[paradigm]

Has anyone here attempted to install their own PPF? I want to do the front bumper myself. Too difficult or is it feasible? I see 3m and xpel film on Amazon.

[z28pat]

I was told by my installer that the front bumper is way too difficult, at least on the 16-18 Camaros because of all the shape changes.

[Jaxcam02]

I installed front PPF on my 18 ss and 17 zl1. Both were precut pieces from invisiblemask. Having at least some experience with vinyl stripes or decals is necessary. If you have limited or no experience, I would not even attempt the precut one because there is a lot of massaging the film and stretching appropriately. Fun Fact. The SS was waaaayyy more tedious than the zl1

[BundiMan]

I equate this to installing your own window tint but 10x harder. If its precut it helps but it also leaves less room for error.

[DaveC113]

I did my '18 SLE, it was indeed a massive PITA. I had done a couple mt bikes before and thought that would help, and it did, but I underestimated the difficulty of both the front bumper, larger pieces of film and how it cuts. I got a decent result but it's also possible to mangle hundreds of dollars worth of film while figuring it out and it probably took me 24 hours or so of labor.

I'd do easier parts again but I'd pay to have the front bumper done, it's about $800-$1k just for that. The job I did would have cost around $3k and I spent about $500 on film.

[jamala00]

Some things are just worth leaving to professionals...

[6spdhyperblue]

I’ve done it myself and professionally before, I’m in the camp of putting that money toward respraying the front bumper when the time comes.
The big stuff cut through my film anyway

[paradigm]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

I’ve done it myself and professionally before, I’m in the camp of putting that money toward respraying the front bumper when the time comes.
The big stuff cut through my film anyway

That is what I am thinking - a respray is probably close to the same cost of the PPF.

Years ago I remember reading about a spray on PPF. Has anyone tried that?

[6spdhyperblue]

I will add it came out terrible when I did it myself lol
I did NOT find it easy to install to say the least. Those guys are worth every penny

If you can do it, my hats off to ya

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

I’ve done it myself and professionally before, I’m in the camp of putting that money toward respraying the front bumper when the time comes.
The big stuff cut through my film anyway

Yeah, IDK... if you live somewhere where your front end is getting constantly sandblasted, like the front range of Colorado, when do you decide the time has come? And right after your new re-spray you'll immediately receive damage once again. IME PPF can both keep the paint looking new and makes cleaning the car much easier as you can just scrub the bugs and tar off without worrying about messing up the paint. In the nearly 4 years I've owned my car there's only been one or two rocks that damaged the paint under PPF and PPF certainly minimizes the damage too.

I can certainly see not needing PPF in some use cases, but in some cases I think it's necessary.

[Kmeleon]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Yeah, IDK... if you live somewhere where your front end is getting constantly sandblasted, like the front range of Colorado, when do you decide the time has come? And right after your new re-spray you'll immediately receive damage once again. IME PPF can both keep the paint looking new and makes cleaning the car much easier as you can just scrub the bugs and tar off without worrying about messing up the paint. In the nearly 4 years I've owned my car there's only been one or two rocks that damaged the paint under PPF and PPF certainly minimizes the damage too.

I can certainly see not needing PPF in some use cases, but in some cases I think it's necessary.

Gotta agree in some cases PPF is absolutely necessary. If you track your car you really need front end protection.

[Blackmonba6Gen]

I really considered doing it myself and i priced everything out on invisible mask BUT i factored in my time and said I'll pay a professional because I want it done right and i wanted that XPEL self healing feature as well. I know myself if I mess up I wont stop looking at it and the project wont get done lol

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Blackmonba6Gen

I really considered doing it myself and i priced everything out on invisible mask BUT i factored in my time and said I'll pay a professional because I want it done right and i wanted that XPEL self healing feature as well. I know myself if I mess up I wont stop looking at it and the project wont get done lol

I don't know how skilled you are with these wraps, but I think this is clearly a no-go for a weekend DIY warrior, I wouldn't even try. The fenders and rockers are one thing, but even if one could pull that off in a super clean garage with little to no dust in the air, the front bumper is just too complex IMO...

[Blackmonba6Gen]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

I don't know how skilled you are with these wraps, but I think this is clearly a no-go for a weekend DIY warrior, I wouldn't even try. The fenders and rockers are one thing, but even if one could pull that off in a super clean garage with little to no dust in the air, the front bumper is just too complex IMO...

Ohhh I totally agree... I sat back and looked at the bumper plenty of times I was like maybe i can do it but i quickly placed a phone call for an appointment. I already know it would be PITA. I try to save money where I can but i realized i didn't want to do this job...I seen how my wrap shop did it first hand where they make it look easy but it definitely takes a clean environment to get it done right.. my garage is the last place to do any PPF work