[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by rob5819

Full PPF on my 2014 458 Spider (and it still looks amazing), full PPF / Ceramic coating on my 2022 Portofino M. Washing them is incredibly easy compared to my other non-PPF cars. Definitely planning full PPF / Ceramic on my alleged Z4 MT order.

FWIW, it's the ceramic coating that makes them easy to clean, not the PPF. In my experience, PPF without ceramic coating is no more easier to clean and sometimes more difficult if dirt gets trapped in the "self-healing" PPF. I actually damaged the PPF on a previous vehicle by trying to remove the embedded dirt from the PPF.

[rob5819]

Originally Posted by StanDiego

FWIW, it's the ceramic coating that makes them easy to clean, not the PPF. In my experience, PPF without ceramic coating is no more easier to clean and sometimes more difficult if dirt gets trapped in the "self-healing" PPF. I actually damaged the PPF on a previous vehicle by trying to remove the embedded dirt from the PPF.

Appreciate the reply. My 2014 458 Spider only has PPF without ceramic. I hit it with the pressure washer and foam cannon and it is completely clean within a few minutes. I have four other non-ppf cars and they take much longer with the pressure washer / foam cannon to get close to clean, but not as good as the 458 or PFM (which does have ceramic). Admittedly, I live in San Diego so my cars do not get exposed to much weather.

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Your thread. Only your power. Try from a browser. Maybe an app limitation.

Browser worked! Thanks!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Emily172013

I did PPF on the front of my 2020 M340i. A few months later a rock hit my hood that required removing the film, at additional cost, and using touch up paint to make it somewhat presentable. So PPF was not worth it for me.
I now also have a new Z4. Going naked. Just don't follow so close and it"ll do as much good as going the PPF route.
Where you live makes a difference. I grew up in Colo. You're car was sandblasted and needed a new windshield by the end of winter.

PPF will never give you 100% protection but it definitely protects you against the smaller chips that occur often and would be visible without it.

[FrostyWinters]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

PPF will never give you 100% protection but it definitely protects you against the smaller chips that occur often and would be visible without it.

So the damage goes from "This needs a respray" to "It'll buff out", eh?

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by FrostyWinters

So the damage goes from "This needs a respray" to "It'll buff out", eh?

All I can say is that my 2004 CLK500 which was produced using a harder paint still had rock chips showing which drove me crazy.

Today’s BMW’s are made with a softer paint and without PPF I could potentially have the equivalent of a bad case of acne on my front end! 😢

[pagoda69]

Putting a ceramic coating over PPF does not make sense to me. Someone please explain the logic there. There are also a lot of negative reviews about ceramic coatings too. We live in Florida. Not much in the way of rocks, pebbles or sand/salt on our roads. I'm staying naked. Touch up paint if needed.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by pagoda69

Putting a ceramic coating over PPF does not make sense to me. Someone please explain the logic there. There are also a lot of negative reviews about ceramic coatings too. We live in Florida. Not much in the way of rocks, pebbles or sand/salt on our roads. I'm staying naked. Touch up paint if needed.

When I did my PPF and ceramic there were very few options for a PPF with a hydrophobic top-coat in the market and the prices were sky high so I did Xpel plus ceramic. Ceramic is great when washing the car and when driving in the rain the water rolls right off my car and the ceramic finish leaves it crystal clean.

More companies are offering this all in one PPF with a hydrophobic top-coat now and if you shop around you can usually find a reasonable price. This type of PPF has eliminated the need for adding ceramic coating.

We will have to agree to disagree about the roads in Florida. My driving is in the Miami - Ft. Lauderdale area and there is construction everywhere and plenty of debris on the roads that can fly up and damage my paint. I would rather be safe than sorry! 👍🏻

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by pagoda69

Putting a ceramic coating over PPF does not make sense to me. Someone please explain the logic there. There are also a lot of negative reviews about ceramic coatings too. We live in Florida. Not much in the way of rocks, pebbles or sand/salt on our roads. I'm staying naked. Touch up paint if needed.

Can you say love bugs? PPF is the minimum requirement in the state we live in.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Rcasa20

Can you say love bugs? PPF is the minimum requirement in the state we live in.

When love bugs splatter and dry on your paint it is a PIA to clean up the mess! 😡

[pagoda69]

All good points about road work and love bugs, which this year, seem scarce in the Venice area. A few years ago, the love bugs were in full force. They are cyclical, with some years much worse than others, so they'll be back. I'm still going naked and will take my chances. I have a great paint guy who has performed miracles on many collector cars that I've owned.

[khp3655]

I do not have PFF. I bought a lightly used car and it already has a few very minor cosmetic customizations. Dr. Colorchip works fine for me if and when needed. I'd rather save the $4,000+ for PFF as a start on my next car.

[DPelletier]

I have the bumper, full hood, rockers and A pillars done plus the little pces behind the rear wheels.

I won't own a nice car without PPF; it is worth the peace of mind for me. So far I've done my 2003 Ram, 2014 GLK350, 2014 Jaguar F type, 2017 GLC43AMG, 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Audi SQ8, 2022 GLE53AMG and the Z4.

Interestingly enough, I still own my 2003 Ram 3500 and the PPF on it has held up great, no yellowing, no chips and that truck has spent all 21 of it's years parked outside and has been used all winter long to drive back and forth to our ski chalet. I did have to remove the PPF from one headlight once which was a bit of a PITA but a small chore in 20+ years.




Cheers,
Dave

[alvitdk]

Frozen grey paint can't be touched up, so full frontal PPF it was for me...

[nellborg]

Awaiting my Z4, but not planning to ppf it. To me, it's just a depreciating asset and I can use the $6k for other stuff.

Maybe I'm jaded by watching my father spend so much time washing and waxing and Armor-All-ing his car all through the 80's, but the chassis eventually rusted out so the car was junk. The paint and the interior were pristine though.

[Rcasa20]

Originally Posted by alvitdk

Frozen grey paint can't be touched up, so full frontal PPF it was for me...

I'd definitely go full car on that in Florida. Bird poop on the trunk that goes unnoticed for a few hours could mean damage that lasts forever.

[72sirmako]

Originally Posted by FrostyWinters

So the damage goes from "This needs a respray" to "It'll buff out", eh?

This is more true than you might believe. I did full ppf and ceramic on mine.

My 3 series was only windshield forward with ppf and my kid accidentally hit the absolute edge of the ppf on that. While that one left a ding but overall wasn't bad.

By my own dumb mistake at 2000 miles on the clock, I backed my Z4 into the garage to put it under the bubble and pulled every shelf off the left wall onto the side of the Z. I needed the rear quarter and driver door ppf replaced completely and three other panels (including hood) had the scuffs buffed out along with 3 spots for paintless dent repair. Over $2 for the repairs but not an ounce of paint needed. Without the full ppf I likely would have needed the entire driver side plus hood painted.

I was sick to my stomach when it happened but it could have been worse. As others have said, the investment in ppf may or may not payoff in the end. Even after that happened I decided against doing ppf on my X5 daily driver due to the fact that will get replaced. The Z4 isn't going anywhere in my lifetime and I was happy the ppf was there when I needed it.

No real "right" answer but very good points from all.

Nick