Need your advice to save some money

[royCfus]

I have had the PPF and Ceramic done on the vette. Thought it would be a good investment in long term vehicle care. Turned out to be a waste when I sold it three years later, bad ROI. If you go through vehicles I would say its a bad investment. Also for a Rappy PPF is not an expense worthy of the cost. I can get behind the Ceramic coat as it really does make cleaning easier but doing it yourself, I would not recommend it. Pro shops do hundreds of cars, this would be your first. You will undoubtedly mess up and end of paying a pro shop to fix it anyway. As far as the roof goes, it only makes sense to use PPF if its going to sit outside all day in Vegas or AZ heat, assuming you plan on keeping it for 5+ years.

 

[TripleE44]

You can most certainly do the ceramic yourself if you can follow directions and be methodical about the application. I've been having great results with the Gtechniq I put on mine.

Generally the bulk of the install price of ceramic is the paint correction process which can be incredibly time consuming to do correctly. If you're having Xpel put on first I cannot see why it would be $1000 to put it on top of it. It shouldn't take any more time than a traditional paste wax in my experience.

And really, I think Xpel is probably more worth it on a Raptor that likely sees offroading over a high end sports car. The self healing property would be a huuuuge help with brush pinstripes.

 

[Kurator]

I do actually plan to offroad it later in a upstate NY. The reason I want to put XPEL is that roads in NY are harsh, and my 2015 Charger already have so many dings and scratches from construction vehicles and also salt trucks.

I plan to keep it until wheels fall off, that why I purchased 150k miles/8 year/0$ deductible warranty on it. Last weekend dealership fixed my backup camera on my charger and it would cost me 675$ if not for warranty.

Modern cars have shit loads of electronics that can go bad so easily.

 

[Kurator]

You can most certainly do the ceramic yourself if you can follow directions and be methodical about the application. I've been having great results with the Gtechniq I put on mine.

Generally the bulk of the install price of ceramic is the paint correction process which can be incredibly time consuming to do correctly. If you're having Xpel put on first I cannot see why it would be $1000 to put it on top of it. It shouldn't take any more time than a traditional paste wax in my experience.

And really, I think Xpel is probably more worth it on a Raptor that likely sees offroading over a high end sports car. The self healing property would be a huuuuge help with brush pinstripes.

Do you think that new cars really need paint correction?

 

[Kurator]

Do you have a zeibart in your area? If so, buy their house brand of PPF, it is guarenteed for life, meaning if it gets damaged, they will replace it for free, Xpel will not give you free replacement of film.

Thank you! I will look into it!

 

[Kurator]

Found one Zeibart shop in NJ, but it is only 7 year warranty on their PPF

 

[TripleE44]

Do you think that new cars really need paint correction?

That's a subjective thing. It really depends how much you care, and how much your eye sees. Some see it as a truck and it doesn't have to be perfect so it may not be necessary for them. I see it as a truck and use it, but I also work to keep it as perfect/new looking as possible.

If you want your paint to be 100% defect free then yes. Most cars have defects by the time you pick it up from the dealer. Even if you pull it straight off the trailer and don't let anyone touch it you'll still likely find a spot or 2 that has buffer trails. Then when the wash guys on the lots get a hold of it you're going to get swirls period.

 

[allinon72]

Coming from a guy who owns a car that's fully PPF'd and ceramic coated....not just no way, no way in HELL I would shell out that kind of money for any of that. First off, the PPF quotes are too high. I would not bother with PPF on a Raptor, perhaps on the front end, but otherwise I wouldn't bother.

And as a general rule, there's no way I would pay those prices for a ceramic coating. There are just too many environmental variables that will make that investment go ****. And it doesn't last forever - 18-24 months for a professional coating without any environmental factors degrading the coating faster than expected.

The only thing I would do is a DIY ceramic coating and the front end PPF protection. Your investment should be about 1k.

 

[Brandon Robinson]

It’s a truck, not a Mercedes. I’d spend that kind of money on some suspension mods, wheels, tune, etc. Something you’ll enjoy and notice every time you drive the beast.

 

[WooPig]

Do you think that new cars really need paint correction?

It’s def subjective thing. But factory paint leaves a lot to be desired from orange peel and contaminants to being burned thru super easily and even not enough base coat coverage (which is the case with a lot of Raps).

as for OP, I did ceramic coating with some minimal paint correction just for ease of cleaning. It was $500 cash for the whole truck. I can’t see spending that kinda cash on paint protection but if it’s your baby I can’t tell you how to raise it you know what I mean? Especially if your gonna keep it long term. If you’re like me and trade fairly frequently, then no way worth it.