Paint Protection Film (PPF) and Wrap for your Emira

[Six Speed Stephen]

I got to speak with Tony @ Gator yesterday about PPF for my Emira. I wanted to understand the products, process, warranty, etc. because I'd been hearing conflicting and confusing information about PPF application, etc. For example, someone posted that one dealer's PPF did not "roll over" the edges of the body panels, but I know that I had a conversation with Tony several months ago to clarify this specific point and he assured me that what was being applied did roll over the edges. At the time, I think we were talking about the factory Lotus PPF, but since then I have learned that there are several options.

He explained there are a couple things going on with PPF. Due to the logjam of Emiras at the ports, Lotus was unable to do port install which I guess is what Lotus have done in the past. There is a roving group of official Lotus installers going from dealer to dealer installing the Factory Warranted PPF...this confirms something I'd heard from another Emira owner who got delivery from a dealer here in NC. In addition, Gator is applying their own PPF and sounds like other dealers are offering similar options. Gator's is a different product with a different warranty from the official Lotus PPF.

Hope this helps connect some dots for some of you...it did for me.

They're applying my PPF as I write this.

Did Tony reconfirm that the PPF is roll over? And do they use pre-cut templates or is it cut to the car?

 

[Dan C]

I am curious to see any silver/grey Emiras wrapped with matte PPF. Feels like it would either be a shame to hide the original metallic or be totally awesome.

 

[ADC]

I am curious to see any silver/grey Emiras wrapped with matte PPF. Feels like it would either be a shame to hide the original metallic or be totally awesome.

Can't speak to the silver/grey part (and I'd be interested in seeing it too), but I can personally say that the Emira's shape looks fantastic with matte PPF. Unexpectedly, I found it really brings out the lines of the design, because there is no reflection of the environment to distract your eye.

I was a little nervous pulling the trigger (having it applied before I even took delivery!) but am 100% stoked with how it looks on my Seneca. Under bright sun, you can still see a bit of metallic sparkle, but no matter what weather / light conditions are, I still just go out and stare at the amazing creases down the side and sigh...

< goes outside to have another look >

 

[Dan C]

Can't speak to the silver/grey part (and I'd be interested in seeing it too), but I can personally say that the Emira look fantastic with matte PPF. Unexpectedly, I found it really brings out the lines of the design, because there is no reflection of the environment to distract your eye.

I was a little nervous pulling the trigger (having it applied before I even took delivery!) but am 100% stoked with how it looks on my Seneca. Under bright sun, you can still see a bit of metallic sparkle, but no matter what weather / light conditions are, I still just go out and stare at the amazing creases down the side and sigh...

< goes outside to have another look >

Totally agree. The blue in matte looks amazing. That verdant green looks pretty great too.
I did my nimbus grey in gloss ppf, but I suspect the matte would look fantastic.

 

[RyanGphoto]

Can't speak to the silver/grey part (and I'd be interested in seeing it too), but I can personally say that the Emira's shape looks fantastic with matte PPF. Unexpectedly, I found it really brings out the lines of the design, because there is no reflection of the environment to distract your eye.

I was a little nervous pulling the trigger (having it applied before I even took delivery!) but am 100% stoked with how it looks on my Seneca. Under bright sun, you can still see a bit of metallic sparkle, but no matter what weather / light conditions are, I still just go out and stare at the amazing creases down the side and sigh...

< goes outside to have another look >

Car to share some pics of your car with the Matte PPF? I would love to see it.

 

[@Life411]

Did Tony reconfirm that the PPF is roll over? And do they use pre-cut templates or is it cut to the car?

I think the answers may depend on whether you get the Lotus PPF or the Xpel option Gator is offering through an independent installer. I went with the Xpel and it does roll over most edges, but I don't know if they are precut templates. I've heard the factor PPF is precut templates, but that wasn't from Tony.

 

[DriverMod]

I picked up my Emira from PFS in Santa Ana, Ca today.
They did a two step correction and polish as the dealership guys seem to have done more harm than help with their polishing.
Went with full vehicle PPF, diffuser included, relief cuts filled, plus added the factory style wheel opening PPF back and did the vertical inner door sills.
Also did their Silver level ceramic coating, and wheels off cleaning and coating. As well as 70% windshield tint and 55% on all the other windows (minus the engine cover glass).

I can’t believe how nice the car looks now. The paint is perfect, absolutely pristine. The PPF and coating add even more depth. The color was overwhelming in the hot SoCal sun today. I love it.

PFS knocked it out of the park, I’m very happy.

 

[4N MISSL]

I picked up my Emira from PFS in Santa Ana, Ca today.
They did a two step correction and polish as the dealership guys seem to have done more harm than help with their polishing.
Went with full vehicle PPF, diffuser included, relief cuts filled, plus added the factory style wheel opening PPF back and did the vertical inner door sills.
Also did their Silver level ceramic coating, and wheels off cleaning and coating. As well as 70% windshield tint and 55% on all the other windows (minus the engine cover glass).

I can’t believe how nice the car looks now. The paint is perfect, absolutely pristine. The PPF and coating add even more depth. The color was overwhelming in the hot SoCal sun today. I love it.

PFS knocked it out of the park, I’m very happy.

View attachment 47537

If you don’t mind me asking, what did that run you? I’m getting quotes between $5500 and 7k here in inland empire and surrounding areas.

 

[DriverMod]

If you don’t mind me asking, what did that run you? I’m getting quotes between $5500 and 7k here in inland empire and surrounding areas.

I had some other stuff done at the same time so my price is not comparable, unfortunately.

 

[4N MISSL]

Thanks @seriously. I'm starting to align on how I plan to do this and have ordered some products. But I'm not getting why use a foam cannon, if you're just going to use a mitt on the surface anyway. Then why not just regular car wash suds? I was thinking, but am probably wrong about this, that the whole idea of the foam cannon is to avoid rubbing the surface. Or is the foam cannon with high pressure wash, as you mention, designed to get most of the grit off the surface before you then use the mitt? If so, would one of the foam sprayer attachments to a garden hose suffice in that regard?

I have a detailing business ‘suddzmobiledetailing’ follow me on IG
You don’t need a foam cannon, but it does help where it’ll encapsulate the door and grime and have a less chance of scratching the surface. But having PPF is a huge help as the water just falls off the car. I use separate micro fiber towels for each panel going from top to bottom and use straight line motions and not circular.

I usually rinse with the pressure washer first to get the light dust and grime off. Foam it let it sit and run down while I do the wheels, rinse off and n then foam again with the contact wash, rinse and then dry.

 

[idleuser]

If you don’t mind me asking, what did that run you? I’m getting quotes between $5500 and 7k here in inland empire and surrounding areas.

Since he won't answer, I'll try my best since I heard they're super expensive.

Full wrap + ceramic + tinting for $9700 including tax from various forums on the internet. They are a high end center that deals with exotic and luxury cars.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

While washing my car in the daylight for the first time this weekend after my 3 day road trip up from SoCal (first wash was in an underground parking garage at my old condo building and lighting was a problem), I noticed my first front end nicks. I'm assuming from a rock hit during my journey but not sure, as I didn't hear or see anything. My car is fully PPF'd with XPEL from a very reputable company in So Cal, but I have zero previous experience with PPF. My questions for those of you more knowledgeable on this than I are:
1. Does this look like the PPF protected my paint?
2. Is this repairable/healable? If so, will it "heal" itself or does heat need to be applied?
3. Should I bring it somewhere to be repaired and if so, where, considering my shop was in So Cal, and the car is now in the Seattle area? Is it somehow warrantied by XPEL and any XPEL shop could do "warranty" work on this?
4. Should I just shut up, drive the car like I stole it, and focus on more important things in my life?
(never mind that last question, as I think I already know the answer).

 

[GlobalPilot777]

Try to pour hot water over it… should heal it, or like a heatgun. There are videos on youtube.

 

[Blackthought_]

Agreed the pour hot water over it to see if it heals it. If not, the ppf did it job. Everytime you go out for a drive you might get another nick so it’ll become VERY costly to keep replacing the ppf. After the first one it’ll get easier to live with and then after several nicks you can replace to brand new ppf.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

Ok, thanks for the suggestion of hot water, but how hot? Like boiling? Or something less, like coffee/tea hot? And if it's too hot, do I risk lifting the PPF?

 

[GlobalPilot777]

You can go pretty hot.. id go tea hot.. i wont lift it up.

 

[Balboa]

What about putting a hair dryer on it? Would that work? I've seen videos of people using steamers - the kind you use to take wrinkles out of clothes. That would be best bet IMO

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

Since the car is buried in the back of the garage today, I think I might try the hair dryer route first. That way I can start with low heat and ramp up as necessary. All the videos I’ve watched so far though seem to be for some really minor surface scratches whereas mine seem to be deeper gouges. So hoping for the best without getting hopes up too high.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Since the car is buried in the back of the garage today, I think I might try the hair dryer route first. That way I can start with low heat and ramp up as necessary. All the videos I’ve watched so far though seem to be for some really minor surface scratches whereas mine seem to be deeper gouges. So hoping for the best without getting hopes up too high.

I had about a 1mm to 1.5mm indent from a suction mount that came out with heat.

 

[LotusEmira25]

I recently got XPEL 8mm precut installed at a shop that I'd seen great work from previously. I'm extremely happy with the results, unlike the first time I got PPF. The fit and finish is top notch and it's completely invisible, except for the roof strip. Edges were wrapped where possible. Would have loved full body PPF, but tried to balance protection vs. value and chose some pieces a la carte. Ready for primetime now.

Full front end w/ headlights and mirrors
A pillars + roof strip
Rear wheel impact
Rear vents
Rear wheel arch / rear bumper strip
20% ceramic tint
Approx. $2800 (cash) Vs. $7200 full body

I am located in St Louis and saw you are in the Midwest. I have an Emira i4 DV Sport on order and hope to get it late Q1. Saw your post on PPF and was curious who you used and if you had any thoughts on front vs full. I plan to mostly daily the car but also got it to HPDE track events, about 6-8 per year. Thanks. AW