Feelings on Paint Protection Film PPF: Good or Bad?

[albedo13]

I am trying to decide what options I will want on my new 4Runner, and see the different paint protection film options offered. I see some of the vehicles have them in the options column in the spreadsheet, but it seems like a lot don't. Is this something good to get or not? Curious what the hardcore on here think and why.

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[Mudbath]

The port installed PPF is the bare minimum and pretty cheap at that. I had it on my 2018 Pro and what I disliked the most was the seam across the hood due to it being only a half-sheet of PPF, it collects a small amount of dirt and you could see it.

Of course the trade off is quality PPF is pretty expensive.

 

[zhenyizhainan]

I am trying to decide what options I will want on my new 4Runner, and see the different paint protection film options offered. I see some of the vehicles have them in the options column in the spreadsheet, but it seems like a lot don't. Is this something good to get or not? Curious what the hardcore on here think and why.
[/引用]



The life cycle of an off-road vehicle should make it a different life. Even the best protective film can't protect against strong ultraviolet rays. At least in Texas. Enjoy life without worrying about the choice of protective film.

 

[Archer]

Looked into it today, got a price of $$2,500-$3,000 for the front, front fenders, hood and a quarter way up side to back fender, plus, $250 per flare. And it has a limited lifespan.

Not sure if this pricing is typical or not. Never had it before but I can't tell you how many people have asked me if I was going to get it.

If I was going to sell it in 5 years, maybe, but even then, don't think it adds that much to the value to see a return, especially if it has to been redone in a few years to justify it. JMHO.

 

[papadop88]

Looked into it today, got a price of $$2,500-$3,000 for the front, front fenders, hood and a quarter way up side to back fender, plus, $250 per flare. And it has a limited lifespan.

Not sure if this pricing is typical or not. Never had it before but I can't tell you how many people have asked me if I was going to get it.

If I was going to sell it in 5 years, maybe, but even then, don't think it adds that much to the value to see a return, especially if it has to been redone in a few years to justify it. JMHO.

It's not worth that kind of money. If anything, just get the bumper and flares done, and thats it.

 

[jjonesx86]

For most cars, I don't think there is a return on the investment that makes sense unless you plan to keep the vehicle a very long time.

A good PPF job will cost from $2500 for partial front to over $10k full vehicle. On a rare super car, maybe. On a daily driver, I just don't see it making financial sense.

Financially you are throwing the money away. You won't get it back when you sell it, and most folks trade their vehicles in. Dealers will wholesale it regardless of perfect paint vs typical wear and tear. No value recovered.

It does protect the paint...but for what? You still need to live with visible rock chips in the film...don't believe the self-healing hype. If you plan to keep the vehicle forever, you could perhaps remove the ugly film in 5 years and have pristine paint to enjoy or re-wrap. PPF also discolors over time. I do love buying a PPF used car though...so the original buyer paid for it and I get to remove it and enjoy pristine paint

Unless it is a very expensive job, you will usually see dirt lines as dirt builds up on the visible seams. This is worse on lighter colored cars.

A full vehicle wrap can be a benefit on dark colored cars, especially black. Then you can wash the vehicle without worrying about swirl marks if bothered by such things.

Just my $.02.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

I’m avoiding PPF. I’m doing Ceramic Coating only on mine. And I plan to wrap my fenders bc I don’t think Gloss Black makes any kind of sense if you touch dirt.

 

[Nodak]

i think the oem version of PPF is misleading as its not really that. its more of a chip/bug protection since its so thick vs traditional PPF.

that is the main reason you have a such a distinct line across the hood for the oem. i have it on my 2014 4R and it has held up really well vs bugs and rocks and protected the leading edge of the hood vs rocks better than 3rd party PPF.

the really big downside, that edge about 1/4 up from the hood edge has a perm dirt line now after 11 yrs but man has it been a champ vs the few bigger rocks it has taken hits from.

1st photo is the dirt line
2nd photo is the scuff mark from a rock from a truck i was passing years ago

just remember this is oem from toyota and its 11 yrs old

 

[zgreen]

I am trying to decide what options I will want on my new 4Runner, and see the different paint protection film options offered. I see some of the vehicles have them in the options column in the spreadsheet, but it seems like a lot don't. Is this something good to get or not? Curious what the hardcore on here think and why.

For me, 100% worth it. I got a full body Xpel Steath PPF and absolutely love it. Its protected the truck fantastically so far. I was up in Glacier National Park on tight gravel roads and had to go through bushes, etc. Saw the pin stripping through the dust on the PPF and after washing, it was just like brand new.

Just my opinion and it depends on each person and their financial situation, etc. But for me, 100% worth it and love it. Some pics for you...

 

[samsamdar]

PPF when brand new is ALWAYS worth it to me. I literally just hit a bag of lime rock that someone left on the highway and zero damage to the paint. 100% worth it for the peace of mind it provides

 

[saudimack]

For most cars, I don't think there is a return on the investment that makes sense unless you plan to keep the vehicle a very long time.

A good PPF job will cost from $2500 for partial front to over $10k full vehicle. On a rare super car, maybe. On a daily driver, I just don't see it making financial sense.

Financially you are throwing the money away. You won't get it back when you sell it, and most folks trade their vehicles in. Dealers will wholesale it regardless of perfect paint vs typical wear and tear. No value recovered.

It does protect the paint...but for what? You still need to live with visible rock chips in the film...don't believe the self-healing hype. If you plan to keep the vehicle forever, you could perhaps remove the ugly film in 5 years and have pristine paint to enjoy or re-wrap. PPF also discolors over time. I do love buying a PPF used car though...so the original buyer paid for it and I get to remove it and enjoy pristine paint

Unless it is a very expensive job, you will usually see dirt lines as dirt builds up on the visible seams. This is worse on lighter colored cars.

A full vehicle wrap can be a benefit on dark colored cars, especially black. Then you can wash the vehicle without worrying about swirl marks if bothered by such things.

Just my $.02.

Thanks for typing this out. I was planning on adding it to my order but I'm also getting Ice Cap and it sounds like it's better to not get it with discoloration/ being able to see dirt more.

 

[outdoorCO]

Living in CO I fully plan on getting what I can afford, you get peppered with gravel in the winter and spring, and off road is always tight in places.

 

[Island Style]

It makes a difference where you live. PPF seems to be very popular these days, and very expensive to have applied. Here in Hawaii, the Sun's rays/damaging UV tends to "bake" ppf onto the surface. If it is not removed/replaced every 2 years or so, it dries up, cracks, and costs as much to have it removed as it did to install. Did you ever try removing the PPF from the factory? (The ones applied in front of the rear fenders near the bottom). They get dingy yellow, crack, and very difficult to remove. imho...very unsightly. I prefer to have my vehicles Ceramic/Graphene coated...I apply a spray on top of the coating every month or so since its very easy and quick. Haven't had any issue and definitely not worrying about PPF baking in the hot Hawaii sun.

 

[BillyG4Runner6G]

FYI, I have the TRD Pro. I just had the entire front PPF from the side mirrors forward. I also had them cover my rear fender flares.
I am due to go back in a week to have them fix or remove the PPF from my hood scoop due to excess bubbles and the film not sticking correctly. TBH, it looks horrible because it is directly in my field of view. They told me that it is normal for PPF bubbles to take about a month to dissipate so I am optimistic about the bumper, hood and fender flare bubbles but the scoop has me regretting getting it done. I wish they would have just skipped the scoop, especially if it was giving them so much trouble.
Has anyone else had issues with PPF covering the hood scoop? Just wondering if it is the installers lack of ability or are the sharp corners and edges not able to be cleanly wrapped?

 

[Bizzle]

I’m about to get my pro completely covered minus roof and tail gate and hood scoop. Had a few cars done in the past. There shouldn’t be any bubbles. Which film did they use? It’s really about the skill of the installer.

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