ReaperHWK

The shop sent me a progress picture, I like it.  Hopefully it will look great in person!

So this saga continues.  I got the car PDR'd and it came out perfect, and it's at the PPF shop now getting new PPF on the fender and some polishing/ceramic on a few areas I noticed some swirls.

I again told the guy I'm unhappy with the stripes, and he REALLY doesn't want to rip it all off and start over.  He suggested that I pinstripe the edges of the stripes with 1/8" vinyl to hide the air gap, he'd do the whole car free of charge.  I said OK let's do this and see how it looks.  I decided to use a matte red 1/8" pinstripe.  Found a car that is very similar to mine that had that done (below car looks to have a gloss pinstripe though). 

If I'm not happy with that I can always remove the pinstripes, and I'll have to probably PAY for it to be redone again the way I want it........   

10 minutes ago, mobiledynamics said:

1st time using a Pressure Washer ?

 

I know QuickConnects and the tension balls on them can be a bit tricky....but always do a test gun trigger pointing down whenever you are about to -spray-....

 

FWIW, they also make rubber hoods you can install as a extra safety . So it's 1/4 plug+orifice of size and the rubber shrouded hood .....this is what I have for my car wash PQ nozzles. 

 I never used one routinely to wash a car.  Decided to on this one since it’s ceramic coated and the soap foams really nice.  I just went to fast switching nozzles and it wasn’t fully seated.  Yeah now I know to aim away from the car the first spray!  

2 hours ago, mobiledynamics said:

Steam/Heat material well - and while you're removing is best. It's a new install so it should be fully -cured-.

Also, once you get a lift point on the film. don't remove by pulling the film -away- from you. Pull it -towards- you to lift and remove. Adhesive comes off better with film in this technique/direction.

 

The less glue = the less glue removal. That = less/minimizing mechanical contact/mechanical abrasion. Still probably will need a mild polish after a chem glue wipedown regardless.

 

So now you have PDR . How much is it going to cost you to redo the whole fender. Just curious

$300 for the PPF.  Not sure yet on pdr the guy gave me a range depending on how much work it takes him. Could be between $150 to $300 for the 2 small dents there for PDR. 
 

overall much better than if there were no PPF.  It would have definitely went through the clear and it would have needed a respray to get it 100% that would have showed on a carfax.  

2 hours ago, mobiledynamics said:

If you care about -OE- down the road, then the details do matter....only if you are a stickler for what was stock and whether it is -there-, if/when you choose to remove the PPF. The glue is pretty strong. While adhesion of paint is different on metal, the adhesion of the factory sticker -might- lift some when pulling pff. Especially since you are doing to apply heat- to the area to aid in removing the PPF (aka, glue), that same heat also is also going to be -heating- the factory vinyl.

 

May be a moot point if you don't care about the OE sticker though...as that can always be redone ..easy from a vinyl perspective

All valid points.  I did remove some of the PPF from my fender and the adhesive is strong for sure.  

On 9/14/2022 at 9:41 AM, mobiledynamics said:

Off topic or on - In the realm of some owners want thing's all OEM

 

If PPF applied in this fashion (ontop of paint + factory stripe). 

If, when the PPF is removed....not that I think about it, there is a good chance the factory stripe may -lift- with the PPF right ?

 

Just due the adhesion of paint is different than a sticker ontop of it. Then you add the adhesive of the PPF, then trying to keep the factory stripe may be MOOT ?

I also thought about this.  I was told he can get it off and leave the stripes using heat and being careful. Always a risk you are right.  

Thanks all.  I’ll have to mull this over.  Looks like the options that would work for me is to leave it be or remove it all and do the PPF with stripes on top.    That would look definitely the best.  Drawback to having the stripes on top of PPF is that if I resell it may be a turnoff to some buyers I think since it’s not “original”.   I don’t want any cutting on my paint it’s not worth the risk to me.  This car is not cheap and it may be a valuable one in the future.  All hellcats are done after 2023 and dodge is going all electric.  These cars will go down as the highest hp gas cars produced.  This one is 807hp.  
 

I’ll talk to the guy next week again (I have to go to his shop for him to replace the fender PPF it took a hit but the paint is fine, just needed pdr ).  
 

the PPF got hit with a power washer nozzle that flew off the gun.  Put a hole clean through the PPF and dented the panel.   Paint is not damaged though. PPF saved the day.  
 

Hi all new to the forum.  I tried searching my issue and found this site so I decided to register and post my concern/issue and maybe someone here has some advice for me.

I have a 2022 Challenger Jailbreak I took right from the dealer 3 miles down the road to get PPF installed.  This place was recommended and overall, I am very happy with the results.  He used XPEL and did the whole front end, lower rockers, and some other small areas.   He says he uses the XPEL library and doesn't cut any film on the car.

I am only not happy with the way the stripes turned out, this car has matte vinyl racing stripes.  He decided to cover the whole hood with the regular gloss PPF, then just over the stripes he installed the XPEL stealth PPF.  The color match for the stripes turned out great, can't tell the difference between the hood and the roof which is naked.

However, there is a noticeable air gap between the stripes and the paint, due to the PPF not being able to make that transition since the OEM stripes are pretty thick.  I mentioned to him already I'm not thrilled about it and I said I'll wait a few months to see if I can live with it.  Well, 2 months went by and it does bother me.

What do you guys suggest is the best way to make this look better?