Paint Care Protection Thread

[Spiffster]

PPF or nothing IMO. Here in the rocky mountains the ceramic stuff alone isnt gonna save your paint from even one winter season. I see it as more something that will make the car easier to clean for maybe a year at best. Also, with products like Xpel Stealth you can give any color a matte finish, which looks great for some colors, not so great for others. Downside obviously is cost, but if youre spending upwards of 80k on a vehicle, why not. Also consider resale value.

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[Temerarius]

I'll be doing a full wrap and ceramic coating on mine.

I've done this on the last 3 cars I've had/have. The PPF has saved my front end from innumerable chips, my doors from door dings, and my back end from my dogs inability to gauge a proper jumping height and distance.

Ceramic on the outside just helps keep it clean, it won't help prevent chips or anything, but it does make clean up a breeze. And again, as I said previously, if you are doing either a PPF or Vinyl wrap, it will make your life that much better. It not only helps keep it clean/make clean up easier, but the fact it blocks UV means that your PPF has very little chance of yellowing (which, to be honest, most modern ones don't do nearly as bad as the older ones did).

I also have parts of the interior Ceramic coated. Especially leather andlight color surfaces that will see lots of use (seats, doors, arm rests, etc) as it blocks UV damage (leather), oils from your hands leaving marks or damaging the surface (leather again), or colour transfer (white seats plus blue jeans can be a nightmare in my experience with my Tesla).

It costs a pretty penny, but so to did the truck.

 

[DuckTruck]

I'll be doing a full wrap and ceramic coating on mine.

I've done this on the last 3 cars I've had/have. The PPF has saved my front end from innumerable chips, my doors from door dings, and my back end from my dogs inability to gauge a proper jumping height and distance.

Ceramic on the outside just helps keep it clean, it won't help prevent chips or anything, but it does make clean up a breeze. And again, as I said previously, if you are doing either a PPF or Vinyl wrap, it will make your life that much better. It not only helps keep it clean/make clean up easier, but the fact it blocks UV means that your PPF has very little chance of yellowing (which, to be honest, most modern ones don't do nearly as bad as the older ones did).

I also have parts of the interior Ceramic coated. Especially leather andlight color surfaces that will see lots of use (seats, doors, arm rests, etc) as it blocks UV damage (leather), oils from your hands leaving marks or damaging the surface (leather again), or colour transfer (white seats plus blue jeans can be a nightmare in my experience with my Tesla).

It costs a pretty penny, but so to did the truck.

I really need to learn more about the value of a ceramic coating over any PPF. Until recently, I assumed it was an either/or proposition. I'd never heard about putting ceramic over a PPF layer until reading about it here in these Forums, along with sites such as:

https://www.exclusivedetail.com/best-paint-protection-film/

One advantage they mention about LLumar and SunTek is that both have hydrophobic properties which (somewhat?) negate the need for a ceramic coat. The friends that have PPF on their cars swear by the XPEL line, but I'm looking forward to hearing more from all of you about your preferences.

I recently saw a Sarge Green Jeep Wrangler both before and after a matted coat was applied (don't know the PPF manufacturer). I thought it looked great beforehand, but it sure looked that much better in matted. I would love to see an R1T in Launch Green with a matted PPF before having to make that decision. I'm also wondering if anyone here can tell me if they've ever had a matted coat with a ceramic coating over it. Does it dimnish the matted effect and add shine, or does it retain the full matted finish?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Temerarius]

I'm also wondering if anyone here can tell me if they've ever had a matted coat with a ceramic coating over it. Does it diminish the matted effect and add shine, or does it retain the full matted finish?

Thanks in advance.

From my experience, no. It doesn't change the "matted" effect of the PPF or of a matte vinyl wrap, it does shift the colour slightly though, generally making it a little bit darker and a little deeper in tone (if you have a colour vinyl wrap).

My Tesla X here has had the Ceramic coating done to it. The wrap is a 3M Matte Blue Metallic. If you look at the sample on the site, and compare to my Tesla, you can get a sense of the shift (kinda).

Uncoated:

Coated:

There is of course the difference in lighting and angle... but it does cause a slight shift in the colour, not the sheen.

I will also note, that IF you do a color vinyl wrap, I advise avoiding the high sheen versions, they scratch like mad. You can only do gentle hand wash. You can pull some of the scratches out with a buffing wheel, but you have to be very careful.

On the flip side, PPF is durable stuff, and when professionally installed, holds up very well, especially with a ceramic coating. I advise doing a tuck on the edges if you can though, else you get lines near the edges of your panels, as well, wrapping an entire panel (so not just doing a bra on the hood for example).

Ceramic's only downside that I've seen, is it will need some love. Eventually, a new application is needed (as it will wear down). Some packages will last longer than others, but in general, if you have the rig for 3+ years, chances are, it will need a reapplication. The place I go to offers plans where you can bring your ride in at scheduled times, and they will reapply for a reduced rate.

 

[Aroohoo]

From my experience, no. It doesn't change the "matted" effect of the PPF or of a matte vinyl wrap, it does shift the colour slightly though, generally making it a little bit darker and a little deeper in tone (if you have a colour vinyl wrap).

My Tesla X here has had the Ceramic coating done to it. The wrap is a 3M Matte Blue Metallic. If you look at the sample on the site, and compare to my Tesla, you can get a sense of the shift (kinda).

Uncoated:

Coated:

There is of course the difference in lighting and angle... but it does cause a slight shift in the colour, not the sheen.

I will also note, that IF you do a color vinyl wrap, I advise avoiding the high sheen versions, they scratch like mad. You can only do gentle hand wash. You can pull some of the scratches out with a buffing wheel, but you have to be very careful.

On the flip side, PPF is durable stuff, and when professionally installed, holds up very well, especially with a ceramic coating. I advise doing a tuck on the edges if you can though, else you get lines near the edges of your panels, as well, wrapping an entire panel (so not just doing a bra on the hood for example).

Ceramic's only downside that I've seen, is it will need some love. Eventually, a new application is needed (as it will wear down). Some packages will last longer than others, but in general, if you have the rig for 3+ years, chances are, it will need a reapplication. The place I go to offers plans where you can bring your ride in at scheduled times, and they will reapply for a reduced rate.

I forsee a bunch of us Seattle R1 owners getting in on a group deal ?

I've been looking for places that can do a custom vinyl graphic. A topographiical map of Ranier or the North Cascades.
I like standing out and having only one if the handful of Rivians in the area apparently isn't enough?

 

[DuckTruck]

From my experience, no. It doesn't change the "matted" effect of the PPF or of a matte vinyl wrap, it does shift the colour slightly though, generally making it a little bit darker and a little deeper in tone (if you have a colour vinyl wrap).

My Tesla X here has had the Ceramic coating done to it. The wrap is a 3M Matte Blue Metallic. If you look at the sample on the site, and compare to my Tesla, you can get a sense of the shift (kinda).

Uncoated:

Coated:

There is of course the difference in lighting and angle... but it does cause a slight shift in the colour, not the sheen.

I will also note, that IF you do a color vinyl wrap, I advise avoiding the high sheen versions, they scratch like mad. You can only do gentle hand wash. You can pull some of the scratches out with a buffing wheel, but you have to be very careful.

On the flip side, PPF is durable stuff, and when professionally installed, holds up very well, especially with a ceramic coating. I advise doing a tuck on the edges if you can though, else you get lines near the edges of your panels, as well, wrapping an entire panel (so not just doing a bra on the hood for example).

Ceramic's only downside that I've seen, is it will need some love. Eventually, a new application is needed (as it will wear down). Some packages will last longer than others, but in general, if you have the rig for 3+ years, chances are, it will need a reapplication. The place I go to offers plans where you can bring your ride in at scheduled times, and they will reapply for a reduced rate.

Temerarius,

Thank you! That's all great info. I'd only consider color-free, whether matted or clear. I really like the Launch Green, but would love see a matted version first. I would imagine a matted PPF would require more labor to tuck all of the edges for a consistent finish.

Good to know that a ceramic finish doesn't impact the matted nature of that PPF.

BTW, your Tesla looks great!

Thanks again!

 

[Temerarius]

I've been looking for places that can do a custom vinyl graphic. A topographical map of Ranier or the North Cascades.

There was a place I talked with about doing my X, they do a lot of the wraps that have images to them (racing rigs and commercial setups).

They were... expensive.

It sounded like lots of labor in getting just the right stretch in the wrap and lining up the lines and such between the panels. Not something I have the skill set for, nor the patience. Good wrap folks are artists, and you would never know it's a wrap (no lines, creases, bubbles or overlapping).

That said, you could probably find a shop to do it pretty easily.

BTW, your Tesla looks great!

Thanks!

I'm debating what I want to do with my Rivian, either a PPF or a colour wrap. If I go colour...the sky is kinda the limit. A neighbor of mine did their Range Rover in, what I can only describe as "Pepto Bismol Pink"... it... uhhh... stands out...

 

[DuckTruck]

There was a place I talked with about doing my X, they do a lot of the wraps that have images to them (racing rigs and commercial setups).

They were... expensive. It sounded like lots of labor in getting just the right stretch in the wrap and lining up the lines and such between the panels. Not something I have the skillset for, nor the patience, good wrap folks are artists, and you would never know it's a wrap.

That said, you could probably find a shop to do it pretty easily.



Thanks!

I'm debating what I want to do with my Rivian, either a PPF or a colour wrap. If I go colour...the sky is kinda the limit. A neighbor of mine did their Ranger Rover in, what I can only describe as "Pepto Bismol Pink"... it... uhhh... stands out...

Given Pepto Bismol's purpose, it's ironic that just the thought of any vehicle in that color makes me want to throw up. ?

 

[kanundrum]

Just Detailed my sisters Ioniq5 and did Ceramic Coating.

Paint it self being black was HEAVILY scratched/marked from dealership.

So I used the following

AIO is a great product for those who are DIYs but for black paint its a lost battle as for 1000% perfection its tough and you have to start cutting beyond AIO. I didn't want to go to deep so I was happy with taking care of 80% of the deep surface scratches and leaving a few things that you can only see with a inspection light.


Example: The same panel above with that deep scratch is now gone, all items you see are a reflection again 75% to 80% better because black paint lol.

After all correction was done, I applied glass wax to all glass surfaces and then used the ceramic coating to protect everything for 3 years (ideally 1.5) with the FICTECH coating pictured above. Result is

@Canthoney @GaryL @SeaGeo

 

[mgc0216]

Gorgeous work @kanundrum

 

[kanundrum]

Gorgeous work @kanundrum

C+ at best, I hate when I get do something 100% lol. If you have an inspection light you are like OUCH. lol

 

[Canthoney]

Just Detailed my sisters Ioniq5 and did Ceramic Coating.

Paint it self being black was HEAVILY scratched/marked from dealership.

So I used the following

AIO is a great product for those who are DIYs but for black paint its a lost battle as for 1000% perfection its tough and you have to start cutting beyond AIO. I didn't want to go to deep so I was happy with taking care of 80% of the deep surface scratches and leaving a few things that you can only see with a inspection light.


Example: The same panel above with that deep scratch is now gone, all items you see are a reflection again 75% to 80% better because black paint lol.

After all correction was done, I applied glass wax to all glass surfaces and then used the ceramic coating to protect everything for 3 years (ideally 1.5) with the FICTECH coating pictured above. Result is

@Canthoney @GaryL @SeaGeo

Looks good man! Sucks the paint was scratched from the dealer though. The black trim on my Kia was all scratched up too, but paint correction will fix it no problem. Love the contrast between the gray and black on the Ioniq, looks so mean.

 

[SeaGeo]

C+ at best, I hate when I get do something 100% lol. If you have an inspection light you are like OUCH. lol

I think you're being too hard on yourself. It looks great!

 

[iansriv]

Huge fan of detailing/paint care etc though not a professional by any means I have talked with some of the industries best professional folks including Ammo NYC (who detailed my Alfa) and Detailers Domain


Below are some pictures of me working on my own items and again while I am no industry expert I have been doing things as a hobby for the past 15 years so I know a small amount.

Before Wet Sanding/detailing on my track wheels that had a coating not cure in time and track debris stick to it.

After about 40 hours (per wheel) of wet sanding/high cut compound and then ceramic wheel coating added.

Here is a quick summary of my experience on products: Anything from your box stores are more or less temporary and kind of a waste of money with maybe the exception of Griots/Meguiars. Even then those are temporary at most a month or 2 of exterior care no matter what marketing on the box/label says in terms of Exterior paint protection.

My person Favorite is the Fictech line of products because most of them (with the exception of the ceramic coating) are super easy application, just apply when the car is wet and then wipe off. https://www.detailersdomain.com/search?type=product&q=fictech*

Ceramic coating is a liquid substance that turns hard once cured to protect the paint, here is a great example.

Keep in mind it will put a layer over your paint regardless of how flawless or un-flawless your paint looks so when a detailer says they will Correct your paint first and them coat it that is because they want to protect their work, slapping on ceramic coating after a car wash or from the factory which probably still doesnt have 100% flawless paint is a waste but only if your not really into the fine details of paint protection.

Paint Protection Film on the other hand is a physical barrier (more so than ceramic) of film https://www.exclusivedetail.com/paint-protection-film-ceramic-coating/ that is protecting the exterior of your paint as well.

Love the quad! Thanks for the post.

 

[Joints4Sale]

For some strange reason I hadn’t seen this post before today. Very informative. I’ve done some paint correction on previous cars but find it too time consuming(other hobbies take precedence). I’m a fan of Adam’s products from when I lived in Colorado and attended several of their open house “lessons”.
After scoping out the Richmond VA service center and getting to see the managers Rivian Blue R1T, I have a feeling we’re gonna definitely do some paint correction. The paint had a ton of Orange Peel. As far as care and washing, I’m very confident that the service center(like most car dealerships) will only make the paint worse. The truck had a ton of swirl.

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