[Ifly680G]

I just had full front end PPF done and at the top of the hood they cut it to wrap around the corner. The one on the passengers side is pretty big and very noticeable. Is this normal procedure or should I have them re do it?
Here is a picture of the passenger and Drivers side.

[FC4]

I'm sure people will jump in and say that's absolutely unacceptable...but the reality is I see stuff like this on most PPF jobs, and on significantly higher-end cars.

Good thing is that most shops will give stuff like another go if you take it in. Or if you're not that anal, leave it. But then I'd wonder why you got PPF in the first place.

[Burrcold]

It's not a bad installation (or any worse than a standard pre-cut, close to the edges kind of job)...but you likely paid less for it. If you want edges wrapped, you need to ask the shop, and the price will be reflective of that choice.

[azonis2021]

That's how PPF is supposed to be applied: it should be cut around sharp corners instead of attempting to wrap it in. Otherwise, it will bunch up and eventually lift back up. Think of it like using gift wrap on the corners of a box — there's extra material that needs to be folded over. The same principle applies to PPF, but keep in mind that it's much thicker material that's harder to manipulate.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by azonis2021

That's how PPF is supposed to be applied: it should be cut around sharp corners instead of attempting to wrap it in. Otherwise, it will bunch up and eventually lift back up. Think of it like using gift wrap on the corners of a box — there's extra material that needs to be folded over. The same principle applies to PPF, but keep in mind that it's much thicker material that's harder to manipulate.

It's not how it's supposed to be wrapped. It's just the option for the price point. I've always gotten all my corners and edges wrapped and never had anything lift or bunch up (it's all about the quality of installation). You definitely pay for it though.

[3002 tii]

I’ve seen all versions… cut corners, trimmed to corner and folded over. That would annoy me but only because I’m super ocd when it comes to cars. That said if it was only that section I could live with it since it’s not easily in plain sight as opposed to lower part of the hood. Can’t hurt to ask them to redo but I’d make a note to never go back. Just having to drop my car off again for their mistake is a pain.

[azonis2021]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

It's not how it's supposed to be wrapped. It's just the option for the price point. I've always gotten all my corners and edges wrapped and never had anything lift or bunch up (it's all about the quality of installation). You definitely pay for it though.

I'm not arguing that the cut circled in red is good or represents a top-of-the-line install. I understand the original poster's dissatisfaction with a PPF cut like that.

What I'm saying is that the corner circled in green meets industry standards and illustrates the correct method, where the PPF isn't completely wrapped underneath the panel like they would do with a straight edge where they leave half an inch of overhang to be tucked in later.

I get my PPF done at a top-of-the-line shop where they custom cut the PPF for each panel & all my corners look like the one circled in green.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by azonis2021

I'm not arguing that the cut circled in red is good or represents a top-of-the-line install. I understand the original poster's dissatisfaction with a PPF cut like that.

What I'm saying is that the corner circled in green meets industry standards and illustrates the correct method, where the PPF isn't completely wrapped underneath the panel like they would do with a straight edge where they leave half an inch of overhang to be tucked in later.

I get my PPF done at a top-of-the-line shop where they custom cut the PPF for each panel & all my corners look like the one circled in green.

I agree that the green circled one isn't bad (although mine are wrapped even closer than that on the 90 degree corners...but again, it's acceptable quality work if everything was like that). The red circled is poor.

[Ifly680G]

Originally Posted by azonis2021

I'm not arguing that the cut circled in red is good or represents a top-of-the-line install. I understand the original poster's dissatisfaction with a PPF cut like that.

What I'm saying is that the corner circled in green meets industry standards and illustrates the correct method, where the PPF isn't completely wrapped underneath the panel like they would do with a straight edge where they leave half an inch of overhang to be tucked in later.

I get my PPF done at a top-of-the-line shop where they custom cut the PPF for each panel & all my corners look like the one circled in green.

Thanks for the reply, most of the corners are like t huh e one you circled in Green! The one in red just sticks out and looks like a sloppy job. I did the whole hood and not just the front half so that there would be no seams. I will be taking it back on Monday and I’ll see what they say.

[Forzanerazzurri]

PPF isn't perfect to the mm. If that corner is your biggest issue, then your installer did a very good job.

[MADBMWX5MC]

You made look at my PPF and all my corners are like in the green circle....from the high end install shop (who did my 2023). But, on my non-high end (2021 JGC SRT), its like the red circle...bottomline...does bug me a bit...no-pun intended...

[ToddRGuy]

I went out and looked at the hood of my Audi A5 Sportback, and the only place that I see these corners are near the A-pillars. The cuts are similar but probably 70% smaller and closer to the corner.

[Arcades]

That is not a bad install, it is the plotter and how close it is. Some times you get lucky and it is very close, some times it isn't. Wrapping PPF all the way to the edge is not an indication of a good installer.

Too many people who are told, tucking everything in, is some miraculous thing when it comes to PPF and all that brings you later is headaches because PPF on the edges lifts. Installers won't tell you this, and when those tucked edges lifts, they trim it they end up being the same anyway.

It is not a big deal.

Good installers, you can ask them to do things a certain way and most will tell you the risks of doing things a certain way. If you have a preference, let your installer know and see what they say. Trust is the most important when it comes to PPF installers and of course the installer's experience in the field.

[MJBO]

My corners don’t look like that, and you’d definitely notice as it’s a satin PPF on a Black Sapphire Metallic car.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Arcades

That is not a bad install, it is the plotter and how close it is. Some times you get lucky and it is very close, some times it isn't. Wrapping PPF all the way to the edge is not an indication of a good installer.

Too many people who are told, tucking everything in, is some miraculous thing when it comes to PPF and all that brings you later is headaches because PPF on the edges lifts. Installers won't tell you this, and when those tucked edges lifts, they trim it they end up being the same anyway.

It is not a big deal.

Good installers, you can ask them to do things a certain way and most will tell you the risks of doing things a certain way. If you have a preference, let your installer know and see what they say. Trust is the most important when it comes to PPF installers and of course the installer's experience in the field.

All PPF that's tucked eventually lifts? Totally wrong. I've had plenty of cars that have had all edges wrapped and nothing has lifted (plenty of years and miles in). The installer 100% makes a difference, and a good installer can wrap edges that don't need to be trimmed later. Now I'm not saying that you can't have a good installer that doesn't wrap edges, again, that's obviously part of the doable service they provide...price point prohibited perhaps.