Paint protection film

[JoeandMaggie]

With our Cali on order I’ve been looking into the idea Paint protection film (PPF).

Went to see a place today that specialised in applying Xpel PPF today and it seemed pretty good. But all very expensive!! He gave a few options all pricey but one included the full bonnet, bumpers, headlights, front wings, A pillars, roof, behind the door handles and the rear bumper.

I know it’s not a super car which are normally the recipients of such stuff but I want our Cali to be in top condition for us to keep it for a good 10 years.

Has anyone had this done and would you recommend it?

 

[Keith Smith]

I've had the bonnet, front bumper and near side wing mirror done mainly because we live rural and the hedges take a toll of the front of the vehicle. So far so good. I caught the wing mirror with a branch which put a nasty mark in it but it disappeared with a bit of heat from a hairdryer.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

I've had the bonnet, front bumper and near side wing mirror done mainly because we live rural and the hedges take a toll of the front of the vehicle. So far so good. I caught the wing mirror with a branch which put a nasty mark in it but it disappeared with a bit of heat from a hairdryer.

We have the same problem with the hedges.

Where we park outside the house is also bombarded by pigeons and other bird formations and I want to protect against that.

If you don’t mind, how much did you pay? I’ve been quoted £1200.

 

[Keith Smith]

It was £365, I think he also said it was about £1200 for the full vehicle. It's not bird poo proof though, I left some bird poo on thinking I didn't have to worry and when I washed it off it had tinted the film purple. It has since faded and the mark is now more or less gone but I'm going to be more careful in future.

 

[Loz]

We had ours done as part of a, new vehicle prep.
We refused to let the dealer touch the van on delivery and took it straight to a detailer to properly clean and seal the paintwork with a ceramic coating and then added PPF to the front and other vulnerable areas.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

It was £365, I think he also said it was about £1200 for the full vehicle. It's not bird poo proof though, I left some bird poo on thinking I didn't have to worry and when I washed it off it had tinted the film purple. It has since faded and the mark is now more or less gone but I'm going to be more careful in future.

Bird poo thing definitely good to know. I don’t intend on letting it bake on though, just if I happen to be away for a couple of weeks, I’d rather the film got slightly wounded than the paint.

Sounds like your place was pretty affordable. This is for the latest Xpel film, I don’t want the good stuff but I also don’t want a mugging off.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

We had ours done as part of a, new vehicle prep.
We refused to let the dealer touch the van on delivery and took it straight to a detailer to properly clean and seal the paintwork with a ceramic coating and then added PPF to the front and other vulnerable areas.
View attachment 47865View attachment 47866

Looks smart!

I’m sold on the idea of the PPF as the only way to really safeguard against stonechips.

I am in a decision loop about the ceramic coating as it’s going to send up costing a big whack all together!

My thinking is currently that I can’t apply PPF myself, but I can apply a sealant myself, albeit on a more regular basis when not using a fancy ceramic job.

And I’m also letting my dealer nowhere near this job. It will all be done by a professional detailer.

 

[Loz]

And I’m also letting my dealer nowhere near this job. It will all be done by a professional detailer.

for the best results instruct them to leave it as delivered and not to remove the transport wax or wash it in any way.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

for the best results instruct them to leave it as delivered and not to remove the transport wax or wash it in any way.

Yeah that was my thinking too.

I really do feel that this is worth it, it’s just after spending an earth shattering amount on the bus, we’re about to spend over grand on some fancy cling film. Or that’s what the wife says.

 

[Jay20cali]

Can you not just keep it polished and use the best carnuba wax.
I know it won’t stop stonechips but it will definitely protect the paint well if applied regular

 

[Moakesy]

Like Loz, had it professionally polished and ceramic coated. There was PPF put on the boot lip, plus all the seats and carpet protected, with glass protector as well.

Wheels are so easy to clean, no matter how dirty they get a jet wash and wipe around with the sponge is fine.
Body work is equally good. It doesn't bead as much as it used to, but getting a good clear finish on my black / grey vehicle is very easy.
Zero swirls or paint marks
Boot lip has no marks on it after a fair bit of stuff hitting it as I load/unload the vehicle
Interior is spotless. I still put seat covers on it during winter as I do winter bike races, so can just jump in covered in mud and go home, but in the summer the seat covers are off and no issues at all.

Cost me around a £1k, as it's top of the range product and professionally applied over 3 days. Personally I think it is definitely worth it as long as you plan to keep the vehicle a while. Washing it is so easy and when you've finished the results are amazing.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

Like Loz, had it professionally polished and ceramic coated. There was PPF put on the boot lip, plus all the seats and carpet protected, with glass protector as well.

Wheels are so easy to clean, no matter how dirty they get a jet wash and wipe around with the sponge is fine.
Body work is equally good. It doesn't bead as much as it used to, but getting a good clear finish on my black / grey vehicle is very easy.
Zero swirls or paint marks
Boot lip has no marks on it after a fair bit of stuff hitting it as I load/unload the vehicle
Interior is spotless. I still put seat covers on it during winter as I do winter bike races, so can just jump in covered in mud and go home, but in the summer the seat covers are off and no issues at all.

Cost me around a £1k, as it's top of the range product and professionally applied over 3 days. Personally I think it is definitely worth it as long as you plan to keep the vehicle a while. Washing it is so easy and when you've finished the results are amazing.

Yeah I’m pretty sold on it to be honest as I’m looking for keeping it long term, 10 years if it doesn’t become a problem causer!

The boot lip was included in the PPF offering which does seem essential and I’m yet to enquire about the cost of a ceramic coating. I’ll be doing a look around but my local place that I’ve visited only do the top of the range stuff.

I think I’m just going to have to close my eyes, pay, then open them and just enjoy the deliciousness without ever remembering the bit where I paid.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

Can you not just keep it polished and use the best carnuba wax.
I know it won’t stop stonechips but it will definitely protect the paint well if applied regular

Yes, and there’s a chance it could be overkill. But unfortunately my work takes me away for long periods and when I’m around I want to be in my van with the family and away! I’ve always enjoyed spending a full day cleaning my cars, until my ownership reaches about a year old and then I get lazier.

While the Cali is going to be a much bigger deal to us, I think it would be a monster to wax on a regular basis and I may be in for a hiding from the mrs if I try.

 

[Moakesy]

I’ll be doing a look around but my local place that I’ve visited only do the top of the range stuff

Nothing wrong with top of the range stuff if you get the results you want..

 

[Smm]

Purchased last Cali new, 2010 plate, kept 8 years and only issue except usual poor finishing quality had major issues with sun cream fingers on paintwork that proved almost impossible to remove. Another new van later at huge expense so decided to have ceramic coating and Xperia’s as paint dark blue, the only negative is cost, for part van was nearly 2500k so guys installing were the only winners, not worth the expense and flannel.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

Purchased last Cali new, 2010 plate, kept 8 years and only issue except usual poor finishing quality had major issues with sun cream fingers on paintwork that proved almost impossible to remove. Another new van later at huge expense so decided to have ceramic coating and Xperia’s as paint dark blue, the only negative is cost, for part van was nearly 2500k so guys installing were the only winners, not worth the expense and flannel.

Apologies but what’s Xperia’s?

Did you have the PPF applied as well as the ceramic coating? I’m relatively sold on the PPF, I’m just still pondering slightly over the ceramic.

 

[Smm]

Yes I had The paintwork corrected and ceramic coated and the Xpel film applied. Have no reason to doubt it’s quality but nearly as expensive as a full respirated so don’t think it justifies the expense.
One thing I did notice though was lots of wax in the door shuts after extreme hot weather, thought it had melted coating but detailer said doors have wax in from factory,

 

[JoeandMaggie]

Yes I had The paintwork corrected and ceramic coated and the Xpel film applied. Have no reason to doubt it’s quality but nearly as expensive as a full respirated so don’t think it justifies the expense.
One thing I did notice though was lots of wax in the door shuts after extreme hot weather, thought it had melted coating but detailer said doors have wax in from factory,

Ah fair enough. Yeah it’s of course the cost which is causing all my deliberation.

For the full front end, roof, wings, mirrors, rear bumper, plus a ceramic coat all over I’m looking at 2k.

If it makes it look smoking hot for the next few years with only a basic wash, along with preventing any stone chips then maybe it is.

Years down the line I’m not going to spend a few grand on a van that’s then getting on a bit to have a re spray. But if I can have 10 years of the van constantly looking good then perhaps that’s a better way to spend the same money?

 

[Smm]

The biggest issue is other people, first outing, small ding on side from someone bashing their car door against in car park, no matter what you spend or do to keep pristine.
Talking of smoking hot I also found the film gives a lesser shine so it’s worth careful consideration

 

[TripleBee]

I didn't do anything of that all. Still, if I wash the vehicle, it shines, but not as new anymore. Yes I have stone chips, small scratches, other car door bashings. But when freshly washed, from far enough, it shines like new.

I have seen cars with ppf, and in corners and difficult places, it gets loose, so it starts looking bad, plus it makes your paint look matte.
Nothing I would spend money on, but you can do what you feel like.



I don't think it's looking that bad, is it?

 

[Tony Crawford]

We went for PPF on all the front facing vulnerable areas and full rear bumper and then ceramic coating all over including wheels - looks amazing and on holiday with a simple jet wash and towelling off came up perfect every time. At home with a PH neutral shampoo and two bucket method and then towelling dry comes up like new. No swirls or chips and we’ll worth the cost albeit not cheap. We plan to keep this one MY19 Ocean for a good few years and this will hopefully future proof the paintwork.

 

[JoeandMaggie]

@Tony Crawford @Loz @Keith Smith have you noticed any of the aforementioned dulling down of the paintwork or peeling? I knew this was a thing but I thought the latest film plus a ceramic coating would keep it looking tidy.

The car door bashing is obviously just one of those things. I just imagine that the honeymoon period I have with cars where I park them a bus ride away from the supermarket entrance when they’re new, will last a lot longer in the Cali!

 

[TripleBee]

Other thing is: the front windshield is showing it's age more than the paint.
It has a small crack due to a stone, the second day driving on the very first holiday.
Got it repaired at Carglass after 2 weeks of driving around with the crack, just hoping it wouldn't crack on. It didn't.
It has a lot of small chips taken out by stones, but most of all, it has the wiper marks.
Maybe they could make the windscreen out of Porphyry? They can do it in watches, but I wouldn't want to pay for it.

 

[Keith Smith]

@Tony Crawford @Loz @Keith Smith have you noticed any of the aforementioned dulling down of the paintwork or peeling? I knew this was a thing but I thought the latest film plus a ceramic coating would keep it looking tidy.

The car door bashing is obviously just one of those things. I just imagine that the honeymoon period I have with cars where I park them a bus ride away from the supermarket entrance when they’re new, will last a lot longer in the Cali!

Mine has only been done a few months so probably too early to tell, but so far so good.

 

[Corgimajor]

Like others in this thread we live in a part of the world notorious for its narrow lanes and high hedges and so the prospect of burying our new Ocean in one of these hedges (a common requirement for most vehicles making way for oncoming traffic - especially in the summer months!) and coming out unscathed was unlikely and so we decided to invest in Paint Protection Film. We found a relatively local firm (RP Detailing in Bishops Nympton nr. South Molton in North Devon - link below).

RP Valeting and Detailing | Gtechniq accredited detailers in North Devon

Valeting and detailing services from our Head office in South Molton, servicing North Devon and the UK. We are Gtechniq accredited detailers and will make sure you are 100% satisfied with the work we carry out. We can achieve amazing results that will transform your vehicle.

www.rpdetailing.co.uk

If you are interested give Ryan (an experienced Gtechniq and Xpel accredited detailer) a call and he will sort you out. As well as working from his own workshop he has a mobile operation he can take nationwide for clients.

The finish is quite an investment, but as we got a good discount on the van and intend to keep it for next 10 years, we figured the peace of mind was worth it. As well as the van looking fantastic the finish offers self healing scratch protection and the addition of the ceramic coating (on roof etc.) gives added protection from all the other nasties that will end up on your paintwork. It is also really easy to clean and comes up spotless with very little effort. The only other financial downside is that your insurer will increase the premium on the vehicle, as any serious damage requiring bodywork repairs will have to take into account the PPF being renewed afterwards.