PPF Issue

[Rich_911]

The PPF (clear bra) on the front end has started to crack on my 2008 911. It lasted 17 years. The body shop I've been going to forever is warning me that removing the existing PPF my take the paint off due to the age of the PPF. Has anyone experienced this issue?

[Stormy_Monday]

Yes. My 2006 Boxster had to be resprayed after having to "mechanically" remove the film and adhesive.

[Tom]

The PPF (clear bra) on the front end has started to crack on my 2008 911. It lasted 17 years. The body shop I've been going to forever is warning me that removing the existing PPF my take the paint off due to the age of the PPF. Has anyone experienced this issue?

If it was factory paint and a true ppf (not adhesive sticker), you should have a good chance of removing it using a steam gun and plastic razor blades. If it's super cracked, it might take a long time. If it's been sitting in the sun in Vegas for the last 17 years, then it might be so backed on that it can't be removed safetly, but a good PPF guy can usually remove 'typical' old film without damaging the paint. The body shop may be less familiar with the removal process and/or are understandably worried about damaging the paint in the process and don't want to take on that risk. Have a picture of it?

[Tom]

Yes. My 2006 Boxster had to be resprayed after having to "mechanically" remove the film and adhesive.

I wonder if that's just a time-is-money thing? Most us 944 guys have successfully removed and replaced the 30+year-old, wildly-cracked and baked-on clear stone guards on our cars using a combination of heat, plastic scrapers, pink erasers, etc. -- but it takes hours to do without damaging the paint. I could easily see a shop wanting no part of that -- especially since there are no guarantees the paint will be ok after spending 8+ hours working on it. In contrast, they sand and paint all day long so can estimate that with precision and get the work done with virtually no risk... Everything looks like a nail to a hammer...

[Stormy_Monday]

Yes. My 2006 Boxster had to be resprayed after having to "mechanically" remove the film and adhesive.

I wonder if that's just a time-is-money thing? Most us 944 guys have successfully removed and replaced the 30+year-old, wildly-cracked and baked-on clear stone guards on our cars using a combination of heat, plastic scrapers, pink erasers, etc. -- but it takes hours to do without damaging the paint. I could easily see a shop wanting no part of that -- especially since there are no guarantees the paint will be ok after spending 8+ hours working on it. In contrast, they sand and paint all day long so can estimate that with precision and get the work done with virtually no risk... Everything looks like a nail to a hammer...

After following a few YouTube vids on how to remove the old plastic, I used steam, plastic razor blades, a variety of chemicals (there is an pro auto paint store down the road and they advised me). I managed to get the plastic off the metal surfaces but nothing removed the adhesive. I started working on the bumper cover and started peeling paint off. I then took it to a recommended paint/body shop. Couple years later when my clear stone guards turned black, I went back and had them removed and the rest of the car resprayed.

This experience prevented me from doing PPF on the GTS 4.0 i bought a few years ago. But, this is me only. Everyone should take in all the inputs and make their own decisions.

[Rich_911]

Thanks to all for the comments and advice. The car is garaged, only in the sun when I'm driving it. The body shop always calls in a PPF guy - they don't do this work themselves. We'll see how it goes.

[aboyandhisdog]

How did this work out for you? About 6 years ago I went in to have some PPF applied to the front of the car, and as the shop was applying it, somehow they managed to remove the paint on both front fenders (it had adhered when it wasn't meant to). I don't know the whole story and mistakes happen, but it cost me about 2k to have the front end resprayed. Disappointing for sure, but I still love the car and, in a way, now I can drive stress-free as she is a virgin no more!

[Rich_911]

I haven't addressed the issue yet - I've been traveling. I will follow up though.

[Elaz]

The thing is, you guys have to understand something PPF is not meant to be on a car for 1015 or 20 years most PPS only last 3 to 5 years, especially if you’re in the sun if your car is always garage and hardly ever in the sun, then a PPF can last you 10 years I have an 09 911 and my PPF has been on for about seven years and it’s never had a problem it never yellow never cracked because my vehicle is garage kept if you’re in Vegas and you use it as a daily driver and it’s always outside under the sun that PPF should be changed every 3 to 5 years depending on the quality of the PPF