Where to Put the PPF

[colnago1331]

So I plan on getting PPF installed on my new car; the question is - where? Not what local company should I have do it, but rather where on the car should I have PPF installed. The front bumper cover is a given, as is the front of the hood. I'm also thinking the front fenders and probably the mirrors. But after that, I'm not sure. The biggest concern I have relates to the sides, since we have the functional brake vents just before the front doors. Are people seeing a lot of debris coming out of those brake vents and scratching up the sides of the car? The other place I was considering was on the rear quarterpanels behind the rear wheel arch.

What say the hive mind?

 

[robz32]

the highlighted areas on the photo posted are the main ones, the only thing I would change is, instead of doing the partial hood, I'd cover it completely.

The side air vents do see some debris, however it is not enough to cause any damage to the sides of the car.

The areas in the lower quarter panel and rocker panels, near the rear wheels, are considered a high impact area, and Kia actually puts ppf there, whenever you add the paint protection package on their site. If yours doesn't have protection there, I would add it too.

 

[SKStinger]

I don't think the full fender is worth it. I'd do the full hood before full fender.

My usual is:
- Full or partial hood (if you get partial, get the larger size partial that gives more coverage and then the partial fenders to match the cut-off line)
- Front bumper
- Headlights
- A pillars
- Mirrors
- Door cups

What I tend to do is pay an installer to do the front bumper/fenders and the hood as that is the most difficult to wrap and is way easier with two people.

I wrap the other stuff myself. You can find pre-cut kits for any car online.

 

[Aarvix]

Get full panels done, partial panels will have a seam that looks tacky and collects dirt.

There's several cars in our parking lot at work with partial hoods and the edge of the PPF is glaringly obvious.

 

[colnago1331]

So there are two places locally that come highly recommended. For full front (bumper, full hood, full fenders) & mirror the price is around $1,800 for one place and $1,900 for the other. Does this sound reasonable price-wise?

 

[Aarvix]

I paid $2K for all that plus rockers, so it sounds reasonable (unless we both got ripped off).

The PPF has saved my paint soooo many times (including a truck dropping a bag of pea gravel right in front of me at 75mph.....zero paint damage), I consider it money well spent.

 

[amehring1982]

So there are two places locally that come highly recommended. For full front (bumper, full hood, full fenders) & mirror the price is around $1,800 for one place and $1,900 for the other. Does this sound reasonable price-wise?

I got a quote for $1750 so seems about right.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Full hood, and wrap around the rear edge: will save the edge from getting chipped if/when the wiper arm(s) are pulled up (and of course, without that line the hood looks better). I have everything back to the windshield covered (mirror cups are not covered on mine). The whole job was $950 (that was a discount; their normal price was shy of $1,500).

 

[colnago1331]

So here's what i can get for $1,800 around Central Ohio....



I'm thinking I may try to negotiate this plus Llumar/Formula One Pinnacle tint (normally $400) for $2,000.

 

[jalcala]

I did the following areas:

Front bumper
headlights
side view mirrors

Future areas:

full hood
left and right fenders

Some have suggested the area above the windshield and just before the sunroof.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I did the following areas:

Front bumper
headlights
side view mirrors

Future areas:

full hood
left and right fenders

Some have suggested the area above the windshield and just before the sunroof.

Oh, yeah, I got my headlights PPFed too; forgot that detail. Thanks for reminding me.