How would you handle this ppf install? Is this an acceptable install to you?

[Zuko]

I had this ppf installed in late nov on my 25 before it got put away for the winter. The installer said once spring comes to let it sit in the sun for a while to help cure and get rid of bubbles and that if I had any issues this spring to address them with him. This is not a person that does it on the side, this was done at a local shop.

I have about 3/4 of the car wrapped. Only showed pictures of the door, hood corner, front bumper.

I've never had ppf installed before so I do not know what is considered acceptable. In my opinion, he did not cover the corners very well especially on the doors. There are a handful of very small bubbles that have to get worked out yet. I did not include pictures of those.

My initial impression for getting ppf on the bumper was that it would be one piece and there wouldn't be spots missing or pieces lined up together.

What are your thoughts? Is this ppf job considered acceptable or should I ask that he redoes my whole front bumper? Again, I've never had ppf done before so I'm not trying to be overly picky. I just want to have appropriate expectations.

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[GrabThatBlue]

Looks like it's done by Bob Marley.

 

[Skye]

My interpretation of his work is he free-handed those areas with a knife or razor. No one free-hands any more.

At the time I got mine, my installer used Xpel's system. As a franchisee, the installer had access to a database of vehicles and associated body panels. All PPF was cut using large, computer-driven plotters. Installation of the PPF took place in a clean room, to ensure there were no contaminants underneath.

You'll notice how, while I have lines where panels or decals meet, they're clean. Once two-to-three feet away, it's difficult for even me to pick make out where the PPF begins and ends.

PPF is installed very wet. Basking in the Sun, the UV rays and heat help dry and cure the product. After installation, I didn't touch it for close to two weeks, then returned to have any bubbles removed. Some small bubbles can be expected; these can be worked out by the installer.

I would return and request a re-application of those areas.

Edit,

After receiving feedback (see below), it was made clear people do continue to free-hand PPF on vehicles.

 

[rijndael]

No one free-hands any more.

100% wrong. Mine was done from large sheets, cut freehand, and all of the corners are wrapped around. It's Stek wrap.

I had two prices when I was looking to get mine done. The template/plotter install and a custom install. I chose custom. It was $250 (IIRC) more for the front-end.

 

[roadpilot]

Looks like it's done by Bob Marley.

AFTER a few blunts ...

 

[Mustang1987]

Not the cleanest job, but at least it's still being protected. The shop I went to used xpel which was precut and has a warranty. Curious... what was th price?

 

[Zuko]

Not the cleanest job, but at least it's still being protected. The shop I went to used xpel which was precut and has a warranty. Curious... what was th price?

He used Xpel as well. His original quote was 1k for the hood and bumper. He came down a bit as he ended up doing 3/4ths of the car.

 

[dusman59]

That's a do over. I hope you went to a certified Xpel installer. If you did which it seems the price you paid you should have some kind of satisfaction guarantee.

 

[Mustang1987]

He used Xpel as well. His original quote was 1k for the hood and bumper. He came down a bit as he ended up doing 3/4ths of the car.

That's definitely on the cheaper side though, so I don't know how upset you should be

I did the front bumper, hood, mirrors and half the fender area for like $1400

 

[rijndael]

I got the whole front clip done, the door pillars, mirrors, behind the tires for kicked-up stones, and 35% tint on the side and back windows for $2500.

 

[Joe_Stang]

Seeing this makes me not want to get ppf on my car. I wouldn't accept that but that's me. Hopefully he makes it right for you which I think he will

 

[dusman59]

Guess here in AZ there is plenty of competition for PPF. I get Xpel as they have to be ceritied. My guy did front clip,mirrors,A pillars,paratial roof and lower rear infront of back wheels for $800. The front grill takes more than a dozen pieces. Too many places are a rip off. My insaller works in the Xpel booth when Barrett Jackson is in town helping newer installers train with better application techniques.

 

[GripTime]

Seems like an amateur. You have to look at their portfolio and see what kind of cars they do. Do not select one based on price, select based on reputation and past cars they have done.

 

[LouG]

That's entirely unacceptable. It should be redone. All that should have been dealt with by him before the car was laid up to be honest.
My PPF guy doesn't use precut sections, he lays on the sheets and trims to suit.
There's just one small flaw that I chose not to worry about, but he would have redone it if I asked.
FWIW I had PPF from the vent forward, down the sides of the front panels and the larger black trim pieces. $NZ1200. About $US700.

 

[Skye]

So you've gotten some good feedback thus far. FWIW, faced with the same problem, I'm thinking...

Seek out another installer, certified in whatever product they're using, if possible. Established. Get a tour of their facility and the level of work they do. Wash your car before going there. Let them look at the problem, explain yourself and ask for their solution as to how they'd fix it. Price has to be considered, but this should be at the tail end of the conversation. Expect to have the areas you pointed out to be removed and replaced. If things go well, request a quote or ask for how long that price is good for. Set that information aside.

Return to the original installer and explain the work done didn't meet your expectations, not only from an appearance standpoint, but that you have to wonder how well something like that is going to hold up over time, if it won't begin peeling or separating. Think out what you'd like to do as much as possible beforehand. Maybe you'll cut (no pun intended) your losses, get a partial refund and move on to another shop. Maybe you'll give this person another attempt. It'd be up to you how you feel about this person and the rest of his work. The initial attempt was not promising.

The price presented to cover the body areas mentioned was quite low. There are some good installers out there, certified or not, actual businesses or not. Everyone is going to have a feel for when the price is too high or too low. While cost is not the only factor which determines success, often, the additional money spent is for more experience, quality of materials and quality of facility and install.

Above are at least two options to consider. As the thread progresses, more still might come about. Along with your own searches for installers, check any of the local speed shops or car clubs for their feedback as to where to go. If there are vocational schools in the area, pay them a visit as well to see who they know.

Good Luck. If you have time, come back and let us know how things went.

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