Is PPF worth it? The case for and against
It depends on three things: how long you keep the car, where you drive, and whether the paint is a factory colour that is cheap to respray.
It pays off when
You keep the car 5+ years, drive highways or gravel regularly, and the car is expensive or has a colour that is hard to match — white pearl, matte, reds.
It does not pay off when
You lease for 3 years and return it, or you drive mostly in the city at low speed, or the car is a cheap commuter where a respray costs less than the film.
The resale argument
Film does not add resale value on paper. It helps at inspection: a chipped front end reads as neglect, and buyers notice. On a $60k car, a clean front end is worth more than the $2,000 the film cost.
The hidden cost
Film has a lifespan. After 7–10 years it must be removed, and removal costs $400–$900. Budget for it if you keep cars long.