[dudley@07726]

Unfortunately, I had something hit my bumper and it pierced the PPF. I thought it was a bubble at first.
Had to have the piece replaced. My guy didn't charge me. It hit so hard that it left a small indentation in the plastic underneath the PPF.
So, when you run your finger across it, you can feel it under the PPF.

[coooperM3]

Ceramic coating should be done at the very least. It's inexpensive if done yourself. It simply requires the time. the process is easy from stripping, clay bar, prep spray, ceramic application, and finally polishing. I suggest using Avalon King.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Allerum

What? My point was I don't want an OEM job because that isn't a good job. 3000 miles so far no pff just coated, doing great. $10k is the highend of paint job especially with no body repairs needed just sanding. Who would pay $20k unless its like 50 layers. Most people can get a fair job for $7000. A cheap no prep job is with MAACO at $1000. We are not talking about a color change here its a higher quality application of the same color, no need for the engine bay, door jams etc.

It is probably the low cost of labor in your area. Body shops here charge $100-200 an hour of labor so that adds up very fast when you are painting a car that takes weeks of labor to complete. It cost me $1k to repaint a bumper... and that's considered a deal with cash pricing. A whole car for $1k? I can probably DIY a job better than that!

Also, I don't think we have the same level of what is a "good" paint job. For exterior, I'm talking about all trim, windows, headlights, taillights, wheels removed, proper down to metal prep, surface leveling and then multi stage paint with cure time between each coat. Followed by wet sanding, polishing and detailing prep.

[LeonHtownM440]

Originally Posted by HuanLeBrown

Watched this and now I am second guessing getting PPF vs paint correction every 2 years:

I am waiting for my first BMW in my life to be delivered this week, and have been researching quite awhile on PPF/Ceramic coating. I gotta say this video did the same to me as to you. So I forwarded this video to Allen from American Detail in NW Houston area and he has put me in ease after explaining everything from this vid. I would say, I am going full front and full ceramic coating just to save myself time maintaining the exterior.

[LeonHtownM440]

Originally Posted by dudley@07726

Unfortunately, I had something hit my bumper and it pierced the PPF. I thought it was a bubble at first.
Had to have the piece it replaced. My guy didn't charge me. It hit so hard that it left a small indentation in the plastic underneath the PPF.
So, when you run your finger across it, you can feel it under the PPF.

At least your paint looks like was protected as what the film supposed to do.

[dudley@07726]

Originally Posted by LeonHtownM440

At least your paint looks like was protected as what the film supposed to do.

The picture I showed above is before that PPF piece was replaced. You can clearly see where the object hit.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by dudley@07726

Unfortunately, I had something hit my bumper and it pierced the PPF. I thought it was a bubble at first.
Had to have the piece replaced. My guy didn't charge me. It hit so hard that it left a small indentation in the plastic underneath the PPF.
So, when you run your finger across it, you can feel it under the PPF.

I had a case of bumper rash and my shop used a little BMW touchup paint and then replaced a small section of PPF. The bumper looks as good as new.

[ElectroGeek]

Originally Posted by LeonHtownM440

I am waiting for my first BMW in my life to be delivered this week, and have been researching quite awhile on PPF/Ceramic coating. I gotta say this video did the same to me as to you. So I forwarded this video to Allen from American Detail in NW Houston area and he has put me in ease after explaining everything from this vid. I would say, I am going full front and full ceramic coating just to save myself time maintaining the exterior.

If you look through this guy's videos he later on begins to do PPF and believes in it. He is right XPEL PPF is not the first choice, STEK is.
I had my X5M for years, when I washed it for the last time the paint still looked brand-new so for me I'm forever sold on PPF and Or Ceramic.. Along with Carbon Ceramic breaks.. the shit just works :-)

[ElectroGeek]