Paint protection ‘25 BW5

[TruckeeTaurus]

Picking up the CT5 BW next week (hopefully). The dealership suggested I get the clear bra for the entire front of the car to protect the paint. Does anybody have this, and if so is it noticeable?

I am going to ask the dealership if it’s too late to get the splashguards put on. I was looking online and can’t find any that are guaranteed to fit the ‘25. Maybe somebody can recommend a spot.

 

[Zephyr5V]

I put PPF on the entire front clip of my G8 after getting it repainted a couple of years ago. I highly recommend it as it has saved my front bumper and hood from multiple rock chips. However, I would advise against using whatever the dealer offers. Anything they're offering they are probably getting kickbacks on and it won't be the best product. Shop around locally and find a reputable shop that performs PPF work.

If you get a good shop to do it, you shouldn't even notice the PPF is there. They will wrap it around all of the edges and make it seamless.

 

[hawk02]

While PPF will do a good job of protecting the paint underneath. if it gets hit with a big enough rock it will leave a mark in the PPF that will look just as ugly or uglier than a rock chip. It’s especially noticeable on black paint or trim. Until you get enough dings in the ppf to make it cost effective to replace that piece, you’ll have to live with the marks.

I’ve had three cars with PPF and I won’t put it on another car for the reason above. I use touch-up paint to deal with rock chips now. It’s not perfect but a lot less noticeable than a mark in the ppf.

 

[1Evil55]

While PPF will do a good job of protecting the paint underneath. if it gets hit with a big enough rock it will leave a mark in the PPF that will look just as ugly or uglier than a rock chip. It’s especially noticeable on black paint or trim. Until you get enough dings in the ppf to make it cost effective to replace that piece, you’ll have to live with the marks.

I’ve had three cars with PPF and I won’t put it on another car for the reason above. I use touch-up paint to deal with rock chips now. It’s not perfect but a lot less noticeable than a mark in the ppf.

Hard to tell if you're for or against it. I'd much rather have to replace PPF than hope a body shop could match paint later on. I've told the story a few times here how PPF saved my rear bumper when dipshit kid backed into me. Highly recommended to be done by a competent shop, not a dealer special.

 

[hawk02]

I

Hard to tell if you're for or against it. I'd much rather have to replace PPF than hope a body shop could match paint later on. I've told the story a few times here how PPF saved my rear bumper when dipshit kid backed into me. Highly recommended to be done by a competent shop, not a dealer special.

I’m against it. I think it’s hideously expensive for what you get. Replacing a piece of ppf is not cheap. I know this from experience having the ppf on the front splitter of my ZL1 replaced two years ago. I could have bought a new splitter for less money.

You really have to ask yourself who are you saving the paint for? The next buyer? If you plan to keep the car forever then it might make sense to invest in ppf. But if you’re planning to replace the car in a few years, I would save the money and spend it on something else.

 

[USMC1911]

IMO it is a cost benefit thing. If the car is a daily driver that will see higher mileage then by all means PPF is a good idea imo.

 

[Zephyr5V]

While PPF will do a good job of protecting the paint underneath. if it gets hit with a big enough rock it will leave a mark in the PPF that will look just as ugly or uglier than a rock chip. It’s especially noticeable on black paint or trim. Until you get enough dings in the ppf to make it cost effective to replace that piece, you’ll have to live with the marks.

I’ve had three cars with PPF and I won’t put it on another car for the reason above. I use touch-up paint to deal with rock chips now. It’s not perfect but a lot less noticeable than a mark in the ppf.

I get your point but I disagree. Having my entire front clip repainted to fix all of the various rock chips from over the years cost nearly double what the PPF did ($3450 vs $1855). The minor defect in the PPF is less annoying to me than a touched up rock chip. For reference, here is one currently on the hood of my G8:

I’m against it. I think it’s hideously expensive for what you get. Replacing a piece of ppf is not cheap. I know this from experience having the ppf on the front splitter of my ZL1 replaced two years ago. I could have bought a new splitter for less money.

You really have to ask yourself who are you saving the paint for? The next buyer? If you plan to keep the car forever then it might make sense to invest in ppf. But if you’re planning to replace the car in a few years, I would save the money and spend it on something else.

Either ZL1 splitters are really cheap or you're using the wrong shop if one small piece cost that much.

 

[ngoni]

I've heard bugs will permanently stain PPF as well and make it look bad until you replace that section. I'm still on the fence whether PPF is a net positive.

 

[Brad_TX2V]

PPF has been a FANTASTIC thing for me. There is now "self-healing" PPF - scratches in the PPF? Leave it outside / the heat / sun does it's thing. Pretty cool stuff. Based on what I've seen, the "stealer" (I mean dealer) is going to keystone (double) the PPF price. If you're plugged into the local car scene it's very likely that you / your friends know the best PPF shop around - and the dealer probably uses them. I've been using the same guy since 2012. The PPF has come a loooooong way! I've got the full front (bumper, hood, fenders, rockers, area around trunk, even the top of the roof at the front) done on both my rides, and the windshield on my Escalade V (on the fence on that one so far).

 

[Brad_TX2V]

I've heard bugs will permanently stain PPF as well and make it look bad until you replace that section. I'm still on the fence whether PPF is a net positive.

I treat my PPF just like my paint...it gets a nice coat of ceramic. No stains on my PPF. Maybe it's the brand / type of PPF that can have stains? Not sure.

 

[seattlecubes]

Stains will come off with isopropyl. I try not to follow too closely and I also have PPF because rock chips drove me nuts. It generally takes a pretty big rock to damage the PPF and even then it’s usually a sacrificial layer that has protected the paint below it.

@TruckeeTaurus - your dealer is probably charging you a lot to have your front clip done. I had my front clip, a pillars and front part of my roof, mirrors, and headlights done for under $2500 (I’m in Fort Worth, Tx).

 

[dribs15]

I've heard bugs will permanently stain PPF as well and make it look bad until you replace that section. I'm still on the fence whether PPF is a net positive.

Not on mine they don't

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

I put PPF on the entire front clip of my G8 after getting it repainted a couple of years ago. I highly recommend it as it has saved my front bumper and hood from multiple rock chips. However, I would advise against using whatever the dealer offers. Anything they're offering they are probably getting kickbacks on and it won't be the best product. Shop around locally and find a reputable shop that performs PPF work.

If you get a good shop to do it, you shouldn't even notice the PPF is there. They will wrap it around all of the edges and make it seamless.

Thanks for the tip. I was gonna have the dealership do it, but for a little extra I can have a reputable shop do my entire car. You saved me some resentment there!

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

While PPF will do a good job of protecting the paint underneath. if it gets hit with a big enough rock it will leave a mark in the PPF that will look just as ugly or uglier than a rock chip. It’s especially noticeable on black paint or trim. Until you get enough dings in the ppf to make it cost effective to replace that piece, you’ll have to live with the marks.

I’ve had three cars with PPF and I won’t put it on another car for the reason above. I use touch-up paint to deal with rock chips now. It’s not perfect but a lot less noticeable than a mark in the ppf.

Interesting. I’ve been looking at videos online, and I’ve seen the self-healing shit take sandpaper or wire brushes and the scratches just disappear. Maybe it’s the type that you used? I’m interested in what brand PPF was put on your cars.

I’m leaning towards getting my entire car covered in Kavaca/ceramic Pro. Its PFF infused with ceramic so that it gets the benefits of both, including the self-healing.

The shop quoted me a price for the whole car including tinting everything but the windshield, for about the same price that the dealership would do the front and some bits around the car plus tinting.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

IMO it is a cost benefit thing. If the car is a daily driver that will see higher mileage then by all means PPF is a good idea imo.

4sho. I’m gonna drive the bad mofo every day possible. Pretty much anything but snow/ice.

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

Not on mine they don't

What brand did you go with?

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

Stains will come off with isopropyl. I try not to follow too closely and I also have PPF because rock chips drove me nuts. It generally takes a pretty big rock to damage the PPF and even then it’s usually a sacrificial layer that has protected the paint below it.

@TruckeeTaurus - your dealer is probably charging you a lot to have your front clip done. I had my front clip, a pillars and front part of my roof, mirrors, and headlights done for under $2500 (I’m in Fort Worth, Tx).

I’m leaning towards getting the entire car covered in Kavaca PPF/Ceramic Pro, and windows tinted for the quote of $5600.

 

[dribs15]

What brand did you go with?

Check Out Our Most Advanced Paint Protection Film Yet

Want the benefits of PPF and ceramic coating all in one? Look no further than LLumar Valor, which keeps your vehicle well protected and looking its absolute best.

llumar.com

Which is almost the same as...

Reaction Paint Protection Film | SunTek

SunTek Reaction's advanced two-in-one construction helps to keep your car's finish looking like it rarely sees the road. Learn more about this trailblazing PPF.

suntekfilms.com

They are both manufactured by Eastman Chemicals

 

[TruckeeTaurus]

Check Out Our Most Advanced Paint Protection Film Yet

Want the benefits of PPF and ceramic coating all in one? Look no further than LLumar Valor, which keeps your vehicle well protected and looking its absolute best.

llumar.com

Which is almost the same as...

Reaction Paint Protection Film | SunTek

SunTek Reaction's advanced two-in-one construction helps to keep your car's finish looking like it rarely sees the road. Learn more about this trailblazing PPF.

suntekfilms.com

They are both manufactured by Eastman Chemicals

So you like one better than the other? Seems like the one offering the benefits of PPF and ceramic would be the way to go.

 

[Brad_TX2V]

Truckee - my advice is to talk to your trusted local installer(s) and see what they recommend, how the material holds up, ease of replacement, etc. You'll find that the folks that have been doing this for awhile have a favorite material (or two) depending on the application.