Question on PPF/Ceramic coating

[TysonsCorner]

Had a quick question, I’m planning ahead and called a few local places by me to have them install
PPF and ceramic coating on my Z06 when it arrives hopefully in June. Both places I’ve called told me they already did a few Z06s and getting mine done won’t be a problem but they need the car for a week. Both places quoted me $9000-$9500 respectively for full PPF on the entire car, Ceramic coating and one place said they would tint the windows for free.
I honestly thought it would be half that.
I know ceramic coating is around $1200-1500, so $8K for PFF? Is that high or just normal competitive pricing. Thanks

[Milliwatt Rob]

IMO, full coverage on film is not cost effective. See what they want for one step less than full coverage.

[chevyrules]

Back when I inquired for my Model 3, my place quoted $7500 for full coverage. $8000 is a fair deal if you act that $9000 quote is actually including ceramic.

A week also sounds about right if you also want to know. PPF will take 2 days. Ceramic will take a bit more since they would want it to cure for as long as possible before releasing it.

[smithers]

PPF is expensive. It’s a really labor intensive thing to install. When I was shopping around for my old car it seemed like $7k was typical for a full car install. But this was also a smaller car and back in 2017. So this price doesn’t seem crazy to me as everything is more expensive now.

There are always people who swear they can get a full car done locally for some super low price, but I’ve never found that to be the case.

[chevyrules]

PPF is expensive. It’s a really labor intensive thing to install. When I was shopping around for my old car it seemed like $7k was typical for a full car install. But this was also a smaller car and back in 2017. So this price doesn’t seem crazy to me as everything is more expensive now.

There are always people who swear they can get a full car done locally for some super low price, but I’ve never found that to be the case.

And if they do, it’s probably a crappy install job.

[Plentyfast]

Price is expensive, but sound about right.

Having the Car a week sounds a little long to me.

[R23HTC]

To have the full car done that seems to be a decent price. Also depends on what all is removed to do it correctly. The shop that did mine removed the wheels ceramic coated the barrels, brake calipers, as well as the rest of the car. Removed the mirrors to PPF the doors, etc. I also had the Stingray R graphics added on top the PPF and a couple other extras.


Forgot to add I dropped it off on a Monday and picked it up on Friday (if I remember correctly) I was told about a week.

[lv2jmp]

Had a quick question, I’m planning ahead and called a few local places by me to have them install
PPF and ceramic coating on my Z06 when it arrives hopefully in June. Both places I’ve called told me they already did a few Z06s and getting mine done won’t be a problem but they need the car for a week. Both places quoted me $9000-$9500 respectively for full PPF on the entire car, Ceramic coating and one place said they would tint the windows for free.
I honestly thought it would be half that.
I know ceramic coating is around $1200-1500, so $8K for PFF? Is that high or just normal competitive pricing. Thanks

That does seem expensive. This is only one data point, but bespokepp.com is doing a track PPF and a full Modesta Ceramic. The Ceramic is 2k, the PPF (Suntec Reaction) is 3.5k. So 5.5k total for excellent protection, and a well respected installer (not a discount shop).

[adamsocb]

What part of the country are you in? Area can affect pricing. My friend paid $7,000 for full Z06 PPF in SoCal (Ontario). I am paying a little over $3,000 for all front facing painted surfaces and the rockers. The shop we used was on the high end of area estimates.

Some of the cost can be for correction (polishing) of paint that has swirls or damage. If you are adding the PPF film immediately after delivery when the paint is brand new, that step is not needed so don’t pay for it. As for full vs partial, if the car will spend a significant amount of time outside, full coverage may be worth it. If the car will be stored inside, I don’t see the benefit of covering the top, side, and rear surfaces.

Ceramic coating is another matter. My reading of articles not selling products says none of it lasts multi-years without maintenance (unless you keep the car in a capsule). Any car that is used in the real world will need reapplication of the coating every year or two depending on exposure. When you pay for a 5-7-9 year coating you are really pre-paying for the additional treatments.
If you have experience waxing your own cars, you may want to consider reading up on ceramic coatings and trying it yourself. The industry now has a wide range of consumer products available. From easy to apply, low risk, ceramic enhanced waxes and sprays; to the more difficult to apply full pro-level serum.

[rickg747]

There has been many of discussions on this forum with these exact same question. It always starts out comparing prices, but in the end will turn to 1 thing. WHO is the Actual person applying the film.

Different companies will have different patterns they can select for the C8. Top end shops will select a pattern that overlaps so they can "Tuck" in around all the edges. (Intensive labor) The C8 itself is one of the hardest cars to put PPF on because of all the angles in the body.

Rule 1 Get actual customers reviews and LOOK at their jobs in person.
Rule 2 Check out the shops and see how Clean those shops are. They should be as near clean as a surgery center. Also, a shop who has several installers doesn't mean they all have the same quality of install. Find out who your installer is going to be, and use only that installer.

In the end, if you choose the cheapest shop, Do Not expect it to be invisible to anyone. You really do get what you pay for in these cases. Most of previous commenters have reported how disappointed they were for their choice of a cheap installation. Good luck.

[TysonsCorner]

Thanks for the replies. I live in Michigan, pot hole center of the United States, and road construction all over I75, 696, and 275. I think it would be in my best interest to get the entire car done, just for peace of mind. Car will be stored in a climate controlled garage. I installed a mini split system and insulated the entire garage. But the 2 shops I called had 100s of 5 star reviews. I don’t mind paying extra as long as the job is done right. I just thought $9K was a bit high. But I’ll prob go with the place that offered to tint my windows for free if I do both PPF and ceramic coating.

[TysonsCorner]

There has been many of discussions on this forum with these exact same question. It always starts out comparing prices, but in the end will turn to 1 thing. WHO is the Actual person applying the film.

Different companies will have different patterns they can select for the C8. Top end shops will select a pattern that overlaps so they can "Tuck" in around all the edges. (Intensive labor) The C8 itself is one of the hardest cars to put PPF on because of all the angles in the body.

Rule 1 Get actual customers reviews and LOOK at their jobs in person.
Rule 2 Check out the shops and see how Clean those shops are. They should be as near clean as a surgery center. Also, a shop who has several installers doesn't mean they all have the same quality of install. Find out who your installer is going to be, and use only that installer.

In the end, if you choose the cheapest shop, Do Not expect it to be invisible to anyone. You really do get what you pay for in these cases. Most of previous commenters have reported how disappointed they were for their choice of a cheap installation. Good luck.

Great advice.

the one shop i called did say they had cutouts for the Z06. They were actually finishing up a rapid blue one. I may stop by their shop Friday, maybe the car will still be there.

[rickg747]

Great advice.

the one shop i called did say they had cutouts for the Z06. They were actually finishing up a rapid blue one. I may stop by their shop Friday, maybe the car will still be there.

That would be an excellent chance to see it in person. Good luck

[Ragtop 99]

Even for a car kept outside, not sure i see much benefit to full PPF. Ceramic coating does a good job of protecting against bird **** and tree pollen.

[lv2jmp]

Even for a car kept outside, not sure i see much benefit to full PPF. Ceramic coating does a good job of protecting against bird **** and tree pollen.

I am getting PPF because my previous C7 GS was fully coated in Modesta Ceramic, yet it still picked up a stone chip in the paint down to the white fiberglass. I have no direct experience with PPF, but my expectations are it will save my finish in ways ceramic cannot.

I am ALSO getting a full ceramic coat, because it A) glows B) easy easy easy cleanup C) protects the paint.