Just Got a New White Tesla – Worth Getting PPF (Car Wrap) ?

lucky025 on 18/09/2025 - 21:54

I just ordered a white Model Y (not delivered yet, super excited 🤩).
Some friends keep telling me I should do paint protection film (PPF) straight after delivery – apparently it helps against small scratches, stone chips, bird droppings, etc.

From what I’ve found so far:

Full-body PPF costs anywhere from $2k – $5k depending on brand and shop

Some people say white paint hides scratches pretty well and PPF is more of a “peace of mind” thing

Others recommend doing partial PPF (front bumper/bonnet) plus ceramic coating as a cheaper option

My main concerns:

Does PPF really make a big difference for long-term paint protection?

For a white Tesla, is it less necessary compared to darker colours?

Would it make any difference when reselling the car later?

Curious what OzB folks think – did you get PPF on your new car? Worth the money or nah? Any budget-friendly alternatives you’d recommend?

Thanks in advance 🙏

Automotive Car SUV Tesla Inc Electric Vehicle

Comments

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  • geekcohen on 18/09/2025 - 22:04
    +4

    Where are you parking day and night? and where are you driving it?

    If it is going to be in the elements a bit more, then maybe. But otherwise, I wouldn't bother. Just wash it regularly and clean off bird droppings as soon as you notice.

    • lucky025 on 18/09/2025 - 22:06

      I’ll be parking it in the garage overnight for charging.

      • geekcohen on 18/09/2025 - 22:06
        +2

        Okay and during the day? Out in the elements or in a covered car park?

        • lucky025 on 18/09/2025 - 22:24
          -3

          During the day the car will be parked outside

          • freeb1e4me on 18/09/2025 - 22:32
            +5

            @lucky025: Okay and during the evenings? Out in the elements or covered?

          • geekcohen on 19/09/2025 - 05:52

            @lucky025: Okay, just be cautious on where you park and wash it regularly, you'll be fine.

            My wife's car is similar and she has had her new car for 3 years and its still great and sparkles when washed. There are a few marks on the bonnet from rocks but we live rural and you get that on the freeway. I should've got the bonnet protectors for it when we bought it. But otherwise, its really clean and not a mark. She drives the freeway daily to and from work (110km/h) and it is in the work car park all day, but is garaged at night.

            • EyyBanane on 19/09/2025 - 22:42
              -1

              @geekcohen: Guess all that polishing gets you plenty of extra rides at home, mate!

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 18/09/2025 - 22:33
    +7

    Dropping like 50k + on a new car… imo just pay the little more for protection if it’s only like 2k more like you say

    • Far Cough on 18/09/2025 - 22:48
      +5

      more like imagine dropping 50k on a car and worrying about ppf

    • boomramada on 18/09/2025 - 22:53
      +29

      That 50k car be 25k in 5y time, not worth the ppf lol

      • Far Cough on 18/09/2025 - 23:17
        +10

        You mean in 3 years time.

      • JimmyF on 19/09/2025 - 08:40
        +4

        Most cars are worth 50% of their value in 5 years time….

      • hopper on 20/09/2025 - 08:25

        True

    • apsilon on 19/09/2025 - 05:30
      +11

      $2k for a full wrap will be garbage, even $5k is a little on the low side, most likely an offbrand of wrap.

      OP, it won't add anything to resale. The wrap has a life, factor that in depending on how long you keep the car. White does hide scratches better than black. PPF helps a little against some rock chips and some scatches. It will do nothing against dents, sharp/large rocks can still penetrate and given it's a Tesla, it'll offer some protection against keying but won't stop it completely or against someone determined. That's assuming it's good quality wrap. For more general paint protection regular washing and applying sealant a couple of times a year is sufficient.

    • Dr Phil on 19/09/2025 - 18:05
      -3

      Since when have cars needed paint protection?

      This wont help any in the shopping centre car park where cars doors are flung open with no consideration for the car parked next to you.(same for any car park actually)

      Also white has never needed paint protection…
      its the metallics that suffer degradation over time.

      And I wonder what panel beaters have to say about paint protection?

      Maybe it makes thier job more difficult?

  • changyang1230 on 18/09/2025 - 22:45
    +29

    From a reselling perspective, the money you spent on PPF will NEVER be recouped in resale price.

    No one is going to pay you extra 5k, all else being equal, because your car have fewer stone chips as a result of the PPF.

    Now some people might think it's worth making the car prettier and it's worth throwing 5k at it; but don't do it thinking that it's a financial decision. It's not. It's a cosmetic decision.

    • serpserpserp on 19/09/2025 - 22:43

      That has financial consequences (spending 5k)

      • changyang1230 on 19/09/2025 - 23:49

        What I was trying to say was that some people believe the initial “investment” in PPF (say, 2k) would lead to 2k or even higher resale price, making it a net positive investment if not a cheap overall cost.

        However it doesn’t really pan out thar way normally as most commenters here agree.

        • Save 50 Cent on 20/09/2025 - 04:55

          Won’t get you exactly $2k above market value, however, a badly scratched and chipped car would lose more than $2k value (im talking about a few years old car).
          If you are planning to keep the car for more than 7 years, then it might just help you sell the car quicker if it is in mint condition.

          • Euphemistic on 20/09/2025 - 07:32
            +1

            @Save 50 Cent:

            a badly scratched and chipped car would lose more than $2k value

            PPF wont protect against that. The lrice difference between a car that has PPF and one that is washed semi regulalry and given a detail (polish) prior to sale will be negligible.

            • meong on 20/09/2025 - 23:35

              @Euphemistic: Agreed… I paid less than $500 of polishing and was able to get rid of scratches that I got from the shrubs on my driveway…

              It sort of makes you think that PPF is not worth it if a $500 paint job can help get them in a very appealing condition to sell the car.

          • gromit on 20/09/2025 - 08:27
            +1

            @Save 50 Cent: and PPF will not protect you if your car is getting badly scratched and chipped. PPF helps for minor stone chips and the odd small scratch. don't expect any extra value to car from PPF. really PPF is for when you have a rare car or very high end car where you are nurse maiding the car and trying to keep it in pristine condition, it is a waste of money on a generic run of the mill car that will be sold off at a huge discount in a couple of years time.

            • serpserpserp on 20/09/2025 - 14:14

              @gromit: You could just drive the car 7 years and then fix the chips scratches etc to the best of your ability when you go to sell. Seeing people do this online seems to take a good full day of labour but turns out great.

  • Far Cough on 18/09/2025 - 22:47
    +3

    I know people with 120-300k cars who haven't even bothered with PPF or ceramic protection.
    why even bother

    • JIMB0 on 18/09/2025 - 23:57
      +1

      Sounds like company vehicles to me, corner office with a view of the city, job’s all travel and stone chips are just part of the route.

    • stuffandthat on 19/09/2025 - 11:13
      -1

      My wife never got her RR Sport protected and it's been fine with a fortnightly wash.

      • mrhugo on 20/09/2025 - 16:28
        +5

        Plot twist, the washes are done by the dealership as part of the JLR fortnightly warranty/servicing schedule.

        Sorry, I'll just couldn't help it.

        • OzzyOzbourne on 21/09/2025 - 09:08
          +1

          That or it never makes it off the driveway 😉

  • askbargain on 18/09/2025 - 22:49
    +4

    Brand new toy you will be extra protective. Further down you won’t care. You’re better off putting the money aside and just do a full body respray or just buy FSD.

      • serpserpserp on 19/09/2025 - 22:44
        +3

        But his sofa can drive him places

      • YoursTruly on 21/09/2025 - 14:19
        -1

        than a boring white sofa on wheels

        I genuinely lol’ed at this.
        Will steal the line

      • pwnd on 21/09/2025 - 15:52

        What would be a similar “proper” car that you would recommend instead?

    • BobsYourAunty on 19/09/2025 - 07:52
      +10

      PPF is pointless when you have so many uneven panel gaps.

      • boomramada on 20/09/2025 - 19:04

        Ouch 😆

      • meong on 20/09/2025 - 23:36

        As a Tesla owner, I can relate 🤣

  • Tiredman on 18/09/2025 - 23:15
    +1

    I just did the side rockers and bumper. No point spending more.

  • BobsYourAunty on 19/09/2025 - 06:29
    -7

    commiserations

    • JimmyF on 19/09/2025 - 08:41
      +1

      8 year battery warranty, doubt they'll have the car in 8 years time.

    • Euphemistic on 20/09/2025 - 07:33
      +2

      Battery replacement after more than 20 years - maybe.

  • JimB on 19/09/2025 - 09:10
    +2

    I'm going to get my front end PPF. That's where most of the damage occurs from scrapes and stonechips.

    Seen them for like $1k.

    In the 6 months I've owned the car, I had a car scrape my bumper and another person reverse into me.

    I'm getting my bumper resprayed so will look at getting PPF afterwards.

  • JownehFixIT on 19/09/2025 - 09:19
    +2

    Especially as it's base white, you might just want to do it to set it apart from all the others. They do seem to be the new Camry after all. And the ones with PPF are actually interesting looking at least.

  • BatsRule on 19/09/2025 - 12:12
    -3

    fyi.. Tesla has recently issued a recall for its Powerwall 2 battery systems due to a risk of overheating and potential fire, affecting units sold between November 2020 and June 2022. Affected customers will have their units replaced at no cost and are advised to check the Tesla app for details.

    • meong on 21/09/2025 - 09:28
      +2

      Should have been shared on a solar battery post dude

      • bdl on 22/09/2025 - 20:12

        But he's got PPF for his powerwall :)

  • perhaps on 19/09/2025 - 14:32
    +2

    As good as PPF sounds, just know you have to pay to have it redone when it does get damaged (assuming damage wasn't enough for an insurance claim) so factor that cost in. The benefit of that is if it protects the paint from needing respray it might work out cheaper and quicker. And if you do end up getting it list it in on your insurance, and think about getting matte PPF so atleast you'll get a cosmetic difference out of it vs the million white teslas on the road.

    • apsilon on 19/09/2025 - 19:20
      +2

      Matte looks amazing when you first get it done but it's a complete PITA in terms of maintenance. It holds dirt so needs more frequent washing and can also hold stains and other marks which can't be polished out because you end up with a shiny spot. I've had a matte car before and it needed daily maintenance, would never do it again. If you can spot clean daily and wash twice a week it looks great.

    • p1 ama on 20/09/2025 - 02:03

      think about getting matte PPF

      Please don't - there's a reason why basically all cars have glossy clear coat - it's tougher, stays cleaner, resists scuffs and marks, and most things don't leave residue. Your car will just look like trash every time it rains if you get matte PPF.

  • brendanm on 19/09/2025 - 14:34
    +3

    It's a car, it's a tool, who cares, not like it's some rare exotic.

  • Darayus on 19/09/2025 - 17:47
    +1

    You save money by buying generic white and now worrying about PPF.
    PPF will not add any resale value or make you feel great.
    I would suggest you spend that money to put the good wall charger and charge your car when sun shine ( hope you have Solar panel) or otherwise invest on battery to reduce the operation cost.
    Its car it needs to run, when running you get scratches and bumps live with it and not to get depressed and finally enjoy the drive.
    Did you subscribed to their autonomous driving features.

  • hydration station on 19/09/2025 - 21:36

    Full PPF done properly will easily exceed 5k, more like 7-8k for something without visible ugly edges.

    PPF will absolutely protect paint from swirls, scratches, chips and minor dents. But you are buying a Tesla that will probably be worth 1/3 of its new price in 5 years, not a Ferrari, you will not get your investment back in resale value.

    PPF is something you put and replace every 7-10 years on a 200k+ car to keep the original paint perfect.

  • p1 ama on 20/09/2025 - 02:12
    +2

    PPF (and ceramic coatings) are just the latest fad scam.

    The reality is that PPF only really protects your car from minor stone chip damage. Either just put the $5-7k it costs into a term deposit, and take the money out for paint repair later on if needed, or just not worry about it. Won't affect resale value at all - it's not an exotic car, a buyer of a second-hand Tesla would not care at all about whether it has stone chips or not.

    If you have the money to burn, I'd spend it upgrading to the LR AWD model (if you've gotten the RWD), or spend it putting in solar panels, going on a holiday, or buying some other useful accessories.

    • eddyah on 20/09/2025 - 16:58

      Fool and their money.

      At the end of the day, we're just raining on OP's parade.

  • gromit on 20/09/2025 - 07:29
    +1

    complete waste of money, You aren't adding any value to the resale value of the car and just adding unnecessary cost. Any scratches that would affect the value that PPF will not protect you from.

  • JakeyJooJoo on 20/09/2025 - 09:17
    +2

    Didn't realise people cared this much about paint imperfections over time. I can't imagine dropping 5K, 10% of the vehicle cost, on paint protection. That's nuts. Money spent so much better elsewhere.

    • Euphemistic on 20/09/2025 - 10:49
      +2

      As soneone else said. PPF is for a rare/expensive car that is going to get babied and hardly driven wirh an expecation of being a collector item in the future. Other than that, its for 4wds that you dont want a bunch of bush pinstriping on.

  • drprox on 20/09/2025 - 16:08
    +1

    No.
    Also add a poll.

  • mrhugo on 20/09/2025 - 16:18
    +2

    Waste of money, maybe if the car was 250k I'd get it.

    It's a vehicle to get you from A to B, and a depreciating asset. Look after it as best you can, but after the first year of shopping trolleys bumps, stone chips and other people's door slamming on your car you will live it with.

    Project Farm did a pretty good comparison on spray on ceramic coatings. While they don't last as long, redoing it every 6 months may be more economical than PPF.

    I realise that this is a big ticket purchase and you're keen to look after it as best you can. My concern is that nice paint won't get it anything more on a 7 year old car.

  • eddyah on 20/09/2025 - 16:56
    +3

    Not many people know this, but the paint IS the protection for the exterior metal shell.

    You're getting protection for the protection.

    What's next, paint protection for your house?

    • SetTheFaqUp on 20/09/2025 - 22:45
      +1

      Haha. Good one. Giggle of the day. Nailed it.

  • Brick Tamland on 20/09/2025 - 19:20

    Personal choice. Just know that you will never recoup it back when it comes to sell.

  • SetTheFaqUp on 20/09/2025 - 22:46

    Maybe sort out your number plate first?

  • pulpfiction on 20/09/2025 - 23:05
    +1

    PPF is a massive and time consuming job. Quality wraps like XPEL are also crazy expensive. For a larger car, you’re looking at 8-10k. Even at $5k you’re getting something suss.

    If you’re getting this for 2k, you’ll be lucky to receive anything better than glad wrap bonded with paint thinner.

    The cheap stuff will likely fail and bond to the paint. It will be a disaster in the future. Don't do it.

    Honestly I wouldn’t bother with it unless you expect to be treating your paint poorly. Even then, you need to balance that with the cost of a respray (which is similar to the cost of a quality PPF).

    I’ve gotten PPF purely because the car was insanely expensive and I’m using it in conditions which will be brutal on the paint.

  • giventofly on 21/09/2025 - 10:58
    -2

    You're gonna get rock chips - I would do it for sure.

    It's amazing how much protection they offer. And as it weathers and gets old, you can peel it off and your paint will be brand new.

    Stops micro-scratches as well from washing.

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