[GHL]

I posted about this in another thread - I’ve been in and out of the supply side of ppf for several years. 72” material is not quite the same premium grade TPU as is used for the major company premium products. A good shop using free cut, not precut panels for the hood can stretch a quality TPU ppf film to fit a Macan hood. That said, products like STEK Dynoshield (full disclosure, I have a strong positive bias for STEK) and Lumar/Suntek can stretch pretty far without getting “chicken skin” that forms when a film is stretched too far. That was and possibly still can be a problem with Xpel. Free cut installation is generally a bit more expensive than using unmodified precut panels but also generally results in a better installation - it requires a more skilled installer so there’s the cause and effect. For clarity, not all parts of every ppf wrap are cut freehand. The better shops know how to work with the software that drives their plotter/cutters so that the patterns for the panels that are cut have more than sufficient overhang to reduce any exposed edge seams (like at the pointy parts of the rear of the hood). I’ll stop now . . .

 

[Mackie]

So I had the dealership PPL or XPEL a full bra. The seams seem sloppy. Should I bring this back to redo?

 

[lyricgskills]

I have no seam. One big piece for the entire hood.

 

[Foothiller]

That seam in your picture is very sloppy. Installing this film requires skill and I suspect that many shops don't really have it.

I have the "rock protection" package of XPEL installed by a pro shop two hours from home. The front is like a bra, the mirrors and a patch in front of the rear wheels are covered. All seams are as good as they can be. The bra edge across the seam sometimes collects more dirt and thus becomes obvious. The full hood coverage was a lot more $, but I wish I had done it because there are now some small "pits" on the uncovered part of the hood.

 

[Beardy]

So I had the dealership PPL or XPXL a full bra. The seams seem sloppy. Should I bring this back to redo?

View attachment 256469

That looks very average to me, the joins I have experienced have been tight fitting

 

[yrralis1]

So I had the dealership PPL or XPXL a full bra. The seams seem sloppy. Should I bring this back to redo?

I have seen far worse . I have no seams and never did PPF because deep down I think its a waste . I won't do it on a Macan . I did do it on my 911 but the person I had doing it is an expert and he had the car for three days .They took apart pieces to hide the infamous "line" that I detest.

To give an example .. Here is one of the worst I saw . It was a Cayenne in the dealership showroom that was used .

 

[Mackie]

I have seen far worse . I have no seams and never did PPF because deep down I think its a waste . I won't do it on a Macan . I did do it on my 911 but the person I had doing it is an expert and he had the car for three days .They took apart pieces to hide the infamous "line" that I detest.

To give an example .. Here is one of the worst I saw . It was a Cayenne in the dealership showroom that was used .

View attachment 256474

The unsightly visible horizontal line is when they do a clear bra that only covers half the hood (front vs full). Not sure why they would do this instead of getting the entire hood altho they did offer that as an option.

In addition to the 2 seams under each headlight (passenger side isn’t as bad as the driver side) and edges everywhere, I’ve noticed several imperfections. See below.

Unfortunately, I live in the mountains where there are tons of rocks, gravel, bugs, etc. While mine isn’t horrific, I am disappointed in the workmanship/level of skill. This was done by my dealer and in retrospect, I should have gone to a specialty shop that does this everyday to get it seamless. Or inquired ahead of time if they were using a full wrap vs pre cut.

Bubble in mirror. Ignore dirty car. Waiting to take it to get a ceramic coat by detailer.

 

[Mackie]

I have no seam. One big piece for the entire hood.

Dealership or specialty shop? That’s the way to go. Do your edges wrap over?

 

[lyricgskills]

Dealership or specialty shop? That’s the way to go. Do your edges wrap over?

My dealer took it to a specialty shop called Blue Zero in Salt Lake City. My edges are wrapped.

 

[yrralis1]

The unsightly visible horizontal line is when they do a clear bra that only covers half the hood (front vs full). Not sure why they would do this instead of getting the entire hood altho they did offer that as an option.

In addition to the 2 seams under each headlight (passenger side isn’t as bad as the driver side) and edges everywhere, I’ve noticed several imperfections. See below.

Unfortunately, I live in the mountains where there are tons of rocks, gravel, bugs, etc. While mine isn’t horrific, I am disappointed in the workmanship/level of skill. This was done by my dealer and in retrospect, I should have gone to a specialty shop that does this everyday to get it seamless. Or inquired ahead of time if they were using a full wrap vs pre cut.
View attachment 256478
Bubble in mirror. Ignore dirty car. Waiting to take it to get a ceramic coat by detailer.
View attachment 256479

They can fix that . I would take it back. I never did the PPF in all of these years but before I decided to jump I made sure I had the installer that I had confidence in . When I handed him the key I told him "I waited a year for this car and I haven't even driven it yet except to get here (2 miles)". He sent me pictures while he and his som were working . He is the expert at the detail and the son is the PPF king. He's got clients with garages the size of a football field filled with cars . Its expensive but he knows I am not the big potato like his elite clients . He has always taken care of my cars . I don't know what I would do without him . If you are near Miami (even on vacation) I would send you to him.

 

[Mackie]

They can fix that . I would take it back. I never did the PPF in all of these years but before I decided to jump I made sure I had the installer that I had confidence in . When I handed him the key I told him "I waited a year for this car and I haven't even driven it yet except to get here (2 miles)". He sent me pictures while he and his som were working . He is the expert at the detail and the son is the PPF king. He's got clients with garages the size of a football field filled with cars . Its expensive but he knows I am not the big potato like his elite clients . He has always taken care of my cars . I don't know what I would do without him . If you are near Miami (even on vacation) I would send you to him.

Your installer/detailer sounds amazing! I should have driven to CA to get this done or had the car brought to a professional PPF expert vs expecting the Porsche dealership to do it perfect. 🥴 I’ll see what the dealer can do to fix but at this point, I’d almost prefer to have a specialist/detailer work on it.

That said, I do think PPF is essential for someone like me and I would recommend it to anyone in rural, rugged terrain. Driving the 20 miles home from dealership (one main road over the mountain pass), there was major road construction, asphalt steamrollers, and huge trucks carrying gravel. I was praying the entire way that my windshield wouldn’t crack and today I spotted a small rock in one of the side gaps so hopefully the PPF worked.

I wish I had a guide on what to do when picking up a new Porsche! Like sending it to the detailer right away and no washing by dealership. I’m so glad I joined this forum to find out if some of these imperfections are my OCD or reality and have other members give input on managing my expectations.

 

[///Bruce]

Right after I bought mine in late 2008, I had the PPF done. Ceramic coating was not as popular as it is today so I only had the front covered with the mirrors. I started to notice that right afterI washed it and toweled the hood dry I saw water spots. But when it was dry they hardly showed. Two eyars went by and I was gettring ready for heart surgery. Knowing it would be a while to be able reach accross the bonnet and up on the roof, I had the PPF redone and also popped for Modesto Ceramic.

The reason for the water spots was the first company that did the PPF did not prep the surface as in a paint correction. I specifically told the second company about it. Never a problem once.

On a personal note... Just completed two weeks on the road visiting my wife:s family. One at a time for two days each. 1,383 miles. I cannot tell you how bad the front would have gotten beat up by crap flying from semi trucks and off road tires on everything in the very deep south. PPF pays for itself. Truly.

 

[Mackie]

Right after I bought mine in late 2008, I had the PPF done. Ceramic coating was not as popular as it is today so I only had the front covered with the mirrors. I started to notice that right afterI washed it and toweled the hood dry I saw water spots. But when it was dry they hardly showed. Two eyars went by and I was gettring ready for heart surgery. Knowing it would be a while to be able reach accross the bonnet and up on the roof, I had the PPF redone and also popped for Modesto Ceramic.

The reason for the water spots was the first company that did the PPF did not prep the surface as in a paint correction. I specifically told the second company about it. Never a problem once.

On a personal note... Just completed two weeks on the road visiting my wife:s family. One at a time for two days each. 1,383 miles. I cannot tell you how bad the front would have gotten beat up by crap flying from semi trucks and off road tires on everything in the very deep south. PPF pays for itself. Truly.

If you don’t mind me asking, how much was the Modesto Ceramic? I’m going to get Ceramic Pro (don’t have a lot of options in my area) but need to do a little research into the different levels, etc.

 

[yrralis1]

Your installer/detailer sounds amazing! I should have driven to CA to get this done or had the car brought to a professional PPF expert vs expecting the Porsche dealership to do it perfect. 🥴 I’ll see what the dealer can do to fix but at this point, I’d almost prefer to have a specialist/detailer work on it.

That said, I do think PPF is essential for someone like me and I would recommend it to anyone in rural, rugged terrain. Driving the 20 miles home from dealership (one main road over the mountain pass), there was major road construction, asphalt steamrollers, and huge trucks carrying gravel. I was praying the entire way that my windshield wouldn’t crack and today I spotted a small rock in one of the side gaps so hopefully the PPF worked.

I wish I had a guide on what to do when picking up a new Porsche! Like sending it to the detailer right away and no washing by dealership. I’m so glad I joined this forum to find out if some of these imperfections are my OCD or reality and have other members give input on managing my expectations.

I have a friend in Chicago that got a chip in one of his cars driving it to the installer on the first day that he had it. Some regions are tougher than others. He expressed that potholes are everywhere. It would be essential in a place like that and I’m sure in your rug terrain it will come in very handy.

 

[Daya]

So I had the dealership PPL or XPEL a full bra. The seams seem sloppy. Should I bring this back to redo?

View attachment 256469

That is a redo, my seams are barely noticeable. It should be a perfect clean line

 

[///Bruce]

If you don’t mind me asking, how much was the Modesto Ceramic? I’m going to get Ceramic Pro (don’t have a lot of options in my area) but need to do a little research into the different levels, etc.

I am afraid that info is in a folder out of range right now to break out the individual costs. However, I can tell you to have the old multi-piece PPF replaced with a single sheet, a full paint correction and a full Modesto solution came out over $4,000.

 

[///Bruce]

For all thinking about PPF, I will suggest you TELLand do not ask the shop doing it to perform a paint correction of those areas the film will be installed onto. Any flaw, swirl, scratch or mineral deposits will show under the PPF. Try this... if you have flourescent lights in your garage, look at the areas to be covered. Everything you see will be there AFTER the PPF is applied. Now they will clean it but not buff out any imperfections. GL...

 

[PythonMacan]

I ended up using SunTek, and not Xpel last year. When we bought it last year, the dealer-vendor couldn't do a full hood/single piece with Xpel. There was going to be a seam on either side, so the SA recommended these guys.

Premium PPF, Ceramic Coatings, Tint San Antonio

We're a top rated paint protection shop in San Antonio offering PPF, Ceramic Coatings, TInt, Wraps & More! Certified installers, comprehensive warranties!

www.concoursautosalon.com

I am actually taking the Macan back in tomorrow for a check on the ceramic coating. I haven't seen much, if all dirt lines. I'll ask them, and let you know what they tell me.

They've been great. You probably aren't in San Antonio, but give them a call.....i'd be shocked if they didn't give you some thoughts/recommendations.

Hi @Billygoatgruff

Super old thread I know. I’m about to make a decision on using SunTek on my Macan. Wondering how this brand holds up over time.

Five years on, assuming you still have your car, how is the SunTek PPF doing on your car? Any issues?

Thanks…!