Question 1

How much does it cost to have PPF on my BMW?

Accepted Answer

Honestly, without seeing your vehicle we can only give an estimated figure here. 
Factors which will impact on the price include,

• Complexity of work.
• Size of vehicle
• Condition of the paintwork
• Full or partial coverage.

An estimation of the price of PPF can be found on our PPF page.

Question 2

What is PPF and how does it protect my BMW?

Accepted Answer

PPF, Short for Paint Protection Film, is a highly advanced paint protection film designed to safeguard the paintwork of your BMW from various forms of damage. It is transparent, self-healing, and essentially a film that is applied to areas of your vehicle.

The primary purpose of PPF is to shield your BMW's paintwork from common hazards encountered on the road. These hazards include stone chips, scratches, insect stains, road debris, and environmental contaminants.

By acting as a sacrificial barrier, PPF absorbs the impact and prevents these elements from directly affecting the delicate paint surface of your vehicle.

One of the key advantages of paint protection film is its self-healing properties. This means that minor scratches or swirl marks that may occur on the film's surface can be automatically repaired through the application of heat, such as sunlight or warm water. This unique characteristic ensures that your BMW maintains its flawless appearance, as the film effectively "heals" itself, leaving no trace of any superficial damage. This would be impossible to achieve without paint correction work if the film was not there!

Moreover, PPF is engineered to be optically clear, so it does not compromise the visual appeal of your BMW. It is virtually invisible, allowing the original paint colour and finish to shine through. This ensures that your BMW's aesthetic beauty remains intact while benefiting from the added protection provided by the film.

Furthermore, paint protection film is specifically formulated to withstand UV rays, preventing your BMW's paint from fading or discolouration due to prolonged sun exposure. It acts as a barrier against harmful ultraviolet radiation, preserving the vibrancy and brilliance of your vehicle's paintwork for an extended period.

In summary, paint protection film is a cutting-edge protective film that acts as an invisible shield for your BMW. It defends against road hazards, scratches, and environmental factors while maintaining the visual integrity of your vehicle. By investing in PPF, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is well-protected, allowing you to fully experience the exhilaration of driving without worrying about potential damage to its exquisite paint finish.

Question 3

How long does PPF last?

Accepted Answer

PPF is one of, if not the, highest levels of paint protection you can add to your vehicle. It's designed to absorb as much impact damage as it can.
XPEL's Ultimate Plus series of paint protection films are warrantied for 10 years and this warranty covers: yellowing, delaminating, cracking, peeling, bubbling, and more.  More information on the warranty can be found on XPEL's warranty Information page

In real terms, high impact areas may need to be replaced (we're looking at your side skirts & front bumper areas) to be the areas where the film needs to be replaced first. An estimate would be around 5 years on a daily car.
This does depend on how much the car is driven, how well it's looked after and a whole host of other variables but the main idea is that your paintwork isn't getting damaged.
It's the film, a replaceable piece of film, which is taking the hit each time and as such it's relatively simple to replace a piece of PPF.

Question 4

What is the difference between PPF and Ceramic Coating? Can I have both?

Accepted Answer

PPF is a transparent, self-healing film that shields your car from scratches, stone chips, and other forms of damage. It acts as a sacrificial barrier, absorbing impacts and preventing direct harm to the paint surface.
It's by far the toughest layer of protection. Think of this as impact protection.

Ceramic Coating is a liquid treatment that forms a durable and glossy layer over your vehicle's paint. It offers long-lasting protection against UV damage, fading, and minor scratches.
Think of this as protection against contaminants and very minor impacts (like poor washing technique).

Both PPF and Ceramic Coating have their unique benefits, and combining them can provide the ultimate protection for your vehicle's paint. PPF offers physical protection against impact damage, while Ceramic Coating enhances the durability and glossiness of the paint surface.

Both have hydrophobic properties making it easier to clean your car.

With both PPF and Ceramic Coating, you can enjoy the advantages of both solutions.
PPF acts as the first line of defense against scratches and stone chips, while Ceramic Coating provides an additional layer of protection and enhances the overall appearance of your vehicle.

Question 5

Is ceramic coating good for your car.

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, a ceramic coating can be a fantastic choice for your car. After we've taken care of any paint corrections, the application of this coating can noticeably enhance your vehicle's shine. Plus, it has the added advantage of blocking harmful UV rays. What's more, the protective layer it provides can serve you well for several years. So, all things considered, it's certainly good for your car.

Question 6

How long do ceramic coatings last?

Accepted Answer

The longevity of ceramic coating really depends on a couple of factors.
When applied professionally, these coatings usually endure for a period of up to 5 years.
This duration can fluctuate based on the quality of the coating used (we use a professional grade ceramic coating - Gtechniq) and the application technique. It also depends on how aggressively you wash the car and it's exposure to the elements.
If we were pushed to give an estimate, that we would say on average the coatings last 3 - 5 years.

Question 7

Can you wax a car with a ceramic coating?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is yes. Yes you can.
You need to install the ceramic coating first, let it cure, and then apply a wax. However we would question the need to apply a wax on top of a professional ceramic coating.

Question 8

How long does it take to ceramic coat a car?

Accepted Answer

The process of applying a ceramic coat needs to be done meticulously and usually spans about 2-3 days.
This timeframe can vary based on factors like the size of your vehicle, the condition of the paintwork and whether the vehicle is brand new or pre-owned.
The application process is a multi-step one which includes stages like preparation, paint correction, actual application, and a curing period. It's a careful procedure, but worth it for the results!

Question 9

How much does ceramic coating cost?

Accepted Answer

We need to start this answer off with an honest truth. There isn't a set cost for ceramic coating your car that we can give here.  Simply because it depends on a wide range of factors.

• Does your car need paint correction beforehand?
• Is the car brand new or used?
• Does it currently have wax or a ceramic coating on it already?
• Are there any areas on the paintwork which are damaged?

Bascially, how much work does the car require before we apply the ceramic coating?
Then we need to consider the size and complexity of the panels.

Given all these variables, it's not quite feasible to just assign a fixed price and say, 'That is how much it will cost'. There's a lot to consider. We'd love to discuss the options with you and take a look at your vehicle. Simply give us a call!

Question 10

Can you apply a ceramic coating to my windscreen, wheels, calipers?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! That's something we've done a lot of.
Alloy wheels and calipers really benefit from the ceramic coating as it makes them a lot easier to wash and maintain.

Question 11

Ceramic coatings are hydrophobic.  What's that actually mean?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: In plain English, it means that the ceramic coating attempts to repel any water (rain or spray or hose pipe)

After the ceramic coating has cured  it results in a wonderfully smooth, hydrophobic surface.
This means that liquids don't linger but rather slide off. Now, if there are minor damages on the car's paintwork (we're talking really tiny, microscopic-level imperfections), these areas, while still slick and smooth, aren't flawlessly even. This could result in water forming into a bead and resting in these minute depressions.

If your car is stationary, these beads might stay put on the coating. But even the slightest disturbance, like a gust of wind or minor vibrations, will likely dislodge that bead from its minuscule crevice and off the car it goes.
So in essence, a perfect Ceramic Coating would cause all water to sheet off the surface in mere seconds, not leaving any beads behind. This is the best scenario, as it helps to prevent water spots and ensures a dry, clean surface for the lifetime of the coating.

Take this example of a Porsche 718 GTS 4.0 which we applied ceramic coating on top of PPF to.
See how the rain moves off to all sides, taking dirt with it.  As soon as the car is driven, the remaining water will fall off as well.

Question 12

How do I get a quote from you for ceramic coating?

Accepted Answer

Simply fill in our contact form or just give us a call on 01275 463 134
We're a friendly team and more than happy to help and discuss options.

Question 13

Ceramic coating vs wax.

Accepted Answer

So, you're caught in the classic car care conundrum: Ceramic Coating versus Car Wax....
Now, wax might initially seem more appealing - it's less money and you can apply it yourself. But let's delve a bit deeper into why you might want to consider ceramic coating instead.

Firstly, let's talk about chemical resistance.
Car Wax unfortunately doesn't score well here. After a couple of washes, it typically begins to deteriorate , as if it was never there. In stark contrast, Ceramic Coating is like the marathon runner of car care products - it's got stamina and stays the course, even when confronted with harsh chemicals.

Now let's discuss damage protection. Car wax, to be honest, doesn't offer much. Ceramic coating though, it's a different ball game altogether.
It's not some superhero shield that makes your car invincible. But it does a commendable job protecting your vehicle from everyday annoyances - think light scratches, swirl marks, and even those stone chips when you're cruising at lower speeds.

At first glance, these benefits might not seem monumental, but ponder a bit more, and you'll appreciate the significance. After investing time and money to maintain your car's pristine paintwork or getting a detailed respray, you'd naturally want it to last.

Despite your best efforts, over time, your car will show signs of wear like swirl marks and scratches, making it appear a bit dull.
There's a myriad of factors that can harm your car's paintwork. Even something seemingly harmless like rain can eventually cause some damage. Over time, all these factors take a toll, causing your once shiny car to lose its lustre.

So how do we combat this? The key lies in protecting your car's paintwork. And that's where Ceramic Coating steps in, offering this much-needed protection at a price point that's hard to beat. The only thing better, would be paint protection film.

Bristol's only XPEL & Gtechniq Certified Installers

01275 463 134

Welcome to our ultimate guide to paint protection for all BMW cars.

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