Hello All, I'm new out here. As well as in the process of buying my first new car, I probably should add that i'm 63 years old. Anyways.... a couple of weeks ago I was thinking of buying a pickup truck. While driving by my local Ford/Toyota dealership I saw my first Prius Prime. To keep this short, I ended up in the dealership ordering a 2024 Prime in Wind Chill Pearl adding Paint Protection Film as an accessory. This accessory was a spur of the moment decision. I'm not sure if this is a port or dealership install. I haven't found any feedback on PPF online, so, I was hoping someone out here might be able to pass along their opinion. If it was worth it, get installed elsewhere, go without? Any information/suggestions sure would be appreciated. Thank you.
If you give a link to the option you choose *(there were 3 prius option for PPF) when I installed DIY I might be able to help you with suggestions. https://www.invisiblemask.com/ A sneaky way to find out where it's installed is to ask the parts dept if they carry - the option you choose or any other PPF in stock. .
My mistake, thank you vvillovv for pointing this out. I can't seem to get the link to work. Here is the description: Paint Protection Film (Hood, Fender, Mirror Backs and Door cups) $439 msrp Hope this helps.
Yes, very helpful ! If the price for your PPF includes the installation, go for it. If there is also an installation fee than you are starting to look at typical dealer fees and charges plus very expensive parts costs.
Yes Sir, that's the price installed! I already have it on my order. The bumper was a lot more of course, but installation was extra, so I skipped that.
Hey there, I have the film that was installed by the dealer but like many others mentioned in other forums, it really is not worth the money, you are better off getting it done in a reputable shop near you. The dealer will use the cheapest film they can get their hands on and it shows once you are on the road, I have plenty of scratches already piercing through the film. Cheers!
I found the hood the easiest piece to install DIY and the rear view mirrors the most difficult to get ripples out of as I was stretching the film around the oval contours. I never did the door handle cups, but they don't look to me like they would be difficult, unless the actual door handles get in the way The bumper piece of my 2014 Prius Pluigin was also challenging due to wind, blowing leaves and sun setting (reduced lighting) while trying to get it on and I had to remove what I had already done and wait for better outside weather. I ended up with only 1 annoying small bubble on the bumper between the headlight and the lower grille, that was curved and bending on a 90 degree angle. I was happy with how my 3M PPF preformed on our 14 PiP Blizzard Pearl, it was nearly undetectable.
I have the port installed PPF and will warn you about waxing the car. Make sure it's applied away from the seam line. I didn't realize there was PPF on the rear doors at the little swoop until after I paid to have it waxed. They didn't realize there was PPF either and screwed up several areas. Once it's under the film, there's no getting it out. Just have to wait until it fades over time but it's never really gone and I'll always see it. So in the case of the rear doors, you'd apply the wax from the bottom up so your wiping away from the seam line. If you wipe towards the seam you run the risk of pushing it under the film. Pics to show what I mean - first is the driver side without the screw up, second is the passenger side. I'm so glad it's the pass side and I dont have to see that every time I walk up to the car. Then the hood front edge and finally the hood where the detail guy tried to dig out the wax with his fingernail...... The car looks like a mirror - I'd recently washed it and it was an overcast day. The black is very striking under different lighting - just a real pain to keep looking nice! https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2024/01/246837_Driver_rear.jpg https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2024/01/246838_Pass_rear.jpg https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2024/01/246839_hood_front_edge.jpg https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2024/01/246840_Hood_top.jpg
It's sometimes possible to clean around edges of the PPF using diluted 70 or 90% rubbing alcohol. Diluted dish soap sprayed on an area where the PPF is going to be applied allows the PPF to be moved around while applying the PPF. The diluted alcohol mix is used to make the PPF stick to the cleaned surface of the car better. How To Install Paint Protection
Our Gen 3 had a couple of very small pieces of this, at rear doors (factory installed on all). The edges were starting to accumulate crud, and I could picture corrosion starting, soon enough. With gentle application of heat gun and prying, got it all off, waxed the area. Glad it’s gone.
Like most things... you get what you pay for. I had a reputable shop install mine. Full front PPF Worth it. Here in Colorado mtns the snow plows kick up stuff and lay sand and cinder down on the roads. The PPF prevents little chips
A few years back I bought some Xpel on eBay and put it on my other car (full hood, bumper). It is a PITA to do which took me multiple hours. But instead of spending thousands I paid only around 400 bucks for the film itself I think. It adds absolutely nothing to resale value but gives me a peace of mind. As for protections, bigger rocks still can and did go through the Xpel and left chips on the bumper. PPF last shorter than the car. It all depends on how you want to treat it. If it is eventually going to be a beater in 10 years, just get a touch up pen and fix dings when you see them. Hood is aluminum and bumper is plastic. Paint issue won’t cause rust.
OMG> Thanks so much!! I have been looking up and down to find out what those (driver rear plastic/ passenger rear plastic film) are. I thought they were scratches at first. Then I search on Toyota.com and could not find an answer. Do you have the part numbers for these plastic films (or names)?? Thanks.
Wow, your car has become a mirror after waxing. What wax was that? It must be some sort of a highly reflective ceramic wax.
I had it done shortly after I bought the car - they said they used this: https://a.co/d/d2WoPGh Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Acrylic Black Polish Wax Under the right conditions and after a wash it is like a mirror - I love it. On the day of those pics it was a bit overcast with silver clouds, which made it super reflective.
