PPF Installers - need your input: Color not matching on a redone door. Does it just take time?

[Stickercity]

Just wondering if anyone has deep PPF experience (especially all the installers here). I had STEK Satin Black PPF installed. I took it back to the installer when I saw a bubble on the rear drive side door. He was totally good with redoing just that door. When he was done, I noticed the difference in color. I pointed it out and he said that once it cures, the color will be the same as rest of the car and that he used the same roll of PPF he used the first time. Just wanted to verify that's the case since it's been a couple of weeks. It's been cold out so I know PPF cures better in warm weather but will the color just blend back in the way it used to? Another note is that Gyeon ceramic coating was applied originally which he said he did again with the new PPF portion. Not sure if there would be any effect on the difference in color with that as well.


Lastly, I guess it depends on lighting and angle but I've seen both on my car and others that sometimes that different panels can appear as if the color is different with or without PPF applied so maybe that exacerbates the color appearance?


Before: PPF was redone:
Seemed pretty uniform in color.

After PPF was redone:
A slight difference in color. Hoping it just needs to cure.

Here, you can see the front panel also looks slightly different in color so maybe it just depends on lighting and angle?

Here's a polished response you could send:
Here’s what I’d suggest to address the color-matching issue:

1. Give it about 2-3 weeks for the film to settle from the time of install. If it still doesn’t look quite right, you might consider asking the shop to re-evaluate the match for that panel.
2. It sounds like you’re working with a reliable shop, so they may be willing to take the necessary steps to make it right.
3. While satin black is generally not directional, sometimes the roll itself could be, depending on the batch. Ask them to bring a large piece of the same material and bring it outside to see if its directional and make an evaluation from that point.
4. It’s also possible that they used a different roll from Stek. Even with the same brand, slight color variations can happen between rolls due to manufacturing differences. Satin black, in particular, tends to have these types of variations.

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[Balthezor]

Curing is false. There is no such a thing as colored ppf changing colors after a curing phase. Unfortunately that is an excuse.

The problem is he did not use the same STEK product to replace your door. Most likely because STEK has been out of stock on dynomatte black for over 3 months now. I recommend you contact stek directly & they would be happy to warranty the installers work if he's truly authorized by them. Or, contact the shop back and let them know it needs to be redone in the right product.

Yep this. Stek Dyno Matte black is backordered. Looks like a different brand.

 

[T35L4]

Here's a polished response you could send:
Here’s what I’d suggest to address the color-matching issue:

1. Give it about 2-3 weeks for the film to settle from the time of install. If it still doesn’t look quite right, you might consider asking the shop to re-evaluate the match for that panel.
2. It sounds like you’re working with a reliable shop, so they may be willing to take the necessary steps to make it right.
3. While satin black is generally not directional, sometimes the roll itself could be, depending on the batch. Ask them to bring a large piece of the same material and bring it outside to see if its directional and make an evaluation from that point.
4. It’s also possible that they used a different roll from Stek. Even with the same brand, slight color variations can happen between rolls due to manufacturing differences. Satin black, in particular, tends to have these types of variations.

Thanks!
1. Yep, already waited.
2. They are already trying to correct this. They contacted the shop and are waiting for them to send more out.
3. Can you clarify more? Satin black is generally not directional, but what does it mean for the roll to be directional? Do you mean that there might be cases where it's still directional even though most of the time it shouldn't be? Do you know if STEK makes their satin black this way and if its an exception?
4. They said same roll but maybe they got two different rolls mixed up. Who knows.

Additional question - does ceramic coating also contribute to color mismatch? Maybe they used different coating or applied different thickness since it was applied at two different times?

 

[T35L4]

Yep this. Stek Dyno Matte black is backordered. Looks like a different brand.

They said it was STEK. If Dyno Matte is back ordered, is that the only satin black from STEK right now?

 

[Stickercity]

Thanks!
1. Yep, already waited.
2. They are already trying to correct this. They contacted the shop and are waiting for them to send more out.
3. Can you clarify more? Satin black is generally not directional, but what does it mean for the roll to be directional? Do you mean that there might be cases where it's still directional even though most of the time it shouldn't be? Do you know if STEK makes their satin black this way and if its an exception?
4. They said same roll but maybe they got two different rolls mixed up. Who knows.

Additional question - does ceramic coating also contribute to color mismatch? Maybe they used different coating or applied different thickness since it was applied at two different times?

Most likely, they may have mixed up two rolls. I’d give them the benefit of the doubt here, as it’s possible there was a miscommunication between the front team and the installers, leading to the use of an incorrect roll.

While ceramic coating can sometimes affect the sheen of a finish, it’s uncertain if that’s the cause in this case.

Have you reached out to them to see how they want to remedy the issue?

 

[T35L4]

Most likely, they may have mixed up two rolls. I’d give them the benefit of the doubt here, as it’s possible there was a miscommunication between the front team and the installers, leading to the use of an incorrect roll.

While ceramic coating can sometimes affect the sheen of a finish, it’s uncertain if that’s the cause in this case.

Have you reached out to them to see how they want to remedy the issue?

Yeah, they will try to get another of the same exact PPF material and likely try to redo the door one more time (the first time was because of a bubble which is what caused this color mismatch in the first place). Seems like they are not shying away from extra work to correct issues.

 

[Stickercity]

Yeah, they will try to get another of the same exact PPF material and likely try to redo the door one more time (the first time was because of a bubble which is what caused this color mismatch in the first place). Seems like they are not shying away from extra work to correct issues.

I understand it's frustrating to be in this situation, but I'm glad you've found a shop with integrity!

 

[T35L4]

Yep this. Stek Dyno Matte black is backordered. Looks like a different brand.

Mine is Satin, not Matte. Do you know if that's also back ordered?

 

[CybertruckWraps]

I don’t know something smells fishy. Could’ve been a bad roll with places in it that had imperfections. What does other side and back/front look like?

 

[T35L4]

I don’t know something smells fishy. Could’ve been a bad roll with places in it that had imperfections. What does other side and back/front look like?

All other sides seem to be fine.

 

[T35L4]

He wound up ordering from Stek and this time I saw the actual roll from Stek. He reinstalled the entire car PPF so he did right by me. He also mentioned that they mentioned that this run of this Dynomatte black film was ending but they can always make more if necessary. He seems to be reputable and want to fix things.

 

[T35L4]

The next problem I am facing now is that here on the east coast, the weather is like 25-30 degrees. He installed it in his shop and kept it in there for a couple days but now that I am driving it, will I have adhesion problems? I already see some potential flaws that I did not see when I first got the car so I hope I don't have to redo anything else. I see potential bubbles and edges becoming issues potentially as time goes on.

PPF experts here, any advice would be great.

 

[T35L4]

Looks like I had initial bubbles that went away on it's own! Like magic! Now though, some edges seem to be not adhesing.

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