Educate me on PPF, Ceramic coating and Paint Correction

Really depends. Most people would clear bra the high impact areas like the front and sides of the car where rocks kick up the most. It saves the most money to get that done. However, if you have lots of carbon fiber probably would be best to also just PPF the whole entire car. Afterwards, whether you want to apply ceramic coating on top is entirely up to you.

Additionally, don't forget to clear bra the front windshield! Cost about 1-2k but well worth it since it protects against expensive chips.

 

Thanks everyone. There is a lot of carbon on my speciale including the rear diffuser, maybe clear bra for the entire car is a good idea before the ceramic coat. thanks!

 

couldnt agree more, don't even know how these cars come out with not perfect paint but they mostly need paint correction. Ceramic gives it the dripping wet look

 

Beautiful with the Speciale wheels!

 

I have done 4 windshield’s, 2 with ClearPlex, and, most recently, 2 with Exoshield. I have never spent more than $500 installed. And yes, windshield protection is worth the investment and will likely save you heartache down the road. FWIW, I prefer Exoshield. https://www.getexoshield.com/exoshield

 

Good to know about Exoshield. My experience with ClearPlex was some sticking of the wipers.


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Do you know if this will cover some small imperfections such as pitting from previous unprotected use?

How does this work at night? Are there any vision changes?

thanks

 

I had some pock marks on my 2005 Ford GT when I recently had the Exoshield installed. I didn’t think to look closely to see how it turned out. Must not be that noticeable. I have driven about 500 miles since the I put the Exoshield put on. I’ll take a closer look the next time I am near the car, and then report back what I find.

 

Just got the 812 back from front PPF, full paint correction, and ceramic coating. Looks absolutely amazing! Pista getting full wrap and the rest. Surprised how many defects were in the paint. Some scratches were too deep to fix.
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color much brighter. Gets dark when uploaded....any tips on uploading better quality?

 

just got this 2010 458. One owner, had no visible rock chips, did 2-step paint correction, PPF Xpel full front, and then full premium ceramic coating. It looks like showroom. The car had no PPF before, and I doubt any coating either. it's all worth the money, when you think about the % of the purchase price, as a small add on. had the wheels and calipers coated too. 2 coats on windshield as well. Going to wash for the first time in a couple of days, as it has now been 2 weeks for coating to "cure".
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We’re you happy with the work there? That place is 10 mins from me.

 

Looks awesome, congrats

 

If you want to protect your car and you get bothered by rock chips and scratches it is better to do PPF.
When you only do the front of the car, the back will get scratched because of working on the car/ engine even if they use padding.
My advise to do paint correction if there are swirl marks, then PPF at least for the front but better for the whole car then ceramic coating on the top to keep it clean.
I did the whole car with PPF xpel for my 458 for 6k. The front only is about $2500. I did ceramic coating myself with Avalon King for 50$.

 

Looks truly stunning dude. Love your line up. Great taste.

 

Thanks! I appreciate that.

Dropped off the Pista and picked up the 812. First time seeing the two together. Now I’m even more confused as to Rosso Maranello be Rosso Fuoco! Ha. I’ll try to figure out how to post good comp pictures soon.

 

Yes. my buddy had his tesla done there and is anal as hell, and was happy, so i took my car there. Mike from there was kind enough to come to Southbay Ferrari before i even bought the car, to look at the paint condition. I would go there again. Polished Protection, Signal Hill.

 

Do the whole car and ceramic IMO as I have. You cant imagine how rocks fly around. Make sure they lift the car and cover the painted parts or CF under also. Out of site doesn't mean out of mind. That's by far the section that will get hit the worst.

Also its not the cost its the installer

 

I am about to get my new RR in a few days. I plan to get PPF on the front end of the car. I am not sure about ceramic coating. To me, it is a bit of a hype but I may be wrong. I have never gotten ceramic coating on my previous cars. How come a little liquid provides extensive protection for the paint? It sounds too good to be true.

 

I do extreme detailing, paint correction and ceramic coating for exotics and luxury cars as my side business for past 15 years (OCDetails and Coatings) and I’m shocked at some of the responses…. Some saying why bother to correct the paint (and BELIEVE ME, all paint needs correction straight out of the factory)- to say why bother cos you can’t really see it is like saying why clean under the bed since you probably won’t see it…. Weird. Anyway, yes, PPF will disguise/hide light swirls and even some light scratches but that doesn’t mean don’t correct it first. Don’t we want perfection on these types of cars? Additionally, other marring, stains, water spots, sanding marks, bird etching, bug etching etc etc NEED to come out prior to PPF— and finally, the gloss and reflection and depth of the paint is obtained by paint correction ONLY, not from applying PPF or even ceramic coating (this slightly raises gloss levels to already corrected paint however)— as for ceramic coating over the PPF, this is also the best idea. Why? Mostly for self cleaning properties, hydrophobic properties, UV protection and added gloss. The PPFs that claim to be already ceramic coated are quite weak and only last a year or so. And obviously the quality and performance of that coating is nothing compared to a proper professional grade coating applied correctly.

Furthermore, a high level job as I of course do, isn’t just the paint. I correct and ceramic coat ALL SURFACES including trim, plastics, rubbers, engine bay, interior leather and trims, wheels and even tires get a coating, not a dressing. Once this is completed, NOTHING will stick to the surfaces and it will stay clean and super easy to maintain for many years.

In short (too late) correct the F’ing paint always!! Whether you are applying PPF or not! Who the hell wants swirls, scratches, marring, stains and spots on their car???? Disgusting lol.


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I think the main objection raised regarding pre-ppf correction (that I’ve heard from a couple installers) is that when you’re doing full body ppf with Ceramic, the end result is based more on the installed product and the Ceramic. I get how that sounds and it seems reasonable that the result should be based on the underlying paint (who wants lipstick on a pig!), but I suspect this is where disagreement will come up from reputable installers.

If paint correction is done on the premise of top coat consistency, it seems folks can argue that properly applying ppf and then a new even top coat (ceramic) achieves the desired result. I’ve also heard the argument that upon removal of ppf, the underlying top coat will potentially need love any way, so “why bother” making it perfect just to destroy it. Not my words or own opinion just tossing it out there. I think the opposite is sensible too: make it perfect to give it the best chance of dealing with the ppf, color, etc… can be very confusing to the average person to know what’s actually best. Feedback from professionals like you is super helpful so thank you.

Maybe what we’re ultimately missing is someone who can come up with a good quantitative measurement solution and actually capture data from all approaches, then post and settle the debate. Any volunteers?

Or we simply do what feels right to us with an installer we trust, drive the car, love life, be happy this also seems quite reasonable!

 

I hear what you’re saying and you’re right about PPF covering up some imperfections so why bother removing a swirl or scratch if you won’t see it… but the main point is not the correction of imperfections, it’s that the true gloss, depth, reflection and color comes from correcting the paint. And since PPF is transparent, that gloss shows through the PPF- so correcting prior to PPF will yield the best aesthetics- then ceramic over it is just to protect it and give it self cleaning properties.

After correction, the most common remark I get upon pickup from the client is, “wow, it looks like a different color!”— and this is true, even with whites, proper correction of the paint brings out the actual color and clarity.


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really appreciate your suggestion. thank you so much

 

You're welcome.... I'm actually dealing with a perfect example of this with my new F8-- Just bought it last month and 'as a bonus', it was already completely wrapped with PPF (like a 8-12k job!)-- the PPf was installed quite well all around the car with the exception of just the hood-- so at first, I figured, ok, I'll redo the hood, I can live with that.... but THEN as I inspected the car, I noticed the rear quarters and spoiler and much of the roof had terrible water spots, staining and bird splatter.... again, I was optimistic as you can actually polish and correct PPF (to some degree with proper technique, products and pads)... I figured, ok, fine I have no problem buffing the whole car and get it perfect since I'll enjoy it anyway... but, you guessed it.... while some of the spots and stains were in the PPF and I was able to get them out, MUCH of the spots, light swirls and stains are in the f'ing paint and they PPF'ed right over it.... such a shame because the install was quite good as I said. I just can't fathom why they'd do such a proper install OVER unperfected paint.... so now my only choices are to live with the remaining spots etc that can be seen in sunlight or proper indoor lighting or remove the PPF, correct it and reapply new PPF..... so much for my 'bonus' value in the car.