parking sensor's not working after PPF

achawla10 · 03-24-2023, 04:40 PM

Hi guys,

I got my car back from PPF today and it says all of my sensors are reduced. I looked at them and there is some condensation around the sensors. Were they supposed to cut out circles where the sensors are or will this work itself out.

Thanks!

Also the trees are flowering purple these days!

skyline408 · 03-24-2023, 04:50 PM

pics?

They are supposed to cut out the sensor holes.

Here is my car (full ppf)

achawla10 · 03-24-2023, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline408

pics?

They are supposed to cut out the sensor holes.

Here is my car (full ppf)

Sorry didn’t actually take pics of the sensors but it is very obvious that the holes were not cut out.

How annoying. I assume I will need to take this back.

skyline408 · 03-24-2023, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achawla10

Sorry didn’t actually take pics of the sensors but it is very obvious that the holes were not cut out.

How annoying. I assume I will need to take this back.

Did you get the whole car wrapped? How much did you pay? I remember years ago, I went to a cheaper PPF place and they didn't cut out the sensor holes and dust/dirt got in them and it was a mess. I didn't get any error messages though.. This was on a Tesla Model S.

achawla10 · 03-24-2023, 05:20 PM

I didn’t get the whole car wrapped, just the most important bits. This guy came recommended from my detailer which is annoying.

I’ll reach out and see what he has to say.

achawla10 · 03-24-2023, 05:36 PM

Some pictures of the sensors. Pretty clear that the holes are not cut out.

achawla10 · 03-24-2023, 05:54 PM

Okay guys said he would cut them out.
He said typically it dries out and they work fine.

He said okay to wait a few days until he has time. Any reason to try and get it done sooner?

Also - any thought I should wait on the ceramic until this is done?

Thanks guys.

malvern_man · 03-24-2023, 06:54 PM

My full front end PPF had the sensor holes cut out.

achawla10 · 03-24-2023, 11:02 PM

So I’ll take it back and he will cut them out. Waiting on that and then will proceed with ceramic.

aa2033 · 03-24-2023, 11:16 PM

That's just lazy. I've never seen any PPF shop do that. My sensors have cut outs too. Water being under the film like that would eventually cause adhesion issues later. It's good he's cutting them out, but you really need to look closely when he does. He's going to hand cut them so he can avoid re doing the whole bumper. He's going to have to be very careful to make sure he cuts a clean, perfect circle. There's a good chance they will look odd.

Most films are computer cut with sensor holes already cut out, so you get a perfect, clean cut circle for the sensors.

Let us know how it turns out after he cuts the holes. If it looks bad, which I'm thinking it will, but i hope i'm wrong, then he'll need to re do the whole bumper. Don't get the ceramic done in case he does have to re do the bumper. It won't cause any issues leaving it like that for a few days, besides the sensors not working properly. My only worry would be the moisture on the PPF glue.

Burrcold · 03-24-2023, 11:34 PM

If you look closely, the rest of his cuts look like shit as well. This guy has no idea what he's doing.

skyline408 · 03-24-2023, 11:42 PM

I wouldn't trust him to hand cut the holes either. Too easy to slice the paint.

achawla10 · 03-25-2023, 02:23 AM

Okay thanks for the input.

I’m going to take it back to him on Tuesday and let you guys know how it goes.

Westside Guy · 03-25-2023, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achawla10

Okay guys said he would cut them out.
He said typically it dries out and they work fine.

He said okay to wait a few days until he has time. Any reason to try and get it done sooner?

Also - any thought I should wait on the ceramic until this is done?

Thanks guys.

It sounds to me like there is a giant hole in his explanation.

Either he is lazy or incompetent and didn’t pay attention to this important detail.

JNel · 03-25-2023, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyline408

I wouldn't trust him to hand cut the holes either. Too easy to slice the paint.

100% this. I don't see how he wouldn't cut the paint.

shimmy23 · 03-25-2023, 11:14 AM

many top notch ppf installers have computer cut templates for cars. however, many still do custom bulk sheet installs so they can wrap the edges and provide a cleaner install. the water under the ppf will dissipate over a week or two as most ppfs will breathe and there shouldn't be any issues. it's also very easy for a skilled installed to cut the sensor holes by hand. when you cut ppf you aren't cutting thru the film, you're scoring the top and then pulling it apart... if that makes sense. ppf shouldn't interfere with the sensors either.

that being said, that is way too much solution fluid under that ppf at the sensors. it appears he's cut the film a little uneven on the edges too? some spots have bigger gaps to the edges than others? as i say, "it's hard to find good help these days".

LivingInSalt · 03-26-2023, 09:34 PM

Certainly wouldn’t trust this shop to do the ceramic

Forzanerazzurri · 03-27-2023, 04:36 PM

My PFF covers my sensors. Most of them are good but one or two look like they trapped some lint or dirt in them and arent adhering properly. They said they could cut them out if I wanted but now Im worried they'll damage the paint. Also they would be guaranteed to get rock chips on them on the first drive home.

Burrcold · 03-27-2023, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forzanerazzurri

My PFF covers my sensors. Most of them are good but one or two look like they trapped some lint or dirt in them and arent adhering properly. They said they could cut them out if I wanted but now Im worried they'll damage the paint. Also they would be guaranteed to get rock chips on them on the first drive home.

You need to find a better shop to do PPF. They shouldn't have done it over the sensors in the first place, and any quality installer would be able to cut the holes out without damaging the paint (maybe not now if your PFF is cured already).

allinon72 · 03-27-2023, 06:31 PM

There's absolutely no reason to leave the sensors covered, other than laziness.

achawla10 · 03-28-2023, 06:31 PM

So update.

My sensors are now working just fine. The fluid that was there is mostly gone. I took it back to the guy and he used a thin razerblade and a a needle to drain any residual fluid.
He said he could score the area around the sensor and peel it off. Which seems reasonable given there is a small space where the sensor is. Also , if the PPF around the sensor was removed, there is risk of damaging the paint where it is not present.
He said that in his “training” they gave the option of cutting out the sensor area or leaving it.
I’ll take some more pictures later but overall I am okay with this.

03-24-2023, 04:40 PM	#1
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	parking sensor's not working after PPF Hi guys, I got my car back from PPF today and it says all of my sensors are reduced. I looked at them and there is some condensation around the sensors. Were they supposed to cut out circles where the sensors are or will this work itself out. Thanks! Also the trees are flowering purple these days! Attached Images
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03-24-2023, 04:50 PM	#2
skyline408 Major 1613 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: 2023 G80 M3 2022 F95 X5M Join Date: May 2013 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (1)	pics? They are supposed to cut out the sensor holes. Here is my car (full ppf) Attached Images
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03-24-2023, 05:20 PM	#5
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	I didn’t get the whole car wrapped, just the most important bits. This guy came recommended from my detailer which is annoying. I’ll reach out and see what he has to say.
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03-24-2023, 05:36 PM	#6
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	Some pictures of the sensors. Pretty clear that the holes are not cut out. Attached Images
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03-24-2023, 05:54 PM	#7
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	Okay guys said he would cut them out. He said typically it dries out and they work fine. He said okay to wait a few days until he has time. Any reason to try and get it done sooner? Also - any thought I should wait on the ceramic until this is done? Thanks guys. Attached Images
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03-24-2023, 06:54 PM	#8
malvern_man Lieutenant 562 Rep 580 Posts Drives: X5 40i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Derbyshire UK iTrader: (0)	My full front end PPF had the sensor holes cut out.
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03-24-2023, 11:02 PM	#9
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	So I’ll take it back and he will cut them out. Waiting on that and then will proceed with ceramic.
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03-24-2023, 11:16 PM	#10
aa2033 Second Lieutenant 379 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	That's just lazy. I've never seen any PPF shop do that. My sensors have cut outs too. Water being under the film like that would eventually cause adhesion issues later. It's good he's cutting them out, but you really need to look closely when he does. He's going to hand cut them so he can avoid re doing the whole bumper. He's going to have to be very careful to make sure he cuts a clean, perfect circle. There's a good chance they will look odd. Most films are computer cut with sensor holes already cut out, so you get a perfect, clean cut circle for the sensors. Let us know how it turns out after he cuts the holes. If it looks bad, which I'm thinking it will, but i hope i'm wrong, then he'll need to re do the whole bumper. Don't get the ceramic done in case he does have to re do the bumper. It won't cause any issues leaving it like that for a few days, besides the sensors not working properly. My only worry would be the moisture on the PPF glue.
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03-24-2023, 11:34 PM	#11
Burrcold Brigadier General 6367 Rep 4,588 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	If you look closely, the rest of his cuts look like shit as well. This guy has no idea what he's doing. __________________ Current: 2024 BMW M3 Competition xDrive \| 2022 Audi Q7 Gone: 2022 Audi RS5 \| 2020 BMW M340i \| 2019 Audi RS5
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03-24-2023, 11:42 PM	#12
skyline408 Major 1613 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: 2023 G80 M3 2022 F95 X5M Join Date: May 2013 Location: Silicon Valley, CA iTrader: (1)	I wouldn't trust him to hand cut the holes either. Too easy to slice the paint.
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03-25-2023, 02:23 AM	#13
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	Okay thanks for the input. I’m going to take it back to him on Tuesday and let you guys know how it goes.
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03-25-2023, 11:14 AM	#16
shimmy23 F15 daddymobile 2443 Rep 3,582 Posts Drives: GS X5 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	many top notch ppf installers have computer cut templates for cars. however, many still do custom bulk sheet installs so they can wrap the edges and provide a cleaner install. the water under the ppf will dissipate over a week or two as most ppfs will breathe and there shouldn't be any issues. it's also very easy for a skilled installed to cut the sensor holes by hand. when you cut ppf you aren't cutting thru the film, you're scoring the top and then pulling it apart... if that makes sense. ppf shouldn't interfere with the sensors either. that being said, that is way too much solution fluid under that ppf at the sensors. it appears he's cut the film a little uneven on the edges too? some spots have bigger gaps to the edges than others? as i say, "it's hard to find good help these days". __________________ -brandon F15 Glacier Silver journal
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03-26-2023, 09:34 PM	#17
LivingInSalt Major 1997 Rep 1,207 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M240i Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Certainly wouldn’t trust this shop to do the ceramic
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03-27-2023, 04:36 PM	#18
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6979 Rep 3,275 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	My PFF covers my sensors. Most of them are good but one or two look like they trapped some lint or dirt in them and arent adhering properly. They said they could cut them out if I wanted but now Im worried they'll damage the paint. Also they would be guaranteed to get rock chips on them on the first drive home.
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03-27-2023, 06:31 PM	#20
allinon72 Brigadier General 5063 Rep 3,859 Posts Drives: 20' M2C, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (3)	There's absolutely no reason to leave the sensors covered, other than laziness.
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03-28-2023, 06:31 PM	#21
achawla10 Private First Class 191 Rep 114 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Central CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW m850 [0.00]	So update. My sensors are now working just fine. The fluid that was there is mostly gone. I took it back to the guy and he used a thin razerblade and a a needle to drain any residual fluid. He said he could score the area around the sensor and peel it off. Which seems reasonable given there is a small space where the sensor is. Also , if the PPF around the sensor was removed, there is risk of damaging the paint where it is not present. He said that in his “training” they gave the option of cutting out the sensor area or leaving it. I’ll take some more pictures later but overall I am okay with this.
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