Considering Paint Protection Film? Here’s Why We Love & Hate It!

Coleton and @KyleConner chat about PPF (Paint Protection Film) and its pros and cons. Specifically, should you pony up the huge expense to install this protection over alternatives. We discuss value, quality of material and installation, and how a ceramic coating can still provide much protection without film.

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[claude]

Great Video and info...As a person with 2 vehicles with PPF...both bought brand new 2018 Mustang GT (Orange Fury) and a F150 Raptor (White)..The Raptor Has the Xpel Ultimate and the Mustang is SunTek.. The suntek is thinner and it just couldn't handle the hits from the highway driving, rips in plastic from rock hits, eventually it starting hitting the paint. The Xpel ultimate on the Raptor was great, went off roading and got tree branch rash on the sides and once washed and left in the sun, it self healed itself, but after about 4yrs, the oxidation started building up on the film and it looks terrible. So I contacted Xpel and told them about it and I was told that I should have installed a ceramic coating on it, it should be Xpel brand or it can void the warranty on the film...I don't even think Xpel has a ceramic coating in 2017. I clayed and machine polished the whole vehicle and the film looks new again. I recently sold the vehicle to the dealership and they didn't even care that I have the whole vehicle covered in Xpel, including the front bumper, LineX the whole undercarriage or even have brand new tires on it. They wanted to see the odometer and if the vehicle has been in an accident. So to me, I will never have a PPF installed on any of my cars again. My New Tesla Model X will be here in a month and I have an appointment to Tint the windows ONLY. Oh I forgot to mention all the dirt that gets into the edges which you will NOT be able to remove and what about when you take your car back to the dealer for work, you think the tech cares about your PPF or getting grease on the edge somewhere? 10K to cover a whole vehicle, you will never get that money back and you will have to put up with the dirt on the edges and the oxidation that builds up on the film here in Florida in my case. Save your money and just keep you car clean and once in a while touch up...Touching up must be done in very thin layers at a time and 2-3 layers of clear coat on to of it. the rest of the money you save, take nice vacation....my 2 for the video and your time creating it.

[KuyaArbee]

Love the installers honest reviews!!! Love that he tells the truth that you don’t neeed ppf if you’re not intending to keep the car forever and if it’s not a rare 1of1

[marienguyen]

I have not experienced any of the negatives that are being mentioned. I care a lot about how our Teslas look and having rocks chips is not ok in my mind and PPF was a life saver. My 2018 lrm3 PPF still looks great. I wash my car about every 1-6 weeks and the PPF still is holding very well. I have a ceramic coating on top of our PPF film.

[Yavorh]

The comparison of rock chip correction vs ppf full cost absolutely made this click in my mind
Thank you for being so objective!

[Agustinnndombur]

I love my ppf, I've had it for more than a year and it has not turned yellow. The peace of mind it gives me is incredible. Great video guys!

[deghedy]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

[00:29] Pros and cons of PPF: There are cases where PPF is absolutely necessary and some where it's not
[01:35] New car PPF: Consider doing full PPF on a new car
[02:44] Partial PPF: Opting for partial PPF can lead to uneven look over time
[03:27] Edges: Seeing edges of PPF is a common complaint
[04:06] Bug stains: Bug stains can get trapped under PPF and stain the paint
[04:49] Yellowing: PPF can yellow over time, especially on light colored cars
[05:18] Dirt accumulation: Edges of PPF can trap dirt, especially noticeable on white cars
[05:31] Plaid Model S: PPF is recommended for high impact areas on cars like the Plaid Model S
[05:45] Cost: PPF installation can be expensive
[05:59] PPF quality testing: Different PPF brands and their qualities will be tested on the channel
[06:13] Non-wrapped edges on PPF: Opting for non-wrapped PPF edges can save money but looks less appealing
[06:41] PPF doesn't enhance look: PPF's main purpose is to protect the paint, not enhance the look
[07:08] Cost of PPF installation: A proper PPF installation can range from $5, 000 to $10, 000
[07:51] Benefit vs Cost: The high cost of PPF might not justify the benefit for some drivers
[08:18] Full car or no car: installer recommends covering the entire car with PPF or not at all
[08:33] PPF lifespan: PPF typically lasts 5-10 years and needs to be removed and replaced
[08:46] PPF yellowing: PPF, especially on light colored cars, can yellow over time
[09:02] Improper PPF installation: Poor installation can damage the car's paint
[09:58] High quality PPF: Properly installed PPF can be virtually invisible
[10:11] Rock chip protection: PPF's main benefit is protecting the paint from rock chips
[10:25] Scratches and good wash routine: A good car wash routine can minimize scratches making PPF less necessary
[10:40] PPF on off-road vehicles: PPF traps dirt on off-road vehicles
[10:53] Consider car usage before installing PPF: Decide if PPF is necessary based on how you use your car
[11:22] PPF for maintaining car look: PPF can simplify car care routine
[11:36] PPF can hide minor dirt trapped underneath
[11:50] Non-PPF car maintenance: Requires touch-up paint and polishing
[12:19] PPF for maintaining car look: PPF can simplify car care but might look less appealing
[12:48] Improper PPF installation: Poor installation can cause peeling edges and dirt accumulation
[13:29] PPF for car enthusiasts: PPF is ideal for those who care about minute details on the car
[13:43] PPF not for everyone: Most people don't keep cars long enough to justify PPF
[14:12] Ideal use cases for PPF: Expensive car, off-roading, and avoiding brush car washes
[14:25] Half car PPF is not recommended: Opting for half car PPF provides minimal benefit
[14:53] PPF on expensive cars: PPF might not be necessary for very expensive cars
[15:08] PPF vs. car lifespan: Consider if you'll own the car long enough to justify replacing PPF
[15:20] Comparison to 90s car care trends: PPF is similar to outdated trends that prioritized protecting the car over aesthetics
[15:49] Cost comparison: PPF vs. occasional touch-up paint
[16:03] Ideal use case for full car PPF: Classic car that you intend to keep forever
[16:46] PPF not necessary for all cars: Minor touch-up paint can address scratches on some cars
[17:15] Alternative to PPF: Paint correction and ceramic coating every 5 years
[17:44] Resale value and PPF: PPF might not increase resale value for mass-production cars
[18:11] Importance of PPF installer: Choosing a skilled installer is crucial for a good PPF job
[18:52] Weighing pros and cons of PPF: Consider the trade-off between rock chip protection and aesthetics
[19:20] Cost comparison: Paint correction and ceramic coating vs. PPF
[20:00] Ideal use case for ceramic coating: Cars that won't be prioritized for rock chip protection
[20:28] Ceramic coating vs. PPF look: Ceramic coating can achieve a better look than PPF
[21:08] Cost comparison over time: Ceramic coating might be more cost-effective in the long run
[21:23] Ceramic coating vs. rock chips: Ceramic coating doesn't prevent rock chips but touch-up paint can address them
[21:37] Worst case scenario with ceramic coating: Worst case might require repainting the car
[22:21] PPF and ceramic coating can be used together depending on the car's use case
[22:47] PPF recommended for cars driven on roads with frequent rocks
[23:15] Not all Rivian owners need PPF unless they go off-roading frequently
[24:12] PPF vs. ceramic coating decision depends on how much the car will be cared for
[24:41] Cost comparison: Full PPF vs. ceramic coating
[25:21] PPF not recommended to preserve resale value
[25:35] Ceramic coating not recommended to preserve resale value
[26:03] PPF is a good option for cars that will be driven in harsh conditions
[26:17] Replacing PPF every few years is an option for long-term car ownership
[26:45] PPF can be good for cars with expensive paint jobs
[27:11] Cars kept in a garage might not need PPF for aesthetic reasons
[27:52] Benefits of ceramic coating for car owners: easier cleaning, longer lasting gloss, better protection
[28:07] Ceramic coating recommended after PPF for better cleaning
[28:49] Ceramic coating protects against: water spots, bugs, grime
[29:18] Key benefits of ceramic coating: easier cleaning, longer gloss, repels dirt
[29:59] Ceramic coating can be applied to trim, wheels, and other car parts
[30:40] Ceramic coating benefits all cars
[31:06] Ceramic coating protects paint on older cars during washing
[31:34] PPF and ceramic coating recommended for cars kept long-term
[32:03] Decision on PPF and ceramic coating depends on how long you plan to keep the car
[32:46] Don't invest in PPF or ceramic coating for leased cars
[33:13] Decision on PPF and ceramic coating is financial: weigh the cost vs. the benefit for your car ownership experience
[33:29] Cost of PPF and ceramic coating can be justified as a percentage of the car's value
[33:56] Partial PPF application is not recommended
[34:23] Half hood PPF is pointless because the bumper is equally exposed
[34:38] Headlights are the most expensive parts to repair on the front of a car; consider including them in PPF

[brandenflasch]

I have my whole Rivian R1T covered in PPF and I couldn’t be happier. Being able to have it be clean all the time using touchless washes and a microfiber wipe down and no swirls at all is pretty fantastic.

[rickpom]

I always find it interesting when someone says “just pull the PPF off and the paint is perfect”. My guess is they’ve never done it to see not only how to properly remove it, but what it leaves behind. The last 911 we did, it took 2 days to safely remove the old film and another 2.5 days to correctly and safely remove all the adhesive and paint correct (polish) the car all before Another 2 weeks to get the new film on. Point being, for a fully covered car, it’s not just pulling it off and the paint is perfect. Yet another pro - con to consider before deciding on PPF.

[greenstar]

There are tons of videos on this. One of the best I’ve seen !💪

[ReyLopez]

I just got a new car, and want to protect it, this video was super helpful in helping me make a decision. I would love to ask something... In recent years the market has been focusing on paint protections, ceramic coatings, PPF's and so on to protect the paint or value of vehicles. Why not have a professional Body Shop do the corrections and even fix dents and re-paint the entire vehicle per OEM specs? Seems to be way cheaper than all these specialized treatments that provides "protection for the paint" instead of "restoring the paint " by re-painting. Again thank you so much for the honesty and neutral format of this video not be pushing a specific product. Keep up the good work guys! Subscribing!!!

[briantrent]

Great info for making a decision! I think I’ll go ceramic coating, just need to figure out if I want to do diy or pro…

[sirfortesque]

It comes down to $....like everything folks.
Ive had PPF for my last 3 cars with $ ranging from $2500(full hood and front only) and the whole car($9K). I was extremely lucky to have come into some extra $ at that time.
Of course the PPF, when done right, prevents the rock chips a lot and self-heals yadda yadda.
If i have the $ i get it but I'm not gonna put myself further into serious debt with a full PPF for $8K after just buying a new $60-80K car.
If you dont have the $ then stop sweating it folks and enjoy your car and the small amount of chips and dings your gonna get.
Any one who thinks they are buying a Dr Colorchip kit and its gonna be a perfect fix that you wont notice is loco for the average person. Anyone who maxes out their credit cards to drop $7-10K on PPF is also loco. Get what u can afford but get it done right or not at all. Bc when you really think of it $9K is a whole lotta $ that could be used for many other things than on your car. Its like people dont realize that $2K-$7K is someones mortgage, electric, gas, school property taxes payments guys....get real. This thing has escalated from clear bra to insanity. The average car price is way way up and the average amount of $ we pay in the US for car maintenance/repairs is around $12K a year and wer'e gonna spend $2-7K on PPF?

Lets see what happens this upcoming year when auto repos are projected to be at an all time high for the suckers that got swindled last year with the dealer mark-ups.

Thx for video guys...very well done.

[savissm]

Thanks guys, thought about PPF a lot but after all is a car and utility, not gonna car dictate to me what to do with my money, I’ll take care of it as much as I can but no PPF for a car that probably just gonna have for 6 or 7 years, never had it before and always had and bought new cars and this time is same !

[Huskerj]

I had a clear bra installed on my 2010 white lexus rx350 in 2010 for $650, front bumper half hood, and side mirrors. I sold it in April 2023 with 148, 000 miles and no yellowing, no chips and a few scratches in the clear bra on the bumper that were noticeable only on close inspection. I always garaged it and washed it myself every week. Also never drove it in the rain, which is easy in Southern California. I will be getting the same treatment on my new GV60 next week. This stuff works great.

[MyGuyKirby]

Nicely balanced discussion on both sides of the question. I have PPF on my truck and my sedan and yes it protects. Both have ceramic coating and that does make a noticeable difference to the appearance and washing. My gripe is the full hood on the sedan was $650 back in early 2020. Hood lasted great for 70-days only to have a huge hit from road debris that did remove a quarter size section of the PPF. No warranty and did not want to spend the money for replacement. So it is a personal choice based upon your driving and maintenance methods. Being an IDA-member I do appreciate the value to the customer and the cost of both installation and maintenance.

[KOTNEmpire]

My Black 2024 Plaid is in the shop as we speak getting full body PPF in clear matte and gloss for the lights and handles.

I was considering Icon Rocklear. That looks like a great product as well.

[seajlim]

Best discussion I've seen on Youtube on this topic. Balanced and objective. Thx!

[SanDiegoTeslaGuy]

Kyle... To your point. MOST people don't care about 'Ripping their EV's around Lap Tracks.' 'Driving their EV's and jamming on the brakes to see how they perform'. Etc..etc.. I would say the majority of the things Kyle speaks on are NOT the issues the majority of people who purchase vehicles care about. So... you see my point? Coleton is a 'Detailer'. He sees these little imperfections that most people don't see nor care about.

[williamelkington]

Very helpful discussion. I ceramic coated my wife's car, and it's a delight to keep clean. I also PPFed the front end to see how I like it. So far, so good. Edges are wrapped, and they seem to be sticking. I won't be doing much if any off-roading in my R1S. But I'm nervous. The car is much more expensive than any other car I've owned, and I want to preserve its good looks. $7-$10K for a full wrap? That's a really big deal for me. So I don't know if I'll go that far. Because of the squared-off R1 front end, I'm tempted to just PPF the front end and then ceramic coat everything.

[guse]

I did PPF on the full front and mirrors for only one reason. My commute to work is through a years long road works project and within a few months of owning the car the windshield got two cracks and everyday I could hear the car being hit with stones. I wish I would’ve done it as soon as I purchased the car. I was very satisfied with the install. I am one of those who wants my car looking as good as possible and take great care when washing and detailing it. I paid $1600 for my PPF and the full car would have cost $5100. If not for the road works issues, I would’ve done ceramic coating.