While cutting the PPF film, they even managed to scratch the body paint at one place, which is unacceptable.

BHPian pragyaal recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently got PPF (Paint Protection Film) applied to my beloved Royal Enfield Limited Edition Shotgun 650 at PRO Detail - Car & Bike Detailing - Pune , and I must say, I am utterly disappointed with their craftsmanship. I feel it's my responsibility to share my experience so that others don't have to go through what I did.

I decided to preserve the custom paint job on my limited edition bike, and after some research, I chose Garware Paint Protection Film . ProDetail Studio Pune, who got in touch with me through Garware, unfortunately, did not live up to the expectations.

Here's why I'm sharing this:

• Third-Party Applicators: ProDetail Studio Pune doesn't have their own PPF applicators. They hire third-party applicators who claimed to have their own shop and informed that they could have done same job directly at a much lower rate.
• Uneven Cutting and Application: The PPF film they applied is unevenly cut and not consistently applied end to end, leaving the finish looking subpar.
• Paint Damage: While cutting the PPF film, they even managed to scratch the body paint at one place, which is unacceptable.
• Uneven Film Cuts: The film cuts are very uneven, compromising the overall look of the protection.
• Incomplete Wrapping: Some panels were not wrapped end to end, indicating either a lack of attention to detail or an attempt to save time and material.
• Rushed Job: They completed the PPF application in just a few hours. Reputable applicators usually recommend leaving the bike overnight for 7Air Bubbles: After the application, there were numerous air bubbles. Their attempt to fix this by poking holes with a syringe only made matters worse, leaving scratches and making it look unprofessional.

I have attached images for your reference, so you can see the poor quality of work done by them.

Moreover, I paid a hefty sum of ₹15,000 for this disappointing job. Shockingly, the third-party applicator informed me that he could have done the job at a much lower price. This leaves me questioning the value for money and quality of service at ProDetail Studio Pune.

To add to the frustration, I attempted to contact reputed applicators to inquire if these defects could be fixed or if the PPF could be safely removed. Sadly, I was informed that in removing this film, the decals and logos will get peeled off. According to Royal Enfield, these decals are not currently available, so I might have to endure this substandard job for a few months or possibly even a year.

My advice to fellow bike enthusiasts: Invest a bit more and choose reputed applicators. I've had a better experience with 3M on my Ecosport, and it's worth every penny. Let's ensure our prized possessions receive the care and precision they deserve!

Mustang Dark Horse customers can get the clear film installed but only if the model is without the accent stripes on the bonnet.

According to reports, Ford is now offering 2024 Mustang owners a new factory-applied clear matte film.

The new matte film will be offered as an optional accessory to customers on any new Mustang coupe. The first models with the factory-applied matte film will be delivered in June 2024. The film will give the Mustang a satin-like finish and will cost US$ 5,995. Customers will also get a 3-year or 36,000-mile warranty - same as the car's standard warranty period.

As per Ford, the clear film not only offers a matte finish to the Mustang coupe, but also provides paint protection. The film is said to be capable of handling everything from road salt and asphalt residue to strong chemicals used during touchless car washes.

Ford though did mention that the clear film is currently available only on the coupe version. Mustang convertible owners will have to wait till fall to get the option. Also, the clear film can't be paired with the 'GT California Special Appearance Package', the optional 'Graphics Package' or the painted racing stripes. Dark Horse customers can get the clear film installed but only if the model is without the accent stripes on the bonnet.

Source: Car&Driver

I went ahead with the self-healing 3M PPF which may appear pricey but their highest level of skills and professionalism makes up for the peace of mind.

BHPian abirnale recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Here is a bit of background

I have been visiting 3M Koramangala for the past many days - right from the CR70 films, to roof wrap and occasional wash / wax polish. Every time I visit them, I see cars of all categories getting PPF (Paint Protection Films). I have always said this: the cars that cost downwards of 25-30 lakhs would be cheaper to paint as a whole than buying these PPF and applying it all over the car.

This is precisely the reason TheRedSparkle does not have any protection on the exterior whatsoever. Sometimes this is a personal choice or that extra TLC you want to offer to your car as you treat it closer to your heart. On this topic, I had a good conversation with Vinay, who owns this 3M Koramangala franchise.

While in conversation with him, we observed some serious paint chips on the bonnets - clearly, the casualty inflicted due to highway runs - following the heavy vehicles at speed is a sure-shot recipe for such damages. The other part we noticed getting small scratches are headlights - since these are the parts that don’t have many creases and complexities, a quick decision to try PPF on these and observe how it goes for a few months / maybe a year is an obvious choice for me.

Technically, one need not wrap the entire car in PPF - You could just choose the areas that take the most beating or the battle scars such as bumpers, doors, bonnet or headlights, A-B-C-D pillars. Though, to my kind of usage, I doubt if the select areas will suffice - TheRedSparkle got scratches everywhere! And then the bumpers and doors are already scratched!

So we proceed with trying the PPF on the bonnet and headlights to experiment with. 3M offered an option of using their best-of-the-line PPF film. With all qualities listed on the URL, an explanation from experts in 3M, all I needed now is to get the car to their place and rest they will take care.

Thus, last week, we finally applied the PPF on the bonnet and headlights! I took the bitter pill in the hope that it turns sweet soon I am going to post the feedback as this thing ages and how I find this experience. As per 3M, this doesn’t expect to discolour into a yellowish shade. And has a much better hydrophobic effect. Anytime there is a scratch on it, all it needs is parking under the sun for a few hours and the film will heal itself.

Process of Application

A thorough cleaning is the first step to the prep followed by polishing of the surface to the perfect detail to ensure there are no dust or other foreign particles on the surface. This is the most important step and my first realisation of the level of detail this thing demands! The difference in work is evident at every step - a professional approach throughout. Use of materials, towels, space being cordoned off for access, and lighting to ensure nothing is missed - everything is just great. It was a great experience for me to see how these things are done. While the staff was busy with work, I had an opportunity to ask all kinds of stupid and smart questions to the SMEs there. The 3M may appear pricey but their highest level of skills and professionalism makes up for the peace of mind.

We took some pictures during this process:

Some fun facts: I didn’t know the DNA of 3M as a company till this moment. I always thought they are the post-it notes and double-sided tape company with some automotive products! That's just the tip of the iceberg - they are spread from home/ healthcare/ automotive to large industrial applications!

I *may* wrap a few more parts/ exposed areas with this same PPF if it continues to hold after the next 6 months or so. Since the film is self-healing and can easily take bruises, I am considering them to be used on A-B-C-D pillars where I get the thorny bushes scratching on the car. For now, the bonnet and headlights should be able to breathe a sigh of relief as they face the small stones chipping away their piece of surface!

Oh, and you know what - every time you shine the car and clean it, the very next day or the same evening, you expect it to rain :( The best part though - TheRedSparkle is expected to shine anyway - the rain, mud or sun. She ain’t a garage queen - we are meant to explore our country together! The rains are here, and so is lush greenery. Here is the hope for another fantastic year of monsoon drives, incredible exploration of my country and tons of beautiful memories to live for the rest of my life.

The pic was taken in the low-lit basement parking of my home - the same evening after fitting and when it rained:

Stay tuned for more updates and wish me the best to continue to explore our incredible country!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

BMW could use a "conductive scratch-sensitive skin", which, when punctured or abraded, detects a change in current.

BMW is said to have applied for a patent for a new paint protection film, which detects and alerts a driver when their car gets scratched.

According to media reports, the patent literature indicates the new system originates in China, where older cities don't have the infrastructure to support the growing number of vehicles on the road. This leads to tight parking and driving situations, increasing the chance of scratches.

Reports state that BMW could use a "conductive scratch-sensitive skin", which, when punctured or abraded, detects a change in current, immediately alerting the driver. The change in current could also enable the various cameras to try and capture the cause of the scratch.

Details of how the car alerts the driver varies. As per reports, if the car is in motion, the vehicle will alert the driver by sending out audio & visual cues. On the other hand, if a scratch occurs when the car is parked away from the driver, a wireless alert could be sent to their smartphone.

Reports though state that BMW is yet to be granted this patent. However, even if patented, it doesn't guarantee that future cars will come with this tech.

Source: TheDrive

Odo currently stands at 650 km, after a recent drive from Pune to Mumbai.

BHPian blackwasp recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Picked up the Thar diesel AT Convertible variant last Friday. Primarily will be my dad's ride - the main requirement was AT and a small footprint.

Currently, the car is with me to get basic things done post-delivery - detailing and PPF. Planning to get Galio floormats and add Aux lights in the form of an LED light bar (Hella) at a later stage.

On Monday, drove the car from Pune to Mumbai with the top lowered and there was a huge grin plastered on my face. Yes, it did get a little hot once I exited the expressway but turned on the AC and it kept blowing cool air till I reached home. Taking off the top took about 5 mins, but putting it back on took about 15 mins of wrestling the zippers.

I will share my initial impressions after driving some more and doing a bit of off-roading. Current odo stands at 650 km.

On delivery day:

Top lowered:

A video of me driving with the wind in my hair

Prepping for paint correction:

PPF application in progress:

A pic after the installers left. Have to fit back the removed bits and pieces which I will do tomorrow:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The car is just 2 months old and has covered only 1200 km.

BHPian TwerkyC0ffee recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi all members, I hope everyone is safe and doing great. I would like to discuss and know your solutions/opinions on pebbles which come flying down and damage our cars’ paintwork.

Recently, I also became a victim of it. I was going about 90 km/h on NH27, and a truck was going ahead of me. Suddenly we entered a short stretch of tarmac where some patchwork/repair was planned to happen, and the top layer of the road had been scraped off.

Under the topmost surface, there were loose stones and gravel which were aggressively thrown off the truck tyres. I immediately started braking, however, by the time I slowed down, the car had already been hit several times. I was simply not expecting it to damage anything, as it is a pretty common occurrence on our roads.

The next day when I casually checked the bonnet area of my car, I couldn’t see any damage/scratches because it was thoroughly covered in dust. Today I got it washed and now when I closely checked the surface, I was shocked to see about 6-7 tiny craters on the surface.

The paint has been removed from those spots and when I run my fingernail over it, I can clearly feel the “holes” about 0.5mm deep. My car is in dark green colour (Tata Nexon Foliage Green) so I can clearly see the white surface under the paint.

Now I need your input on what to do here. What are my options to get it fixed? Should I attempt to get it fixed - because it might happen again the next time I go on some highway.

Also, since I can see the white surface underneath the paint, does it create a risk of rusting? I’m attaching the photos.

This is my first car purchased after getting my first job. The car is just 2 months old and has covered only 1200 km. It was very painful to see the damage and now I can’t help but notice it.

Please provide your valuable input.

Here's what BHPian Leoshashi had to say on the matter:

That's sad and unfortunate to see, but it's something unavoidable on Indian roads. For your car, you should get the chip touched up at TASS or any competent body shop. If the applicator is good, it can cover it up almost flawlessly. But don't prolong the touchup as it may cause rust and damage to nearby paint.

One effective but expensive way of avoiding this is getting your car wrapped up in PPF. But if the projectile is sharp, it will certainly create dents on your panel, PPF won't prevent that.

Here's what BHPian johannskaria had to say on the matter:

This is a phenomenon called rock chipping, which is part of the normal wear and tear of the painted surface. In most situations, this does not result in rusting.

Keep a good distance from the car ahead of you on the broken tarmacs to prevent this as much as possible.

Yes, you can touch it up to reduce the visibility, especially on a darker-coloured surface. But make sure it's a multi-layered touch-up to match the paint thickness.

The only protection which is widely used against this is the PPF (Paint Protection Film), this will also reduce the effect of other damages on the paint and make the maintenance of the dark colour much easier.

If going for the PPF route make sure you're touching up the surface before otherwise, these chips will be even more visible when the paint is corrected and sealed for the PPF life.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Due to the strong adhesive, the paint also came out along with PPF at some places.

BHPian motoholic31 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi All,

I had a horrible experience with 3M PPF which I had got done 5 years ago in 3M Thane. Over the period of time, PPF had become brittle and got converted from glossy to matte as you can see.

Decided to get it removed which was a nightmare. PPF had a strong adhesive and because it became brittle it was coming out in pieces. Below are some pictures for reference.

Due to the strong adhesive, the paint also came out along with PPF at some places, especially plastic panels.

I have learnt a lesson and I'm never going to opt for PPF for any of my cars in future. Maybe ceramic coating is a better bet than PPF after having such a horrible experience.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

I keep my cars for long (typically 10 years), so thank you for this thread. Was always worried about how PPF would age over a decade. We did ponder over PPF, but eventually decided against it.

What works for me is good parking + car cover + detailing twice a year + other simple best practices listed in this article.

Turning 9 this year:

Almost 10 years since the last paint job:

Here's what BHPian Pancham had to say on the matter:

Wow, this is quite horrible. This is one reason I have stayed away from PPF. It just bewilders me how a thin sheet of plastic with glue can stay on a car for 5-10 years (the warranty period these companies boast of), endure our Indian harsh conditions and 'not' take out paint when you try to peel them off after a prolonged period such as this one. They say only cheap PPF has this problem. Your case proves them all wrong. I think all PPFs may have this problem after 5-6 years. Better to stay away.

Here's what BHPian goenkakushal had to say on the matter:

This is exactly my biggest fear which I shared in my previous post.

I was just trying to guess the reason for such horrible condition, it could be one of the following:

• Was this PPF a Fake 3M sold to you. If it was a genuine one with a warranty card etc then this should have never happened. Can you please take it up with 3M
• Was it due to the wrong installation method?
• Was your car exposed to any extreme climate or some unhealthy environment of some chemical factory in the vicinity?
• Is the life of PPF only 1-2 years and beyond which is not safe for your paint?

A brand like 3M cant be selling such sub-standard products which will spoil the car's paint. This issue should be examined for their own benefit.

Can you share which 3M PPF variant was sold to you and at what price?

Have you tried visiting the store where it was installed? Would like to know his comments.

I hope this is a result of some sub-standard counterfeit products. Else everyone who has installed PPF to protect their lovely looking cars will be found after 5 years.

Here's what BHPian DRIV3R had to say on the matter:

This cannot be a genuine 3M PPF from what I can tell.

A friend has the same variant of basic PPF costing 550 per sq. Ft. on his 10-year-old Punto and it still has the same properties. Has not faded but has picked up a few swirls here and there. The PPF is also 9-10 years old.

Though the store might be authorised, there could be some level of autonomy the franchise would have to do such stuff, so cannot rule that possibility entirely.

I have had STEK PPF on my car for the past 4 years and it is good so far.

Here's what BHPian WorkingGuru had to say on the matter:

After all, it's a stretchable plastic/polymer with glue. It's bound to harden after years of constant exposure to the sun's UV.

I don't trust this PPF bogey. Simply not believable to me that some "superior plastic" can cost a whopping ₹550/sqft. At that rate, one can get their car repainted thrice over!

P.S: I don't trust online influencers at all in this matter, too many of them are either directly or indirectly benefited to praise it.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Tata Motors plans to extend this service to other models in the future.

Tata Motors has launched an in-house Ceramic Coating service for Safari customers. It costs Rs. 28,500 (including GST) and will be available at all Tata Motors authorized dealerships.

The Ceramic Coating forms a hardened finish that mixes with the paintwork. Compared to conventional treatments, this coating lasts much longer and helps in shedding debris and grime while protecting the vehicle against traffic pollution, acid rain, solvents, animal matter and more.

The coating also reduces fading by UV rays. Its self-cleaning properties make it easy to maintain and prevents oxidation and corrosion.

Tata Motors plans to extend this service to other models in the future. Prices would vary depending on the segment.

People comparing the cost of PPF with repaint costs. Please understand, both are never the same.

vardhann5 recently shared this with other BHPians.

The thoughts about paint protection started around mid-December when I was almost certain of getting the car by month-end and was in the market (in Hyderabad and Bangalore) looking out for paint protection options and reading a lot of reviews online.

Since my first preference was a red Compass Night Eagle and I wanted to make sure it looked new for as long as possible, I wanted the absolute best and was not willing to take any chances. After all, I was spending almost 27 hard-earned Lakhs on a car and dint want to compromise on looks to save few thousand's.

For all the people who literally say/said (not just here but various other platforms too) "PPF = Waste of money"; here is my analogy and reasons what made me go with PPF.

My swift (2012 model) got back bumper painted twice (in 2013 and 2015) at Maruti.

In early 2017, I was planning to upgrade my ride. During price negotiation, I casually enquired with the SA about trading swift. He immediately arranged for a vehicle check-up. The check-up person comes and we walk towards the place where my car was parked outside. Without me uttering a word, he points out and said, "Sir, the bumper is painted". I was shocked to hear. Then as we discussed further, he explained how a repainted panel (No matter who does it and where) is never going to be the same as an original one from the factory. He further explained how the paint jobs are done in garages (Including the authorized service centers). Many brands authorized service centers in our country actually outsource paint jobs to local garages to save money and space. A factory-painted car is the best and one should always make efforts to save it if they really care for car looks.

That day, I decided, my next ride must and should have bumper guards (since self-healing PPF was an unknown concept to me then and Teflon's don't really protect the paint) and all possible accessories to protect from crazy 2 wheel drivers (who always try to sneak through between gaps in traffic).

People comparing the cost of PPF with repaint costs. Please understand, both are never the same.

While a lot of thinking was happening at the back of my head, the car color changed from red to silver (aka minimal grey) due to stock availability as Jeep was launching a new model next month and looking at on-road cars and hearing from people who own the color (red probably is the most difficult one to maintain after black). Red would also catch a lot of attention on the roads and I prefer to maintain a low profile.

Now that the color is silver (my swift is silver too and is the easiest to maintain), my initial plan was to get PPF only on the scratch-prone areas. And normal DIY 3M wax polishing (Monthly/ quarterly). Ceramic was not even considered due to the heavy maintenance after application.

Read a few reviews which talked about how patches don't really look good and how the dust settles at the edges and makes a car look ugly. Ever got a phone, computer screen, or anything else covered with plastic? Look at the edges and you would know what I am talking about. Dust settles down quickly and gets stuck. As time progress, it even spoils the original color by leaving marks.
A self-healing PPF is the best choice. This not only takes all the impact of the harsh roads we drive on, but also the crazy stunt masters in city traffic. And not to forget the acidic rains and pollution. The PPF takes up all the hit and the marks almost disappear as exposed to the sun.

Conclusion: Get PPF done on all 4 sides of the car. The top can be ceramic or left untouched.

Below are the options considered

• (First choice) 3M PPF (Standard)
• 3M Ventureshield (Next level protection from the first choice)
• Lumar Platinum (remember seeing some ads on Instagram)
• (Google suggested and close to my house) Opticoat
• (Little research and lot of positive reviews) Xpel Supreme PPL
• Xpel Ultimate (The undoubted kind and the best option)
• (This is a weird one) Spend a fraction of the budget and get a strong and good looking bumper guard
• (Friends and so-called experts suggested) Get the car detailed at a regular intervals (whenever I feel the car is looking dull)

Reduced the list to 2 options finally and it was 3M vs Xpel (popular choice vs best in the business).

Expert advice: Any PPF is as good as the people who are applying it. So it's important to have the right people do the work. Also, the film should not be cut at the edges/ ends (this attracts dirt and chances of peeling off). The film should be folded towards the inside.

Went with Xpel. 3M was costly and the google reviews of their service centers were all mixed and pointed out how they literally loot money on brand name and not justify the cost with bad quality work. Xpel on the other hand had few reviews but all positive and so I decided on them. Googled for Xpel in Bangalore and we only have 1 location in the entire Bangalore (it's in Koramangala).

Connected with them the next morning and spoke. Negotiated the cost on all the work I wanted to get done.

My Car delivery was on the 31st evening and I requested Xpel for a pick-up from the Jeep showroom on Kanakapura road to Xpel Koramangala. The driver who came was a young lad, drove the car very well as I was watching him closely in my rear and side-view mirror. Reached Xpel soon and below are the costs and works that were quoted.

• Xpel supreme 675 per sft plus GST (Selected this) (Compass would need about 190 sft)
• Xpel ultimate 875 per sft plus GST. Both the films are self-healing and anti-yellowing.
• All 6 glass to get a water-repellant coat (got done as complimentary)
• Windshield protection - 25K (Dint take it)
• All Alloys to get protection coat - 3K
• While discussing, I went ahead and added the sunroof too for the PPF as it was about 8K more

Total bill = 1.54L (paid 1.5L at delivery)

The major difference between the supreme and ultimate is the 5MM and 7MM thickness. And hence the warranty is for 5 years and 7 years on the films. The SA further explained that yearly maintenance is required to keep the shiny look and they would removing 1mm a year to keep the good look.

Work got completed and took back the car on the 3rd evening. Was asked to come for an inspection after 10 days and meanwhile, I shouldn't wash the car. If the sun comes out (Bangaloreans can relate as it is bound to be cold and cloudy all day mostly at this time of the year), then I was asked to leave the car under direct sun for few hours so the PPF can stick well. The more the heat, the better it is for the film. Observed some bubbles on the door panels at the time of delivery which I was told would go in few days after getting exposed to the sun.

Some maintenance tips:

• Always use a microfibre cloth (at least 240 GSM)
• Don't use shampoos or chemicals to clean the car
• Don't use a jet spray
• Don't rub in circles to clear the car. Always do an up-down motion and squeeze the cloth fully after each use.
• Use different cloths for Glass, body, and bottom.
• Keep a box of wet tissues in the car always and clean bird dropping as quickly as possible to avoid decolorization on the paint in the dropping area.

Thanks to vardhann5 once again! Check out BHPian comments for more insights & information.

Garware Polyester, a manufacturer of polyester and sun control films in India, has commenced the production of paint protection films for automobiles. Currently, paint protection films have an estimated global market size of US$ 500 million (Rs. 3,680 crore) and is dominated by global giants like 3M, Llumar, XPEL and others.

A paint protection film is designed to give automobile paint coatings protection and impact resistance. These films are clear and self-healing. These films are claimed to extend the life of the paint coating on vehicles. The paint protection film is manufactured using thermoplastic polyurethane film (TPU) and is claimed to protect the vehicle’s paint from scratches, dents and damage caused by road debris and rocks, as well as from environmental elements, through its force-dissipation properties.

The company estimates paint protection films to contribute 20% of FY23 revenue estimated at an incremental Rs. 300 crore. The company also claims that the film will also be more competitively priced than those available in the Indian market today.