PPF on kit Order

[theOC]

Hi all,

 

Just joined and on the verge of ordering my first kit and could do with a little help please.

 

I have read a bit of conflicting information regarding decals and PPF relating to which goes on top ect. The Caterham dealer has said they can get a local firm to put PPF over the top but I've read there can be issues with air gaps around the decals ect...

 

Any real world experience and advice welcome.

 

Thanks.

[paul richards]

PPF?

[Jonathan Kay]

I guessed "Paint Protection Film". :-)

Previous discussions.

Jonathan

[Jim 123]

What decals are you thinking of, nose/bonnet stripes, sides or badges?

[ChrisC]

Take a good hard look at older cars before you order, PPF works to a point, but it does not stop damage from the underside, so it’s actual value is limited.  If you want perfection maybe a Caterham (or a painted one) isn’t for you, they consume paint.   My last kit didn’t have PPF, just as the rear arches started to look like they could do with a paint next year I got a massive star crack from underneath, meaning a repaint during the winter.  Both were done by TSK, at half the cost of PPF for the two wings. 

[theOC]

Hi, yes PPF is paint protection film, sorry.

 

I know it'll get damaged paint but I was hoping to limit it with some film. I thought it was common but am I mistaken and most people don't bother?

 

I am getting bonnet stripes and side decals (Caterham logo).

[TomB]

Im hoping to have mine done fairly soon, but its quite expensive compared to the financial cost of the re-spray.  But the cost of a respray, as Im discovering, is significant in time and hassle. So while my paint job was ~£1k and the PPF might be £600, there are the many hours in the garage, transport and missed use of the 7 that are making me think its worth doing so it doesnt need spraying again in <10 years! 

[ChrisC]

PS to answer your question, I would want the PPF applied before the decals, the decals with pin stripes are already two layers so I can’t see how a good finish can be obtained if PPF is applied after. 

[Jim 123]

I agree with Chris.  PPF on top of decals will not achieve a good edge seal regardless what the installer may promise.  Your decals under film do carry a risk of the decal adhesive traces bleeding under the edges in hot sun and discolouring. Not noticeable and easily removed on a non PPF’d car.  Another thing to look at is the fact that stripes have a different surface microstructure once the fixing adhesive grabs.  This gives a less glossy decal applied finish, especially noticeable with black stripes.  If you put film over decal stripes on the nose, the stripes under the PPF will clearly become more glossy than the non PPF’d sections leading back along the nose and bonnet.

CC will ship the decals uninstalled if you ask.

I have PPF on my car Seven but advise to do your homework very carefully re installer regardless of dealer recommendation. In my painful experience Caterham dealer recommendation carries no quality or liability guarantees regarding installers.

[theOC]

Thanks guys, great info there - especially the seeping adhesive and discolouration on black stripes (which I'm getting).

 

I'll get them shipped separately and work out the PPF and decals post build.

 

Thanks all.

[AdrianC]

I would speak to Dave at Premier Paint Guard he is a real expert on this, as many on Blatchat will testify

http://www.premierpaintguard.co.uk/caterham_selection.html

[pugwash]

I have twin stripes and ppf over the top.  In fact just about every vulnerable surface has been done.  6 years on, no issues with air bubbles.  Installed by the gentleman referenced above.

[Phil G]

I had PPG cover my unpainted C/F nose and all wheel arches, but only on the leading edges. I also had the sections on the bonnet where the side screens hit. With the exception of the nose, none of these places were obvious positions for decals.

The nose has an adhesive badge which is covered with PPF without issue.

[Jim 123]

Since individual quality expectations vary considerably from one owner to another, and as a number of colours as well as substrates can be more forgiving of poor film installation, I would always advise viewing a sample of completed customer cars before engaging an “expert” installer, particularly for a new build.

It is also worth noting that water and slip agents are used on the car surface when the film is being applied, and this can take a few days to dissipate under the applied film.  I would not settle any invoice before the drying out process has been completed and the final finish can be accepted.

[Geoff Brown]

Dave at PPG covered my car in 2013 & it is still looking good. Even the carbon wing plates are OK except for the extreme bottom edges & the small bubbles around the rivets. (should have filmed them before fitting!)

Remember the PPG discount for members.

This is the official factory paint protection fitters for Caterham & they also give members a discount.   https://www.lotus7.club/membership/special-offers-members/ultimate-paint-protection   

[Mark w]

Ive got PPF which Caterham fitted when the car was built . The decals are on top of the PPF .

I dont think that there are any downsides to this approach , if put the other way round there would appear to be potential issues.