Kavakas Ceramic Pro/PPF

[TruckeeTaurus]

Just checking to see if anybody has used the Kavacas Ceramic Pro/PPF. I’ve decided to go with the full coverage as well as ceramic coverage on my wheels (if it actually gets delivered next week).

I’ve also read in another thread and saw on YouTube that PPF stains from bug splatter. I live back and forth from the mountains and the city, and there’s a lot of bugs between here and there. Has anybody experienced staining from bug splatter?

 

[Sully]

Just checking to see if anybody has used the Kavacas Ceramic Pro/PPF. I’ve decided to go with the full coverage as well as ceramic coverage on my wheels (if it actually gets delivered next week).

I’ve also read in another thread and saw on YouTube that PPF stains from bug splatter. I live back and forth from the mountains and the city, and there’s a lot of bugs between here and there. Has anybody experienced staining from bug splatter?

I have full frontal Xpel PPF on all my vehicles and yes bug splatter and water spots will stain if left to bake in the sun. I actually just went through a small battle with Xpel, as they refuse to warranty water spots. I had it installed on my wife’s new Grand Highlander, and within two months, the entire hood had water spot staining. I tried all the available water spot removal sprays, none worked. The water spots literally etched into the material.

They finally agreed to reimburse some of the material cost to my installer and my installer, being a top-notch guy, reinstalled the front for no charge.

The way I’ve comes to grips with PPF is it’s an expensive sacrificial layer, which in some cases is more susceptible to elements than the paint/clear coat. It does require regular maintenance. It has however saved my paints/body from a few direct rock hits, footballs, bicycle handlebars, kids in general so.. YMMV

 

[rubberduck]

I have full frontal Xpel PPF on all my vehicles and yes bug splatter and water spots will stain if left to bake in the sun. I actually just went through a small battle with Xpel, as they refuse to warranty water spots. I had it installed on my wife’s new Grand Highlander, and within two months, the entire hood had water spot staining. I tried all the available water spot removal sprays, none worked. The water spots literally etched into the material.

They finally agreed to reimburse some of the material cost to my installer and my installer, being a top-notch guy, reinstalled the front for no charge.

The way I’ve comes to grips with PPF is it’s an expensive sacrificial layer, which in some cases is more susceptible to elements than the paint/clear coat. It does require regular maintenance. It has however saved my paints/body from a few direct rock hits, footballs, bicycle handlebars, kids in general so.. YMMV

Do you live in an acid rain area?

Did they apply ceramic coating over the PPF? I have STEK DYNOshield and CQUARTZ on the front and CQUARTZ on the rest of the car and wheels/calipers. I use RESET when I detail. Almost 3 years in and no issues.

Bird shit is an another story. Gotta get that off pronto to avoid etching. Black cars are the worst. Had exactly one and never again. Except maybe an S550, that would be worth the headaches.

 

[RDATLTE]

Just checking to see if anybody has used the Kavacas Ceramic Pro/PPF. I’ve decided to go with the full coverage as well as ceramic coverage on my wheels (if it actually gets delivered next week).

I’ve also read in another thread and saw on YouTube that PPF stains from bug splatter. I live back and forth from the mountains and the city, and there’s a lot of bugs between here and there. Has anybody experienced staining from bug splatter?

Absolutely not. I've made many a drive between NorCal & SoCal and the front end is inevitably covered in bugs. With PPF & ceramic, they come right off.

 

[ngoni]

So what I'm hearing is PPF + ceramic is the absolute way to go. "Bare" PPF is just a different set of problems compared to bare paint.

 

[RDATLTE]

So what I'm hearing is PPF + ceramic is the absolute way to go. "Bare" PPF is just a different set of problems compared to bare paint.

No, just more work to keep the car looking good. I have 2 cars both with 100% PPF, one with ceramic and one without. If I had it to do over again, I'd have gotten ceramic on both. The PPF without ceramic has to be sealed.

 

[Sully]

Do you live in an acid rain area?

Did they apply ceramic coating over the PPF? I have STEK DYNOshield and CQUARTZ on the front and CQUARTZ on the rest of the car and wheels/calipers. I use RESET when I detail. Almost 3 years in and no issues.

Bird shit is an another story. Gotta get that off pronto to avoid etching. Black cars are the worst. Had exactly one and never again. Except maybe an S550, that would be worth the headaches.

I live in FL, acid rain, not that I'm aware, but all other elements are on the table. Her vehicle is an outside car so it takes a beaten. I did NOT have it ceramic coated, but in a matter of two months with bi-weekly cleaning, resulted in a burn in water spots from either rain or hardwater/sprinklers. My frustration was paying $2k~ for the PPF and water ended up being its kryptonite, especially in a place like FL where water/sun are a constant.

Either way, it was ceramic coated once replaced. For added context, my installer had never seen this issue before…



Here’s a picture of the hood..

 

[RDATLTE]

I live in FL, acid rain, not that I'm aware, but all other elements are on the table. Her vehicle is an outside car so it takes a beaten. I did NOT have it ceramic coated, but in a matter of two months with bi-weekly cleaning, resulted in a burn in water spots from either rain or hardwater/sprinklers. My frustration was paying $2k~ for the PPF and water ended up being its kryptonite, especially in a place like FL where water/sun are a constant.

Either way, it was ceramic coated once replaced. For added context, my installer had never seen this issue before…

View attachment 29566

Here’s a picture of the hood..

I don't know that I'd go to the expense of PPF / ceramic for a car that I wasn't garaging.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

I have full frontal Xpel PPF on all my vehicles and yes bug splatter and water spots will stain if left to bake in the sun. I actually just went through a small battle with Xpel, as they refuse to warranty water spots. I had it installed on my wife’s new Grand Highlander, and within two months, the entire hood had water spot staining. I tried all the available water spot removal sprays, none worked. The water spots literally etched into the material.

They finally agreed to reimburse some of the material cost to my installer and my installer, being a top-notch guy, reinstalled the front for no charge.

The way I’ve comes to grips with PPF is it’s an expensive sacrificial layer, which in some cases is more susceptible to elements than the paint/clear coat. It does require regular maintenance. It has however saved my paints/body from a few direct rock hits, footballs, bicycle handlebars, kids in general so.. YMMV

Did the wifey let it dry in the sun after washing or something? Water spot damage has to bake in right?

 

[Sully]

Did the wifey let it dry in the sun after washing or something? Water spot damage has to bake in right?

Negative, I hand wash all of our vehicles. All get blower and towel dried after. My guess is she parked near a rogue sprinkler, somewhere, which sprayed all over the car and ultimately baked on during the day. I do have hard water in my area. Where or when is unknown... she wouldn't have even noticed the issue until I blew a gasket when trying to wash again.