Front end paint protection

[Cidecar2]

Brought home my 2024 Ionic silver XLT last Friday. I want the paint protected especially on the front end from road rash. Does anyone have any thoughts on the 3M (or equivalent) clear/tinted plastic product VS the traditional bug deflector? Further, my son wants me to have the whole truck "Wrapped" in clear. I have heard this is not a good idea as it adheres to the paint and harms the finish if you take it off. Years ago I had a Camry that had the old style black vinyl bra you could take off to wash the car, did the job but it left a permanent line in the paint across the hood.

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[Deleted member 29611]

I have done DIY PPF on 3 vehicles now mostly 18” hood pieces with fender protectors, mirrors and headlights. It holds up well and I’m not concerned about it damaging paint if or when it needs to come off. If you are handy and patient you can save a lot DIY. I have used InvisibleMask.com and they make great products and support.

 

[BobC]

Brought home my 2024 Ionic silver XLT last Friday. I want the paint protected especially on the front end from road rash. Does anyone have any thoughts on the 3M (or equivalent) clear/tinted plastic product VS the traditional bug deflector? Further, my son wants me to have the whole truck "Wrapped" in clear. I have heard this is not a good idea as it adheres to the paint and harms the finish if you take it off. Years ago I had a Camry that had the old style black vinyl bra you could take off to wash the car, did the job but it left a permanent line in the paint across the hood.

While not confident enough about my DIY skills, I had a body shop install the Xpel self-healing PPF to the leading edge of the front hood, fender, mirrors, and lower fascia. They also have pre-cut kits for various body areas you can order for DIY, It's held up well after 14 months. My previous Mav didn't have this and the rock ships were noticeable after 11 months.

 

[IHateSpeedbumps]

I had thought about doing PPF on the front but for the cost I could just the front re sprayed if it is bad before I sell it.

 

[Tim d]

Brought home my 2024 Ionic silver XLT last Friday. I want the paint protected especially on the front end from road rash. Does anyone have any thoughts on the 3M (or equivalent) clear/tinted plastic product VS the traditional bug deflector? Further, my son wants me to have the whole truck "Wrapped" in clear. I have heard this is not a good idea as it adheres to the paint and harms the finish if you take it off. Years ago I had a Camry that had the old style black vinyl bra you could take off to wash the car, did the job but it left a permanent line in the paint across the hood.

My 23 mav is almost a year old.no front end paint issues,or anywhere else for that matter.i just waxed it after I got it home .

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Will look into these... I'd like to find the film pieces that fit under door handles that get all scratched up by fingernails

 

[James K]

Brought home my 2024 Ionic silver XLT last Friday. I want the paint protected especially on the front end from road rash. Does anyone have any thoughts on the 3M (or equivalent) clear/tinted plastic product VS the traditional bug deflector? Further, my son wants me to have the whole truck "Wrapped" in clear. I have heard this is not a good idea as it adheres to the paint and harms the finish if you take it off. Years ago I had a Camry that had the old style black vinyl bra you could take off to wash the car, did the job but it left a permanent line in the paint across the hood.

I used the 3M and it lasted a year before peeling off. I used a pressure washer to remove the rest of it. I'd consider doing it again.

 

[garnermike]

All I can offer is this: Installed the Lund bug shield when the Mav was delivered in Feb 2022. Two years and 8400 miles later, not a single chip to be found on the hood. I'm satisfied.

 

[Jah.]

Bugflector 2 . modified to fit right . not tape on . covers Hood front and front fenders . so far so good . about $50 2 years ago from realtruck with mtc discount . has about 1 inch clearance so can clean underneath it with sponge or cloth .

 

[Swede]

All I can offer is this: Installed the Lund bug shield when the Mav was delivered in Feb 2022. Two years and 8400 miles later, not a single chip to be found on the hood. I'm satisfied.

This looks nice. Where did you get it?

 

[garnermike]

This looks nice. Where did you get it?

https://accessories.ford.com/maverick-2022-lund-aeroskin-smoke-hood-protector

 

[Dad]

Will look into these... I'd like to find the film pieces that fit under door handles that get all scratched up by fingernails

Amazon has a selection. I installed a couple years ago and while the adhesive would wear, they worked fine. I just used a spot of hot glue to reattach. Here’s the link, but Amazon noted that they are unavailable from this particular vendor.
LECART 4 Pcs Car Door Protector... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087PYBG1M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[notfast]

Wow, quite the thread bump. But as a former detailer and PPF installer...I'd get PPF if you regularly drive on gravel roads behind other traffic. Other than that, you're basically just saving the vehicle for its next owner, and unless you're preparing for a high mileage concours show, no one will really care that the paint has rock chips. Especially if you're gonna trade in the car and not sell it privately.

I've peeled off PPF that was several years old. It ranges from "peels off easily in one piece" (Lamin-X brand PPF) to "peels off in progressively smaller strips and leaves a ton of adhesive residue behind". Most PPFs I've removed are somewhere in the middle. Adhesive holds tight, but it peels off without tearing.

The bigger issue is that the car still needs regular detailing with PPF. Otherwise the paint under the PPF will be factory-fresh and sometimes disproportionally not faded compared to the scratched/swirled/oxidized paint where the PPF ends. Especially noticeable on hoods where the PPF only covers the first 18" or so.

If I were to get PPF, I'd just get the Lamin-X "invisible bug guard" on the leading edge of the hood and maybe a 4" strip across the leading edge of the roof.

 

[Dad]

Wow, quite the thread bump. But as a former detailer and PPF installer...I'd get PPF if you regularly drive on gravel roads behind other traffic. Other than that, you're basically just saving the vehicle for its next owner, and unless you're preparing for a high mileage concours show, no one will really care that the paint has rock chips. Especially if you're gonna trade in the car and not sell it privately.

I've peeled off PPF that was several years old. It ranges from "peels off easily in one piece" (Lamin-X brand PPF) to "peels off in progressively smaller strips and leaves a ton of adhesive residue behind". Most PPFs I've removed are somewhere in the middle. Adhesive holds tight, but it peels off without tearing.

The bigger issue is that the car still needs regular detailing with PPF. Otherwise the paint under the PPF will be factory-fresh and sometimes disproportionally not faded compared to the scratched/swirled/oxidized paint where the PPF ends. Especially noticeable on hoods where the PPF only covers the first 18" or so.

If I were to get PPF, I'd just get the Lamin-X "invisible bug guard" on the leading edge of the hood and maybe a 4" strip across the leading edge of the roof.

Appreciate the post.
I'm considering doing the PPF on the painted front of my truck. Not too concerned about the hood since I'm thinking of a deflector for that issue. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Master Blaster]

Get a hood bug deflector. Everything below the hood is molded-in colored plastic and not paint. Most of them (including the Ford option) use double-sided tape over the paint, and will be a mess in 5 years. Most also do not cover the fenders. Get one that mounts under the hood edge and covers the fenders. I use the Bugflector II, but others exist. Then get a really good wax job to make the doors slippery and more resistant to stone hits. Ceramic also works. Forget PPF and plastic sheets that look like crap after they start degrading in the sun. Get a touch up paint bottle for any that get through your protection, and relearn the 2-second rule to stop getting peppered by being too close.

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