[Completed] Refinishing all the textured parts, front end for rock chips, then PPF

[jenzfc]

Good morning pretty people,

PPF is now being applied to the front fascia. Now is when you can notice the front end lower splitter painted part, that part as all RWD, used to be texture. Now it has paint and will get PPF.

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[andre-s]

@jenzfc what are your thoughts on PPF for the entire front & rear doors?
The front doors due to potential rock chips from the side air intake (power charging door excluded), rear due to how it flares out.

From your template it seems you're putting PPF on the rear door flare

What I did on my CT4 without power charging door is to cut some of this stuff and insert in there. My Taycan 4S had the power charging door and I din't like it because it would often get stuck, so I went without it and I regret.
But this solution was cheap and effective, no more debris nor dirty on my side door PPF.
If you add PPF in there and don't close the vent gap, the PPF will get damage soon as well, so don't think one will solve the problem of the other. I went with full car PPF because I ended up with a good package in a shop that I follow and made sense thinking I'll have the car for 3-4 yrs.

 

[andre-s]

Forgive my ignorance but do you need to go through all of this prep for PPF? I have small chip marks on the front of my Taycan and I am now considering PPF and based on this thread I feel like it’s going to cost me quite a bit more to do then I originally thought.
Your car looks gorgeous BTW.

If you have some small chip marks, talk with a good shop that will apply PPF. On my Macan I was able to get all the chips covered using Dr Color Chip following their videos on YT. My hood after 5yrs of chips was brand new, then I did the whole process of paint correction (the Dr Color Chip application creates a ton of swirls when done as described) and then protection after.

So in theory, it shouldn't cost you a lot more and you definitely don't want to paint your entire hood because of the small chips.
I'm sure Jen can do that because of where she works, but not worth it for a regular user. And you will get really good results the same way. I'm very picky with the paint in my car and I was completely satisfied with the results in my Macan, but it takes patience and good planning.

 

[DerekS]

This is an amazing thread! Very impressive work Jen.

I always thought it was kinda genius that the road-facing parts are plastic, myself...the parts price is pretty cheap (by Porsche standards) so I always thought it would be relatively simple to swap them out if they got worn.

After seeing the teardown to get to them (door removal etc) I am disavowed of this notion.

 

[jenzfc]

This is an amazing thread! Very impressive work Jen.

I always thought it was kinda genius that the road-facing parts are plastic, myself...the parts price is pretty cheap (by Porsche standards) so I always thought it would be relatively simple to swap them out if they got worn.

After seeing the teardown to get to them (door removal etc) I am disavowed of this notion.

Thank you for your words.

God no, this industry is so complex. The newer the car, the complicated it gets. And a lot of one time use components, and certain parts have limited repairability due to sensors. It's very very hard, so that's why we need to be super smart and make the right choices when ordering a car.

 

[Skilly]

You can apply PPF on existing paint, but if you already have some damage, it totally becomes a moo point.

uh...

 

[jenzfc]

Update,

PPF has been applied to front lamps (first photo), passenger side fender (second photo). Note how in the last photo, you can tell there's a fil on the paint. This is because it needs heat. After a few days of getting exposed to the sun, this will go away.

PPF templates are so good, you can barely notice (second photo) the PPF is applied on the bumper.

Front lamps on the Taycan are very unique, very rounded and different shapes, so this PPF template is the one that overs the most. Took a photo from this angle so you can see the line of the PPF.

 

[jenzfc]

uh...

Exactly!
haha

 

[DerekS]

Charging port on the driver side is a one time use, so I order the part. $67.09.
Ordered all parts needed, such as the emblem, nuts for the emblem, rear seal clip for fender, rocker panel molding clips, and fender liner rivets.

Any ideas why the charging port is a one-time-use part? That seems odd!

Also curious about the emblem, did you order a fresh emblem due to damage on the original?

 

[jenzfc]

Any ideas why the charging port is a one-time-use part? That seems odd!

Also curious about the emblem, did you order a fresh emblem due to damage on the original?

It's not odd, German manufacturers love one time use parts, that's how they make money. Due to adhesives and rivets. Yes, I replaced emblem. However you can totally reuse the old one, it does not have adhesive, it has nuts, the nuts need replacement but not the actual emblem.

 

[DerekS]

It's not odd, German manufacturers love one time use parts, that's how they make money. Due to adhesives and rivets. Yes, I replaced emblem. However you can totally reuse the old one, it does not have adhesive, it has nuts, the nuts need replacement but not the actual emblem.

So that's interesting; my PPF installer removed the badge to apply film under it.
Does that mean technically I should have gotten new nuts? He just screwed it back together.

 

[ciaranob]

Update,

PPF has been applied to front lamps (first photo), passenger side fender (second photo). Note how in the last photo, you can tell there's a fil on the paint. This is because it needs heat. After a few days of getting exposed to the sun, this will go away.

PPF templates are so good, you can barely notice (second photo) the PPF is applied on the bumper.

Front lamps on the Taycan are very unique, very rounded and different shapes, so this PPF template is the one that overs the most. Took a photo from this angle so you can see the line of the PPF.

I've had PPF on prior BMW M car light covers but there was very specific 'advice' to not apply it to the Porsche headlights (which I'll admit seems like overly cautious Porsche input!) - supposedly a potential warranty issue (although again I could see getting round that pretty quick by removing as nec!). Are you guys aware of why Porsche requests this - any concerns re overheating (unlikely) or perhaps something to do with impacting effectiveness of LED right beams?

 

[jenzfc]

So that's interesting; my PPF installer removed the badge to apply film under it.
Does that mean technically I should have gotten new nuts? He just screwed it back together.

yes he should have, unless he cut corners and put adhesive in the emblem ends.

 

[jenzfc]

I've had PPF on prior BMW M car light covers but there was very specific 'advice' to not apply it to the Porsche headlights (which I'll admit seems like overly cautious Porsche input!) - supposedly a potential warranty issue (although again I could see getting round that pretty quick by removing as nec!). Are you guys aware of why Porsche requests this - any concerns re overheating (unlikely) or perhaps something to do with impacting effectiveness of LED right beams?

All manufacturers have that for liability. BMW does not even allow PPF at all when you have object sensors under the bumper. But as an owner, I get to decide what to do with my car. Nothing will happen. It's just how the manufacturer tried to protect their assets just in case something happens.

 

[ciaranob]

All manufacturers have that for liability. BMW does not even allow PPF at all when you have object sensors under the bumper. But as an owner, I get to decide what to do with my car. Nothing will happen. It's just how the manufacturer tried to protect their assets just in case something happens.

Yep, on the same page but it would be interesting to know if these ever more sophisticated LED lamp systems might be effected by variable quality PPF.
In case you had not considered it I would suggest STEK or other manufacturer equivalent fully transparaent window screen protection - couple of recent trips have def saved my glass from hits that I am near certain would have cracked something - impressive stuff and rel cheap insurance (in both cost but also hassle/time) given the amount debris on our highways these days (well here it TX for sure!).

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