488 PPF or no PPF

Question to everyone with PPF film on their cars. Have you noticed that with the film on the plastic bumper colors seem to be slightly darker over time? I have heard mixed reviews on ppf. Some say never buy a car without it and then other say save the money and just repaint the car every few years.

 

PPF any day of the week. Much cheaper to replace film on the bumpers than respray, but the bigger issue is buyers are very wary of any respray job .. you saying, “oh it was just for some stone chips” might not be believed

 

I'm a big fan of ppf. I have not noticed any yellowing yet. Mine are 6 plus years old. Also, I hear that the ppf technology has improved vastly. Also, you can always just replace the PPF if it yellows.

 

Any issue with the bumper or plastic parts not matching after a few years? I feel like I have seen some applications where the front bumper appears much darker after several years

 

No issue with mine. 6 years in. Did have yellowing on the PPF of another car after 15 years, just got it replaced .. no drama.

 

The correct answer is PPF. The technology has improved significantly over the years. I use Xpel, which has a 10 year warranty for example

 

Cosmetically, bare, perfectly corrected paint and ceramic coat is the best.,, BUT, practically, you just GOTTA PPF cars like these (or any car that you give any Sh** about) - my F8 is full PPF but I’m in the process now of removing it from rear quarters and spoiler (water spotted and stained PPF that I’ve been unable to polish out) and paint correcting…. I am debating leaving it bare and not reapplying PPF as these aren’t high impact areas. It looks SOOOOOO nice with perfectly corrected, glasslike black but I’ll probably end up putting PPF back on. Having it on the front/hood/rocker panels/a pillars and back of mirrors is a must though.


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10 mil Suntek on my F8. Max protection and looks great. Absolute must on these cars. Stuff happens …..


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I have PPF on multiple cars. One thing I would do differently is only get it on impact areas. Also, finding the right person to apply the film is key. I would try to find someone who hand cuts the film as opposed to the prefab pieces. I think the hand cut looks nicer. My 2 cents.

 

I'd pass on the PPF. Like you said, corrected paint and ceramic. I have owned mine for almost 3 years now and its only had that procedure done and it looks fantastic. Clean up and dusting are very easy. Just watch where you drive and minimize any impact area troubles. Works for me.

 

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I just passed on a car that had minimal PPF. The car looked like it was sandblasted on a lot of the lower areas. It’s the first question I ask when inquiring about a car.

 

My car currently has ppf on it, but I’m noticing the plastic parts covered in ppf are more dark/dull then the hood and fender. I’m assuming that is a sign to replace or is this something that you live with if you go the ppf route?

 

Thats nothing more than a car that wasn't cared for as well as it could have been.

 

Here's before and after of my car with 9 year old (2015 Spider) PPF on the front end that definitely yellowed a bit - now has brand new XPEL front to rear, looks fantastic and so happy.
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PPF is also less likely to show water spots. I treat the water I was the car with but I drive in the rain and that will leave spot on your car. If you have the PPF is does not leave any spots. Another advantage.

 

did you notice the front looked darker before you replaced the ppf? i It looks like all the plastics pieces on my car are slightly darker so I am thinking the film has yellowed a bit.

 

PPF definitely water spots- and badly too- and stains. It can be polished to a degree but not the easiest. I just removed my rear quarters and spoiler due to bad water spots and staining and I polished the f out of the PPF to no avail. (Previous owner must’ve treated it like a Toyota) I’ll probably redo the PPF in those areas but I’m enjoying the beautifully corrected black, naked paint for now. Best process is PPF and ceramic on top and care for it properly as if it didn’t have the PPF.


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man I hate the look of PPF. it's always so obvious and takes away from a slick paint job.

but i get it

i heard todd has ppf going up half his hood

 

this looks way better than ppf and smells better too

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Did you notice plastic panels being darker before you took off the old and installed new? Nobody can give me a definitive answer if that is a sign of it being old if that’s just the way the film reacts to the different material of the panels

 

lol @ Eric saying the clean naked paint look is better than PPF— I totally agree but isn’t your car wrapped? — that’s next level

And as for the question of bumpers ‘looking darker’… that’s not a result of the PPF - that a result of the material difference of the body— ALL cars are like this in all colors— if you paint aluminum or plastic or carbon fiber- it will ALWAYS come out different shades—/ perfect example of my F8 where the rear spoiler (carbon) is a much darker black than the rear quarter (aluminum) and yes, the plastic front bumper is also a different shade than the aluminum hood and fenders…. PPF may or may not accentuate that shade difference just because of the reflective properties and clarity of the brand of PPF.


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Drove me crazy on my old Pista. The bumpers, being painted carbon were a very different shade of red. Had no one told me I may not have noticed but once it was pointed out, I could not unsee it.

 

lol yup. All colors do it and you’re exactly right it’s very subtle on most colors and in most lighting but once you see it, it’s there forever…. And it gets worse! (Mentally lol)


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This is me for sure. Got the car a few weeks ago and i can't even look at the car without going straight to where the fender meets the front bumper. Then I drive the car and realize a life goal came true in owning a Ferrari and all cares in the world go out the window. Thanks for the input on this. This board has been great

 

I cant believe this used to be a thing back in the day. What an awful look