PPF/ceramic on a MY21 Taycan 4S - or too late?

[ze_shark]

Key parameter missing in this thread: what color is the car ?
If it is a bright color, then I'd advise against it. Did PPF on my two Suzuka grey Audis, and no matter how good the film and application, you end up with grime accumulation at the edges.
The only benefit is that, at resale, there is perfect paint underneath, so buyer has the option to remove the film.

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[travisfickle]

Key parameter missing in this thread: what color is the car ?
If it is a bright color, then I'd advise against it. Did PPF on my two Suzuka grey Audis, and no matter how good the film and application, you end up with grime accumulation at the edges.
The only benefit is that, at resale, there is perfect paint underneath, so buyer has the option to remove the film.

Thanks. It is Gentian Blue, so kind of in between, but probably slightly on the darker side!

 

[Genau]

Did PPF on my two Suzuka grey Audis, and no matter how good the film and application, you end up with grime accumulation at the edges.

Edges that accumulate grime are not an issue with bulk film installation (cut by hand rather than pre-cut from a template). The installer removes trim and wraps the film fully around each panel edge so there's no visible film edge.

 

[ze_shark]

As the video explains, it is not feasible to wrap around everywhere. And there are other issues inherent to bulk installs, cost not being the least.

In the end, at least for most, PPF is just an investment to avoid costlier repairs later. It is not panacea, and brighter cars amplify some issues.

 

[jkoya]

I had a Tesla Model 3 Performance in Deep Blue Metallic (which is kinda, sorta of close to Gentian Blue) that had a couple of paint chips. The Xpel installer just used the Tesla touch up paint kit, which I think was a rebranded Dr. Colorchip product, to fill in the chips before paint correcting and applying the Xpel PPF. When I picked up the car, I couldn't tell where the paint chips were ! The installer applied several coats of the touch paint to get it level with the factory paint, let if cure and applied the PPF. I was happy with it...

I also had a 2016 Chevy Volt in Kinetic Blue Metallic that was hit by road debris that tore the PPF. I trimmed away the little flap from the tear. The PPF tear never spread and with regualr cleaning, the edges did not appear to collect dirt.

Another option would be to touch up the paint and then temporarily apply a scrap piece of PPF on it, and then you can see how it looks. I've used several installers over the years and all of them had scraps of PPF laying around or in their garbage..

 

[RAHRCR]

The benefits of maintaining the original paint only applies to cars that hold or increase in value over time. Taycan is not one of them. You should PPF in cases where rock chip prevention adds to your sanity and sense of enjoyment. You should ceramic coat to improve the experience of cleaning the car….assuming this applies to you.

Otherwise, skip all of this and buy a bottle of touch-up paint for when you are ready to handover the car to a new owner.

 

[travisfickle]

The further responses are much appreciated.

I am going to have the front end repaired and Xpel PPF'ed, with CSL over the rest of the car, and EXO all over including over the PPF.

I think this means I will be spending £2k more than most people in my position would, since for the reasons mentioned by other contributors the PPF is not strictly necessary, may need to be reapplied, and will probably protect the paintwork for the next person more than me when I come to sell in 3-4 years. But I would like to do it for my own comfort and knowledge, and in the hope that when the next stone hits I have the best chance of it not doing as much or any damage.

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