In line with a latest survey, over 80% of automobile house owners who’ve utilized PPF on their automobiles have reported a major discount in paint injury. So, do you really want PPF in your Tesla?
You don’t really want PPF for a Tesla until you reside in an space the place paint abrasion is more likely to happen. Nonetheless, should you drive on rural roads with a lot of mud and gravel, you’ll want PPF to guard the automobile’s paint.
This may sound like a contradiction, however there may be extra to it. On this article, I’ll take you thru PPF’s advantages, utility, and value to present you a greater understanding of whether or not you’ll want it in your automobile. Moreover, I’ll discover ceramic coating as a less expensive various to PPF.
The Advantages of PPF on Your Tesla
Teslas are infamous for having skinny clear coats that put on off rapidly, exposing the paint to the surroundings. Due to this fact, many Tesla house owners ponder whether it’s value investing within the added safety that PPF affords.
The advantages of PPF in your Tesla are:
It protects from gentle scratches & abrasions.
It protects the paint from dangerous UV radiation.
It prevents rust.
It facilitates automobile washing.
It maintains the automobile’s aesthetics.
On an identical be aware, I wrote a associated article referred to as: “Ought to I Rust Proof My Tesla?” It will add some further readability to this matter. Test it out!
Tesla house owners driving in rural areas will get pleasure from the advantages of PPF greater than Tesla house owners driving in city areas.
Unfastened rocks can wreak havoc on the paint close to the wheels and the bumpers. Some Tesla house owners driving on non-gravel roads additionally report paint abrasion.
What Is Paint Safety Movie?
Paint Safety Movie, or PPF, is a thick clear layer of polyurethane fitted in your automobile to guard the paint, therefore the identify clear bra. It’s about 3 to 11 mil (0.003 to 0.01 in) thick, giving your automobile near-bulletproof safety.
The truth is, it was initially utilized in navy helicopters earlier than Nascar opened it as much as business use.
In all honesty, PPF doesn’t cease bullets. It does, nevertheless, defend your automobile’s paint from most hazards you’ll encounter when driving – rocks, tree sap, salt, bugs, chicken droppings, UV radiation, you identify it.
PPF’s effectivity lies in its self-healing properties. It will probably’t stop injury or scratches from taking place, but when they do, they’ll rapidly disappear over time.
PPF is a transparent movie utilized to vehicles to guard from exterior hurt and protect authentic paint. It’s self-healing and protects from scratches, UV gentle, grime, and extra. Tesla house owners in rural areas will profit extra from PPF than city areas.
Do You Want PPF Tesla Mannequin 3?
By the way in which, I additionally wrote a associated article referred to as: “10 Finest Tesla Contact Up Paint Colours In contrast (With Photos)“. Test it out whenever you’re achieved right here!
Does Tesla Advocate PPF?
For these seeking to get hold of Tesla’s approval earlier than continuing with any modifications associated to your automobile, this part is for you. Utilizing solely Tesla-recommended extras is smart: it ensures automobile integration and preserves that valuable guarantee.
Tesla hasn’t formally really useful PPF however it’s keen to offer it in sure areas, notably in areas susceptible to color injury. The corporate has examined the set up of PPF on Mannequin Y, exhibiting the corporate acknowledges the advantages of PPF.
In sure areas, Tesla affords extras to clients to guard their vehicles from injury brought on by the surroundings. For example, in November 2019, Tesla offered new All-Climate Safety Kits to Tesla house owners.
The package – which Tesla provided to Mannequin 3 house owners – included two mud flaps with set up {hardware}. The aim of those flaps was to guard the vehicles from paint chips that happen in winter as a consequence of salt, gravel, and sand.
In 2021, Tesla went a step additional by testing the set up of PPF on the Mannequin Y in choose markets. The Mannequin Y is especially prone to color chips, making it the perfect Mannequin for Tesla to check this characteristic on.
The marketing campaign to have PPF obtainable as commonplace hasn’t rolled out in most areas worldwide. Nonetheless, Tesla’s willingness to include it exhibits that the corporate acknowledges the protecting advantages PPF affords to vehicles.
One other suggestion for different articles written; I additionally wrote a associated article referred to as: What Is A Clear Bra For Tesla? Have A Look. On this article, I counsel the perfect choices so that you can select from.
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Whether or not you’re a Tesla proprietor who incessantly drives on rural roads or just desires to take care of the looks of your automobile, PPF is value contemplating.
The Worth to Set up PPF
Price makes many individuals keep away from automobile extras that may profit their vehicles. Nonetheless, some additions can show to be value each dime.
PPF is dear to put in. Coating your total Tesla in PPF can value you between $5,500 to $10,000, relying on the dimensions of your automobile, labor prices, and product high quality.
PPF is dear because of the advantages it affords your automobile. Moreover, you received’t must reapply for PPF for an additional 5 to 10 years.
Should you go for PPF, all the time go for the perfect manufacturers obtainable. Buy clear coating with a prolonged guarantee (10 years or extra) and a thickness of a minimum of 8 mm (0.008 in). Moreover, be sure that the PPF has self-healing properties.
Should you take into account the prices of repairing paint chips and scratches, the price of PPF may be value paying.
How Lengthy Does It Take To Add Paint Safety To Your Automotive?
PPF set up can take some time, particularly should you decide to have PPF in your total Tesla.
Slip facilitates stretching of the PPF on the automobile’s floor and prevents adhesion earlier than the technician applies the movie appropriately. As soon as the technician positions the PPF appropriately, they let the slip answer out, permitting the PPF to stick to your Tesla.
These on a price range can decide to not have your complete Tesla coated in PPF. You’ll have the choice of making use of the fabric solely on particular components which are extra prone to scratching or abrasion.
Elements which are extremely prone to abrasion embrace the hood, bumpers, fenders, and mirrors. ONLY coating these components can scale back the price of PPF considerably.
PPF Improve of your Tesla’s Resale Worth
One may take into account PPF value the associated fee if it’s going to enhance your Tesla’s resale worth. Nonetheless, not all automobile extras and modifications can enhance their worth.
Having PPF on a automobile received’t considerably enhance a Tesla’s resale worth. Consumers and trade-in facilities take into account aesthetics when valuing your automobile, however having PPF received’t end in a major bump in resale worth.
Resale worth goes far past automobile aesthetics. Due to this fact, in case your automobile seems good on the surface however its inside and mechanics are poorly maintained, you received’t get a superb value for the automobile.
So don’t put money into full-body PPF considering that you just’ll recoup the prices throughout resale. Put money into PPF solely since you worth sustaining your Tesla’s aesthetics.
MonsterGadgets on YouTube uploaded a video titled ‘2021 Tesla PPF – is it well worth the funding?’. Within the video, he explains that putting in PPF in your Tesla received’t enhance the resale value. You may recoup a fraction of the cash you spent putting in PPF, but it surely’ll nonetheless quantity to a loss.
MonsterGadgets concludes by stating that he wouldn’t set up PPF on his Tesla.
How Lengthy Does PPF Safety Final?
PPF can final over 10 years.
Ceramic Coating As An Different to PPF
Ceramic coating is a chemical polymer utilized to the automobile to forestall the degradation of the clear coat. Like PPF, it prevents the degradation of clear coat and improves the automobile’s aesthetics.
Ceramic coating is a short lived various to PPF. It doesn’t final so long as PPF and doesn’t provide the identical safety ranges. The ceramic coating protects your automobile’s paint job for a restricted interval.
Ceramic coating usually lasts between 3-5 years, relying on the standard of the movie and the extent of upkeep.
Automotive house owners on the lookout for safety from exterior paint injury normally use a ceramic coating. It prevents grime, grime, and stains from sticking to the automobile’s exterior.
It additionally permits water and grime to streak off the paint’s floor, producing some spectacular outcomes after a automobile wash.
The ceramic coating affords among the benefits of PPF at a diminished value. You may be questioning then: Why not go for ceramic coating for my Tesla?
The problem with ceramic coating is that its advantages lean extra on aesthetics moderately than safety. Moreover, ceramic coating degrades with each wash and publicity to the weather.
Should you actually care about your Tesla Mannequin X’s aesthetics, pair PPF with ceramic coating.
It’s going to drive you to dig deeper into your pocket, however in the long run, you’ll get the safety of the PPF and the shine offered by ceramic coating. Your Tesla will certainly stand out from the remaining.
Should you’re uncertain Which Coloration Tesla To Get, try this text that I wrote. I revealed the most well-liked selections.
Ceramic Coating: A Cheaper Different to PPF
Listed below are some further advantages of Ceramic Coating:
Supplies a excessive gloss end and enhances the looks of your automobile. PPF might not be as high-gloss. Tastes rely.
It additionally protects the paint from minor scratches, swirl marks, and mineral deposits – it’s simply cheaper.
Makes your automobile simpler to wash and keep.
Will increase the sturdiness of your Tesla’s paint.
May be utilized to your complete automobile or simply high-impact areas just like the entrance bumper and full hood.
Typically comes with a 1-year guarantee.
In the case of choosing the proper model of ceramic coating, there are a lot of totally different choices obtainable. Among the high manufacturers within the trade embrace Ceramic Professional, XPEL Final Plus, and Tesla’s personal Paint Safety Movie packages.
Every model affords totally different movies and applied sciences, so it’s vital to analysis and examine them to search out the perfect answer in your wants and price range.
The Utility Course of for PPF on Your Tesla
There are a couple of several types of PPF obtainable, every with its personal distinctive properties and advantages. The commonest forms of PPF are XPEL Final Plus, and 3M Professional Sequence. Every of those movies affords totally different ranges of safety, sturdiness, and self-healing properties.
It’s vital to do analysis on totally different movies and select the one which most closely fits your private choice and environmental elements.
Earlier than making use of PPF to your Tesla, it’s vital to grasp the instruments and supplies required for the method.
These embrace:
a squeegee
a warmth gun
a blade
a cleansing answer.
It’s vital to discover a skilled element store that has expertise in putting in PPF on Tesla’s paint.
The set up course of for PPF can differ relying on the kind of movie you select and the areas of the automobile that you just need to defend. Nonetheless, here’s a basic overview of the steps concerned:
Clear the surfaces of the automobile to be protected. This consists of eradicating grime, mud, and different contaminants.
Measure and lower the PPF movie to the right dimension for the world you need to defend.
Apply the movie to the floor of the automobile, utilizing the squeegee to easy out any bubbles or wrinkles.
Use the warmth gun to activate the adhesive on the movie and guarantee a safe bond.
Trim away any extra movie and apply the Signature Edge Seal Expertise to the sides of the movie to guard it from lifting or peeling.
Should you set up PPF at dwelling and fail to do a passable job, don’t try and take away the PPF. Likelihood is that you just’ll take away the PPF together with some paint. Should you mess up, go away the remaining to the professionals.
PPF may be eliminated, but it surely’s greatest to have it achieved professionally because it requires particular solvents and strategies to keep away from damaging the paint.
Upkeep and Take care of Your PPF
Now that your automobile is protected against rock chips, street particles, and environmental injury, it’s vital to maintain up with its upkeep and care to make sure that it stays in pristine situation. Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know:
Cleansing and Upkeep of PPF:
PPF must be cleaned often, similar to the remainder of your automobile. Nonetheless, make sure to keep away from utilizing harsh chemical substances, abrasive sponges, or high-pressure washers. These can injury the protecting movie and go away swirl marks on the painted floor.
The best choice for cleansing PPF is to make use of a mild automobile shampoo and a microfiber material or a foam sponge. It will take away grime and dirt with out harming the movie.
PPF can also be proof against bug acid and mineral deposits, so it won’t require particular cleansing options.
It is very important clear the PPF as quickly as doable after encountering environmental elements comparable to acid rain, chicken droppings, or tree sap to forestall the movie from staining.
Repairing Injury to Your PPF:
In case your PPF is broken, it’s vital to have it repaired as quickly as doable to forestall everlasting paint injury.
Minor scratches within the movie can typically self-heal, however deeper scratches or rock chips will should be repaired by knowledgeable.
Many Tesla dealerships {and professional} element retailers provide paint correction and PPF restore providers.
Should you’re on the lookout for a dependable and respected firm for PPF set up, take into account Xpel or Immaculate Reflections. These are among the trade leaders within the PPF market.
Bear in mind, PPF is a layer of safety in your Tesla’s paint, but it surely’s not bulletproof. It’s all the time greatest to keep away from driving too near gravel or different particles.
PPF Guarantee:
PPF is often lined by a 1-year guarantee, but it surely’s all the time greatest to test with the producer or installer for his or her particular guarantee phrases.
Should you’re shopping for a brand new Tesla and wish the perfect safety for the paint, you may also go for ceramic professional, it’s an amazing various, and it’s additionally a everlasting answer.
Private Choice to Shield Your Tesla:
The choice of whether or not to use automobile paint safety to the complete hood, full entrance, rocker panels, mirror caps, full fenders, or simply high-impact areas such because the entrance bumper and rear bumper is a matter of non-public choice.
Your complete automobile may be lined with PPF, or simply high-impact areas, it’s all as much as you, you may also combine and match totally different movies.
The most effective answer is to seek the advice of with knowledgeable element store and determine which model and kind of PPF are greatest in your Tesla, whether or not it’s the XPEL Final Plus, XPEL Stealth, or Tesla’s Paint Safety Movie packages.
Does PPF Void Tesla Guarantee?
The set up of Paint Safety Movie (PPF) on a Tesla automobile usually doesn’t void the producer’s guarantee.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to overview the precise phrases and circumstances of the guarantee offered by Tesla to make sure that including PPF doesn’t affect the protection. Whereas PPF is mostly thought of a non-invasive modification that doesn’t have an effect on the mechanical or electrical elements of the automobile, it’s all the time really useful to test with Tesla or a certified service middle to substantiate the guarantee implications earlier than continuing with any modifications.
Following the right set up procedures and utilizing high-quality PPF from respected producers can even assist reduce any potential guarantee issues.
Does Tesla want PPF?
Whereas Tesla automobiles include a manufacturing unit paint job that’s typically of top quality, many Tesla house owners decide so as to add Paint Safety Movie (PPF) for an extra layer of safety.
Tesla house owners who prioritize sustaining the pristine situation of their automobile’s paint might discover PPF to be a worthwhile funding, particularly in the event that they incessantly drive in areas with harsh climate circumstances or on roads with particles.
Finally, the choice to make use of PPF is subjective and is determined by the proprietor’s particular person preferences and priorities.
Methods to Shield Tesla Paint:
There are a number of methods to guard the paint on a Tesla and hold it wanting its greatest.
Common washing and detailing are important to take away grime, grime, and contaminants that may hurt the paint floor.
Utilizing high-quality automobile wash merchandise and microfiber towels will help stop scratches through the cleansing course of.
Moreover, making use of a protecting coating comparable to ceramic coating or wax can create a barrier that safeguards the paint from UV rays, oxidation, and chemical injury.
It’s additionally advisable to keep away from parking in direct daylight for prolonged intervals, as extended publicity to the solar can fade the paint.
Lastly, take into account including Paint Safety Movie (PPF) to areas susceptible to rock chips and different bodily injury for an additional layer of safety.
Is PPF Utilized To Tesla Window?
Paint Safety Movie (PPF) will not be usually utilized to Tesla home windows. PPF is primarily designed to guard the painted surfaces of a automobile, such because the physique panels and bumpers, from scratches, rock chips, and different types of injury. It’s not supposed to be used on glass surfaces.
Nonetheless, there are different forms of protecting movies obtainable particularly for home windows, comparable to window tinting movies or clear window safety movies.
Window tinting movies can present privateness, UV safety, and scale back glare, whereas clear window safety movies will help stop scratches and injury to the window floor. These movies are distinct from PPF and serve totally different functions.
If you’re curious about including a protecting movie to your Tesla’s home windows, it is suggested to seek the advice of with knowledgeable installer who can present steering on the suitable kind of movie in your particular wants.
Often Requested Questions
Can You Set up PPF at House?
You possibly can set up PPF at dwelling through the use of a store-bought package, however I like to recommend leaving it to the professionals. It takes numerous observe to put in PPF appropriately.
How A lot Does PPF From Tesla Price?
PPF from Tesla for the Mannequin Y prices $50. The corporate offers PPF for the rear fenders as a part of its climate safety package. Nonetheless, for customized protection, you’ll seemingly need to pay rather more.