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Who plans on adding paint protection film?

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14
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Location
Austin, TX, USA
#43
I did XPEL PPF

Door handle cups
Full hood
Full front bumper
Headlights
 

rchuro

New Member
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Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
#44
If you apply the film, what’s the benefit of still doing the ceramic coating over it? How often do you have to have the ceramic reapplied if you use automated car washes (I know, I know just don’t have the time to hand wash)?


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86
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27
Location
Coral Springs, FL, USA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST (Agate Black)
#45
You do the ceramic first then apply the PPF.
The preferred method from every dealer/installer I've ever dealt with is... PPF then ceramic coating to ensure the PPF bonds or adheres properly to your vehicle.... It's extremely difficult to apply PPF to a vehicle that already has the hydrophobic properties you get once it's ceramic coated.
 

Messages
104
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86
Points
27
Location
Coral Springs, FL, USA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST (Agate Black)
#46
If you apply the film, what’s the benefit of still doing the ceramic coating over it? How often do you have to have the ceramic reapplied if you use automated car washes (I know, I know just don’t have the time to hand wash)?


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Most ceramic coatings vary by brand tbh and there's a ton to chose from these days... Most of the leading brands last anywhere from 2-5yrs w/ minimal yearly maintenance. In order to maintain a ceramic coating's longevity you should still wash your car regularly though. A lot of people are under the impression that you never have to wash you car again. That's def not the case however the ceramic coating will make the whole washing process seem effortless due to its hydrophobic properties.... Sometimes I don't even use soap when I wash my car, a simple rinse and air dry on the open road or with a leaf blower and it looks showroom ready again. I hoped that helps !!
 

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47
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Location
Lakewood, CO, USA
#47
Most ceramic coatings vary by brand tbh and there's a ton to chose from these days... Most of the leading brands last anywhere from 2-5yrs w/ minimal yearly maintenance. In order to maintain a ceramic coating's longevity you should still wash your car regularly though. A lot of people are under the impression that you never have to wash you car again. That's def not the case however the ceramic coating will make the whole washing process seem effortless due to its hydrophobic properties.... Sometimes I don't even use soap when I wash my car, a simple rinse and air dry on the open road or with a leaf blower and it looks showroom ready again. I hoped that helps !!
What about drive thru washes, are they likely to cause swirls or scratches?

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zdubyadubya

Active Member
Messages
813
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632
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232
Location
Utah
Vehicle
2020 ST
#48
You do the ceramic first then apply the PPF.
This is 100% wrong. ALWAYS apply ceramic coating AFTER any PPF or wrap.

The preferred method from every dealer/installer I've ever dealt with is... PPF then ceramic coating to ensure the PPF bonds or adheres properly to your vehicle.... It's extremely difficult to apply PPF to a vehicle that already has the hydrophobic properties you get once it's ceramic coated.
Exactly. The PPF will not adhere properly to ceramic coated paint. You will also need to strip off any waxes used as well.

Most ceramic coatings vary by brand tbh and there's a ton to chose from these days... Most of the leading brands last anywhere from 2-5yrs w/ minimal yearly maintenance. In order to maintain a ceramic coating's longevity you should still wash your car regularly though. A lot of people are under the impression that you never have to wash you car again. That's def not the case however the ceramic coating will make the whole washing process seem effortless due to its hydrophobic properties.... Sometimes I don't even use soap when I wash my car, a simple rinse and air dry on the open road or with a leaf blower and it looks showroom ready again. I hoped that helps !!
This is correct. It helps my car is white, but it will stay clean for seemingly forever. A quick rinse and it looks almost perfect. Depending on the coating used and the layers used, warranty varies. See below for examples:
https://www.wildwrapz.com/detailing (scroll to the bottom)

What about drive thru washes, are they likely to cause swirls or scratches?

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while i don't recommend this AT ALL, PPF and Ceramic helps dramatically with reducing/preventing swirls/scratches. if you are short on time, and can't wash it at your residence, there are tons of "drive thru" washes that have bays where you can jump out real quick and spray off your car with pressurized water/soap. even though the water at these places is still recycled, its better than "no touch" drive throughs, which are better than anything with brushes that touch your vehicle.
 

Messages
104
Reactions
86
Points
27
Location
Coral Springs, FL, USA
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST (Agate Black)
#49
This is 100% wrong. ALWAYS apply ceramic coating AFTER any PPF or wrap.



Exactly. The PPF will not adhere properly to ceramic coated paint. You will also need to strip off any waxes used as well.



This is correct. It helps my car is white, but it will stay clean for seemingly forever. A quick rinse and it looks almost perfect. Depending on the coating used and the layers used, warranty varies. See below for examples:
https://www.wildwrapz.com/detailing (scroll to the bottom)



while i don't recommend this AT ALL, PPF and Ceramic helps dramatically with reducing/preventing swirls/scratches. if you are short on time, and can't wash it at your residence, there are tons of "drive thru" washes that have bays where you can jump out real quick and spray off your car with pressurized water/soap. even though the water at these places is still recycled, its better than "no touch" drive throughs, which are better than anything with brushes that touch your vehicle.
Co-sign this statement as well... you'd be surprised how quick & easy it is to hand-wash your vehicle once both have been applied correctly.
 

My ST is Better!

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
Messages
102
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61
Points
27
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#50
The preferred method from every dealer/installer I've ever dealt with is... PPF then ceramic coating to ensure the PPF bonds or adheres properly to your vehicle.... It's extremely difficult to apply PPF to a vehicle that already has the hydrophobic properties you get once it's ceramic coated.
Yeah I typed it backwards please forgive me I was drunk!!
 

Chief28

New Member
Messages
17
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10
Points
2
Location
NY
#51
Has anyone purchased and installed any of the precut kits? How difficult was the install? Looking at buying a XPEL kit.
 

Messages
103
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48
Points
27
Location
New Windsor, MD, USA
#52
I got a quote for ceramic @ $1,600 (with minor paint repair) Hadn't thought about the rims and calibers. Appreciate that info
 

tmannino

New Member
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7
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6
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2
Location
NWPA
#53
Just ordered a bunch of accessories and parts off AutoNation, great prices, Thankyou!


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So I’m challenged. Can you post the link to the correct AutoNation website, please? Thanks in advance.
 

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33
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28
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12
Location
Nashua, NH, USA
#54
In southern NH, I have Tint World doing the bumper, mirrors and hood for $785. I called as soon as I bought the vehicle and the soonest they can get it in is May 17th. I had these areas done on my previous vehicle (2016 GMC Yukon) and the bumper hood and mirrors looked just like new when I traded it in.
 

GTP

Member
Messages
82
Reactions
72
Points
17
Location
Indy
#55
Has anyone purchased and installed any of the precut kits? How difficult was the install? Looking at buying a XPEL kit.
I will apply PPF to small relatively flat areas by myself. But a bumper would take too much practice. You can't peel off the film and try again (like you can to some degree with vinyl). Those shops use special juice, a lot of it, and coming out from special juice cannisters. It's a process.

OTOH, if you have lots of practice with large pieces of vinyl, then it might not be so scary to go DIY.

It can be tricky to find a shop with a good quote and yet also excellent quality.
 

KozzyJr

New Member
Messages
14
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7
Points
2
Location
Sudbury, ON, Canada
#56
I just ordered my kit for my ST. I’m doing the entire SUV
 



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