Is PPF worth it?

[BTB]

One thing positive about getting ceramic coating and ppf, if you are going to a quality shop is paint correction. Again, probably not something i worry about on an offroad truck but if you want your paint to pop, getting all the overspray from the factory all leveled out can make a difference. Ford is better than some but worse than others when it comes to paint, ymmv

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[nate.co]

This is a really good point -- I did correction on the Audi but didn't do it on the RR.

Great looking Miata!

 

[Onceaneagle]

Sponsored UPPF site link below but has a name brand list I researched. Used XPEL. Not much difference to me between high-level films. The installer matters. Pay attention to where the PPF ends like on the skull caps, for collecting dirt. Look for wrapped around edges inside the wheel well lips and under the hood and bumper, as some installers leave small folds in those areas that crud up or can catch air and lose adhesion. It also looks amateur, especially for the money.

I have an unneeded pop riveted front license plate bracket to be drilled out and plugged before film goes on. Ford color match plugs available. Might use plugs or fill and paint the holes.

Best PPF: Top 10 Paint Protection Film Brands (2025) | UPPF USA

BumperPlugs for Ford (& Lincoln)

 

[pablo94sc]

I'm considering adding some vinyl to the hood mainly for ascetics (black stripe), but also to help with rock chips on the leading edge. Maybe some strategic clear vinyl on the fenders as well. I plan to self apply ceramic on the hood and roof for some better bird and tree dropping protection before next summer's road trip. Until then, it's just regular visits to the car wash to keep the poo and sap to a minimum.

 

[jordantii]

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

What tint did you use that cost 1k, Stratos?

 

[jordantii]

I'm thinking all I want to protect would be the sides and the front of the truck. Too bad there is nothing that you can just put on or apply when going off road instead of forking over 3-5k for PPF.

 

[Onceaneagle]

In shopping around for PPF, XPEL has a kit that protects the area from the rear wheel well forward to the gap between the bed and the cab. $75 a side, installed, plus tax. Having that put on in January along with PPF full front and nano ceramic window film, weather permitting.

 

[av8r]

PPF can and will discolor, stain and become brittle over time. Bug hits can cause stains that cannot be removed. If there are specific areas on the RR where chips are common, I'd PPF those, but nothing else.

 

[av8r]

In shopping around for PPF, XPEL has a kit that protects the area from the rear wheel well forward to the gap between the bed and the cab. $75 a side, installed, plus tax. Having that put on in January along with PPF full front and nano ceramic window film, weather permitting.

@Onceaneagle can you link to these kits that include install for $75? I can't get door handle PPF installed near me for $75.

 

[Onceaneagle]

@Onceaneagle can you link to these kits that include install for $75? I can't get door handle PPF installed near me for $75.

No link but this is the quote from my XPEL installer, Wichita Clear Bra:

Wichita Clear Bra
Ford Ranger Protection Options
To be installed January 8, 2026

2025 Ford Ranger Lariat
PPF Full Front Package (Truck/SUV): $2,195.00
Install XPEL Ultimate PPF on: - Full Hood - Full Fenders - Full Bumper (excludes trim/splitter or aero kit) - Mirrors – Headlamps
Estimated duration: 8 hours

​

PPF Rear Impact: $150.00
Install XPEL Ultimate PPF on Rear Impact areas / front of rear wheels.
Estimated duration: 1 hour 30 mins

​

Tint Full - Sedan/Truck (XR - Ceramic): $590.00
Install window film on side and rear windows. 35% on Front two. Rear % to match as close as possible to front.
Estimated duration: 5 hours

​

Tint Windshield (XR - Ceramic): $300.00
Install XPEL window film on windshield. 70%
Estimated duration: 2 hours 30 mins

​

Subtotal $3,235.00
SEDCO tax (7.5%): $242.63

Total: $3477.63

 

[jordantii]

Do we have anything like this in the US? Why do the Ausies have all the cool shit...?

https://www.bushbarrier.com.au/products/ford-ranger-raptor-next-gen-t6

 

[momike]

I’m getting quotes for 7000+ for full ppf here on the western slope of CO. That’s a lot of money. And they’d need to keep it for a week, so what a production to drive 6h to the front range and do this for cheaper.

 

[Onceaneagle]

I’m getting quotes for 7000+ for full ppf here on the western slope of CO. That’s a lot of money. And they’d need to keep it for a week, so what a production to drive 6h to the front range and do this for cheaper.

$7K for the full truck is the going price here. Don't know about a week, however.

 

[Onceaneagle]

Had XPEL Ultimate PPF and Nano ceramic window film installed by Wichita Clear Bra who had also done my F150 back in 2021. Nice day for it, for Winter in Kansas.

The PPF covers the full hood, front fenders, Ruby Red painted grill, lights, fog lights, skull caps, and the area behind the cab rearward to the rear wheel well opening, then up to just under the fuel fill door, both sides same level, and wrapped around the bed between the bed and the cab. Neatly trimmed around the license plate bumper plugs.

The window film includes the windshield.

While there the Tech asked if I wanted the straight black plastic parts of the grill done less the black grid which would be really hard to do, for an additional $250. Sure.

8 hours of installation time, which also included a prewash by hand and clay bar. Total cost $3,746.38 w/ tax.

These guys are really good at what they do. IMO you can get great PPF and ceramic film at many places, but it is the installer that makes the difference. In March or April, I will have them put on a four-year XPEL ceramic coating over the entire truck, windows, wheels.

BTW, the white blob on the truck hood is not bird poop; it is the Internet antenna on my garage reflecting off the PPF.

 

[danmoochie]

Simple to me, it's a truck. If you are worried about trade in, rare is it that it will change the value with normal dints dings and small chips. All of which the dealer already does repairs on for most cars and trucks. If I was driving a 100K sports car that I wanted to keep 100% perfect, then a higher probability I would say yes, but to me it's a total waste of money on a truck or a normal value vehicle. Remember, even most mods on truckS are rarely going to bring you extra cash at trade in. Most dealers will tell you that your mods are personal, and most people don't see value, so you will not recoup your money, We never over allowed for common basic mods, lifts, or wheels on trucks. It was rare we looked at anything and added value to auction and resale pricing. So, a BIG NO FOR ME.

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