Will stealth PPFing a black car make black easier to keep nice?

[ourlee]

I’ve never owned a black car because I’m not disciplined enough to keep it looking A+. Would a stealth PPF make black as easy as any other color? The stealth black M3s shown online look really great.

[Vmaxx]

Originally Posted by ourlee

I’ve never owned a black car because I’m not disciplined enough to keep it looking A+. Would a stealth PPF make black as easy as any other color? The stealth black M3s shown online look really great.

Definitely. One of the most common problems you see on black paint is swirl marks and spiderwebbing, but the ppf will prevent that, plus contaminates and dirt will be easier to remove.

[ourlee]

Awesome. Makes perfect sense but wanted some confirmation

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by ourlee

Awesome. Makes perfect sense but wanted some confirmation

Having 2 cars now wrapped with stealth ppf (one black) I can definitely attest to this. I will never get a black car again without wrapping it

[Tag]

Although PPF will prevent swirls and scratches I'd still avoid a black car because you just can't keep it looking clean. The contrast between dust which is typically off white and gray against a black car sticks out like a sore thumb. Trust me, you'll see it, especially when sunny outside. Now, if you get a stealth wrap that would work since the stealth wrap makes black look grayish and dust will just blend in. Getting an entire car wrapped isn't cheap though.

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Tag

Although PPF will prevent swirls and scratches I'd still avoid a black car because you just can't keep it looking clean. The contrast between dust which is typically off white and gray against a black car sticks out like a sore thumb. Trust me, you'll see it, especially when sunny outside. Now, if you get a stealth wrap that would work since the stealth wrap makes black look grayish and dust will just blend in. Getting an entire car wrapped isn't cheap though.

Yeah budgeting $6k for ppf. I think I’d go individual vs just a wrap.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by ourlee

I’ve never owned a black car because I’m not disciplined enough to keep it looking A+. Would a stealth PPF make black as easy as any other color? The stealth black M3s shown online look really great.

Yes. Since you won't be touching the actual black paint, swirls and scratches wouldn't make it through. And any minor scratches and swirls would self heal with heat.

[ourlee]

[Diesel power]

Originally Posted by ourlee

Yeah budgeting $6k for ppf. I think I’d go individual vs just a wrap.

If you go for a frozen finish you would probably still want to wrap it to protect the finish. I've never had frozen or matte paint before, but it seems like it takes a lot of special care to keep it looking good. From a straight cost standpoint I think doing a stealth wrap over a standard color would probably give you the best bang for the buck in terms of care and appearance.

[SheikhX4MC]

Also stealth wrap is not very hydrophobic, I would definitely do a ceramic on top. It was a night and day difference for me in terms of keeping my car clean.

[ourlee]

Just saw a spotless Brooklyn x5 cruise by in full sun today. On the M2 it’s $650. It was beautiful and SWMBO approves (but prefers Dravit) I’m having so much fun, can’t order a car til fall 24 ($) so tons of time.

[aug0211]

I’d go black sapphire metallic with stealth PPF over top.

Will cost a bit more than just doing the paint. But I think general consensus now is doing the paint alone is a non-starter anyway because it’s so miserable to maintain and impossible to correct any issues.

So you end up covering that frozen paint either way. Might as well get a normal paint that is easier to care for and have a backup option if the frozen (stealth PPF) look grows old for you (and you pull the PPF off).

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by aug0211

I’d go black sapphire metallic with stealth PPF over top.

Will cost a bit more than just doing the paint. But I think general consensus now is doing the paint alone is a non-starter anyway because it’s so miserable to maintain and impossible to correct any issues.

So you end up covering that frozen paint either way. Might as well get a normal paint that is easier to care for and have a backup option if the frozen (stealth PPF) look grows old for you (and you pull the PPF off).

Agree with this. I’ve been watching Dustin Legends YouTube’s, his bsm stealth looks really great

[aug0211]

It’s the route I personally went on my G05, where the cost for frozen paint vs the PPF wrap was about the same. So far (still in the shop) it really does look cool.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by ourlee

Heh, that’s my car. 13000kms and 7 months down the road it still looks awesome. Very easy to care for and honestly looks like factory Frozen Black. My PPF installer was exceptional (second car they have satin PPFed for me).

[ourlee]

If the rs3 or m3 came here in hatch/wagon, I’d have one. Your car is tremendous, glad the stealth is working

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by MJBO

Heh, that’s my car. 13000kms and 7 months down the road it still looks awesome. Very easy to care for and honestly looks like factory Frozen Black. My PPF installer was exceptional (second car they have satin PPFed for me).

Your G81 looks great with the matte PPF on BSM. I thought about having matte PPF applied to my G20 in Portimao Blue but wasn’t sure how it would look. Then BMW decided to offer Frozen Portimao Blue on the G87 and it looks great. I made a bad decision by not using matte PPF.

[espressoo]

In my experience PPF protects the paint from micro scratches that always occurs when washing a dark color vehicle. No matter how careful you are even hand washing a black car will always end up with scratches over time. PPF prevents that. If you want to make your paint lower maintenance then have the PPF ceramic coated. Another thing to note is glossy/clear PPF although is self healing it does show micro scratches over time. I have two vehicles with gloss PPF that I take good care of but if you look really close (a few inches away) there’s micro scratches on the PPF. My latest vehicle I went with matte/stealth PPF and it hides micro scratches really well.

[stikya]

IF you get any ppf w/ ceramic pro in or on it, definitely YES looks more clean even when dusty. If not, it'll just keep your paint from getting usage wear (swirls & chips), but likely no easier to keep looking clean.

My wife had ppf (w/ ceramic pro on top) on her last car, and after a week of driving it would still shine more and look cleaner from a distance than my non-ppf car just after a handwash/dry.

But w/ stealth PPF it also just looks AMAZING! Like Frozen Black OEM color. Also makes any carbon bits pop so much more than on the gloss black.

I wouldn't want mine to look any other way.

Everywhere I drive it, people just come up to me and say, "WOW".

[nxstyM3]

whats the price tag to get it stealth ppf? currently have mine wrapped and it cost me 3200..

[stikya]

Originally Posted by nxstyM3

whats the price tag to get it stealth ppf? currently have mine wrapped and it cost me 3200..

I paid $5k, full ceramic infused Kavaca ppf, including clear ppf on carbon fiber, like mirrors, lip, skirts, and grille (which had to be custom fit since aftermarket). but most quotes I hear are $7k-10k. Also included a repeat customer discount.

[aug0211]

$8k-$10k range on an X5 at higher end shops.

This is for XPEL Stealth with full ceramic applied.

Can get a little savings if you have a relationship.

Maybe cheaper for a smaller vehicle.