out of the paint and I ultimately had to have the door repainted which would have covered the cost of PPF for that whole side of the jeep. anyway......

I had all painted surfaces covered including hinges, roof rails, door thresholds (darn kids) as well as the front headlights and fog lights plus windshield film. If you can see a line in any of these pictures you have better eyesight than me. Generally my blood pressure is now lower when I hear the ping of stuff hitting me on the highway and parking in tight parking spots.

I debated PPF over the decals versus PPF then reapply decals. The installer didn't recommend PPF over the decals, which I listened last time. To split the difference and curiosity killing the cat, I had them put PPF over the gladiator decals on the side but took off and re-installed the rubicon decal. I don't think the PPF looks terrible over the decal and only noticeable up close.

 

[Raider2]

Adding to this thread

I PPF’d the whole truck with XPEL around 500 miles in. Best decision I’ve made. Very pricey I think it was around $6,000 but I can literally rinse the car off and it looks brand new. I’m also a little OCD about scratches and the cool thing with PPF is that you can just wipe bugs and other debris off without worrying about scratching the paint. I also have a child and the PPF prevents scratches from all the random touches.
If you are considering it def have it done by a professional installer. It is very difficult to do by yourself if you don’t have a lot of experience.
Off-roading it has prevented pinstriping and gives me piece of mind. It’s not armor though so things can get through it. One thing to be aware of is if you have any metallic flake or anything like that in your paint, it will dull that effect in the sunlight

Sponsored