PPF installers produce knife cuts in clear coat
11 posts across 2 communities in the last 60 days; 91% from r/AutoDetailing.
“I wouldn’t repaint the hood over this. The damage is already there, and yes, from the photos it looks like a poor install. But the whole reason for putting PPF on a brand new truck is to preserve the factory paint. Turning a few knife marks into a full repaint would be making a…”
“That’s not good and a lot of that needs replaced. It’s super important to ask shops to see finished work, if they don’t have any for you to see that’s a red flag imo [re: Another “how bad is my ppf” post]”
“Poor install quality. I don’t know where to begin. Amongst multiple issues, who makes a relief cut in the middle of a bumper? [re: expel paint protection film quality?]”
Several users express disappointment with PPF installation quality, citing issues like freehand cutting and visible knife marks. One user suggests a refund and professional removal to salvage the work, while another criticizes the installer's skill level.
SOURCES (17)
“That’s not good and a lot of that needs replaced. It’s super important to ask shops to see finished work, if they don’t have any for you to see that’s a red flag imo [re: Another “how bad is my ppf” post]”
“I recently took my truck in for ceramic coating and was sold pretty hard on frontal ppf plus the ceramic. Overall it was a $3,000 job and the more I look, the worse the ppf gets. There are multiple spots with debris under the ppf, all of the edges seem to be lifting along with several corners. They also wrapped a part of the bumper with satin black and it’s a total chop job. Coming apart in several areas and they also covered over the sensors (didn’t cut out and do them separately) so I can’t dr”
“Poor install quality. I don’t know where to begin. Amongst multiple issues, who makes a relief cut in the middle of a bumper? [re: expel paint protection film quality?]”
“Hey all, I recently ran into a situation that gave me some insight into what people should be more aware of when dealing with PPF Pre-Cut Kits. I was posting about my DIY PPF experience here on Reddit and kept running into what I think is a mistake people make over and over. I think it's a bit self-evident, but I believe it still needs some light shone upon. A bit of a story, but I hope you stick with me: I recently picked up a 2020 BMW M2C with just over 30k miles. The car had a PPF front-e”
“Last pic needs to be trimmed as it's not going to lay down. Little slivering and bubbles in the other pics could be addressed but I wouldn't redo. That's pretty spendy for a kit install. I like Legend and have been using it for several years. It's not the film.”
“This is by far the worst ppf I have ever seen in my life. Usually hand cut wraps have better edge wrapping than machine cut. The people who did this have no business hand cutting ever. $3k is closer to the going price for a front wrap only so that should have been the first red flag.”
They tried to join two edges (seams) and it didn’t go very well.
“Here you go! He said it took 3 hours between both sides. One side was cracking so that took longer I guess. https://reddit.com/link/pad0tmu/video/a30at8psw2qh1/player”
“The Ppf was 1700. The ceramic was 1000 so all up it was 2700. Would you still count that as cheap?”
“https://preview.redd.it/kfw654gipjph1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f73bdba5dfb26133b3b85a23f1f06725fe2a6f63 this is super zoomed in”
“That’s one thing about their installers, at least when I have to remove the yellowed film, there’s no cut marks left behind 🤣”
“I actually agree. Preserve factory paint at all costs. I actually repaired a bad install a few weeks ago. Installer hand cut everything including a partial so there was a cut mark right across the front of the hood. Some careful wet sanding and polishing got it to the point where the new PPF I installed covered it up quite nicely. I think with the right touch this could have a similar result. OP, call around to see if someone’s done this type of work or do the body shop route for the wet sanding”
“It’s not necessarily knowing better, I shouldn’t have said you know nothing, what I should have said is that you are objectively incorrect about PPF being bullshit. The industry is full of ass hats I’ll concede but having it done has its value in protecting the car.”
“I wouldn’t repaint the hood over this. The damage is already there, and yes, from the photos it looks like a poor install. But the whole reason for putting PPF on a brand new truck is to preserve the factory paint. Turning a few knife marks into a full repaint would be making a small problem into a much bigger one. At this point I’d document everything, talk to the shop, and work out a fair compensation or other solution. It is what it is, but repainting a brand new panel just to correct damage”
“I was thinking the same. Plus, i thought the programs basically cut the needed template and minor trimming might be needed, but seems like it was done freehand. Poorly at that”
“live with your mistake of picking what I think is a low budget place to wrap it. I assume since you didn't mention how much you paid for the work. I'd ask for a refund of course, and instead use the money for another place to remove and see if they can salvage any of the knife cuts. Maybe some didn't cut through the full clear coat and they can be sanded and polished out. I would not ppf a truck if you're going to use it for work. Just wash it good and ceramic coat it.”