SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (4 Viewers)

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The PPF on my hood has failed and looks like crap with a bunch of little tears. I’m getting paint correction done and the PPF removed and new PPF installed. The guy at the shop has warned me that sometimes when the PPF has failed, removing it can damage the paint. We’ll see how it goes. I guess worst case is I will have to repaint my hood or maybe wrap it.
While you are there can you ask whether double PPF for the few inches at the leading edge is an option? Even accepting it may not be as transparent/invisible.
 
I don't know that you can apply PPF over PPF. I think if this was an option, they'd be pushing it for the "offroad" crowd.
While you are there can you ask whether double PPF for the few inches at the leading edge is an option? Even accepting it may not be as transparent/invisible.
 
I don't know that you can apply PPF over PPF. I think if this was an option, they'd be pushing it for the "offroad" crowd.
I just don’t remember hearing from someone that would know that it isn’t a good option.

It being expensive (the good stuff anyway) and not necessary for most people could be reasons it isn’t done already..
 
I just don’t remember hearing from someone that would know that it isn’t a good option.

It being expensive (the good stuff anyway) and not necessary for most people could be reasons it isn’t done already..
From what I've seen and experienced first hand only using quality PPF, it'd be a mess. Technically, the PPF is already multiple layered (assuming XPEL, etc). They do sell several variations of films and some are thicker than others.

Additionally, part of finishing PPF is using heat. Assuming you're applying adhesive backed film on top of adhesive backed film, I'd imagine you'd run into all sorts of issues with respect to the glue setting to the paint, edges peeling, etc.

Clearly YMMV, but give it a shot if you want.
 
10 year old LX with 120k. I'm getting somewhat of a resonant vibration at 60-65 MPH. Old E KO2s rode like that, new C A/T III tires with an extra inch of sidewall ride like that. Watched them get road force balanced, no issues, balanced beautifully. I noticed that switching the AHC to Sport quiets the vibration down significantly, to the point where it actually rides better in Sport than in Comfort. Is this a sign that the globes are on their way out, or something else?
 
From what I've seen and experienced first hand only using quality PPF, it'd be a mess. Technically, the PPF is already multiple layered (assuming XPEL, etc). They do sell several variations of films and some are thicker than others.

Additionally, part of finishing PPF is using heat. Assuming you're applying adhesive backed film on top of adhesive backed film, I'd imagine you'd run into all sorts of issues with respect to the glue setting to the paint, edges peeling, etc.

Clearly YMMV, but give it a shot if you want.

All good points, I was just hoping to hear from someone that actually installs the stuff. Generally a major goal of high end PPF installs is to be invisible, I was just wondering if we didn't care as much about that, that more protection could be added.

But yeah it probably would be a mess eventually.

10 year old LX with 120k. I'm getting somewhat of a resonant vibration at 60-65 MPH. Old E KO2s rode like that, new C A/T III tires with an extra inch of sidewall ride like that. Watched them get road force balanced, no issues, balanced beautifully. I noticed that switching the AHC to Sport quiets the vibration down significantly, to the point where it actually rides better in Sport than in Comfort. Is this a sign that the globes are on their way out, or something else?

Describe the resonant vibration.. the kind that makes the floorboard and seat buzz lightly? or like vibrate the rearview mirror? If so, check your u-joints.
 
All good points, I was just hoping to hear from someone that actually installs the stuff. Generally a major goal of high end PPF installs is to be invisible, I was just wondering if we didn't care as much about that, that more protection could be added.

But yeah it probably would be a mess eventually.



Describe the resonant vibration.. the kind that makes the floorboard and seat buzz lightly? or like vibrate the rearview mirror? If so, check your u-joints.
Which of those applies to the u-joints? I get it through the seats as if there's a rumbler in them. Also tends to vibrate the passenger seat back if there's nobody in it.
 
Which of those applies to the u-joints? I get it through the seats as if there's a rumbler in them. Also tends to vibrate the passenger seat back if there's nobody in it.
Sorry, both of those are in reference to the same thing. Higher frequency than you'd expect for a tire. If it were a "hum" it would be a low one. You can typically feel it through the floor board, or it can even make the rearview mirror vibrate so quickly things get a little blurry.

Rumbler through the seats doesn't sound too far off.

Do you know whether driveshaft maintenance has been consistent on your rig? Mine was dealer maintained for 100k miles before I got it and appears the front shaft had never been greased.

As for inspecting them, look for rusty powder coming from any of the u-joint caps. Or noticeable play in the joint if you put lateral force on the end of the driveshaft.
 
All good points, I was just hoping to hear from someone that actually installs the stuff. Generally a major goal of high end PPF installs is to be invisible, I was just wondering if we didn't care as much about that, that more protection could be added.

But yeah it probably would be a mess eventually.



Describe the resonant vibration.. the kind that makes the floorboard and seat buzz lightly? or like vibrate the rearview mirror? If so, check your u-joints.
You can absolutely apply more than one layer. It will become more visible with each layer but won't cause any other issues. (unless one layer has more UV protectant, then you may see different minor levels of paint fading when removing)
It is just like color decals prior to color printers. We would install the first color of vinyl, then the next, then the next, (like color screening a t-shirt) to get the final version. There were sometimes 4-6 layers of vinyl.
 
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I just don’t remember hearing from someone that would know that it isn’t a good option.

It being expensive (the good stuff anyway) and not necessary for most people could be reasons it isn’t done already..
I don't know anything about PPF, but google shows that a few brands make a PPF that is about twice as thick as standard. Llumar Platinum Extra being one of them. With a little Googling, apparently these PPFs are 11-12mil and the standard stuff is closer to 6mil.
 
I've been chasing an annoying rattle underneath for awhile, which I finally located to be inside one of the cats, the right front one. I guess the honeycomb has come loose, and it's gradually getting worse as it slowly deteriorates.

So... Should I just have a local exhaust shop weld in an aftermarket replacement? Looks like the OEM part is ~$1200, ouch.
Closing this out, truck is going in for the fuel pump recall tomorrow (finally), and I was gonna have them look at the cats, see if that's the source of the rattle. This required removing the BudBuilt cat guards today, and I discovered the rattle was just the heat shield was loose. A pair of the screws holding it on rusted out so it was free to rattle. A couple of SS M6 bolts with lockwashers and nuts from my stock and the noise is gone. Phew...
 
Geeez before the hood fix, what about the head lights…damn they must be dim at night.
 
hahaha... rode hard and put up wet. I use my truck and am not worried about how she looks on the outside, weathered like me.

Hood paint appears to be factory and yes, my lights are trashed. Maybe I'll do one of those headlight restore kits (or someone can donate a new set to me) but my aux lights do a pretty good job when I need extra light.

I think the past few years camping on the beach at Cape Lookout has sandblasted the front... here is a shot of my front bumper

20240814_092038.jpg
 
If you currently have the rear suspension off of your truck, could you please put the calipers to the lower shock mount tube for an exact length measurement? I have a 2008, but I don't think these changed much over the years. Alternatively, if you have taken this measurement in the past, please do share. TYIA.



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Bump (respectfully. nospam, promise)
 

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