PPF and Tint through Porsche or third-party?

[ianmcall]

My 992 C2S arrives in less than a month. Next question is whether to do PPF and window tint through my Porsche dealer or do it via a third-party shop myself. I have 3P pricing and am assuming Porsche will have some markup. Any other considerations I should think about?

If you have specific recommendations on type of PPF or % tint I'm all ears on those topics also.

-Ian

[Tom]

My 992 C2S arrives in less than a month. Next question is whether to do PPF and window tint through my Porsche dealer or do it via a third-party shop myself. I have 3P pricing and am assuming Porsche will have some markup. Any other considerations I should think about?

If you have specific recommendations on type of PPF or % tint I'm all ears on those topics also.

-Ian

I'd say you are better off finding a local installer with a great reputation. The dealer will likely farm it out anyway, so you'd be paying extra without having any say over who does the work. The installer is more important than the brand you use imho. Suntek, XPel and 3M all make good film, so my advice (having done it 3 times now) is to shop for the best installer you can find, and use whatever 8-mil film he/she prefers. @wcw67 knows a bit about this topic, so am hopeful he sees this thread and schools us all a bit.

[ryancassidy]

Having it done on two cars, I've been lucky enough to find a local installer who is extremely good through some friends etc. He uses both XPEL and SunTek depending on A.) what the buyer prefers and B.) the color of the car as he says it has a slight impact to what he recommends. I'd trust your Porsche place to do it frankly, but I think you'd be better served financially going through a reputable 3rd party.

See what they try and sell you to though... I love when they sell a "paint correction" prior to PPF. PPF is so forgiving you could probably use a sink scrubbie on the paint and then put PPF over it and never notice it. If anyone is trying to sell you the "paint correction" before PPF, that's the first negative sign for me. There are some basics they should do to prep it like clay and the like, but a full paint correction isn't needed at all. If its paint correction before ceramic... that's a different story of course.

Good Luck! Post some pictures of the new ride when you get it!

[Tedrudich]

totally agree with other posters. I just got my 992. Had windows tinted, PPF and ceramic coating by outside vendors although my Porsche dealer was using very reputable places. I can tell you that you can negotiate quite a bit better if you use an outside vendor. Stay close to the process they use. As an example, the paint correction step as an example. It really should be done and be included in the overall price. Just my 2 cents.

[wcw67]

Hello all! I work for XPEL corporate and have been a PPF user since 2000. TBH Tom said it best. The installer is more important than the product. You do get what you pay for so ensure whatever shop you go too you know exactly what they're putting on your car. I'm a bit slow on social media/forums, but please hit me up if I can be of help! I've a '20 GT4 btw

[ianmcall]

Thanks guys. I'm checking with a local friend and Porsche guy to see which installers he trusts.

[Oldnslo]

IMHO, the "to be or not to be" on PPF depends on what kind of impacts you're going to have. I've got it on my Targa; didn't have it on my 02 turbo and don't expect to put it on my GT4.
In my experience, PPF works GREAT for small impacts. Tiny pebbles or whatnot. But, if you get something that pierces the PPF, it's a much bigger deal to repair and repaint than if you didn't have it in the first place. You can't just cut out the damaged film and there's no buffing it out with PPF. You can't just give it a touch up. For me, I'd just as soon go without.

And the installation is critical. There's a tiny fold on my driver's side, side view mirror. I only see it every time I get in. (Bought the car second-hand; it was already there).

[Tom]

IMHO, the "to be or not to be" on PPF depends on what kind of impacts you're going to have. I've got it on my Targa; didn't have it on my 02 turbo and don't expect to put it on my GT4.
In my experience, PPF works GREAT for small impacts. Tiny pebbles or whatnot. But, if you get something that pierces the PPF, it's a much bigger deal to repair and repaint than if you didn't have it in the first place. You can't just cut out the damaged film and there's no buffing it out with PPF. You can't just give it a touch up. For me, I'd just as soon go without.

And the installation is critical. There's a tiny fold on my driver's side, side view mirror. I only see it every time I get in. (Bought the car second-hand; it was already there).

Yeah, every time someone asks which film is best, I always say it's whatever film the best installer is using.

I'm a PPF believer, but your point about repairs is totally valid. I got a chip on the wing of my old 991TS and the paint work actually cost less then removing and reinstalling the film....

[Rocket_boy]

IMHO, the "to be or not to be" on PPF depends on what kind of impacts you're going to have. I've got it on my Targa; didn't have it on my 02 turbo and don't expect to put it on my GT4.
In my experience, PPF works GREAT for small impacts. Tiny pebbles or whatnot. But, if you get something that pierces the PPF, it's a much bigger deal to repair and repaint than if you didn't have it in the first place. You can't just cut out the damaged film and there's no buffing it out with PPF. You can't just give it a touch up. For me, I'd just as soon go without.

And the installation is critical. There's a tiny fold on my driver's side, side view mirror. I only see it every time I get in. (Bought the car second-hand; it was already there).

Agreed - no PPF for me. I can repair any small nick or chip much easier to a point it is unnoticeable compared to PPF - which once injured - there is nothing you can do about it except pull, touch up and replace. You can try and touch it up, but it just looks awful. For every new car I reevaluate, but always decide against. Go to any high end used car lot and you will find many cars there with PPF and injuries to it, they always look worse compared to cars with no PPF that have been touched up correctly. To each his own though.

[ryancassidy]

Very fair points... Do you kind sharing what your touchup procedure is for chips? Always a good opportunity to learn different methods.