Is PPF worth it?

[momike]

TL;DR Would PPF be worth it for my new RR?

I plan to use the truck for moderate off roading on trails, and I'm excited to hoon the crap out of it in the desert. Also as a daily, which I'm stoked about. I live in a CO mountain town, so the roads always seem to have crap on them that gets kicked up. most of my rigs seem to get their paint chipped at some point just driving around. I'm told that PPF would prevent these chips and also pinstripes from vegetation etc. So, from an aesthetic persepctive it seems like a yes, if I have the coin.

However, I got a quote for something like $7K. That's more that 10% of the car's cost. I'm also starting to become aware of the infinite things to spend money on on a rig like this.

Thoughts on straight economics? Let's say I keep it for 5 years before selling it (no idea if I will, just posing the question). Let's assume I'll be relatively careful with the car, but also use it as intended (!). What's the difference in resale for a slightly scuffed car vs. one with PPF on it?

Also, is there a generally accepted best PPF brand or method?

Thanks for any thoughts!

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[Flak]

My take is anything on road PPF would stop is not likely going to impact the value of a vehicle that isn't exotic.

So if you value your car not having certain small scratches and the like, then that's the price of PPF you pay for it to look better. But you're not going to get that money back with a 5+ year old truck with 100k miles having a few light scratches or gravel strikes you slap some touch up paint on vs not having them. So it's all sunk cost.

Off-road, there might be edge cases of driving through brush a lot where PPF would stop a lot of surface scratching.

 

[Ag3ntC00p3r]

I had been seriously considering PPF but ultimately put that money into more gear for the truck and travels. The PPF wouldn't have saved me from the major dings I've taken on the hood and ultimately I don't intend on this being a show truck.

I mostly run forest road trails here in WI and UP MI with a trip each fall out west. The first trail scratch stung a bit but every one after that was just the cost of having fun. Plus, PPF won't protect me from the inevitable rock slide or tree swipe.

 

[superj]

It isnt worth it to me. I havent had it on any other vehicle and when i traded or sold those, i got very good money

 

[BTB]

Depends on how you use your truck and how you take care of it….wouldnt bother on a work truck… but if it’s a weekend warrior truck, something to take to cars and coffee, then yeah, I like pff and ceramic coatings

 

[embedded rock]

Since about 2006, I've been doing strategic placement of 3M PPF on my trucks and motorcycles. I buy pieces from eBay that will supply enough for the area I want to do. Is it perfect? No, but it beats a paint chip. I make templates of an area and then transfer to the PPF an cut out the piece.

There are some pre-cut pieces available for certain vehicles. I've used them too--like for the former G37S hood.

Avoid the 3M PPF where the "3M" logo is on the backing paper as that is old stock, and the red ink has bled into the PPF adhesive. The 3M Pro PPF has been working great lately.

 

[superj]

Thats a good way

 

[YukonRanger]

I Put ceramic coat on the whole body, PPF on the door cups, mirrors and front area where majority of impacts and scratches take place.

PPF definitely will protect a bit more from smaller chips and scratches, but The price of a full wrap is about the same cost as a new paint job so really the value doesn't hit it for me.

If my truck gets rashed up I will just get it repainted.

 

[embedded rock]

Clear truck bed liner spray is something I've been wanting to try. Just need to get a can, see how it looks over a painted object, and see how UV affects it.


Rust-Oleum 352594 Automotive Truck Bed Coating Spray, 15 oz, Clear

Dupli-Color Clear truck bed coating is another one.

 

[Fattirz in NC]

My first purchase for paint protection for my ‘25 RR is RokBlokz mudflaps. They just came last week and waiting for the weather to get better before I install them over the Christmas holiday. I’m going to get a good ceramic coating and add PPF in selected areas likely to see the most projectiles and be done. Second purchase will be spray-in bedliner. I’m still unsure of what product to have sprayed???After that, I’ll be adding gear for carrying bikes, kayaks and paddle boards.

 

[B1rdflu]

Short answer, yes! At least on the very front/hood of the vehicle.
Here's my take: I very much appreciate no rock chips on the front of my cars/trucks and I've had slight rust issues arise from standard road wear on the hood. I would have gladly paid $2K more for my 2018 Golf R had it not had a "peppered" front clip. It would have been $4-$6K to bring it back to new.

To me, weather it's a truck, sports car, whatever, If I'm buying used the PPF tells me that the former owner probably cared about the vehicle and took good care of it. I definitely got "dinged" (as it were) when I sold the Golf R given the rock chips.

*Also, I had basic PPF done on my '25 Lariat a few days after I took delivery. It's already saved the lower bumper area from some serious road rocks on the highway and it's guaranteed so I can take it in and have the damaged PPF replaced for free! : )

 

[cc1999]

Just depends if you want to touch up paint chips, use PPF to prevent paint chips or if you don’t care about paint chips at all. Without PPF you will see paint chips possibly quite a few even in 1 year and under 10k. Especially if you’re not leaving the steps in place for protection.

 

[Onceaneagle]

Had XPEL PPF full front + rocker panels + grill + B pillars on my 2021 F150. Ten year transferable warranty. $3000, four years ago. Full day pro installation. AMP Research e-boards, yet paint looked brand new after four years with no chips or scratches anywhere. Took one rock on the hood, the PPF self healed in the sun. Did I get more money on trade in? No, but I traded long distance. Worth it? Yes, especially if you hand wash. I never put it through any carwash. Local estimate for similar coverage on the Ranger is now $3200, $7000 for the entire truck. Not doing entire truck but am thinking about doing what I had before plus areas on rear fenders.

 

[Daweism]

For me, no. Because I trade it in every 3-5 years depending on what the new Raptor is like. So spending 3k+ on a PFF for a vehicle that I won't have in a few years is not worth it.

Now if they release a Ranger Raptor R...That I might keep for more than 5 years, in which case I would probably get it ceramic coated, I still think the PFF is a bit much, I enjoy seeing the shiny paint. The paint itself is to protect the metal underneath.

 

[Onceaneagle]

My first purchase for paint protection for my ‘25 RR is RokBlokz mudflaps. They just came last week and waiting for the weather to get better before I install them over the Christmas holiday. I’m going to get a good ceramic coating and add PPF in selected areas likely to see the most projectiles and be done. Second purchase will be spray-in bedliner. I’m still unsure of what product to have sprayed???After that, I’ll be adding gear for carrying bikes, kayaks and paddle boards.

RE: Spray in. I have used LineX, both Basic and Premium. Basic worked out over ten years very well, no gouging, cuts, etc. But faded and was hard to clean out spilled paint and some chemicals. No mat or tonneau. Next truck, went with Line-X Premium level, for UV. No fade etc. after four years. Spills cleaned up. Had a rubber mat and a tonneau. Looked new at trade. Now have Phoenix Premium. Chemical comp very similar to LineX. Too new to evaluate but looks and feels (and temporarily smelled) like LineX Premium. Have a rubber mat and a tonneau. No experience with LineX MAX or Rhino. Got it sprayed under 1,000 miles and thus lifetime warranty.

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