Expectations for PPF - what is an acceptable finish?

[Sonnie]

Figuring a complete PPF wrap seems to run $6,000-$8500 for an F150, what should someone expect on the finish. Would the following be tolerable or would you want the pieces repaired or replaced? There is some vinyl, but mostly matte PPF.

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[nomarhits400]

Figuring a complete PPF wrap seems to run $6,000-$8500 for an F150, what should someone expect on the finish. Would the following be tolerable or would you want the pieces repaired or replaced? There is some vinyl, but mostly matte PPF.

Oooh -I did some PPF wrapping myself- and I'm no pro but my edges don't look like that; I'd say you have a right to have those pieces replaced.

 

[Sonnie]

That's what I was thinking... and I have about 30 pics of different similar looking spots after they've had it twice for over a week. First to install it, then another time to fix issues. Yet, there are still numerous places with issues. I'm not sure they can get it right. Very concerned considering what I spent.

 

[Antimatter22]

My installer has a lifetime warranty I believe so I'd imagine yours would too. I had my truck wrapped in PPF. It's the first time I've ever gotten PPF but I wasn't too impressed with the install for the price. Sure, majority of the truck is covered but there's a few spots I feel they could have done better on. Some of the spots that drive me crazy are fairly noticeable because it's a white truck so if there's a little bit of dirt along the edge it kind of outlines the issue.

I haven't had anything fixed on mine yet just because you, I don't feel like giving them my truck for several more days. All in all in took them about 5 days for a full PPF wrap and window tint. Obviously the PPF was what took the longest.

 

[kb2755]

Pretty sure my installer would throw up looking at these. This looks downright unacceptable compared to the fit and finish of my job. When my truck was in for detailing, he offered to redo minor lifting under his own analysis and determination that was way more minor than what’s in these pictures.

 

[Sonnie]

Yeah... I said 30, but I just counted 40 pics I took over the last couple of days of issues... and one video of a larger issue. Bad cuts with jagged and peeling edges. I actually talked with the PPF manufacturer and they said if properly wrapped and glued, it won't peel. It's normal to have a spot here and there, but not this many, especially after already repairing about 50 spots, some of which are the same issue points.

I'm somewhat bummed out because I now have doubts that they are capable of fixing it.

 

[jmh86325]

Figuring a complete PPF wrap seems to run $6,000-$8500 for an F150, what should someone expect on the finish. Would the following be tolerable or would you want the pieces repaired or replaced? There is some vinyl, but mostly matte PPF.

and you paid for this?

 

[Texas2022XLT]

I only had my front done and the door cups and have been very happy. I agree with you that many issues they probably are not capable of fixing it right. What brand film did they use?

 

[Sonnie]

I only had my front done and the door cups and have been very happy. I agree with you that many issues they probably are not capable of fixing it right. What brand film did they use?

Kavaca

 

[FDHog]

Who did your PPF? Stevie Wonder? To me, that would be totally unacceptable. This was done by the same guy that told you that you were missing a piece in your roof channel?
I would've walked as soon as he said that.
When done right, you shouldn't even know it's there except for maybe a seam. Also looks like he did cutting on the truck.

 

[BLWNBYU]

A hack job of epic proportions. If you paid anywhere what you mentioned, first, I'd be sick, and second, hoping you paid with CC and pursuing a chargeback.

 

[kkriskal]

Figuring a complete PPF wrap seems to run $6,000-$8500 for an F150, what should someone expect on the finish. Would the following be tolerable or would you want the pieces repaired or replaced? There is some vinyl, but mostly matte PPF.

This is Not acceptable at all. I always cover all my vehicles with PPF and based on these pics, they have not done a good job. They need to fix it

 

[MDPE]

Man, I am sorry to see this happened to you. This is complete hack work.

I would ask for a refund and removal. I would not want them to have a chance to fix it, a real professional shop wouldn't have made those mistakes nor let the vehicle leave looking like that, much less have it looking that way after a couple of returns. My concern is they have cut the underlying paint by cutting the film on the vehicle in places, something you may not see until the film is removed.

If the business waffles making it right, I would:

1) Tell them you will post it on all social media sites so that customers can see the work, and follow through

2) Call the film manufacturer and ask them to send a field rep out to review it, because you'll make sure to highlight this was a "certified installer of Kavaca" and that Kavaca didn't help make it right when made aware on every possible platform

3) Contact BBB, the local newspaper and news station saying you have a rip-off alert for an automotive business

4) Investigate a chargeback to the CC (I believe you would likely lose as this may be classified as a service)

I, too, had a hack job on my vehicle, upon removal I found they had cut the paint in multiple locations. The shop's insurance ended up paying to have ~$9k in repairs. Had they not turned it over to their insurance, I would have likely pursued it as a comprehensive claim through my own insurance (at my peril) while dragging them through the mud with the photos. Your photos are also very damning.

For reference: https://photos.app.goo.gl/e6gL3RxHDBznL6Qt5
Reference 2: https://www.f150tremor.com/threads/thoughts-on-ppf-worth-it.553/page-2#post-29562

 

[Grafx36510]

Man, I am sorry to see this happened to you. This is complete hack work.

I would ask for a refund and removal. I would not want them to have a chance to fix it, a real professional shop wouldn't have made those mistakes nor let the vehicle leave looking like that, much less have it looking that way after a couple of returns. My concern is they have cut the underlying paint by cutting the film on the vehicle in places, something you may not see until the film is removed.

If the business waffles making it right, I would:

1) Tell them you will post it on all social media sites so that customers can see the work, and follow through

2) Call the film manufacturer and ask them to send a field rep out to review it, because you'll make sure to highlight this was a "certified installer of Kavaca" and that Kavaca didn't help make it right when made aware on every possible platform

3) Contact BBB, the local newspaper and news station saying you have a rip-off alert for an automotive business

4) Investigate a chargeback to the CC (I believe you would likely lose as this may be classified as a service)

I, too, had a hack job on my vehicle, upon removal I found they had cut the paint in multiple locations. The shop's insurance ended up paying to have ~$9k in repairs. Had they not turned it over to their insurance, I would have likely pursued it as a comprehensive claim through my own insurance (at my peril) while dragging them through the mud with the photos. Your photos are also very damning.

For reference: https://photos.app.goo.gl/e6gL3RxHDBznL6Qt5
Reference 2: https://www.f150tremor.com/threads/thoughts-on-ppf-worth-it.553/page-2#post-29562

I remember reading about your situation on f150tremor.com. How did the repair work come out?

 

[MDPE]

I remember reading about your situation on f150tremor.com. How did the repair work come out?

Sorry that you had to read about it! My story goes on, things are still not quite right after getting the truck back from the local Ford dealer's body shop, but the PPF shop insurance ponied up and covered the repairs to the tune of $9K + a rental while in the shop.

After a ~4 month wait to get into the body shop the truck was dropped off, kept for about 1mo, and returned to me post-repairs. The orange peel does not match factory, there are a couple of fish-eyes in the paint on a couple panels, a run on the hood seam where it hits the fender, and overspray on several parts including the antenna. Further, they didn't blend into the driver's door and there is a mismatch from fender to door. The paint thickness gauge and orange peel don't lie here, I hate to use the word fraud, but they are claiming work that has pretty clearly not been done. The truck was not cut and buffed either. Having worked in a body shop and cut + buffed cars in high school and college, I probably am not the best customer to pull one over.

They also didn't replace 2 cut parking sensor retainers, missed reinstalling several fender liner clips/screws, and need to replace the already replacement headlight (OEM replacement headlight has RTV on the inner housing + finger prints on the projector lens). They are replacing this under warranty. The truck is scheduled to be dropped back off next week so my story goes on still.

The PPF + repaint have really soured my enjoyment of the truck. May I serve as a lesson to others that sometimes it's better to just avoid PPF altogether.

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