PPF and ceramic coating

[drmanny3]

I would argue the opposite. First wash, then you do paint correction by claying if necessary followed by polishing if necessary to get rid of swirl marks. Then you would want to seal the paint with the ceramic coating. Then you would cover those areas that you want protected from rock chips. You can also ceramic coat the film afterwards. If you disagree tell me why other than extra work of doing CC on the film.

i have read that if you put ceramic coating over film you can impact the self healing properties of the film. The other thing I read was that if you ceramic coat the paint first it is harder for the film to adhere. I am not sure I buy the too smooth for film to adhere. They have been applying film to glass surfaces for many years and glass is not a porous surface.

 

[DocL]

I would argue the opposite. First wash, then you do paint correction by claying if necessary followed by polishing if necessary to get rid of swirl marks. Then you would want to seal the paint with the ceramic coating. Then you would cover those areas that you want protected from rock chips. You can also ceramic coat the film afterwards. If you disagree tell me why other than extra work of doing CC on the film.

It's wrong because the PPF won't adhere to the ceramic coating.

 

[Droptopp]

You definitely don’t want to ceramic coat the Xoel as it’s self healing and I’m assuming a coating over the top of that would impact it reference video I posted above with wire brushing.

My Xpel adheres fine to the Gtech ceramic and the carbon roof.

 

[DocL]

You definitely don’t want to ceramic coat the Xoel as it’s self healing and I’m assuming a coating over the top of that would impact it reference video I posted above with wire brushing.

My Xpel adheres fine to the Gtech ceramic and the carbon roof.

Well I guess I stand corrected.

 

[RPM217]

https://dealers.xpel.com/
From the Expel website, you apply the ceramic on top of the PPF, and it doesn't effect the self healing properties, and is the correct way to do it!!! If your Expel dealer tells you otherwise, it's time to find a new dealer!!!

 

[Stkpikr]

https://dealers.xpel.com/
From the Expel website, you apply the ceramic on top of the PPF, and it doesn't effect the self healing properties, and is the correct way to do it!!! If your Expel dealer tells you otherwise, it's time to find a new dealer!!!

I am going to have PPF applied in the Spring. My PPF guys saying don't ceramic before applying the PPF. DO have the car color corrected prior to application if it is a used car. I've had that told to me by several installers.

 

[Hothonda]

⬆︎" Don't ask a barber if you need a haircut"

- Warren Buffett

 

[Stkpikr]

⬆︎" Don't ask a barber if you need a haircut"

- Warren Buffett

That quote would apply BUT, most of these guys do all those services. So if they wanted to maximize their sales they would say sure, ceramic coat before and after PPF in addition to color correct. If they do ceramic it's really doesn't matter whether they do it prior or after the PPF is applied for their sales. The consensus recommendations have been to color correct, apply PPF and then if you want to ceramic the whole car over the PPF, or ceramic the parts not PPF'd.

 

[drmanny3]

This is one of those questions that will garner lots of responses on both sides of the aisle. A good installer can apply protective film on pretty much any painted car surface whether it has been ceramic coated or sealed. They just need to know so that when they wet the film they can use the appropriate amount of alcohol to wet the adhesive on the film. I myself applied 3M Pro film to the hood of my car. It had been ceramic coated several times (once by a dealer and also by myself). The film went down easily, but left what looked like adhesive residue underneath. I pulled it up and sprayed and relayed the film and it went down without any residue showing underneath.

Keep in mind that these shops that apply the film did not design, develop, or manufacturer the film. Glass is not a porous surface, yet you can apply film all day as many Window Tinting companies can testify.

Paint adhesion is always a challenge as you are working with different coefficients of expansion. Eventually if you heat cycle something enough the difference in coefficient of expansion will cause the different layers to come apart. That is why most things that are painted eventually see the paint crack and or flake off. Cars are particular difficult to paint as the temperature variation can be rather dramatic (think Mohave Desert and going up the incline to Big Bear. If you expose two materials often enough to those types of temperatures fluctuations they will eventually separate as the bonds of adhesion are primarily mechanical and not chemical in nature.

 

[Droptopp]

https://dealers.xpel.com/
From the Expel website, you apply the ceramic on top of the PPF, and it doesn't effect the self healing properties, and is the correct way to do it!!! If your Expel dealer tells you otherwise, it's time to find a new dealer!!!

Interesting, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see the benefit of applying to if the film is self healing. The ceramic would not hold up to a scuff like the film would.

I’ll shoot my buddy a message and have him reach out to his rep.

 

[Heavymetals]

Searching the internet, I found the majority to say the ceramic coating goes on top of the film.

Example: https://ceramicpro.com/truth-about-paint-protection-film-ppf/

 

[RPM217]

Searching the internet, I found the majority to say the ceramic coating goes on top of the film.

Example: https://ceramicpro.com/truth-about-paint-protection-film-ppf/

The high end detailing shops, that work with the high end cars, and top films and ceramic coatings, all seem to be in agreement, paint correct (whether new or used) PPF, and then ceramic. Maybe they're wrong, but when I go to a specialist, I usually follow their advice. If I'm going to use Expel's products, I'd take their recommended procedures, rather than someone else's. JMHO

 

[Heavymetals]

Had my yearly inspection done Wed to keep my warranty in force.

They hand wash the car, inspect and repair any coating.

Took 2 hrs @$145.00.

Car looks great.

 

[cjeezy]

I have full body Expel and have just been using the Malco Epic Cr2 ceramic spray every month or so. Works pretty well and a bottle is only like $17.

 

[drtonyprimo]

Which came first the chicken or the egg question?

I can tell you with 1000% certainty…… if you have a top brand ceramic coating done properly at a high end shop:

The PPF film will NOT adhere to the ceramic coating! WILL NOT!

So….. PPF first, Ceramic Coating second!

 

[Heavymetals]

Had my yearly inspection (warranty) for the ceramic coating today.

I call it my $170 car wash. lol

 

[warrenw]

I have my entire 2017 wrapped in XPEL. If you are still wondering about ceramic on top of the XPEL PPF, they actually market their own product just for this purpose.

FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating | XPEL | Surface Protection

Introducing FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating from XPEL, the industry leaders of surface protection. Get hydrophobic, ceramic protection for paint & PPF with FUSION PLUS Ceramic Coating.

www.xpel.com

 

[docjohn]

yep xpel and then boost it baby...

 

[WeakestLink]

Getting ready to schedule PPF for the Type S. Post inflation, they're charging $2450 for XPEL on the front and lower sides. And another $1500 for ceramic (XPEL Fusion Plus). How much different is Fusion Plus compared to the $29 DIY product listed above. I'm sure the Fusion Plus is better (I'm assuming thicker/more permanent) but is the DIY product sufficient?

 

[The Kid]

I PPF'd my entire car, some windshield nonsense and ceramic coated it too. Cost me $6750 I think, struck me as a total rip off. No less than a mile or so after leaving the detail place I got a nasty rock chip, the PPF saved it. I'm sure I could have had it professionally touched up if I didn't PPF it but I plan to rack up the miles on it so it made sense to me. I do all my cars front ends, this is the first time I did a whole car.

 

[WeakestLink]

I'm definitely getting the PPF (front half) as I also got rock chips on my yellow 2020 driving home from the dealership (I think). Just trying to decide if I need the ceramic. I put in on the last 2 NSXs but could never decide if it was worth it.

 

[alum04org]

I'm definitely getting the PPF (front half) as I also got rock chips on my yellow 2020 driving home from the dealership (I think). Just trying to decide if I need the ceramic. I put in on the last 2 NSXs but could never decide if it was worth it.

To share my experience - I had the entire car except rear deck lid and center of rear fascia PPF'D using 3M's GS200 ProSeries (self-healing). My installer, a 3M master installer, advised DO NOT ceramic coat it. So I'm not going to.
YMMV

 

[docjohn]

xpel makes a ceramic coating for their PPF..so mine is coated with such ...I just spritz the boost product when time allows after a bath...

 

[RPM217]

I've got 3 of my 4 cars wrapped entirely in XPEL and ceramic coated, and the 4th wrapped about 1/2 the car, and ceramic coated. The car that was 1/2 wrapped, my wife had an argument with a pillar in the garage at her old office, and the pillar won. The good news is that the wrap saved the car from needing paint work, and I just paid to have the front bumper rewrapped! I regularly "boost" the cars, and they clean up real easy. IMHO, well worth the expense!

 

[WeakestLink]

I'm picking up my car this afternoon after having the front half and rocker panels covered in PPF. While Googling their hours, I randomly came across a thread where someone complained that their iPad will suggest an 18%, 22% or 25% tip. That seems absurd to me. I checked other forums (BMW, Mustang, Tesla etc) that discussed the same topic and the overwhelming majority of respondents said that they do not tip for PPF/ceramic installs.

I tip way above average for dine in restaurants. I'm not a big fan of tipping for takeout orders (separate topic) so I'm probably average there. But I don't tip my plumber, electrician, HVAC contractor, dentist, tire shop or other skilled trades.

Thoughts?