Hello, I recently purchased a 458 Speciale (pictures to come when the weather will allow it!). It is in great conditions, apart from some chipped paint on the front of the car. Unfortunately the previous owner didn’t put PPF on it. I don’t want to get it repainted, as it is not too bad. At least not yet, as it depends a lot pn how long I am going to keep it for. My question is: is it a good idea to put PPF now to protect the car from further damage, or do I risk that, upon removal ina few years, the paint around the chipping will peel off, making the whole situation worse and forcing me to repaint the car? As an additional question: are you aware of any product that can fix chipped paint? If it matters, my car is in Grigio Silverstone. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Can’t answer your PPF question but I have had success with chipex https://chipex.com/ on other cars that have no paint protection film.
I have fixed chips by filling them in with paint and wet sanding to blend them and clearing and polishing back up. You still see them if you look close. They bug me. You see them more under ppf. I have ppf on my car and on many cars it is worth it for me but if I had paint chips I would not do it. I’d respray first. If you spray wait 2 weeks for the paint to gas the ppf it. You can smell if the paint is ready to be wrapped. A paint guy should know. I can also tell you a good shop will paint the car better than a robot at the factory. On my 458 I did the hood and bumper cover when I bought it. I have had the ppf removed after 6 weeks due to a small hair I found under it and paint was good it did not lift. It all has to do with prep, mixing in the ratios correctly for hardener etc. I mention this as some say wait 30 days but 2 weeks is fine if the paint job is good. It will have gassed out by then. It will be better than factory if you use the right guys. Look at there work before committing. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
If it’s just a few chips I’d touch them up and wet sand as Mr P suggested. Let it cure a month before PPF since touchup paint is not going to cure super fast IMO. You will probably always know where they are and spot them but it will look 95%. Having said that, the best result will be a full bumper sand and repaint by a good shop.
Looking at the paint quality of my 458 Speciale, I have no doubts That said, I am unsure about repainting it as I don't want to lower the resale value in case I decide to sell it in a few years. I could get Zanasi to repaint it, but I am not sure that it makes a huge difference: as far as I can tell, when I car is marked as "repainted", it has a lot less appeal on the market.
That’s true for many, it will affect price for them. For me repainting is cosmetic and I don’t mind it at all. It’s like replacing a windscreen for me. Paint is a wear and tear area of the car. If you not sure don’t do it. Wait till you sure or don’t do it at all as you cannot undo it. PPF you can undo. Some risk but very low. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
The key to removing PPF is the use hot water at a hose bib and pour water on it as you peal it up slowly. It loosens the adhesive without risk of a heat gun to your paint. Assuming the paint is cured the risk is low
A shop I trust has an imperfect method, mostly dependent on the match of the touch-up paint. They do a lot of prep work, install the PPF, and ceramic coat over it. After a couple of weeks, you bring the car back so they can touch up the PPF. And at that time the will use a tiny syringe/needle to inject touch-up paint under the PPF for small chips. It takes a perfect color match for this to look right, so it’s a bit of a gamble.
PPF removal has twice pulled some clear coat off my Speciale, even with the owner of the shop doing the work. Removing PPF is always a bit of a gamble. (My Italia had zero issues when replacing PPF)
Well the hot water was the tip of the best ppf shop in my area so ? Maybe not everyone has access to hot water hose bibs outside. I specially added them to my home and just pulled off some damaged PPF off my Shelby after a road trip and it was insanely easy. Just be sure to wear waterproof boots.
Hot water works to lower the probability of paint lifting. It doesn't eliminate paint pulling. Don't crucify your guy if something happens, that's just how probabilities work.
