PPF tip -- double layer on wheel well flares behind rear door on G80

[8262S]

After a lot of research, I bit the bullet and got a full PPF on our G80 (no regrets, I love the protection). The detailer that we used wanted us to drive it for a few weeks and bring it back for an inspection and touch up appointment, which was today.

I have about 1,800 miles on the car, and I literally brought it in for PPF at around 50 miles (and we really took it easy in those miles until we got the PPF).

I detailed it last weekend. In those 1,750 miles of daily driving with PPF, I noticed a few dings in the PPF on the wheel well flare behind the rear door. I looked at what it would take to replace that piece of PPF, and saw that it is seamless and goes from the rear quarter panel, up the C pillar, alongside of the roof, and down the A pillar. (No, I don't mean replace it now with just some light dings in the PPF but after years of use if it becomes an eyesore or when it starts bugging me.)

I discussed that with the detailer today, and he suggested a sacrificial second layer of PPF over that flare. He installed it during the touch up today. It is a visible seam, and one of the only seams on the car (he does great work). Essentially it is a less visible version of the flare bra that comes from the factory.

But if in a year, or two, or three, that piece of PPF gets banged up to the point where I want it replaced, it will be inexpensive and quick to do without taking off entire panels.

The detailer agreed that the flare on these M cars can get really beat up. So a cheap piece of insurance is a good idea.

Just something that I experienced and I thought might be useful for others to know before they get PPF.

[Wo-Wo]

Great piece of advice!

[8262S]

Here are the minor dings in the PPF. This was after I washed it so forgive the soap residue and water spots! LOL

I will also get a picture later to try and show the seam on the second layer of PPF. My detail guy would not like me showing off a seam, but other than on either side of the spoiler they are the only visible seams in the whole job!

At least with PPF I know the paint underneath it is in good shape.

I should also note that immediately after getting back from the initial PPF job we installed the Tommy Garage front and rear mud flaps. I’m sure the mud flaps protect the side, but this just shows how exposed the front facing surfaces are on this flare. I suspect there are much harder hits there than other angled surfaces on the sides of the car.

[JDUNITNOW]

TLG mud flaps were the first thing installed the day I received car. I didn't do full PPF but I had the bottom sises included rear quarters covered.

[Game Changer]

Originally Posted by JDUNITNOW

TLG mud flaps were the first thing installed the day I received car. I didn't do full PPF but I had the bottom sises included rear quarters covered.

mud flaps really help the quarters and i too installed asa i got my car.

[8262S]

Originally Posted by Game Changer

mud flaps really help the quarters and i too installed asa i got my car.

Yeah, I’m sure TLG mud flaps offer a level of protection but I can’t quantify it because I drove it 5 miles home from PPF and immediately installed the mud flaps.

So I do not have a point of reference for side dings without the TLG mud flaps.

But I do know that the flare gets pelted even with the TLG mud flaps. So while I’m sure the TLG’s help, and I absolutely would put them on again, I think they are just part of a larger protection package.

I shudder to think about the potential damage to the piano black rocker and sides without the mud flaps. Ugh.

[JDUNITNOW]

Originally Posted by 8262S

Yeah, I’m sure TLG mud flaps offer a level of protection but I can’t quantify it because I drove it 5 miles home from PPF and immediately installed the mud flaps.

So I do not have a point of reference for side dings without the TLG mud flaps.

But I do know that the flare gets pelted even with the TLG mud flaps. So while I’m sure the TLG’s help, and I absolutely would put them on again, I think they are just part of a larger protection package.

I shudder to think about the potential damage to the piano black rocker and sides without the mud flaps. Ugh.

No doubt, that's why side skirts and quarter panel are protected .

[8262S]

The second layer of PPF has hidden the dings in the first layer. Still I would recommend this on initial PPF install.

[luckylingy]

Another spot for a second, sacrificial PPF layer is the lower rocker panel, which flares out just ahead of the rear wheel well. I've driven ~5,000 miles on a single layer of PPF, and it's pretty sandblasted already. Fortunately, it's a separate piece which is easily replaced once I can no longer stand it.

[8262S]

Originally Posted by luckylingy

Another spot for a second, sacrificial PPF layer is the lower rocker panel, which flares out just ahead of the rear wheel well. I've driven ~5,000 miles on a single layer of PPF, and it's pretty sandblasted already. Fortunately, it's a separate piece which is easily replaced once I can no longer stand it.

Yeah the fact that’s it’s easily replaced is good! I don’t have one there but will check the next time we wash it.

The rear wheel well flare would have been a really complicated and expensive piece to replace.

I saw a G80 a few weeks ago that had a small piece long the top of the bumper under the trunk as a small replacement piece for scratches due to loading stuff in the trunk. I thought that was another good place for one!

[262Hou]

OP are you running any spacers in the front?

[JDUNITNOW]

Originally Posted by 8262S

Yeah the fact that’s it’s easily replaced is good! I don’t have one there but will check the next time we wash it.

The rear wheel well flare would have been a really complicated and expensive piece to replace.

I saw a G80 a few weeks ago that had a small piece long the top of the bumper under the trunk as a small replacement piece for scratches due to loading stuff in the trunk. I thought that was another good place for one!

Had this done also when PPF was done.

[8262S]

Originally Posted by 262Hou

OP are you running any spacers in the front?

Nope.

I am part of the no spacers, no lowering, OEM wheel spec mafia.

[FoxberryJam]

Originally Posted by 8262S

Nope.

I am part of the no spacers, no lowering, OEM wheel spec mafia.

and here I thought I was the lone member of that Mafia!

[8262S]

Originally Posted by FoxberryJam

and here I thought I was the lone member of that Mafia!

Good question though in terms of setting variables for the dings I saw!

And welcome to the club, if we get one more member they can be the tie-breaking vote on whether to install aftermarket valve caps.

[luckylingy]

Originally Posted by 8262S

I saw a G80 a few weeks ago that had a small piece long the top of the bumper under the trunk as a small replacement piece for scratches due to loading stuff in the trunk. I thought that was another good place for one!

I have PPF there too. Not only is that area prone to scrapes from loading/unloading cargo, the top of the bumper tends to show surface scratches from washing/drying strokes (all in the same/opposite direction).