Anyone PPF?

Hello All,
Well as the title says, I tried my hand at adding clear PPF to the lower half of my rig. I initially had uber high hopes of adding film to the front but that was quickly 86'd after my test attempt.
I added a 12" section to the bottom of the doors and attempted to carry through to the fender flares. The curves really made things frustratingly fun, I got 90% of the water out on the initial smoothing, but that apparently was not enough.
I dont want running boards or sliders and just wanted some basic protection against flying rocks.

From a far...



Here's what I learned.

• Long or big pieces need to be done with an extra set of hands.
• Heat gun is your friend.
• Leave flat sections a tad long to wrap edges around. (Never wrap or tuck edges until entire panel is done.)
• Small micro tasks, not my strong suit.

I also added a couple of small circles under all the handles. They are almost invisible but protect the paint from the wifes nails...



Bubbles....


You guys have any success here? Has anyone attempted to PPF the front? I was quoted $2200 for the front bumper, which is a no go for me.

 

Love that first picture! Even the other ones don't look bad.

 

If you're in southern CA and need a professional hand, a good buddy owns a shop in OC

 

I just had my front done and I can't even tell its there til I find the end of it

 

I have Xpel film on the front of mine. I have to because underneath the Midnight (black) is a light gray primer that makes the blue metal flake SNAP in the sunlight.

Look for a shop that has a computer cutter (sort of like CNC) that can cut out a pattern for a current 4Runner. Everything fits without bubbles everywhere. You didn't say what part of California that you run around in, but if you say so, someone will probably chime in with a shop that is capable.

 

PPF installation is not that difficult if you do it frequently. If this is the only time that you're going to have it done, just pay the shop to do it. Most shops will charge between $600-$800 for just the rocker panels/ side skirts. After I finished my paint correction, I dropped mine off to have a bunch of PPF and tint installed. I'm having the full front bumper, full hood, full front fenders/flares, headlights, fog lights, mirrors, a-pillars, windshield strip, door edges, door cups, and partial C pillar done in Suntek PPF for about $2000. Not sure why that place is charging $2000 for just the front bumper.

 

I had PPF installed on both sides to help prevent pinstriping from bushes when on trail. That cost me $2K Canadian. I didn’t bother with the front as I’ll be getting a bumper at some point, and didn’t bother with the back hatch or bumper, I didn’t bother with the roof or hood.

 

Im located just north of Sac. The price I was quoted for the front bumper was from a sac installer. Crazy price difference's, maybe I was quoted the "I dont want to do it" price.... More shopping around needed.

 

even a not perfect ppf done yourself is better than perfect done by professionals.