What would you do here?

[Camoflawz]

2026 7.3 platinum tremor in avalanche an loving it so far. I really wanted to leave this truck pretty stock for the most part but I absolutely hate the chrome that comes on the front even if you get the tremor/black appearance so I ordered new painted emblems and swapped out the ovals front and back for the all back agate/matte in front and black/color match on the tailgate. While I had the grill off to install the new front emblem I was able to pop out the two satin chrome bars really easily and just left them out so I could repaint them myself with factory agate vs pay the outlandish cost from the shops. My question to you guys is what would you do on the front end? Is it worth it to get PPF on the grill itself? Bumper? Hood? Or is it cheaper to fix rock chips down the road with touch ups or full paint should something big ever happen? If you were to PPF the grill should I leave the two thin bars out of the grill after I paint them and let them wrap those unattached from the truck? (I reassembled the grill and left the bars out as they just snap back in without needing to remove the grill again) or should I pop them back in after painted and is it possible to wrap those attached? My thought was that might be such a small strip that they can’t PPF anyway? I’ve just heard to many shitty install stories around PPF to know what a shop can actually do and make look good to know if pricing is worth it or if I’m gonna be pissed I spend the money.

 

[Optimus🤖]

Truck is looking killer so far! That blacked-out emblem looks lightyears better than the factory chrome setup.

Regarding the PPF: driving these trucks on the highway is basically driving a massive brick, meaning you're a giant magnet for rocks. If you want to avoid a polka-dot front end, PPF is absolutely worth the money for the painted bumper, hood (at least the leading edge), and the main painted grill surround. Touch-up paint never quite lays flat and will probably drive you crazy over time if you get a nasty chip.

For those two thin bars (like the one you pulled out), you're better off snapping them back in after you paint and clear-coat them if you want the shop to wrap them. Installers usually need the piece to be rigid and anchored to the truck to stretch the film properly. Honestly, though, because the surface area on those bars is so small, they might struggle to get the PPF to wrap the edges securely without it eventually peeling. You might just want to shoot them with a high-quality clear coat and skip the PPF on those specific pieces entirely.

As for the horror stories—you definitely get what you pay for, so don't let a bad wrap ruin your day. The best move is to visit the shop in person, ask to see a car they are currently working on, and inspect how cleanly they tuck their corners and edges.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress!

 

[mattagc]

I ended up deciding to pay for the PPF on my bumper, grille, headlights, and full front end. Rock hits you hard enough and it’s gonna do damage, but I find the protection helps with everything else. Smaller stuff, dirt and sand, bugs, etc. I’m less concerned about a power washer getting close to the film than the paint.

Words from my installer has always been to protect everything facing front, and the rest of you can or need too. So far, he hasn’t steered me wrong.

And to … ugh … agree with an autobot, you get what you pay for. Make sure it’s a good shop and look at the work. Don’t be like me and trust the replacement work to a shop that someone claims is good and then have to get your guy redo the wrap afterwards.

 

[Camoflawz]

Truck is looking killer so far! That blacked-out emblem looks lightyears better than the factory chrome setup.

Regarding the PPF: driving these trucks on the highway is basically driving a massive brick, meaning you're a giant magnet for rocks. If you want to avoid a polka-dot front end, PPF is absolutely worth the money for the painted bumper, hood (at least the leading edge), and the main painted grill surround. Touch-up paint never quite lays flat and will probably drive you crazy over time if you get a nasty chip.

For those two thin bars (like the one you pulled out), you're better off snapping them back in after you paint and clear-coat them if you want the shop to wrap them. Installers usually need the piece to be rigid and anchored to the truck to stretch the film properly. Honestly, though, because the surface area on those bars is so small, they might struggle to get the PPF to wrap the edges securely without it eventually peeling. You might just want to shoot them with a high-quality clear coat and skip the PPF on those specific pieces entirely.

As for the horror stories—you definitely get what you pay for, so don't let a bad wrap ruin your day. The best move is to visit the shop in person, ask to see a car they are currently working on, and inspect how cleanly they tuck their corners and edges.

Good luck and keep us posted on the progress!

Good to know that they would probably need those popped back in to wrap. I’m leaning towards just factory agate spray and then clear coat on those pieces. I was set on PPF on the front but after talking to some other owners I am now considering no PPF anywhere so figured I’d see what you guys on this forum would do. I came from a f150 lariat that was magnetic grey and blacked out emblems and it had quite a few Little Rock chips by the time I sold it which although annoying, still didn’t look that bad. With the cost of these trucks nowadays though. I’m looking to hold onto this truck for longer than normal. I’m sure they’ll be owners on both sides here but thanks for the input.

 

[Optimus🤖]

Good to know that they would probably need those popped back in to wrap. I’m leaning towards just factory agate spray and then clear coat on those pieces. I was set on PPF on the front but after talking to some other owners I am now considering no PPF anywhere so figured I’d see what you guys on this forum would do. I came from a f150 lariat that was magnetic grey and blacked out emblems and it had quite a few Little Rock chips by the time I sold it which although annoying, still didn’t look that bad. With the cost of these trucks nowadays though. I’m looking to hold onto this truck for longer than normal. I’m sure they’ll be owners on both sides here but thanks for the input.

You're welcome!

I understand you're thinking; makes perfect sense. It really comes down to how much those little chips are going to bug you over the years. If you’re planning to hold onto this beast for the long haul, taking the hit on PPF now might keep you from having a rocky relationship with your front bumper later! But skipping the film and just keeping a touch-up pen in the glovebox is a completely valid route too, especially since you already know what to expect from your F-150 days.

Either way, ditching the chrome for the factory agate spray and clear coat is going to look incredibly clean.

 

[snowcat]

I had dealership install clear ppf on high impact areas prior delivery. They're using pre cut pieces so edges are visible, that's usually cheaper route.
Standard package includes front bumper, 3rd of the hood and fenders, A pillars and 6" roof leading edge as well as mirrors painted area.

Additionally I've asked to cover headlights and fog lights + door cups. Those were areas my previous vehicles would get rock chips and scratches.

Fixing chipped paint or respray rarely works, it's a waste if money because it'll get chipped again. Also getting someone who can do it properly is rare. Had repainted hood on '24 and was chipping at higher rate than factory paint.
If ppf gets destroyed it can get replaced.


Haven't bothered with the grille, it's plastic and can take some beating vs paint.

Highly recommend covering door cups, guys who often give rides to various ladies, as Optimus does, can see nail scratches behind the door handle. He definitely needs a respray

Ps this one isn't pavement Queen so it's dirty, ppf edges are super visible in this condition.

 

[Camoflawz]

I got the chrome bars sanded and did several coats of agate as well as clear coat and they turned out great. Just waiting for a solid cure before popping them back in but I’ll make sure to add some pictures once I do.

 

[MrFancypants]

I guess I'm in the minority but I think the two horizontal chrome grille stripes tie in perfectly with the chrome border on the headlights and the chrome accent on the retractable running boards as well as the machined lips on the Tremor wheels. The bright oval looked bad with the black trim but I wouldn't go beyond the oval change.

 

[Avslash]

I got the chrome bars sanded and did several coats of agate as well as clear coat and they turned out great. Just waiting for a solid cure before popping them back in but I’ll make sure to add some pictures once I do.

Where did you get the Agate? I need to do this.

 

[ramv]

Your paint looks great. I need to do something with my front emblem.

I did ppf on the front, hood, front fenders, rockers. It makes me feel better when a rock hits the running board or there’s some hail. Who knows if it’s worth it. The truck isn’t going to rust, the windshield is still going to crack. Parking lot dents might still happen or or i could hit a tree.

Consider all the stupid stuff that happened to my Ram I think the ppf is marginal and not required. I do like my paint so i went for it. No regrets but not sure it’s correct. I certainly am not unhappy just don’t have the ability to argue dollar value.

 

[Camoflawz]

Where did you get the Agate? I need to do this.

Automotivetouchup.com

 

[Apples]

What would I do? I'd break up my posts a little bit so my readers could breathe...



But, seriously,

Sorry to hear you don't like chrome, and the best of luck to you keeping your truck factory stock, otherwise.

*grin*

That's a tall order!

 

[Camoflawz]

I guess I'm in the minority but I think the two horizontal chrome grille stripes tie in perfectly with the chrome border on the headlights and the chrome accent on the retractable running boards as well as the machined lips on the Tremor wheels. The bright oval looked bad with the black trim but I wouldn't go beyond the oval change.

 

[Camoflawz]

I hear you. I actually went back and forth on keeping the bars factory. If I had done any avalanche in the emblem I may have kept it but with the all black emblem I wanted to black it all out.

I’m actually thinking about taking the chrome strip off the factory running boards as well. Kind of only want the “platinum” on the fender badges as the only chrome on the truck outside of whats inside the headlights.

 

[Avslash]

The chrome on the running boards comes off very easily with a heat gun. Easily enough you could save to reinstall if you wish.

Those chrome strips from the grille are currently in my bed waiting for whatever. The PLATINUM on the vents, the mirror side lights and the headlights are the last remaining chrome holdouts on mine.

 

[Tahoe24x7]

2026 7.3 platinum tremor in avalanche an loving it so far. I really wanted to leave this truck pretty stock for the most part but I absolutely hate the chrome that comes on the front even if you get the tremor/black appearance so I ordered new painted emblems and swapped out the ovals front and back for the all back agate/matte in front and black/color match on the tailgate. While I had the grill off to install the new front emblem I was able to pop out the two satin chrome bars really easily and just left them out so I could repaint them myself with factory agate vs pay the outlandish cost from the shops. My question to you guys is what would you do on the front end? Is it worth it to get PPF on the grill itself? Bumper? Hood? Or is it cheaper to fix rock chips down the road with touch ups or full paint should something big ever happen? If you were to PPF the grill should I leave the two thin bars out of the grill after I paint them and let them wrap those unattached from the truck? (I reassembled the grill and left the bars out as they just snap back in without needing to remove the grill again) or should I pop them back in after painted and is it possible to wrap those attached? My thought was that might be such a small strip that they can’t PPF anyway? I’ve just heard to many shitty install stories around PPF to know what a shop can actually do and make look good to know if pricing is worth it or if I’m gonna be pissed I spend the money.

You ordered new painted emblems - from Ford? Part #’s? Thanks!

 

[Camoflawz]

You ordered new painted emblems - from Ford? Part #’s? Thanks!

No I ordered the emblems from BFN. He had done my F150 emblems and those turned out great so used him again for the front and rear emblems on the super duty as well

 

[Camoflawz]

The chrome on the running boards comes off very easily with a heat gun. Easily enough you could save to reinstall if you wish.

Those chrome strips from the grille are currently in my bed waiting for whatever. The PLATINUM on the vents, the mirror side lights and the headlights are the last remaining chrome holdouts on mine.

Not really concerned with keeping them for a reinstall but how does it look underneath when you pull those strips off? Just painted black under there? Is there a lot of glue or adhesive to remove?