If the title of this article speaks to you, then you are probably on the horizon of purchasing a new Porsche. If so, congratulations! If this is your first Porsche, you are soon to experience one of the most engaging and refined driving experiences ever created. With that in mind, greatness comes at a cost – and when it comes to the value of a Porsche, owners are seeking ways to preserve the condition. In this blog, we will be reviewing what PPF is, how it works, and whether or not you should look into it.

Why Porsche?

The storied German brand carries prestige. Whether you seek luxury comfort, or a white-knuckle driving experience, Porsche produces an abundantly competent vehicle that is certain to appeal on several levels. Regardless of the model you choose, you will experience the ethos of the brand that rings true through their slogan, “There is no substitute”.

Porsche cars are also unique in that they tend to hold their value better over time against vehicles from virtually any other other luxury brand. This encourages Porsche owners to treat their vehicles more like an investment, leading them to seek ways to preserve the finish, enhance the appearance, and maximize resale value.

Enter Paint Protection Film (PPF)

PPF for Porsche cars has been described by some as the “holy grail” of detailing products. The idea behind it is that it allows you to actually enjoy driving your new Porsche without any of the guilt behind knowing that you would otherwise be aging the finish with bug guts, rock chips, scratches, and more as it’s driven. If you ever purchased a new car before, then you are certainly familiar with how it feels when you notice your first rock chip. For enthusiasts, this is a heartbreaking moment. It’s the moment when your new Porsche is no longer “new”. It is now definitively in a different condition than when you drove it off the lot.

In terms of resale value for high-dollar cars, this can mean a lot. Discerning collectors often seek low-mileage vehicles, not just for maintenance and age of the powertrain, but for the aesthetic condition and presentation of the actual car. Installing PPF is the only reliable solution that can address the latter of those two factors for your Porsche. If you are seeking to reap the highest resale value on your Porsche when the time comes, PPF is overwhelmingly the most regarded catalyst to achieve that.

How Does It Work?

When you have PPF installed for your Porsche, you are essentially sealing your new car’s paint with a clear wrap. Because it’s truly clear and colorless, you still get to enjoy the factory-original appearance of the vehicle without compromise. This clear wrap acts as a sacrificial layer featuring 8 or more Mils of thickness and a self-healing topcoat. The thickness of the film provides robust protection from the common road debris that progressively chips away at your paint, and the self-healing topcoat allows fine scratches and swirl marks to amazing melt away when exposed to heat (ie. sunlight). With PPF installed, you can drive with confidence, knowing that your paint is safe from the harsh conditions all vehicles endure.

Is It Actually Worth It?

To answer this question, we have to first look inward at the ownership experience you intend to have with your Porsche. Here are two scenarios where we believe that paint protection film is probably not worth it.

The vehicle is leased: If you have no intention of actually owning the vehicle, then investing in PPF is mostly doing your dealer a favor when they receive the car back from you. Sure, you’ll enjoy a flawless finish while it’s in your hands, but the market has generally decided that it is unworthy of the upfront cost in most cases.
The vehicle will live in a garage: PPF is intended for vehicles that will actually be driven. If you’ve purchased your Porsche with the intention of locking it away in a garage or storage unit for eventual resale, you won’t actually reap any benefit from PPF. The film wouldn’t have anything to protect against.

With that out of the way, here are four scenarios where we believe paint protection film is hugely beneficial for a new Porsche owner.

You intend to own and drive it long-term: Every mile driven with paint protection on your Porsche is another mile where PPF guarded your paint. The more you drive it, the more it pays for itself. That being said, we often advise PPF for Porsche cars based on your planned ownership period. Only keeping it a few years? Perhaps the Full Front is sufficient for your needs. Keeping it 5+ years, or even indefinitely? Full Car PPF should definitely be on the table.
You intend to take it to the track: Taking your Porsche to the track, or even out for spirited drives through twisty mountain trails are some of the best ways to stretch its legs and enjoy its mind-boggling performance. However, the more demanding the drive, the more abuse your paint takes. Spirited drivers looking to keep their paint safe shouldn’t think twice about PPF. In fact, these drivers may even want to investigate extra-thick PPF, such as XPEL’s Ultimate Plus 10.
You seek maximum resale value: Whether your configuration is collectible or not, it is undeniable that when the time comes, your Porsche will fetch a premium if the paint is in day-one condition. This concept is even more crucial with exclusive or highly desirable models. Don’t just take our word for it though. Look up your car on Kelley Blue Book and compare the estimated value when ranking in “Good” vs “Fair” condition. Gaps of many thousands of dollars are a shock to many, but completely within expectation among experienced buyers and sellers.
You love the idea of maintaining perfect condition: For some Porsche owners, resale value takes a backseat to simply enjoying perfect condition. This is something that many who work in the paint protection industry can empathize with. When you truly love your car, there is an innate sense that motivates you to want to preserve and maximize its appearance for as long as possible. Full PPF will ensure that the new gem in your garage won’t suffer as much as a single scratch. For many, that peace of mind is priceless. Porsche owners with this mindset are certain to enjoy the benefits of Ceramic Coating as well.

Where Do I have PPF Installed?

If you’ve found your situation to resonate with any of the four scenarios I just mentioned, then it’s time to take action and seek an installer up to the task. There are essentially three approaches to getting it done, and they each have their own Pros and Cons.

Do It Yourself (DIY): For the most part, you can actually search online for a PPF brand you like, and order pre-cut patterns that match your car, giving you the opportunity to install it yourself.

DIY Pros:

This is by far the most cost-friendly The material cost for a pre-cut kit for a full Porsche 911 shouldn’t exceed much beyond $2k.
This is a unique opportunity to bond with your new car and appreciate every square inch of its paintwork. If you have no prior experience installing PPF, this process often involves a few weeks of off-and-on commitment.

DIY Cons:

The time investment and emotional stress behind installing it yourself can be overwhelming for most. The process itself is very demanding, and many first-timers lose the patience to follow through with it.
If you don’t have an abundance of experience doing it yourself, you may find yourself disappointed with the results. Installing PPF is a skilled craft. If you embark on the task of doing it yourself, you’ll want to temper your expectations.
There is no warranty. PPF companies are wise to the issues inherent with a rookie installer, and have decided that their materials can only be warrantied when installed with the technique and expertise of a certified pro.

2. Dealership Services: Any Porsche dealership worth their salt is sure to encourage you (or in some cases, force you) to have PPF installed for your new vehicle.

Dealership Pros:

The installation is completed before you ever clock a single mile in your new Porsche, allowing you to enjoy it freely from the moment you drive it off the lot.
The cost of the installation can usually be rolled into your financing, allowing you the flexibility of paying for it over time, rather than as an upfront cost in-full.

Dealership Cons:

This is undeniably the highest-cost option. At the end of the day, dealerships are businesses, and they need to ensure they are making money at any possible junction. Because of the convenience their service offers, they aren’t shy to demand a healthy premium on it.
Quality can often be hit and miss. With the propensity to preserve gross margin on every sale, dealerships often seek the lowest-cost installers they can find to get the job done. If you’ve ever chosen a cheap contractor for a home improvement project, you already know exactly what I mean.

3. Third Party Providers

Third Party Pros:

Reputable third party installers capable of offering higher-quality installations. As specialists, a dedicated PPF business completes these projects day-in and day-out. Repetition, experience, and passion ultimately drive superior results. If you’re a stickler for details, this should be sounding alarms off in your head right now.
Third Parties are capable of offering superior customer service, and it’s not unusual for an issue to pop up with a larger project. Knowing that you have someone reliable to reach out to and address any potential issue is priceless.

Third Party Cons:

Professional PPF installers require appointments. Highly-requested installers are often booked out in advance, which may be problematic if you are trying to get your installation completed immediately. Planning ahead is a good idea.
You’ll need to relinquish your new Porsche for at least a few days to get it fully protected. Even in the hands of an experienced installer, they’ll want to take their time to ensure quality and showcase their reputation. This means you’ll need to wait just a bit longer before you can enjoy your new toy.

Wrapping Up

If you’ve read this far, you should now have a very solid understanding of whether or not PPF is the right solution for your Porsche. With a variety of resources available, you should have no problem coming up with a game plan for your PPF installation. If the Third Party option appeals to you, consider AP3 as your installer. With thousands of PPF projects worth of experience and a world-class service staff, our team is eager to partner with you and demonstrate the best the industry has to offer. Request a quote today to get started!