My daughter recently acquired a 09 Lexus RX350 with 21k miles. The car looks and drives new. We are getting ready to detail it. My question is...it has a plastic film clear "bra" on the front end to prevent chipping. I believe this was a dealer add on when they bought it. I'm not familiar with this stuff. How should we treat it? Polish, ceramic coat ok? Woul appreciate any knowledge from people who have had this stuff.
Detailing question
- Thread starter loneryder
- Start date
Are you certain it was installed by the dealer in 2009?
What condition is it in, i.e., is it scratched or cloudy?
I wash my PPF and clay it, just like the paint.
I then polish it with the same polish I use on the paint.
The more recent PPF manufacturers have no issue with waxing the PPF or using a sealant. And yes, you can even ceramic coat it.
I think you’ll be fine as long as you are not using a compound or a product that is really abrasive.
What are the detailing steps you plan to use, i.e., products?
What condition is it in, i.e., is it scratched or cloudy?
I wash my PPF and clay it, just like the paint.
I then polish it with the same polish I use on the paint.
The more recent PPF manufacturers have no issue with waxing the PPF or using a sealant. And yes, you can even ceramic coat it.
I think you’ll be fine as long as you are not using a compound or a product that is really abrasive.
What are the detailing steps you plan to use, i.e., products?
An old man bought it new. He died and his widow kept it for over 6 years in the garage and wouldn’t sell it. Her son drove it occasionally and kept it up. His wife is my daughters best friend. He finally talked her into selling it. It’s like a new car.Wait!
I just saw the mileage!
What church going little old lady did she buy that ride from?
The film is clear and not marred up badly. I went ahead and polished and ceramic coated it this afternoon it looks fine.
Do you have any information on whether it will fade the paint or yellow?
Talk about a “barn find!”
Some people have complained of the PPF on their vehicles turning yellowish after 8-10 years. Personally, I believe that was happening on the earliest examples of PPF and was complicated by the owners thinking it was an “install and forget” item as well as the vehicle being parked outside and exposed to the sun and other elements.
I’ve had PPF on my last seven vehicles and I’ve never had a yellowing issue or any other problem. I’ve never had nor seen an issue with PPF fading the paint. And some of my rides had the PPF on the entire front end for 12+ years and counting.
However, my rides are garaged and I detail mine, too.
Is the PPF on your daughter’s 350 on the hood only or the entire front end (painted surfaces, headlights)?
On a side note, was there a maintenance file associated with the SUV, i.e., receipts for fluid changes, etc.?
Some people have complained of the PPF on their vehicles turning yellowish after 8-10 years. Personally, I believe that was happening on the earliest examples of PPF and was complicated by the owners thinking it was an “install and forget” item as well as the vehicle being parked outside and exposed to the sun and other elements.
I’ve had PPF on my last seven vehicles and I’ve never had a yellowing issue or any other problem. I’ve never had nor seen an issue with PPF fading the paint. And some of my rides had the PPF on the entire front end for 12+ years and counting.
However, my rides are garaged and I detail mine, too.
Is the PPF on your daughter’s 350 on the hood only or the entire front end (painted surfaces, headlights)?
On a side note, was there a maintenance file associated with the SUV, i.e., receipts for fluid changes, etc.?
One thing I will mention is if for some reason your daughter decides to have the PPF removed, find a professional PPF installer and pay them to remove it.
Geniuses who say, “I don’t have to pay anyone to remove the PPF. I just need a hair dryer and a couple of hours, ‘cause trust me, I know what I’m doing” generally screw it up.
I’ve seen a couple examples of said geniuses’ work at the PPF shop I used as that shop tried to minimize the damage said geniuses had invoked on the paint on their high end cars by trying to save a few dollars.
Geniuses who say, “I don’t have to pay anyone to remove the PPF. I just need a hair dryer and a couple of hours, ‘cause trust me, I know what I’m doing” generally screw it up.
I’ve seen a couple examples of said geniuses’ work at the PPF shop I used as that shop tried to minimize the damage said geniuses had invoked on the paint on their high end cars by trying to save a few dollars.
The PPF is only on the front of the hood like a bra would fit. It's also on the front of the side fenders. I didn't see it on the headlights which are crystal clear. It shines like a showroom since we treated it. I ceramic coated the hood and front fenders and used the TEC 582 ceramic detailer on the rest of the car. It was all the time and stamina I had as I had a knee replacement 1 month ago. We'll do the rest of the car later. There were no maintenance records. We are pretty sure he always took it to the dealer. The oil fill hole is super clean. This
was the last year they recommended 5-30 oil every 5k miles. Her oil change light came on at 5k miles.
Thanks for the info. The paint on the front doesn't appear to have faded any.
