Front End Ceramic Wraps

[DontFret]

Hi Folks, I have been considering getting the front end of my Mav covered with a ceramic wrap to protect against stone chips and other debris and am curious what your thoughts are, both pros and cons, based on experience and what you may have found out about this process. It’s fairly expensive and I can’t decide if it’s worth it or a possible PIA in the long run. I welcome your comments. Thank you.

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[Speed2000]

Do you mean a ceramic coating or paint protection film? I have Sunteks Reaction film with built in ceramic on my truck. So far so good but Sunteks Ultra film works just as well. Literally no orange peel and super reflective.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

David,
It looks like a great product.
Thank you for posting.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

I can take that one hundred

 

[DontFret]

Do you mean a ceramic coating or paint protection film? I have Sunteks Reaction film with built in ceramic on my truck. So far so good but Sunteks Ultra film works just as well. Literally no orange peel and super reflective.

Thanks for the reply. I am referring to the paint protection film. Did you do only the front end or did you do a full vehicle wrap? Does it cause any grime lines where the wrap ends? Would it cause the paint to discolour do you think?

 

[Speed2000]

I did my whole truck but I own a ppf company in Atlanta. Yes the edges can get dirty, usually from getting too close when washing or going through a high pressure car wash. Most can be wrapped so they dont show and thats a non issue.

The film won't cause the paint to dis color. Biggest issue there would be the condition of the paint not covered. I've removed film where the covered paint looked brand new but the part that wasn't protected has a million swirl marks and scratches...sometimes total paint failure.

 

[DontFret]

I did my whole truck but I own a ppf company in Atlanta. Yes the edges can get dirty, usually from getting too close when washing or going through a high pressure car wash. Most can be wrapped so they dont show and thats a non issue.

The film won't cause the paint to dis color. Biggest issue there would be the condition of the paint not covered. I've removed film where the covered paint looked brand new but the part that wasn't protected has a million swirl marks and scratches...sometimes total paint failure.

Thank you for this. Sounds like I’m going to need a bunch of this 100’s if I do the entire truck. . I think you have helped me decide. Thank you.

 

[CNJFF]

I did PPF on the front end (bumper, lights, hood, fenders, and mirror caps) with ceramic coating all over. I was going to PPF the A-posts and front of the roof but the edge line would have been more annoying to me. Apparently the extra $$ wouldn't have been worth it anyway at this point. I did get 1 or 2 good nicks on a door and rear fender.

I definitely got a few more on the PPF but I only notice when washing/waxing. Can see a small light spot or bubble. I'll try some heat one day. Overall seems to be holding up better than just bare paint.

 

[TheSEARCH]

Just curious what does it cost to cover just the front end of a Mav? Ball Park price.

 

[dumbcomputers]

STEK PPF on front bumper, headlights, and full hood.

 

[Rob P.]

I did vinyl PPF in black under the grill and headlights (trying to minimize that weird looking panel) and clear PPF on either side.

 

[DontFret]

STEK PPF on front bumper, headlights, and full hood.

Very nice looking. Thanks for the photos. May I ask the approximate cost to do that?

 

[dumbcomputers]

Very nice looking. Thanks for the photos. May I ask the approximate cost to do that?

About $800-$1k.

 

[notfast]

both pros and cons, based on experience and what you may have found out about this process. It’s fairly expensive and I can’t decide if it’s worth it or a possible PIA in the long run. I welcome your comments. Thank you.

To me, a basic PPF "bug shield" is worth it if you have a steel hood that wraps around to the front of the vehicle.

If you have an aluminum hood, or a steel hood that is recessed behind the front bumper (like the XA50 RAV4), I personally wouldn't bother with PPF. It's a large upfront cost and you're not likely to get that money back when you sell the vehicle.

Biggest issue there would be the condition of the paint not covered. I've removed film where the covered paint looked brand new but the part that wasn't protected has a million swirl marks and scratches...sometimes total paint failure.

And that's another reason why I'd just skip the PPF except as I mentioned. You sort of go down a PPF wormhole. The paint that isn't protected will age faster than the paint that is, and if the hood needs to be repainted anyway, why bother protecting the leading half?

Removal is also another story. The products have gotten better over the years, but some PPFs held stronger than duct tape, some PPFs turn yellow or hazy, and others peel off in little strips.

My current favorite is Lamin-X PPF. Not the regular Lamin-X used on headlights but their PPF. It holds tight but peels off like blue masking tape.

Just curious what does it cost to cover just the front end of a Mav? Ball Park price.

Front bumper, headlights, leading 12" of the hood and matching leading area of the front fenders will likely cost $1500 or so.

 

[DontFret]

About $800-$1k.

To me, a basic PPF "bug shield" is worth it if you have a steel hood that wraps around to the front of the vehicle.

If you have an aluminum hood, or a steel hood that is recessed behind the front bumper (like the XA50 RAV4), I personally wouldn't bother with PPF. It's a large upfront cost and you're not likely to get that money back when you sell the vehicle.



And that's another reason why I'd just skip the PPF except as I mentioned. You sort of go down a PPF wormhole. The paint that isn't protected will age faster than the paint that is, and if the hood needs to be repainted anyway, why bother protecting the leading half?

Removal is also another story. The products have gotten better over the years, but some PPFs held stronger than duct tape, some PPFs turn yellow or hazy, and others peel off in little strips.

My current favorite is Lamin-X PPF. Not the regular Lamin-X used on headlights but their PPF. It holds tight but peels off like blue masking tape.



Front bumper, headlights, leading 12" of the hood and matching leading area of the front fenders will likely cost $1500 or so.

Thanks for that really great post. I greatly appreciate it. It’s sort of what I was thinking. I’m leaning towards no PPF. Never had it on any other vehicle we have owned and didn’t have many stone chips either. It’s not like I navigate country unpaved or gravel roads. Thanks again.

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