Protecting paint, keeping it shiny

[Zahmed1094]

For what it’s worth, I had my 23 GR86, full PPF thinking I would keep it for many years. 2 years later I’m driving the Z. PPF is great. Literally never have to worry about paint damage from driving or micro scratches from cleaning. But, it’s a big sunk cost and I got nothing for it when I traded in my car. Only person happy was the new owner.

I’m never going that route again. My 24 Z Heitage has some minor chips with only 3,800 on the odometer and I was pissed when I saw them but I only see them when detailing it. No one else sees them.

Ceramic is a waste of $ especially if you have to go back yearly for a touch up to keep “warranty” active. Just my opinion so don’t drag me.

Thanks for the warning. Car is black and it seems a whole lot different from my other silver Hyundai Ioniq 6. On the Silver, the dust and dirt don’t stick out as much.

 

[Zhoop44]

Thanks for the warning. Car is black and it seems a whole lot different from my other silver Hyundai Ioniq 6. On the Silver, the dust and dirt don’t stick out as much.

It does but you just can’t see it. My 9th Gen Accord Coupe is white and it doesn’t look dirty until you clean one panel and realize it was filthy. Black is brutal. I’ve owned one black car in my 61 years and swore I never do it again.

 

[bpeckham]

I tend to keep cars for 10 years or so. I had a 2003 G35 and a 2012 G37 before getting my 2023 Z. The Z is the first car on which I did any paint protection: ceramic coating with two touch ups so far (2024 and 2025). I'll keep doing this, at least for the next couple of years. The paint looks amazing still, and it's a breeze to keep clean, but I've already got rock chips on the front facia and a nice gouge in the hood, with less than 11,000 miles. Looking at the damage makes me wish I'd done PPF. Maybe my next car. Ask me again in 2033.

 

[thesilverbullet]

Reason I cannot do it myself is that I am a 77 year old who is not in the best of shape.

The application is easy - wash car, with car still wet spray on sealant, rinse & dry. The majority of the cost is the included warranty backed by an insurance policy. The same high school kids that wash the cars are also applying the ceramic sealants at the dealerships. The key is getting the car clean before applying.

For example ResistAll is ~$1k by a professional and with an insurance policy, the product is ~$50. So another option is to buy the product online and find a detailer to apply the product for you ~$150 for a total cost <$200.

shop around and you may find a detailer that will provide and apply a sealant without the insurance policy.

 

[mikecarpage]

I'd look around and exhaust all options, talk to the detailers/wrap people and see what they can do for you based on your budget. Maybe prioritize the front portions (hood, bumper, fenders, mirrors) and get the rest done later.

$40-50k+ car... investing in the protection of it for a small % makes sense if you plan to keep it longer term. I'd recommend PPF'ing the front rather than looking at a battered and bruised front end (if you drive on the highway a lot). Respraying/repainting isn't getting any cheaper either.

 

[Zahmed1094]

I'd look around and exhaust all options, talk to the detailers/wrap people and see what they can do for you based on your budget. Maybe prioritize the front portions (hood, bumper, fenders, mirrors) and get the rest done later.

$40-50k+ car... investing in the protection of it for a small % makes sense if you plan to keep it longer term. I'd recommend PPF'ing the front rather than looking at a battered and bruised front end (if you drive on the highway a lot). Respraying/repainting isn't getting any cheaper either.

What is “long term”? What if I plan to keep this 2024 Z till just 2027? Then I would be selling it. The value of these cars are dropping so fast, might not be worth more than $22-23k in 2027. Does it make sense to lose more?

 

[C89]

For what it’s worth, I had my 23 GR86, full PPF thinking I would keep it for many years. 2 years later I’m driving the Z. PPF is great. Literally never have to worry about paint damage from driving or micro scratches from cleaning. But, it’s a big sunk cost and I got nothing for it when I traded in my car. Only person happy was the new owner.

I’m never going that route again. My 24 Z Heitage has some minor chips with only 3,800 on the odometer and I was pissed when I saw them but I only see them when detailing it. No one else sees them.

Ceramic is a waste of $ especially if you have to go back yearly for a touch up to keep “warranty” active. Just my opinion so don’t drag me.

That's probably the main consideration, the sunk cost. As you'll never get anything back if you ever sell the car. It's really like paying a few thousand only for the next buyer to get a new car with fresh paint.

In saying so, with just ceramic coating on my car with 1500km on the clock, I can already see a few minor stone chips, but it is what it is.

 

[trackratZ]

Reason I cannot do it myself is that I am a 77 year old who is not in the best of shape.

With the 1K budget, just apply PPF to the most vulnerable areas, front bumper and rear quarter panel lower front, and maybe the leading strip of the roof. Those will offer the most protection from rock chips and driving debris. The rest of the surfaces just have someone detail with good wax application periodically. PPF an entire car is a waste of $$ unless you're keeping the car for a loooong time. Ceramic coating is not needed if you're detailing often enough, depending on where you live. One thing to watch out for that will give the most damage, i.e. permanent etching, are bird droppings. Stay away from parking under trees if possible.

 

[bpeckham]

It's really like paying a few thousand only for the next buyer to get a new car with fresh paint.

Yes, but also: you get to enjoy the pristine appearance while you own it. Don't do it for the next owner, although I'm sure they'd thank you. Do it so you enjoy the car. That's really what this car is about: personal gratification.

 

[mikecarpage]

What is “long term”? What if I plan to keep this 2024 Z till just 2027? Then I would be selling it. The value of these cars are dropping so fast, might not be worth more than $22-23k in 2027. Does it make sense to lose more?

Long term to me could be 5-10 years? 50,000+ miles?

It's really like paying a few thousand only for the next buyer to get a new car with fresh paint.

Yes, but also: you get to enjoy the pristine appearance while you own it. Don't do it for the next owner, although I'm sure they'd thank you. Do it so you enjoy the car. That's really what this car is about: personal gratification.

In addition to this. Imagine having a hard time getting rid of the car due to paint imperfections, or having to sell at an even lower price because of it's condition. Many of those who opt for a front PPF will show better and to some buyers, condition is important. It again will depend on driving conditions.

 

[ill-legal?]

Yes, but also: you get to enjoy the pristine appearance while you own it. Don't do it for the next owner, although I'm sure they'd thank you. Do it so you enjoy the car.

This is a great way to look at it, I absolutely HATE seeing stone chips in my paint, and where I live there are tons of rocks on the roads. Yes, the second owner will also benefit from it, but for 2-3 years or however long I own the car, it's always going to look phenomenal after a fresh detail.

 

[thesilverbullet]

watch a few videos and DIY pre-cut ppf.

fender and hood is easy. Cut the bumper into three pieces (left, center, right) and it will be easy as well. practice with side mirrors.

https://ebay.us/m/SN4TJ3

https://ebay.us/m/HCjs9b

https://ebay.us/m/LgBr8t

 

[Mugzilla]

If this gets me a time-out, so be it. I'll say it without the bad words. Please engrave it on my headstone, but with the bad words:


"PPFing your car is like not fornicating with your girlfriend to keep her tight for the next guy."


It's gonna get chips. They're gonna piss you off. Touch them up, keep the car clean, and drive it. And yes, I had the rock bounce off my hood and put a dent in it. Painless dent removal fixed it. They touched it up. I can see it. I don't like it, but I drive it.

I complain about bird poop. I now watch where I park, and clean it off immediately.

 

[Zahmed1094]

If this gets me a time-out, so be it. I'll say it without the bad words. Please engrave it on my headstone, but with the bad words:


"PPFing your car is like not fornicating with your girlfriend to keep her tight for the next guy."


It's gonna get chips. They're gonna piss you off. Touch them up, keep the car clean, and drive it. And yes, I had the rock bounce off my hood and put a dent in it. Painless dent removal fixed it. They touched it up. I can see it. I don't like it, but I drive it.

I complain about bird poop. I now watch where I park, and clean it off immediately.

I am leaning towards your advice. Thanks!

 

[Hernandooo]

If this gets me a time-out, so be it. I'll say it without the bad words. Please engrave it on my headstone, but with the bad words:


"PPFing your car is like not fornicating with your girlfriend to keep her tight for the next guy."


It's gonna get chips. They're gonna piss you off. Touch them up, keep the car clean, and drive it. And yes, I had the rock bounce off my hood and put a dent in it. Painless dent removal fixed it. They touched it up. I can see it. I don't like it, but I drive it.

I complain about bird poop. I now watch where I park, and clean it off immediately.

I think you got the quote confused for not driving your car? and keeping the km's (milage) low for the next guy.

PPF is pretty much a set it and forget it, no dents, scratches, chips, etc. And yes, you can still enjoy your car

OP, if you really are worried about keeping the paint good, focus on the rock chip prone areas with PPF. Mainly the front bumper, headlights and first quarter of the hood. this SHOULD keep the cost down, maybe 1000-1500AUD (don't know how much it'd be in USD). If you wanted to further protect the rest of car, Ceramic Coat.

When it comes to the non PPF'd areas, invest in good car washing supplies (pressure washer, two buckets, wash mitt, foam sprayer, high quality soap (Gyeon is great IMO)).Learn about the two-bucket system and wash your car on your drive way. If done properly with care, this should prevent swirls from appearing on your clear coat

And avoid drive through car washes like the plague, unless it's laser touchless, but even then the pressure from the water can cause damage