[top-down]

I had no idea PPF even existed a few weeks ago and have done so much reading and video watching I feel like I have a decent, albeit basic, grasp of the current landscape. I thought of getting my wife's new X5 done (full front with official xpel installer) while they do the window tints, however I am curious what will happen to the PPF after 5, 8, 10 years even if fully maintained.

Xpel's site, for example, says they introduced self-healing film only back in 2011. Now there is a presumably more advanced product (Ultimate) that was released sometime after that. I understand that older 3M films would yellow or deteriorate, but tech is always improving, and I want to think they all cracked that code.

What do you do when the ppf reached end-of-life...since it uses an adhesive is it still a huge PITA to remove?
Will the film just give up at some point and now you have an ugly, peeling, cracking, clear sticker on your car?

Genuinely curious because we keep our vehicles for 10+ years, well-maintained, and wondering if we would pay $$$ now to install ppf and it all seems great...but it comes with a hidden cost of even more $$$ to remove it/clean it up at some point. I know it doesn't last forever.

[petrol_phxz]

Removal is pretty easy. When it starts to peel or look bad and is outside of warranty, just have your install replace it at your expense. PPF is well worth the cost in my opinion.

[top-down]

Originally Posted by petrol_phxz

at your expense.

Thanks for your reply. The 'at your expense' is what I was worried about and when I talked to the installer today he said when applied correctly, it only takes an hour or two of labor to remove. I didn't know if I was looking at thousands just to remove it, like some stickers can take forever to remove.

Anyway we'll see how it turns out in a week or so when I get the car back. Seems like a no-brainer if we are keeping the car for the long haul.

[NightWriter]

Originally Posted by top-down

I didn't know if I was looking at thousands just to remove it, like some stickers can take forever to remove.

Definitely not. Most pros use a steamer to help remove, and it comes off far quicker than applying it in the first place. You can even do it yourself (YouTube ftw).