PPF on a new GT4 delivery
Discussion
All my Porsches which I take on track get the same PPF treatment. Full front inc mirrors, side sills with extended cover ahead of rear arches.I also do the rear sills and bumper. Just behind the rear wheels gets a reall battering however its much easier to do the whole rear bumper at the same time.
ollie260 said:
Hi all, I’m taking deliver of a new GT4 in June and I’m planning on getting PPF for the car. However I’m not sure what parts/how much to get covered - I’m planning on tracking the car.
Any recommendations on what areas are susceptible to stone chips and marks?
Personally I'd do the whole car.Any recommendations on what areas are susceptible to stone chips and marks?
I got full PPF as soon as I took delivery. I don’t plan on tracking my car, simply did it to protect the paint.
The guys I used did a fantastic job but there are a few problem areas.
The Xpel template for the wing mirrors and spoiler isn’t great. The template only covers about 60% of the wing mirrors and seams are very obvious especially when the car is dirty. The Xpel template for the spoiler comes in 3 pieces and again, seams and relief cuts are quite obvious. I’m actually getting the PPF removed in those areas tomorrow. I feel there’s a fine line between protection and aesthetics.
The guys I used managed to fully cover the side air intakes with the recessed GT4 lettering. Typically that area has the lettering cut out.
When driving around, I can hear small stones/rocks hitting my car as it’s so low. Don’t know whether it’s the underside or the body but I’m very glad I’ve got PPF installed protecting the paint.
The guys I used did a fantastic job but there are a few problem areas.
The Xpel template for the wing mirrors and spoiler isn’t great. The template only covers about 60% of the wing mirrors and seams are very obvious especially when the car is dirty. The Xpel template for the spoiler comes in 3 pieces and again, seams and relief cuts are quite obvious. I’m actually getting the PPF removed in those areas tomorrow. I feel there’s a fine line between protection and aesthetics.
The guys I used managed to fully cover the side air intakes with the recessed GT4 lettering. Typically that area has the lettering cut out.
When driving around, I can hear small stones/rocks hitting my car as it’s so low. Don’t know whether it’s the underside or the body but I’m very glad I’ve got PPF installed protecting the paint.
And for balance, personally I'd do naff all like I have with my current GT4 
The only time I'd possibly get it done is on something like an RS product with exposed carbon fibre that you can't easily fix with a coat of paint.
I'm well aware I'm not "normal" in the modern Porsche world when it comes to my views on PFF though
The only time I'd possibly get it done is on something like an RS product with exposed carbon fibre that you can't easily fix with a coat of paint.I'm well aware I'm not "normal" in the modern Porsche world when it comes to my views on PFF though
esuuv said:
I agree with Twinfan above - it’s nuts.
My (not GT4) 718 has done 55k - it’s got some patina, but it looks great - this obsession with perfection is very strange.
One of the reasons I got it done is that my car is solid black. Chips and scratches are a lot more obvious. My friend has his in white with no PPF and you can barely his stone chips unless you try looking for them.My (not GT4) 718 has done 55k - it’s got some patina, but it looks great - this obsession with perfection is very strange.
esuuv said:
I agree with Twinfan above - it’s nuts.
My (not GT4) 718 has done 55k - it’s got some patina, but it looks great - this obsession with perfection is very strange.
Good to see I'm not alone, esuuv! The perfection thing is odd to me too. Don't get me wrong I really look after my car but I don't expect it to stay factory fresh for its whole life,My (not GT4) 718 has done 55k - it’s got some patina, but it looks great - this obsession with perfection is very strange.
My GT4 has around 13k miles now and is used on track, has been down plenty of roads covered in chippings etc. There are a couple of chips on the front bumper and plenty in the arches but it's not exactly peppered and in need of a complete respray as some seem to think it would be.
Nice use of "patina" by the way, I get laughed at when I mention that to my PPF loving mates but to me a GT car with it in the right colour looks great
DallySingh said:
One of the reasons I got it done is that my car is solid black. Chips and scratches are a lot more obvious. My friend has his in white with no PPF and you can barely his stone chips unless you try looking for them.
I agree with this. My GT4 RS is Solid Black as well as my recent 3RS WP. Both have exposed CF which can't be touched up like paint. On colours like Silvers or Whites PPF not as crucial as chips don't stand out like sore thumbs.Twinfan said:
esuuv said:
I agree with Twinfan above - it’s nuts.
My (not GT4) 718 has done 55k - it’s got some patina, but it looks great - this obsession with perfection is very strange.
Good to see I'm not alone, esuuv! The perfection thing is odd to me too. Don't get me wrong I really look after my car but I don't expect it to stay factory fresh for its whole life,My (not GT4) 718 has done 55k - it’s got some patina, but it looks great - this obsession with perfection is very strange.
My GT4 has around 13k miles now and is used on track, has been down plenty of roads covered in chippings etc. There are a couple of chips on the front bumper and plenty in the arches but it's not exactly peppered and in need of a complete respray as some seem to think it would be.
Nice use of "patina" by the way, I get laughed at when I mention that to my PPF loving mates but to me a GT car with it in the right colour looks great
Customer of mine just spent £4k getting PPF done on his car because the one he traded in needed £2k worth of paint doing after he had used it for 5 years and didn't want that next time.
Maybe it's me, but that just isn't logical?
deutsche.diagnostics said:
I never get this PPF thing either.
Customer of mine just spent £4k getting PPF done on his car because the one he traded in needed £2k worth of paint doing after he had used it for 5 years and didn't want that next time.
Maybe it's me, but that just isn't logical?
If the money isn't really important then why not when it's fresh out of the factory.Customer of mine just spent £4k getting PPF done on his car because the one he traded in needed £2k worth of paint doing after he had used it for 5 years and didn't want that next time.
Maybe it's me, but that just isn't logical?
It's not something you can easily do 5 years down the line.
deutsche.diagnostics said:
I never get this PPF thing either.
Customer of mine just spent £4k getting PPF done on his car because the one he traded in needed £2k worth of paint doing after he had used it for 5 years and didn't want that next time.
Maybe it's me, but that just isn't logical?
Completely! Customer of mine just spent £4k getting PPF done on his car because the one he traded in needed £2k worth of paint doing after he had used it for 5 years and didn't want that next time.
Maybe it's me, but that just isn't logical?
woodysnr said:
On the subject of PPF there is a lot of uncertainty if you have to inform your insurer that this has been done ,they may class this as a modification ..best check first ...heard of one person where the insurer refused a pay out as not disclosed .
A very good point, and that was an expensive mistake 
I got PPF as mine's a keeper and is predominantly used on road where flying stones and debris is an issue.
The GT4 is prone to rash on the rear bumper trailing edges, the sills, the sideposds, and of course any front exposed edges. It's very low, which makes it very susceptible. I had a custom package of track+a few other bits....
-Full front end:
Bonnet (Wrapped Edges)
Front Wings (wrapped Edges)
Headlights/indicators.
Bumper (wrapped edges)
Mirrors.
- Full Sills with side pods/inlets.
- A-Pillars including top of roof and leading edge.
- Rear sections behind rear wheels on the back bumper.
I felt full coverage was a bit OTT for my needs especially with the ceramic coatings I had etc which help for UV protection etc. I've posted this before, but I had lots of other things done at the same time, end results here if you've not seen... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The GT4 is prone to rash on the rear bumper trailing edges, the sills, the sideposds, and of course any front exposed edges. It's very low, which makes it very susceptible. I had a custom package of track+a few other bits....
-Full front end:
Bonnet (Wrapped Edges)
Front Wings (wrapped Edges)
Headlights/indicators.
Bumper (wrapped edges)
Mirrors.
- Full Sills with side pods/inlets.
- A-Pillars including top of roof and leading edge.
- Rear sections behind rear wheels on the back bumper.
I felt full coverage was a bit OTT for my needs especially with the ceramic coatings I had etc which help for UV protection etc. I've posted this before, but I had lots of other things done at the same time, end results here if you've not seen... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by kmpowell on Friday 21st April 14:48
kmpowell said:
I got PPF as mine's a keeper and is predominantly used on road where flying stones and debris is an issue.
OK, now that makes sense. I think the problem for me is no one I know ever keeps their cars, they buy them knowing full well 2 or 3 years they will be moving it on. That is why it doesn't make sense to me.
It is like speccing an option you don't want yourself, you know you will not see more than 25-30% of your money back on come resale but "The next owner will get to enjoy it.".
But if the car is a keeper, it makes more sense.
My Mrs has PPF on her Range and a few weeks ago, someone scraped the back of her car whilst we were at the gym. It must've been light contact as it didn't dent the bumper but the rear corner, centre section and boot lid had horrendous white scratches on it. God knows who it was or what kind of manoeuvre they were trying.
Anyways, the guys who installed my PPF said they were positive that once they remove the PPF, there will be zero paintwork damage. After collecting my GT4 from them, I left the Range. They replaced the PPF and it was true what they said, zero damage to the paintwork and it's as if nothing ever happened.
Saved us from getting the rear re-sprayed. I know people will ask; "but how much did the PPF cost vs a respray". The fact we could get this sorted in one day and she's not without her car is what made this a good choice for us.
Anyways, the guys who installed my PPF said they were positive that once they remove the PPF, there will be zero paintwork damage. After collecting my GT4 from them, I left the Range. They replaced the PPF and it was true what they said, zero damage to the paintwork and it's as if nothing ever happened.
Saved us from getting the rear re-sprayed. I know people will ask; "but how much did the PPF cost vs a respray". The fact we could get this sorted in one day and she's not without her car is what made this a good choice for us.
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