Help me decide whether PPF and/or ceramic is worth it

[RichinRidgewood]

.... Paint correction is the key.

WTF is a “Paint Correction” anyhow? I have seen this in other threads here.

I’ve done plenty of paint and body work. Ive been in numerous paint lines in automotive plants in many place in the world.

The only “Paint Correction” ie “screw up” Im familiar with would be when I spray the stuff on too heavy, it runs and I have to sand it off and start over.

 

[TRD PANTHER]

WTF is a “Paint Correction” anyhow? I have seen this in other threads here.

I’ve done plenty of paint and body work. Ive been in numerous paint lines in automotive plants in many place in the world.

The only “Paint Correction” ie “screw up” Im familiar with would be when I spray the stuff on too heavy, it runs and I have to sand it off and start over.

PAINT CORRECTION

Paint correction is the process of leveling (removing) imperfections in the surface of the paint. This can include a variety of issues and causes like water spots, paint over spray, wash scratches, wipe down marks, bird dropping surface stains, oxidation and buffer holograms. This process can involve a significant amount of time. We have spent over 60 hours on one vehicle, but, 6-12 hours is typical of most vehicles. It involves using specialty polishing machines in different sizes, many different levels of diminishing abrasives, different compounding/polishing pads and sometimes sand paper. Our process is different on every paint job. They can vary in hardness, thickness, and depth of imperfections. Every vehicle requires a different process or combination of machines based on the curves of the panels.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

PAINT CORRECTION

Paint correction is the process of leveling (removing) imperfections in the surface of the paint. This can include a variety of issues and causes like water spots, paint over spray, wash scratches, wipe down marks, bird dropping surface stains, oxidation and buffer holograms. This process can involve a significant amount of time. We have spent over 60 hours on one vehicle, but, 6-12 hours is typical of most vehicles. It involves using specialty polishing machines in different sizes, many different levels of diminishing abrasives, different compounding/polishing pads and sometimes sand paper. Our process is different on every paint job. They can vary in hardness, thickness, and depth of imperfections. Every vehicle requires a different process or combination of machines based on the curves of the panels.

I figured it was something like that. I would just call it “washing the car well”. I wouldn’t ever use sand paper or anything more than very very fine polishing compound unless I was prepared to repaint the car.

I spent about and hour last week with a terry cloth applicator pad and a bottle of Klasse removing the bugs that I got while driving at night past Lake Okeechobee. I guess I was doing “paint correction” then.

 

[cbaty08]

I figured it was something like that. I would just call it “washing the car well”. I wouldn’t ever use sand paper or anything more than very very fine polishing compound unless I was prepared to repaint the car.

I spent about and hour last week with a terry cloth applicator pad and a bottle of Klasse removing the bugs that I got while driving at night past Lake Okeechobee. I guess I was doing “paint correction” then.

Well, it is normal to correct paint to many of us. I've done it to numerous vehicles when they get swirls in the clear, and they're gone after I've polished them out.

We're not taking sandpaper to the paint - there are polishing compounds with various grains of grit to cut the clear.

 

[3atnoodles]

I just picked up a 2021 TRD ORP in MGM, was debating between PPF or cermaic coating. Now leaning more towards PPF but looking for a good installer in Seattle area
Anyone have recommended installer in Washington State?

 

[Tennis19]

my car is always going to be parked outside. def intrigued with both. really want to do xpel stealth, but is it worth it if im going to trade my car in in 2/3 years? i just picked up a 2021 trd pro last month.

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

PAINT CORRECTION

Paint correction is the process of leveling (removing) imperfections in the surface of the paint. This can include a variety of issues and causes like water spots, paint over spray, wash scratches, wipe down marks, bird dropping surface stains, oxidation and buffer holograms. This process can involve a significant amount of time. We have spent over 60 hours on one vehicle, but, 6-12 hours is typical of most vehicles. It involves using specialty polishing machines in different sizes, many different levels of diminishing abrasives, different compounding/polishing pads and sometimes sand paper. Our process is different on every paint job. They can vary in hardness, thickness, and depth of imperfections. Every vehicle requires a different process or combination of machines based on the curves of the panels.

Good info, I would add that for a DIY’er you really don’t “need” several different polishing machines. It would help to reduce time and error especially in tight spots or inflection points. I have a Flex 3401 and it’s a real workhorse. With 5” pads I can do a full correction on the 4R. There are spots that would benefit from re-chucking and putting my 3” backing plate on, but really the 5” slightly off axis is fine. The dual action is much more forgiving than a rotary buffer for someone just starting out, too.
I use two different compounds and 4 different pad types, twice a year. I bought mine new and did a full 2 day correction and decontamination right away. That included two-step clay bar and iron decontamination between each. Like most things, the prep before either PPF or ceramic coating is more important than the last step.


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[johnnygraphic]

Do both.


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[hero1234]

Wish i had done paint protection on my white 4Runner seems you can look at the front bumper and it chips

 

[johnnygraphic]

We should be picking up our 2021 ORP next week. Having full frontal clear bra and nano graphene coating done. Oh, and tinting too.

I initially choked on the price, but came to grips with it. We keep our cars a long time. 21 years in the case of our prior 4Runner. 17 years and counting on my Imola red BMW 330i. This should help keep our investment looking nice and protecting the paint for a long time. Wish this was around back when I first bought my BMW.

And a LOT or work goes into the prep prior to either PPF or ceramic coating. Once done, it will protect against water spots, bird crap, tar etc. Also, PPF is self healing. Check out some YT videos for demonstrations. Quite amazing.


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[babiemunkie]

Thank you for this question. I was on the same fence. Looks as though both might be useful if one is wanting to start off right from the beginning.

I purchased a new 2022 TRD Off Road Premium and I wanted to know if anyone knew the best places to get ceramic and PPF in New Mexico?

I'll def be off-roading and I live off a dirt road with rocks. Therefore, I'm literally driving every day in dust and rocks.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

WTF is a “Paint Correction” anyhow? I have seen this in other threads here.

I’ve done plenty of paint and body work. Ive been in numerous paint lines in automotive plants in many place in the world.

The only “Paint Correction” ie “screw up” Im familiar with would be when I spray the stuff on too heavy, it runs and I have to sand it off and start over.

This is only done after the fact. Paint correction guys can knock down factory orange peel. Let’s say you bought a brand of car you haven’t owned before and the paint has a texture you don’t like, they can fix that without repainting. Just a series of sand pad grits and polishes.

What paint correction guys do, would slow down a production too much to do as part of the manufacturing process. It wouldn’t be viable at all. It is literally only there for perfectionists to bring a 99.999% paint job to 100%

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce do not even do these steps, it wouldn’t bring that much more value to the car, given the time put in, even at that level of car enthusiast. Because not all car guys are paint guys nor have OCD.

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[-E5J-]

my car is always going to be parked outside. def intrigued with both. really want to do xpel stealth, but is it worth it if im going to trade my car in in 2/3 years? i just picked up a 2021 trd pro last month.

Just wondering what color you chose… are you liking the ‘21?

I’ve given serious thought to selling my ‘19 and getting a ‘22.

Thanks in advance.
-J

 

[doylee4693]

This is only done after the fact. Paint correction guys can knock down factory orange peel. Let’s say you bought a brand of car you haven’t owned before and the paint has a texture you don’t like, they can fix that without repainting. Just a series of sand pad grits and polishes.

What paint correction guys do, would slow down a production too much to do as part of the manufacturing process. It wouldn’t be viable at all. It is literally only there for perfectionists to bring a 99.999% paint job to 100%

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce do not even do these steps, it wouldn’t bring that much more value to the car, given the time put in, even at that level of car enthusiast. Because not all car guys are paint guys nor have OCD.

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Sounds like he’s into painting and bodywork, and doesn’t know/care much about detailing. Calls ceramic coating “hens teeth” and gets his detailing info from “bobistheoilguy”…Anyhow i’d put ppf on if I could. Ceramic coating is nice, but offers little in protection from scratches and swirls. Ceramic will let you drive thru the car wash and not have the harsh chemicals wash your coating off like wax does in three washes. Will keep it shiny and new looking for much longer, and doesnt attract dirt and dust. If it were me id ppf common trouble spots and ceramic coat the rest of the truck!