PPF - Protective Paint Film

[jaudette3]

What a dork! I actually asked on Instagram what PPF stood for. Admittedly I don’t get out much (you guys seem to have a lot of lights to restore), but really, how far behind can you get.

Once I learned what it was I visited a high-end refinishing shop here in Bend - European Refinish Specialties - to learn more. The owner Mario was kind enough to show me around. They were in the process of installing PPF on a 993 GT2, just like this one:



Of course everyone knows this already, but the end result was dead on perfection. But, oddly, I’m not sure that I care for it. I remember one time when I was detailing Stubby for a show and a friend said it looked great. I replied that I thought it looked too shiny. He said that that is impossible, there’s no such thing as too shiny. I dunno.

I like a deep patina that it seems you can only get with single stage paint and hand warmed, hand applied, high quality carnuba wax. It’s beautiful and also has character and soul. After all, you can’t have character and soul without depth, right? A surface shine is kind of superficial.

What do you think? Am I just old fashioned?

Cheers,
John

[TurkisTii]

I'd love to hear thoughts on PPF on an early 911. I have experience with Xpel on my newer cars with factory paint. My intent is to preserve the original paint and prevent rock chips. These are cars that I may take to the track as well. The paint on my Tangerine S is not original however it shows as a very high quality repaint. With that in mind and prepping for the 2020 driving season, I was considering getting Xpel on the hood and fenders. I haven't been a concours guy so not concerned about point deductions for having PPF.

[mac73s]

I don't consider a sandblasted front end to be a badge of honor...some do and that's fine. I have done PPF (I prefer SUNTEK) on my 72 hot rod, and on my previous 70 and 73 911-S cars. Also have it on my new 911s...full front on everything. A good installer can apply quality film and make it invisible...no concours points ever deducted for my cars with PPF because they look no different than the areas that are not covered - that's the key.

[TurkisTii]

I don't consider a sandblasted front end to be a badge of honor...some do and that's fine.

+1

I prefer SUNTEK.

I only have experience with Xpel. I'm sure I can find comparisons online but interested in your reasons.

no concours points ever deducted for my cars with PPF because they look no different than the areas that are not covered - that's the key.

I made an assumption that there would be deduction as a local PCA concours judge/coach drives his 356 with one of those "old school" removable black bras. Maybe it's just a matter of preference.

[mac73s]

+1

I only have experience with Xpel. I'm sure I can find comparisons online but interested in your reasons.

I made an assumption that there would be deduction as a local PCA concours judge/coach drives his 356 with one of those "old school" removable black bras. Maybe it's just a matter of preference.

My SUNTEK preference (been using SUNTEK ULTRA on the last few cars) is simply not visible so that's the reason I keep using it...obviously a combination of quality film and a quality installer. In days gone by, PPF was a mess...protective, but glaringly obvious. I would likely be entirely happy with EXPEL, it's just that the two installers I use are SUNTEK guys.

[NickP]

I love the stuff. I had the protective film installed on all the high impact area of my ST build after a high dollar Glasurit single stage paint job. Front bumper, hood, rockers, lower half of rear bumper. Man am I glad I did this. 3 years later, 10,000 miles and 8 track day later and there isn’t a chip or mark to be found where the protective film was added. The bottom pic shows the upper portion of the rear bumper where the crap from my sticky TB15’s inflict the most damage. Clearly, we didn’t go high enough on that portion (but the patina does look good to me!). The film works great and gives me great peace of mind regardless of where I drive. Modern Image in San Diego was the installer.