Is the paint protection film on the car fading or is this normal?
- Thread starter tjnptel1
- Start date
I spoke with the owner of the shop who did my window tint because he also does vinyl and PPF about my port installed hood and fender PPF. He said Toyota specs the film(at least for jobs he’s done for local dealers) and it’s an old generation film that they must have bought in bulk. Unlike new films this one does not have any self-healing properties and is more prone to yellowing. To add insult, he told me he’d do my whole front clip for the same price the dealer charged for a 10” strip on the hood and two small fender pieces.
My tint looks perfect - full ceramic windshield, front doors, and sunroof, so it’s likely he will be getting my business to remove the dealer PPF and replace with something serviceable.
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My tint looks perfect - full ceramic windshield, front doors, and sunroof, so it’s likely he will be getting my business to remove the dealer PPF and replace with something serviceable.
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greycoast4
New member
Hello all,
This is my first post on here as I am only in the shopping stage of my 4Runner.
I stopped at a dealership about an hour away and am testing driving this 17 OR for a couple days. There are a few cosmetic issues and the center caps are missing (which they will replace) but otherwise its in good shape and nothing negative was found during the pre purchase inspection.
My biggest concern with this 4R is the yellowing of the paint protective film - and what will happen during removal of the film to the Super White paint underneath. I am aware that there are peeling/adhesion issues during 2017. I have told the dealership I want them to remove the film on both sides before I agree to buy but they are echoing my own concerns about the paint.
Does anyone have any experience or advice with removing film that has been on Super White for 5 years?
This is my first post on here as I am only in the shopping stage of my 4Runner.
I stopped at a dealership about an hour away and am testing driving this 17 OR for a couple days. There are a few cosmetic issues and the center caps are missing (which they will replace) but otherwise its in good shape and nothing negative was found during the pre purchase inspection.
My biggest concern with this 4R is the yellowing of the paint protective film - and what will happen during removal of the film to the Super White paint underneath. I am aware that there are peeling/adhesion issues during 2017. I have told the dealership I want them to remove the film on both sides before I agree to buy but they are echoing my own concerns about the paint.
Does anyone have any experience or advice with removing film that has been on Super White for 5 years?
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looks like a asphalt road stain on that plastic rt side ..
put mineral spirits to clean that asphalt coating .
I bought is new 2016 and it is white sr5 ..
I put running boards and I installed the fiberglass guard shield on the front wheel wells .. the toyota is plastic and the change was lower 2 inches ..
put mineral spirits to clean that asphalt coating .
I bought is new 2016 and it is white sr5 ..
I put running boards and I installed the fiberglass guard shield on the front wheel wells .. the toyota is plastic and the change was lower 2 inches ..
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Something_Awesome
New member
Factory PPF is ass. 3M PPF is also ass. If you have OEM PPF or have 3M, that's why. I've had PPF in the past, and it definitely did not fade the quick. My 4Runner is currently in the shop (Dreamwork Customs) getting xpel PPF installed. Xpel is considered to be the best overall right now.
With all that said, I'd still leave the film on because it is protecting the paint. If the discoloration bothers you that much, then get xpel installed. You should still be caring for the film though just like regular paint.
With all that said, I'd still leave the film on because it is protecting the paint. If the discoloration bothers you that much, then get xpel installed. You should still be caring for the film though just like regular paint.
Something_Awesome
New member
I had non-OEM PPF installed on my 2013 Honda, back in 2013, and I just parked it under the sun in the So Cal summer heat and it peeled off easily. It was more than 100 degrees out there and I left it under the sun till about 2-3pm. Peeled off no problem.
I have also peeled off OE PPF off an Acura. Did it in the cold with no heat gun. Used rubbing alcohol and just muscled it LMAO. Paint did not come off. The PPF was along the sides of the car just life yours.
I have also peeled off OE PPF off an Acura. Did it in the cold with no heat gun. Used rubbing alcohol and just muscled it LMAO. Paint did not come off. The PPF was along the sides of the car just life yours.
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greycoast4
New member
The dealer agreed to take the film off before I agreed to purchase the 4Runner.. so they removed it and to everyone's relief there was no damage to the paint underneath! If anyone else questions if they should remove 5 year old yellowing film on their single stage Super White paint, I'd say go for it!
ChoreRunnerIG
New member
Bumping up this old post to sound off about my ongoing factory PPF experience, lol.
Picked up my 2019 SR5P last month. Immaculately maintained by one owner, regular service, 35k miles. He traded it in for a Porsche. The *only* issue: dealer-installed PPF on the hood, mirrors, door edges and cups was already browned and breaking down on the paint. Five South Florida summers and it was looking like the cracked film that's fused to my parents' 2012 Grand Cherokee. The hood coating had bazillions of hardened breaks. And thick as hell, too!
So I took it to my local pro detailer to strip the old film, polish it up, and do a light ceramic coating. He got right to work.
That was 48 hours ago. He's *just* gotten down to clear coat on the hood after trying hot air, 3M adhesive remover, Carpro, Koch Chemie Eu, Goof Off, and finally, a wet sand. The glue had simply become a part of the clear coat. A much bigger lift-and-paint-correct job than either of us anticipated.
TLdr: If you're film-protecting even a part of your ride, get the good stuff, get it done by a pro, and take pains to maintain it! When this stuff goes bad, it takes a lot more than a blow dry to bring your baby's shine back.
Picked up my 2019 SR5P last month. Immaculately maintained by one owner, regular service, 35k miles. He traded it in for a Porsche. The *only* issue: dealer-installed PPF on the hood, mirrors, door edges and cups was already browned and breaking down on the paint. Five South Florida summers and it was looking like the cracked film that's fused to my parents' 2012 Grand Cherokee. The hood coating had bazillions of hardened breaks. And thick as hell, too!
So I took it to my local pro detailer to strip the old film, polish it up, and do a light ceramic coating. He got right to work.
That was 48 hours ago. He's *just* gotten down to clear coat on the hood after trying hot air, 3M adhesive remover, Carpro, Koch Chemie Eu, Goof Off, and finally, a wet sand. The glue had simply become a part of the clear coat. A much bigger lift-and-paint-correct job than either of us anticipated.
TLdr: If you're film-protecting even a part of your ride, get the good stuff, get it done by a pro, and take pains to maintain it! When this stuff goes bad, it takes a lot more than a blow dry to bring your baby's shine back.
Attachments
1. There no such thing as factory PPF. All PPF is either port installed, distributor installed, or dealer installed. It is never installed at the factory.
2. After seven years and five cars, I have never had any problems with my PPF. No fading, no pealing, no cracking, no discoloration. Only problem has been some minor lifting on the edges where there is a sharp bend in the PPF.
Two things stand out in my mind as to why I have never had any problems:
-Quality PPF from a reputable company. All mine have been 3M PPF.
-Quality installation by an experienced technician.
ChoreRunnerIG
New member
True! I should have said *dealer* PPF. Most of the Toyo dealers down here follow Southeast's lead in loading up goodies like this on the new stock as part of their "not optional" filler packages -- and as has been noted earlier in this thread, they source it locally, and what you're getting can vary wildly. These films have also come a long way in recent years -- but again, if you've ever dealt with the sales teams at say Toyota Weston or Al Hendrickson, you might be better served skipping it at the dealer and finding a good aftermarket application.
And again, I'm sure maintenance matters -- but my preowned was clearly babied in every regard but the PPF. It just went off on the clearcoat like bakelite.
Speaking of which, a new update: the hood is beyond my detailer. I'm gonna end up taking it to a buddy for a full sanding and a new clearcoat. I love my T4R, every system on her runs beautifully, and if I have an ugly hood for a little bit, no worries. Ymmv, but I don't see any *half assed* PPF in her future.
Grug556
New member
Possibly, not all films are created equal. Did you buy a cheap film or a brand name one? If it yellows that fast as is likely it will dull soon and eventually breakdown further.
Humble Leader
Senior Member
same. 11 years, 160k miles, PPF looks brand new. can't tell it's there. spend the $, get it installed professionally if it's a large area to cover around corners etc.
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