Stealth PPF - carwash?

[tjrivian]

I'll soon be taking delivery of an R1S, and it has free stealth PPF already applied at the factory. I'm not the type of person that keeps my cars very clean in the past, and this is not something that I would have ever paid for. However I do like the way it gives the car a matte kind of look.

What's the best way to keep the car exterior reasonably clean without spending much/any manual effort washing it? I just don't have the time to do hand car washes, so the best I can do is take it to automatic commercial car wash places. I could do that on a somewhat regular basis if needed. But what's better, touchless or friction? And is there anything I need to do to ensure that the PPF doesn't lose it's "matte-ness"?

Probably a weird question for this forum, since most people seem to be very meticulous about maintaining their car's exterior. It's probably rare to find someone that both has PPF and is lackadaisical about washing their car. But here I am! Any guidance you can provide would be appreciated.

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[apcautospa]

Many automatic car washes use soaps, waxes, or sealants designed to add shine, which can create uneven patches or a blotchy look on matte PPF. Aggressive water jets in touchless car washes can lift edges of the film over time, particularly on areas like corners, mirrors, or trim. They also use harsher chemicals to get the vehicle clean without touching it that could damage or leave spotting. It is best to use products specifically designed for Matte such as the line by Dr. Beasley's and hand washing it.
Downside - Matte vehicles are harder to maintain that glossy ones.
Upside - It is PPF and can be removed!

 

[JamboF4]

I’d wager that the consensus will be to NOT auto car wash the matte finish PPF. Perhaps a small change in you routine and hand-wash periodically…perhaps even invest in a foam canon. I think you’ll hate what will happen to the PPF otherwise. Just my $.02

 

[SwampNut]

I have ceramic, not PPF, but also just don't want the crap sprayed on it. I have a monthly subscription for a drive through wash and use it every few days. I specifically got one without the added junk. I love having it clean, but am not willing to put much effort into it. This works great, been using the same place for around five years now.

The PPF is tough so there's little worry about automatic washes, other than the note above about the touchless places. I would never use one of those. They can do far more damage than a good cloth type automated wash.

 

[JamboF4]

I have ceramic, not PPF, but also just don't want the crap sprayed on it. I have a monthly subscription for a drive through wash and use it every few days. I specifically got one without the added junk. I love having it clean, but am not willing to put much effort into it. This works great, been using the same place for around five years now.

The PPF is tough so there's little worry about automatic washes, other than the note above about the touchless places. I would never use one of those. They can do far more damage than a good cloth type automated wash.

Interesting! OK, thanks SwampNut. I was more interested in the impact on MATTE finish PPF. To be clear, do you have first-hand experience with similar PPF?

 

[bigsky]

The first advice from my expert PPF installer was to never take vehicle through a carwash partly because high water pressure may start peeling off PPF around the edges, but you do mot seem to care much about msintaining your vehicle clean or what it looks like. So perhaps have at it.

 

[SwampNut]

Interesting! OK, thanks SwampNut. I was more interested in the impact on MATTE finish PPF. To be clear, do you have first-hand experience with similar PPF?

I have never had PPF, not my thing. My friend with a matte-wrapped Tesla uses the same place. He also bought the subscription with no wax sprays, and he's happy. Sorry I was mixing up a few different things.

because high water pressure may start peeling off PPF around the edges

Yes, that's what we're saying, is to avoid those high-pressure touchless washes. The low pressure cloth wash will be fine.

 

[JamboF4]

I have never had PPF, not my thing. My friend with a matte-wrapped Tesla uses the same place. He also bought the subscription with no wax sprays, and he's happy. Sorry I was mixing up a few different things.



Yes, that's what we're saying, is to avoid those high-pressure touchless washes. The low pressure cloth wash will be fine.

Ah, got it. I have no personal experience with modern car washes..maybe they are way better these days.

 

[Erik+]

If you are not going to hand wash, touchless is the way to go. Especially given the wording and sentiment expressed by the OP that they likely will not be handwashing. You can check with the carwash operator to see what they use as well for chemicals, etc., and they probably have an idea on if people have had issues/complaints as not all systems are the same. Lots also depends on the quality of the PPF installation on whether it could breakdown along edges, etc. I would put a ceramic coat on top of the PPF as well.

 

[HokieBird7980]

Note that the factory stealth PPF does NOT wrap completely around some of the edges or door panels, so going through a car wash, especially the touchless ones with high pressure washer is a big risk you're going to 'lift' an edge of the PPF from the pressure washer sprays they use. I was told not to even use my home power washer to clean the car with the PPF on it. Upside is that the stealth PPF looks great. I have it on El Cap color and it turns it to a more graphite kind of look. Washing honestly with the PPF, even by hand is easier as most of the dirt washes off very easily. I've even heard of others using their leaf blowers then to dry it as the water just beads away quickly. I don't wash mine very often and the dirt generally does not seem to stick to it much, but when i do wash, i do it by hand. Good luck on your choice.

 

[JamboF4]

Note that the factory stealth PPF does NOT wrap completely around some of the edges or door panels, so going through a car wash, especially the touchless ones with high pressure washer is a big risk you're going to 'lift' an edge of the PPF from the pressure washer sprays they use. I was told not to even use my home power washer to clean the car with the PPF on it. Upside is that the stealth PPF looks great. I have it on El Cap color and it turns it to a more graphite kind of look. Washing honestly with the PPF, even by hand is easier as most of the dirt washes off very easily. I've even heard of others using their leaf blowers then to dry it as the water just beads away quickly. I don't wash mine very often and the dirt generally does not seem to stick to it much, but when i do wash, i do it by hand. Good luck on your choice.

HokieBird: Know anyone that has tried low-med power foam canons? Starting to get curious about this.

 

[SwampNut]

Ah, got it. I have no personal experience with modern car washes..maybe they are way better these days.

They really have. A friend is involved in the industry, supplying equipment and chemicals. He's one of the people who warned me to never use the touch less washes, and advised me on what to ask for from the operator.

 

[JamboF4]

They really have. A friend is involved in the industry, supplying equipment and chemicals. He's one of the people who warned me to never use the touch less washes, and advised me on what to ask for from the operator.

Thx, Mate!

 

[SwampNut]

As to the foam cannon, I tried it and hated it. Part of the problem is that we have super-hard water here, and that kills foam. It was a ... water cannon at best. Also when it comes down to it hand washing is a terrible use of my time and annoys the hell out of me. I have to do it for the motorcycles, but the cars? Hell no.

 

[JamboF4]

As to the foam cannon, I tried it and hated it. Part of the problem is that we have super-hard water here, and that kills foam. It was a ... water cannon at best. Also when it comes down to it hand washing is a terrible use of my time and annoys the hell out of me. I have to do it for the motorcycles, but the cars? Hell no.

Good info. I’m not sure what happens to my grass when all the foam runs off the driveway!

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