I am looking for an installer in the West Chester, Pennsylvania area. The one person I talked to about it, does not use pre-cut film. Is one type of installation better than the other?

Thank you,
Jay

The methodology of hand cutting ppf on a vehicle has been born more out of necessity that out of preference. When the concept of ppf came into being, there were very, very few pre-cut kits on the market. The concept of hand cutting ppf on a vehicle was, more or less, a throw-over from the window tinting industry, where hand cutting is very, very common (although pre-cut tint patterns are gaining in popularity today). Cutting on and around glass is entirely different than cutting on paint (yikes). Today, there are several good design houses that can provide well-fitting pre-cut kits for most current model vehicles.

Although those who do not use pre-cut kits will tell you that they never cut into the paint, common sense tends to tell you otherwise. No one's hand is steady enough to make that a certainty, 100% of the time. Also consider that when a film is stretched, as is necessary in certain areas of a vehicle, it becomes slightly thinner... so the film is not always the same thickness from area to area, making the entire hand cutting process more of a "feel" game. The damage that can occur from hand-cutting is often not evident until the film is removed, because any blade mark in the paint is masked by the edge of the film itself.

Your best bet, I believe, would be to do some research and find an experienced installer who can provide you with a pre-cut kit that suits your particular needs and pocketbook.

The closest "pre-cut" installer to you that I know of, is about 45 miles away in Maple Shade, NJ. If you are interested, please call 856-482-2288 and I am sure they will be very happy to assist you.

Cheers!

A few months ago I was asked by an out of town BMW dealership ( BMW has offered pre cut film in their parts catalog for years )to reinstall a kit done locally on a new M3.

When I got there, I could see why they were upset. It was a terrible install, but the worst was yet to come. When I removed the film, the paint was cut all the way around the mirrors, and there were two large "J" shaped cuts in the bumper around the outside edges. They had no idea the paint had been cut, all they could see was a bad install, and now they were totally screwed.

Cutting on a car is simply not a good idea. Heck, I cut my hands a couple times a month by accident just making the precuts on my plotter.

I'm sure there are a lot of installers that do good work with bulk, but I'm sure everyone of them has nicked a few, present company included. I'll do custom work but would rather use a precut design anyday no question.

Hey Speed (2004) this was the link you posted a while back. Great example of how a bulk install can go wrong. S2K forum - bulk install disaster

I would go with a precut kit any day. I know, there are several people who do great bulk installs, but it would seem that at some point the paint will get nicked. Kind of the law of averages I guess....

Same here....

Kit installs only for me. I don't even care to take the chance of possibly cutting or nicking a paint job. If there's not a kit available, it doesn't get done by me.

mess up a customer's car and be ready to pay.... patterns only.....

Find a good custom installer. It is hard to do, but try. Most installers have not had the opportunity to learn from another professional custom installer. Also, most people don't have the time or patience to learn to install this way. The end result of a good custom install is less visibility of the film on the car and more coverage.

The concerns of damage to the car are correct, so take the time to find a pro with several years of experience, who is insured, and can list many satisfied customers over the years.

Denver, CO is one of the largest markets for PPF. Very few dealers use kits out here. Almost everyone does custom installs due to the better end result. It also helps that there are many professional installers here who have taken the time to learn how to do it right.

If you find a good installer who isn't a hack you will be much happier with a custom install. Problem is, there are a lot of hacks out there! I have to fix their work all the time - thus the popularity of pre-cuts in areas where good custom installers are not available.

Whether it is pre-cut or custom, get it done. PPF is a fantastic product.

The reason for this is because the concept was promoted and caught fire in the Denver market years before pre-cut kits were widely available. The only way to get the film on the car, was to cut it on the car.... and that concept lives on today there. In fact, one of our most successful dealers ever is located in Denver and uses pre-cuts exclusively, primarily because the dealerships like the idea of no one cutting on the paint of a new car with a blade. They also have been known to install 20 (upper only - no mirrors) kits per day, per installer on pre-loads.

I'll say it again, NO ONE is good enough with a blade not to, at some time or another, get into the paint and damage it.

As for more coverage.... once we release version 7.0 the applicator can have as much or as little coverage as they want to have. Stay tuned.

I couldnt agree more! I have done many custom cuts for street rods that have been in shows and for concourse shows as well. The show judges didnt even know the cars were done in certain areas. That in itself attests to the product. What I have seen is many cars that were trailer queens have now become drivers that the owners can use with out fear of damaging them.

I am Zorro defender of the people!

I have to agree with Rege on this one. No one is good enough to do custom cutting without occasionally cutting the paint. I also take issue with the idea that you get better coverage with custom cutting.

I challenge ANY custom cutter to do a heads up competition for a full bumber wrap.
I'll post a new topic for the challenge.