Any decide to do PPF or ceramic coatings on their new MDX?

I’ve never done either before, but I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a new car this much before.

Any recommendations or dos and donts regarding?

Thanks!
Joe

 

I have PPF on my classic 911 and my M5…. I think they are well worth the cost. Do not get ceramic coated before PPF as the ceramic coating will interfere with PPF adhesion (especially edges).

I am one of those weird people that love detailing their cars. I initially thought ceramic coating was snake oil….but it’s not. The key with ceramic coating is to get a full polish beforehand, to remove any swirls. I have had it on my M5 for 2. Years now (CQuartz pro) and it has held up nicely.

In both cases, don’t have the work done by the dealer as they’lll just mark up the cost.
I applied the ceramic coating myself, which is quite easy. The time consuming part is the paint preparation prior to the application of the ceramic coating.

 

All very helpful info - thanks so much!!!

Think I’ll get the ceramic coating done at this detail shop I’ve been going to for a while. PPF is just slightly out of my cost comfort right now

 

It starts with double-checking the paint and you might have to do some paint color correction to remove any blemishes, swirl marks, and spider scratches. Almost every vehicle will have some level this unless it is fresh off the shop floor from being painted. You don't want to put PPF and/or ceramic coating and end up locking in blemishes/scratches for years. I would stay away form PPF/ceramic installers that don't do paint correction because that would be like putting window tint over a dirty window.

Ceramic coating is a protective shell that goes on top of the clear-coat. There are soooo many different products out there for DYI'er to having it professionally applied. It can range from a 2 year to lifetime installation depending on formula and how many layers. Depending on your insurance and if registered, ceramic coating can be covered and replaced in an accident. Ceramic coating (depending on the formula/brand) can be applied to exterior windows, rims, interior (floor, dash, center console, seats, hatch), and on top of PPF. Ceramic coating has a hydrophobic properties that help bead up and shed water off to help keep the surface protected, looking cleaner, and easier to clean. Ceramic coating is usually much cheaper than PPF and a good solution if you are stuck parking outside in the elements, get all 4 seasons, or a lot chemicals to worry about (road salts, tar, bird droppings, tree sap, acid rain, etc...).

The biggest downsides to Ceramic coating are:
- much softer than clear coat and it can scratch easier. You car won't be spotless with ceramic coating and there will still be a film of dirt a touchless car wash can't get off. I use a foam gun on a hose, ceramic soaps, two bucket method, and microfiber to wash/dry to limit the possibility of scratches. I have to tell my Acura service mgr to skip the courtesy car wash because that would damage my coating.
- NEVER dry wipe ceramic coating to spot clean or use a duster because it will scratch. I keep a small squirt bottle with ceramic solution+microfiber towel in the hatch to spot clean. Ceramic coating will take more work to maintain compared to just having a clear coat you can clay bar/wax and run through a regular car wash every few weeks.
- Ceramic coating won't protect against UV, rock strikes, or road debris. Anything that would damage clear coat will damage ceramic coating also.
- You can apply ceramic coating on PPF; BUT, you can't put PPF on ceramic coating. You will have to remove the ceramic coating for the PPF to adhere properly.
- having to re-apply after X amount of years if you go a cheaper route at first

The same prep and protection of Ceramic Coating can be applied for PPF. It is good to start with the color correction and pick the type of film and coverage within your budget. You get the same protection as Ceramic coating and some films come with hydrophobic properties to help shed/bead water. PPF is much more durable, usually come with either a 10yr to lifetime warranty, same insurance replacement coverage, can have self healing properties in the sun with micro/minor scratches, can handle road rash/minor debris strikes much better, provide UV protection (must have for LED headlights in southwest), can handle regular hand/mechanical washing better, and can look invisible if installed right.

You can do PPF for:
- front facing (full front bumper, partial hood/fender, side mirrors, and w/ or w/o LEDs)
- full front (everything in front of the windshield is PPF (add side mirrors and pillar on either side of windshield)
- entire vehicle in PPF

I would look for a PPF installer that can do full coverage per panel and uses the "tuck in the seam" method of applying custom cut film. Some installers might use a pre-cut kits or cut before the seam because its easier. The cut before the seam is much more noticeable and the spot where pressure washer can start to peel the film or dirt starts to collect.

My 11 MDX 3M PPF partial 16 inches up hood cut before the seam done back in 2014. Very easy to spot. The film is still doing its job perfectly after +7 years.


My 18 RLX with Xpel Ultimate covered bumper-to-bumper and tucked inside the seam. I have to tell folks there is PPF on the car or they don't notice it.

 

Our 2022 MDX is expected in late August or early September. It is a Canadian model Platinum Elite in Phantom Violet Pearl. I've been exploring PPF and ceramic coating options with an installer in my city. My initial thought was for PPF on the whole hood, front fenders, front bumper, mirrors, A-pillars, rockers and then ceramic coating for the whole vehicle. His shop does the custom installation of the PPF where they wrap all the seams, etc. and don't use a pre cut pattern. After reading more about the ceramic coating and the maintenance required I think I may skip that option. I usually hand wash our vehicles but there are times where I've gone through a touchless car wash. I don't have any experience with interior ceramic coatings. The information provided in the above posts have been very helpful but any other thoughts or comments are appreciated.

 

On my Fathom Blue Pearl 19 MDX Adv hybrid, I did Suntek Ultra PPF on the :
- entire hood,
- both front fenders (they had to cut out a section of the PPF to re-apply the hybrid badges on fenders)
- front bumper
- side mirrors
- LEDs
- either side of windshield pillar
- custom strip on rear bumper to cover the area you would lean against, bump, or drag something over.

I also added front windshield Exoshield PPF to help with road rash and pitted windshield looks once you get +50,000 miles down the road. I did CQuarz finest ceramic coating on the rest of the painted surfaces and windows including on the Suntek PPF. I later added Ceramic Pro ceramic coating for interiors and did my OEM Berlina 20" rims. You can mix and match. I figured it was worth the investment since I keep my cars +10 years and +150,000 miles and Acura doesn't make hybrids for now.

 

Can I ask what it set you back to get all that done? More than $2K?

 

The prices are regional for PPF and Ceramic coating. The more competition can mean cheaper prices. Not a lot of PPF/Ceramic installers in New Mexico that can do it all with the tuck in seam method. The labor for color correction can be high if the vehicle needs color correction and chip repair. The PPF can be around 1/2 the cost or more depending on the coverage wanted. I decided to use Ceramic coating and skip PPF on the sides of my MDX because I have splash guards, running boards, and you can't see the top of the SUV. I did the entire RLX because I had a couple of rock strikes down to the gray primer on the doors (added splash guards also to help with that). Plus, people always put stuff on the roof before getting in the RLX or touching the paint in random places getting in/out.

19 MDX hybrid Adv was around $3200 total:
- color correction+chip repair
- Suntek Ultra (hood, fenders, front bumper, side mirrors, LEDs, rear bumper)
- CQuartz finest ceramic coating (on painted surfaces and PPF)
- Exoshield exterior windshield PPF
- Ceramic Pro on exterior windows, rims, and interior

18 RLX hybrid was around $4200
- color correction+chip repair (purchased CPO and had a lot of spider scratches & swirl marks)
- XPEL Ultimate on entire vehicle and LEDs
- Ceramic Pro on top of XPEL
- Exoshield exterior windshield PPF
- Ceramic Pro on exterior windows and interior

 

Really appreciate the additional info!

Significant expense, but I guess you could see it as an investment in the future value of your vehicle.

Joe

 

Both hybrids are unique colors and planning to keep for +10 years and/or +150,000 miles. I don't think I can go back to just a gas engine after experiencing hybrid hp/tq and increased combined mpgs (+25 mpgs MDX, +29 mpgs RLX). I wouldn't invest so much up front and just stuck with regular wash/wax/clay bar if I changed vehicles every 3-5 years.

Another issue I've noticed with my 18 RLX and 19 MDX is the factory paint seems to getting softer compared to my 06 TSX, 08 RDX, and 11 MDX? It scratches and chips so much easier compared to my other Acuras. Some type of PPF is a must for me out west with the soft paint with posted hwy speeds of 75-80 mph, 1-12 hours hwy travel times, sandy conditions, and hitting the occasional tumble weed on a really windy day at 80 mph. PPF is the only way to protect against those things. Hopefully, the +22 MDX paint isn't as soft as the 14-20 paint.

 

Significant, yes. I had a hard time spending $1K, $2K or more for ceramic coating and ppf, but I also wanted some front protection against hood road rash and also some great shine and protection on the remaining paint ..... so I went with a lower cost alternative.
PPF ...... I purchased and applied a 3M Pro series partial hood, fender and side mirror ppf for under $100. True, it’s only a partial ppf, but it protects the front of the hood where the majority of road rash occurs ... and the entire side mirrors. The mirror ppf was a challenge to apply but the hood was not difficult and turned out well. You cannot see either (check out the barely visible line on pic of hood below) and I’m very happy with the protection. No hood or mirror chips so far with over 10k miles on the odometer and I do a bunch of hwy driving. I considered doing the bumper but I’m afraid it might be a bit out of my league. I may reconsider though.
Ceramic coating .... once the car was two months old, I gave it a good two bucket wash, ensured the surface was absolutely clean, then “waxed” the car with a hybrid ceramic spray coating made by turtle wax. $15 for a bottle. I give it a coat every 3-4 months after a thorough two bucket wash. The coating process (wax job) is very simple, takes 30 min. max for the entire painted surface of the MDX, including the wheels, and I will be able to get 4-5 applications per bottle, so over a years worth of shine and protection for $15. I used to use turtle wax ice but changed to their ceramic spray coating with my new 20 and am very happy with its performance so far.
I know this is not for everyone, especially the real diehard enthusiast, but I believe it’s a far better value and more cost effective when on a budget.

 

For the PPF, did you buy pre cut ones? from where?

I saw a roll on Amazon by Xpel (very good brand) and thought about cutting a few large pieces to cover problem areas.

 

Can’t remember the exact supplier but I know it was a precut 3M pro series clear partial hood, fender and mirror ppf kit. Was under $100. eBay, I believe. The hood and small fender PCs were no issue to apply, but as I stated earlier, the mirrors were a pain in the butt.
I don’t think it was Xpel, but I do remember seeing them when I bought my kit.

 

I decided to go with full front XPEL PPF with tucked seams, 30% tints on driver and passenger door windows, and ceramic on all painted surfaces.

Getting it all done for $2500 which seems like a steal based on all the research I did and quotes I received.

They will have the car for 3 full days (hoping for 3 and not 4

Appreciate all the input from this forum - helped guide my decision for sure!

Joe

 

Excuse my Gross Ignorance: What the Hell is PPF? I just picked up my new 2022 MDX Advance in Fathom Blue Pearl / Graystone interior yesterday !! The Dealer was trying to push some sort of Ceramic coating application for $750 (I think) - I passed. I asked: Don't you guys {Polish the cars at delivery? He said not really.... just a wash and prep. So, after Henri passes us (Westchester County, NY) as an expected Tropical Storm / Hurricane, I will apply my own Special Clearcoat polish , and apply Leather protectant. I do notice that the light leather could stain easily - more easily than I thought. The interior leather seating surfaces are nice, however, I wonder if they are Blends. Leatherette sides? The seats are nice, don't get me wrong, but the leather is not as nice as the leather I had in My Infinitis of a few years ago.

 

I would be on the fence about getting Paint Protective Film (PPF) or even Ceramic coating if my vehicle is a lease, mostly city driving, well protected from the elements (you have garage/covered parking), you have a regular wash/wax/clay bar car cleaning regiment, or I only kept my cars only a few years.

 

Agree ...... especially if you keep your vehicle less than 4-5 yrs. You will never recoup the expense. And it would make no sense at all if you leased.

 

https://lmgtfy.app/?q=automotive+ppf

 

I do a lot of highway driving and my 2019 Pilot took a beating in just 2 years. Front bumper and front portion of the hood mainly, including two windshields. Lots of nicks and stone chips.

Just had PPF installed on the entire front end of my MDX. Also did the windshield with ExoShield. From my research - its well worth it if you do lots of highway driving.

 

I did Exoshield on my 18 RLX and 19 MDX about 18 months ago. The film on my 19 MDX started to form blotches from wiper use when I traveled out of town for a week and it rain all day/every day back in June. Exoshield replaced for free and they said the formula was updated with the latest version of the film to help with this issue. The installer gave me some wax to use once a month on the windshield to help the RLX with the old film from doing the same thing. You might need to keep an eye on the Exoshield blotches if you get a lot of rain in your area.

We only got 5 inches of precipitation all year in NM. Zero blotches before the week long rainy trip in San Antonio and this is what it looked like when I got back.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

 

I am old school, I wouldn't put any wax or coating on a brand new car, I have been told the factory paint needs a few weeks to cure properly, I could be wrong

 

Just depends if fresh off the transport directly from the factory or sitting on the lot for a while. There should be a door sticker in the driver's door jam with the manufacture "Month/year" date. My 19 MDX was manufactured in "02/19" and I purchased fresh off the transport on 3/21/19. I didn't add any PPF or ceramic coating until mid May of 2019 because that was the soonest appointment.

 

mrgold35, oh, PPF is Paint Protection Film... My new 2022 MDX will not be garaged , but is a leased vehicle. But as recent Retiree- May 1, 2021 , at 69 YO, where I will be doing maybe 5K miles per year on the new car instead of the Old 18-20K per year with commuting,etc. I MAY buy this new MDX at lease end - we will see the $$$ / market situation at that time. I never have had a PPF or ceramic application done on any of my cars. Just good old Fashioned , High quality Waxing , although with the spinal issues I suffer with, even that expression of Elbow Grease is getting to be very difficult. So just 6 days of ownership (leased), we have had to endure HENRI rain for 2.5 days in NY Suburbia. Today, I will wash it only using high quality microsoft washing Mittens, and then apply a coat of either : Auto Armour Paint protection, or Turtle Wax ICE Detailer, or Griot's Garage Spray on Wax? This reminds me , I need a new Chamois drying cloth.

 

Never heard of Exoshield? Is that similar to RainX protectant to the windshield - like a windshield wax? In the NY area where we get plenty of rain, I typically hate when I goto a car wash that apply wax as well which includes the windshield. When it rains after that , I find it streaks the wiping , making it especially bad at night. I end up wiping the windshield down with natured alcohol and wiping the rubber wiper blades with natured alcohol (that's an Old Trick I learned years ago for really clean those blades). That usually does it. I do find after doing considerable highway driving the past 10 years or more, that the newer Laminate Windshields show speckle damage. Maybe the ExoShield prevents that?

 

Exoshield is PPF for your windshield:
https://www.getexoshield.com/


My MDX is the main travel vehicle with around 15,000-18,000 miles per year at hwy speeds of 75-85 mph (Pre-Covid travels). My older Acura's all had +150,000 miles with pitted up windshields living in the sandy southwest. My windshields on my +10yrs/+150k Acuras can look like stars above on a moonless night when the sun hits it at the right angle. I added Exoshield to my 18 RLX and 19 MDX to see if that would help with pitting down the road.

I think you are 100% fine with your cleaning set-up. I would do the same. I did all my extra PPF and ceramic coating because I'm planning to keep my vehicles for +10 years/+150,000 miles in the hot and sandy southwest.

I started out as a chamois guy; but, switched to microfiber drying towels a few years back:
- works EXACTLY the same as chamois
- don't have to wet the microfiber towel first before using like a chamois
- microfiber does dry the vehicle exactly the same as a chamois when wet
- wet microfiber does a good job on dusty interior surfaces, info-tainment screens, rear view mirrors, and inside windows
- easier to wash, just regular washer cycle with liquid or pod, air dry only. I usually wash the wash mitt, small interior microfiber towel, and drying towel together. USING A DRYER WILL MELT THE MICROFIBERS AND IT WON'T WORK AS WELL, COOL/FRESH AIR ONLY IN A DRYER OR HANG TO DRY


I also purchased a wringer back in 2014 that has been a lifesaver on my hands and wrist.

 

The PPF on the left/right front fenders did they wrap the seam by the door edge? My installer told me today it wasn’t possible to wrap this edge because the inside panel was “rough” and the PPF wouldn’t adhere long term. Does yours wrap around the edge or is it cut right at the edge?

@smyers

 

I didn't go that far on the fender - just the front fender area where its part of the front bumper. Its cut and doesn't wrap.

But looking at the fender it does look like you could wrap it. It doesn't appear "rough" to me.

 

Yeah if you wrap around the back edge of the front fender at the seam that meets the door opening - its unfinished "rough". You have to open the door to see the back edge there.

Anyways - thanks for the input!!