Anyone Install Paint Film on Hood Instead of Stone Guard

MIGeezer

I have been looking for a stone/bug guard for the hood of our Bronco. Don't want the one that tapes on. Found one from AVS that bolts on under the hood, but it is a very low profile and needs bump stops so it doesn't rub on the hood. You can't get your hand behind it to clean, or wax. So I saw the paint film. Found a local guy that will do it for $100 - $150. Need to take the truck up for an exact estimate.

He said;
1. It will last around 8-10 years if taken care of.
2. Car wash can cause the edges to peal.
3. When it cracks of gets a hole from stone, etc it should be replaced.
4. Does not harm the paint when removed.

Looking for pros and cons of folks that have used paint film before. Please and thank you.

Dave

I have full PPF protection on the Bronco. I added the hood deflector on top of the PPF. The deflector makes a huge difference with the bugs on the windshield. I mean a HUGE difference. I went with the XPEL due to its self healing properties. And you should really look into a windshield protection film also. It has saved me 4-5 windows in less than a year.

TK1215

I have full PPF protection on the Bronco. I added the hood deflector on top of the PPF. The deflector makes a huge difference with the bugs on the windshield. I mean a HUGE difference. I went with the XPEL due to its self healing properties. And you should really look into a windshield protection film also. It has saved me 4-5 windows in less than a year.

+1 for Xpel (I did the entire front end including headlights, full hood, front fenders, A-pillars and the painted body just above the windshield). It looks good and is worth the money as Tim says. Also had ExoShield applied to the windshield - have already taken a rock and really no effect on the window or film.

I have full glass protection and zero deductible comp coverage but don’t want to hassle with a windshield replacement every other month here in AZ (some of the worst roads for windshields I have ever encountered).

So I have the factory installed PPF on the front hood and fenders of my Bronco, would like to install the Hood deflector but was told it would not stick, wondering if this is a true statement.
Thanks
David

I have XPEL PPF on the front clip... like first 12-18" of the hood, front portion of fenders, and lower rocker panels. Because I also had the whole thing (paint and wheels) ceramic coated as well, I didn't have the $$ to do the headlights or windshield, but I may do so eventually. It has been totally worth it, in terms of making it easier to clean off bugs and prevent rock chips.

BUT... the BUGS on the windshield are horrendous, for sure!! But I was told the same as @BadRobot ... so I'm curious how a deflector would work (with PPF/ceramic).

Like @TK1215, I got my entire Bronco wrapped but mine is clear. The installers wrap around all of the panel edges and then shrink it with heat so it shouldn’t go anywhere or peel unless it takes a good hit. 2,000 miles so far and not a scratch or pick or blemish of any kind. Loving it. They even removed the door handles, spare tire and all the flares. As with any wrap, most of the work is done at the prep stage. A good shop will take its time to do it right.

BuckYeah

2,000 miles so far and not a scratch or pick or blemish of any kind. Loving it. They even removed the door handles, spare tire and all the flares.

Yeah, in retrospect I almost wish I'd done either full PPF or translucent/matte PPF on the whole thing instead of the ceramic coating (though that works best for tires). The PPF cleans off so easily...

How could a bug deflector not stick to PPF?

SuperMike

Yeah, in retrospect I almost wish I'd done either full PPF or translucent/matte PPF on the whole thing instead of the ceramic coating (though that works best for tires). The PPF cleans off so easily...

Oh yeah, they also applied ceramic coating over the PPF. Can you say “overkill?” 🤓

sportcoupe

How could a bug deflector not stick to PPF?

Mine did

BuckYeah

Oh yeah, they also applied ceramic coating over the PPF. Can you say “overkill?” 🤓

SAME! LOL!! I think it would maybe stick to just PPF, but with ceramic coating over the top, it is as slick as snot. 😂

TK 1215 that was my question, the tech. support for the bug defector said it would not

BadRobot

TK 1215 that was my question, the tech. support for the bug defector said it would not

I have used paint protection film on the hood on a couple of vehicles including my 22 white BD. I would wrap the edges for a clean look and protection. Removing is not a problem if you use a little heat like a blow dryer.
It offers good protection from bugs and small gravel etc.
From others post I’ve read the hood deflectors might help to mitigate the windshield getting dinged by small rocks.

I had PPF done on the first 8 to 9 inches of the hood -- up to the "character line" or bevel on the hood. I didn't want to pay for the entire hood, and was afraid it may appear different than the doors and windshield trim as it aged (although prob not since it's usually garage stored). Anyway, I like the way it turned out - the barely visible edge blends in with the hood bevel. The shop that did mine wrapped it around the leading edge and sides of the hood. My guess is not all PPF installers wrap around the edges, which is why they tell you to avoid car washes? I would be sure it's a good installer with good reviews and they wrap edges under the hood.

I'm sure the Ford / aeroskin deflector helps with bugs, but I just don't love the look - kills the retro vibe for me! I ceramic coated my glass while doing the paint and that helps with bug cleanup also (Adam's Graphene spray stuff - very nice product BTW).

TK1215

Mine did

Yours did what? Stick or not stick?

sportcoupe

Yours did what? Stick or not stick?

Mine stuck to the XPEL PPF just fine. The installer said you can even put a vinyl graphic on top of it and it would stick just fine. I have an idea for a graphic but to chicken to test the theory!🤣

BadRobot

TK 1215 that was my question, the tech. support for the bug defector said it would not

Maybe it is something about the Ford PPF that it won’t stick to. My aero deflector has zero issues with adhering to the PPF

TK1215

Maybe it is something about the Ford PPF that it won’t stick to. My aero deflector has zero issues with adhering to the PPF

I am pretty confident that Ford does not install (or even make for that matter) PPF,,, Your Dealer sold and installed that. There are a lot of different types of PPF... They are all either Poly Vinyl Chloride based or Polyester based. Lots of additives and blends that make "our brand better than everyone elses" ... Then there are the adhesives that they use... Lots and lots of Pros and cons with each and every one. Lots of different thicknesses as well. The top PPF films... there are pros and cons with each but overall they are pretty good. Beware of the cheap stuff. It is junk and you might get a couple of years out of it before it begins to yellow or peal. The good stuff... You are going to pay for... It is not cheep.

How do I know this.... I used to teach Materials and processes at the post secondary level.... I also used to make poly urethane foams for a living... and now I work with vinyls... There are others on here that probably know more about it than I do and I would be interested in their opinions especially about what brand they prefer and why.

MIGeezer

I have been looking for a stone/bug guard for the hood of our Bronco. Don't want the one that tapes on. Found one from AVS that bolts on under the hood, but it is a very low profile and needs bump stops so it doesn't rub on the hood. You can't get your hand behind it to clean, or wax. So I saw the paint film. Found a local guy that will do it for $100 - $150. Need to take the truck up for an exact estimate.

He said;
1. It will last around 8-10 years if taken care of.
2. Car wash can cause the edges to peal.
3. When it cracks of gets a hole from stone, etc it should be replaced.
4. Does not harm the paint when removed.

Looking for pros and cons of folks that have used paint film before. Please and thank you.

Dave

I put 3M PPF on the front of our '14 Escape and it was awesome. Gloss like paint, so invisible. Protected against stones. The key is to have it installed by someone who does it by had and wraps around the edges and does not use a pre-cut kit! The pre-cut option is cheaper because it saves the installer time, but it leaves the edges exposed to one tío al rock chips, is visible and even unsightly, and over time, dirt and crap will get in at the edges, particularly near curves, and then it will look even more unsightly.

For the Bronco, my installer likes DynoFlex, and I've been very happy with that, although, obviously, for a much shorter period of time. Also, given the vulnerability of the windshield, I opted to try DynoShield on it. It requires a little more care (don't dry wipe!), but is otherwise also solid so far.

Unicorn

I am pretty confident that Ford does not install (or even make for that matter) PPF,,,

Ford Build and price has PPF option from factory.