My R1T Arrived!!! (& PPF?)

[shamoo]

Regarding PPF, it is of course a personal preference. If you don't care, then don't get it.

I always get it for all my vehicles, whether it is a nice car, or a basic daily driver. And yes, I would pay "thousands more" for a pristine car when buying one. In fact, I did (my X5M). I also had the PPF reapplied after 25K miles from my own installer and after nearly 40K miles now, the front end looks like it came out of the showroom.

Some people don't care, and that's perfectly acceptable. "It is a truck, its going to get scratched up and used". I also use my vehicles and mine look perfectly new AND resell for significantly higher because of its condition.

I will always know that there's an extra ~$2K on top of vehicle cost when I buy something. I don't need the full body PPF because at that point, the cost/ROI isn't worth it to me. I will only do the front (hood, fenders, headlights, A-pillars) and my PPF guy will also do some extras (rear bumper top, behind door handles, etc).

If you DO decide to get PPF, make sure you go to a reputable installer. That is everything. Don't go to the cheapest place because it will show. Expect $2K-ish for front end PPF. Anything $1K I would skip.

For the R1T, the bottom area behind the "fender vent" should also be protected (I believe the factory may have some there already).

Sponsored

 

[No.92]

I'll be driving the R1T on the jersey highways and they are usually a mess with all the trucks.



Guy near my quoted me 5K to PPF entire truck, said he usually charges 6,500 but really wants the truck in his shop/portfolio/instagram. He was super excited that I called.

Why do graphene or ceramic coating over PPF? Does it improve the look or strengthen the film?



This is the big thing I keep thinking about...how much would it cost to do the bumper if it does get chewed up enough to where it really starts to make me crazy.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!!!

Up to you but I didn't see a need to ppf the entire truck. I would only do the front and the frunk lid. Then graphene coat it as a very hard armor over it. I think it should prevent discoloration over time too

 

[ksujeff99]

I had XPEL Ultimate PPF applied to the front end of my 2013 F-150 within a few days of purchase. I just found the receipt - $500. Per my sig, I still own that truck, now with about 120k miles. The PPF looks pristine. There are no rock chips or bug gut ghost marks or anything marring the areas to which it was applied. Maybe it's can't be peeled off anymore. I don't care. It'll be traded in or sold on AutoTrader/Craigslist when I get my Rivian anyway.

Will I get it again?
Yes, absolutely due to the large amount of flat, painted surfaces on the Rivian's front end. Would it be the same cost to have the front end corrected from rock chips and whatnot after 5 years? Maybe. But why deal with a shop down the road to fix something which can be avoided now? I want the front end to look good all the time, not just after I take it to a shop to have the chips fixed.

I was more into car care previous to kids/divorce but now it's the monthly subscription tunnel car wash 2-3 times per week with the full package - spray wax, rain protectant, tire shine, etc. Yep, the kind with the dreaded spinning things that touch your truck! I'm not taking it to cars & coffee on Sunday morning but it still looks great to me after being washed that way hundreds of times. And I'll likely treat the Rivian the same way.

 

[BHWhite]

I would do front bumper PPF and graphene coating all around. Is it expensive? Yes but worth every penny. I paid $3000 for mine in California.

Hi, where in CA?

 

[MXA121]

To me it is all about ROI.
PPF is basically a zero ROI investment. It's for you only. If you are going to keep this truck for 10 years, wrap that thing up! If you cannot stand the idea of a rock chip on your $100k super truck, wrap it up! But remember, that $3k or whatever you put into it won't be returned at resale (and most people that wrap also tend to swap cars often?).

I originally thought I would wrap the whole truck, since I actually go off-road and my ZR2 has taken a beating. BUT - I don't keep vehicles forever, and I don't mind normal wear/tear from using it (rock chips, etc). To me, pinstripes from trail usage are a badge of honor (and can be buffed out btw).

I suppose one justification for us pre March 1 folks is that the cost of paint protection is still less than today's MSRP adjustment. So...you will get it back at resale?

 

[njcoach24]

To me it is all about ROI.
PPF is basically a zero ROI investment. It's for you only. If you are going to keep this truck for 10 years, wrap that thing up! If you cannot stand the idea of a rock chip on your $100k super truck, wrap it up! But remember, that $3k or whatever you put into it won't be returned at resale (and most people that wrap also tend to swap cars often?).

I originally thought I would wrap the whole truck, since I actually go off-road and my ZR2 has taken a beating. BUT - I don't keep vehicles forever, and I don't mind normal wear/tear from using it (rock chips, etc). To me, pinstripes from trail usage are a badge of honor (and can be buffed out btw).

I suppose one justification for us pre March 1 folks is that the cost of paint protection is still less than today's MSRP adjustment. So...you will get it back at resale?

I completely agree with zero ROI...I'm not sure why I still lean towards wanting the wrap though. I feel a good ceramic or graphene coating will be enough, even for off roading. And as others pointed out, any major rock chips will cut through the paint film anyway. I think what is messing with my head is coming out of a 40K Lincoln and getting into an 80K Rivian. I read somewhere the same thing with Tesla owners, when they come out of something like a Prius and into their Tesa they want to wrap right away because this is the biggest car purchase they ever made. At least for me this is also the case, all my other cars have been sub 50K.

I also realize that a silver or white car, the chips/swirls aren't as noticeable anyway. But how upset will I be if I get one that "could have" been prevented or will it go through the wrap anyway and I need to drop another 2K to fix the wrap vs just getting it touchup'd and buffed.

Sponsored