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Is PPF worth it?

Raiken1

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A full body ppf job is very expensive and hard to justify as many have said. I went with hood, mirrors, headlights, painted portion of front bumper and the silver piece in the middle of the front bumper. I paid about $1100. It has already save me from some rock strikes. I think the front is definitely worth it. We did the same on our Bronco.
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cc1999

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I have done a few trucks now, and I typically do the 1st 1/4 edge of the hoods, the rockers.
A little extra on the rear fender bulges on the Raptors.
I also tend to do the front facia or bumper if paired bumper.

I don’t recall ever paying over $1000 for any of my trucks.
‘It for sure has saved me several paint chips.
 

MasterCylinder

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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!
$7K wowsers. I can spray a lot of paint for that kind of money! :giggle:
 

Onceaneagle

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I have done a few trucks now, and I typically do the 1st 1/4 edge of the hoods, the rockers.
A little extra on the rear fender bulges on the Raptors.
I also tend to do the front facia or bumper if paired bumper.

I don’t recall ever paying over $1000 for any of my trucks.
‘It for sure has saved me several paint chips.
Who did yours? Wichita Clear Bra, ICT Autopros, and Dave's Detail are about the same price but I get more coverage than you usually get.
 
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Donnie B

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I did EXPEL here in Colorado Springs and ceramic coated the entire vehicle. My PPF was around $1,200 and I did the ceramic coating myself......and never looked back. Don't forget ceramic coating the wheel wells and inside the wheels.....and everything else!!!!!

My wife and I live at 9,000 feet at the base of Pikes Peak on 2 miles of dirt road before hitting pavement. You see where I'm going with this :)

Ford Ranger Is PPF worth it? IMG_0819


Ford Ranger Is PPF worth it? 20251104_093854
 

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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!
I wrapped mine myself took a few weekends but I did it cost me about 2k for everything I needed. I do trail mine in some pretty rough trails its done great any area where wrap took a good hit i was about to cut a piece to fit to repair it.
 

ozraptor

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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.
My PPF has saved the paint from a lot of damage while off-roading (rocks, sticks, overgrown trails, etc) and cleanup after (washing heavy mud and rocks off your paint will slowly damage it no matter how careful you are). As everyone said, it just depends on how you plan to use it, but PPF has definitely been worth it for me.

That said, $7K is really high and probably some kind of premium option I wouldn't bother with. You can get a Bushwrapz DIY kit for < $1.5K AUD
 

cc1999

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Who did yours? Wichita Clear Bra, ICT Autopros, and Dave's Detail are about the same price but I get more coverage than you usually get.
http://www.holdersdetailing.com/

Andrew does a lot of the really high end vehicles here in the area and several from outside the area, guys from all over the country ship there exotics to him.
‘When my RR was in his shop , it was in there with some sort of Lamborghini, Porsche, and a Benz.
Andrew also did the sound mat deadening in my roof and doors, as well as the two tone vinyl wrap on the belly of both my RRs in addition to the PPF On pretty much all my vehicles. Actually all my vehicles have had some custom work done by Andrew.

I heard about Andrew’s shop shop years ago from my mopar mechanic.
‘Which is also Hoovies garages mopar mechanic.

I figured if all these clients trust him with their exotics, that’s the detail oriented sort of guy I want working on my stuff too.

His prices have always been fair too.
 

Onceaneagle

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http://www.holdersdetailing.com/

Andrew does a lot of the really high end vehicles here in the area and several from outside the area, guys from all over the country ship there exotics to him.
‘When my RR was in his shop , it was in there with some sort of Lamborghini, Porsche, and a Benz.
Andrew also did the sound mat deadening in my roof and doors, as well as the two tone vinyl wrap on the belly of both my RRs in addition to the PPF On pretty much all my vehicles. Actually all my vehicles have had some custom work done by Andrew.

I heard about Andrew’s shop shop years ago from my mopar mechanic.
‘Which is also Hoovies garages mopar mechanic.

I figured if all these clients trust him with their exotics, that’s the detail oriented sort of guy I want working on my stuff too.

His prices have always been fair too.
Thanks so much!
 

YukonRanger

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Oh
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.
Good summary, whats the offset on those rims?
 

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Glisch

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My last truck had PPF installed around it. After 3ish years dirt accumulated pretty heavily around some of the edges and made it look terrible. Not sure if that's a normal outcome or a bad install, but I won't be using it again.
 

superj

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I did EXPEL here in Colorado Springs and ceramic coated the entire vehicle. My PPF was around $1,200 and I did the ceramic coating myself......and never looked back. Don't forget ceramic coating the wheel wells and inside the wheels.....and everything else!!!!!

My wife and I live at 9,000 feet at the base of Pikes Peak on 2 miles of dirt road before hitting pavement. You see where I'm going with this :)

IMG_0819.webp


20251104_093854.webp

So we drive by your house when we go to pike's peak? Thsts cool

I cannot believe they do a bicycle race up that road
 

Donnie B

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If you are coming up Highway 24 from Colorado Springs, you'll need to go a little further to pass by our house as we are at the top of the hill.....as it should be :)
 

purdyd

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I got the factory installed ppf option. So front hood, front sides., and in front of rear wheels.

I also installed ppf on the front headlights and fog lights.

i like the idea if installing on the rocker. I think that would be an easy diy project Since it curves in only one direction and is mostly hidden anyway.

i think the mirrors would be smart,

I wouldn’t bother with the front silver plastic part, very easy to paint that

i would think a full wrap is excessive

one thing I learned installing is complex curves are a pain to install ppf on. Professional install on those would be worth it.

dirt does show at the seam but so far easy to cleanup.

I can imagine it is easy to have some residue left there after install
 

nate.co

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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!

Hey, CO front range driver here -- your quote is a little high I think. I did the front quarter panels, hood, mirrors first for $1500. Then a couple months later I went back and did the doors and bed sides for another $3500. So all in was $5K for the PPF. Nothing on the roof or the tailgate, also skipped the A-pillars. I of course immediately scratched my tailgate with a screwdriver but that's another story.

There's two big brands as far as I can tell -- 3M and Xpel. I had an Audi with Xpel on it and the finish is a little bit dimpled like an orange almost. It's subtle and you can't really tell unless you are like 2" away from it, but it does have a very slight texture. 3M is more smooth, and I've heard that Xpel has better "self-healing" but that might just be marketing.

I went with 3M on the RR mostly because there's a 3M installer 2 miles from my house and they did the window tint as well. Side note, 50% tint on the windshield is the best thing I've ever done. You can't really tell it's tinted from the outside and it cuts down on heat so much in the summer it's amazing. No issues with it being too dark at night. Did 20% tint on the side windows as well. Tint for windows and windshield was $1K
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