Paint Protection Film
Best PPF Coverage Options: Full Front vs Track vs Full Body
Blackout Team· Window Tinting Experts
·Updated ·14 min read
Complete guide to PPF coverage options. Compare partial front, full front, track package, and full body coverage with pricing, ROI analysis, and expert recommendations.
PPF protects paint from rock chips, debris, and scratches—but how much coverage do you actually need? This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer depends on your vehicle, driving habits, and budget. Let's break down every coverage option so you can make an informed decision.
Coverage Options Overview
Quick Comparison
| Package | Areas Covered | Protection Level | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial Front | Bumper, headlights, partial hood | Basic | $600-1,200 |
| Full Front | Hood, bumper, fenders, mirrors | Standard | $1,500-2,500 |
| Extended Front | Full front + A-pillars, rocker panels | Enhanced | $2,200-3,200 |
| Track Package | Extended + door edges, rear bumper | Maximum front-focused | $2,800-4,000 |
| Full Body | Every painted surface | Complete | $5,500-10,000+ |
Understanding Impact Zones
Before choosing coverage, understand where damage typically occurs:
| Zone | Impact Frequency | Damage Source |
|---|---|---|
| Front bumper | Highest | Rocks, bugs, road debris |
| Hood | Very high | Rocks from vehicles ahead |
| Front fenders | High | Tire throw from adjacent lanes |
| Side mirrors | High | Lane debris, bugs |
| Rocker panels | High | Own tire throw, adjacent vehicles |
| A-pillars | Moderate | Diagonal debris trajectory |
| Doors | Low | Parking lot contact, cart damage |
| Rear | Low | Following vehicle debris (rare) |
Key insight: ~80% of rock chip damage occurs on front-facing surfaces. This is why full front coverage is the most popular choice.
Detailed Coverage Options
Partial Front Coverage
What's included:
- Front bumper (full)
- Headlight lenses
- Partial hood (12-24 inches from bumper)
- Side mirror caps (sometimes)
Typical price: $600-1,200
Installation time: 2-4 hours
Who should consider:
- Tight budget owners
- Low-mileage vehicles (under 5,000 miles/year)
- City-only driving with minimal highway
- Older cars (8+ years) where full investment isn't justified
- Lease returns in under 2 years
Advantages:
- Lowest cost entry to PPF
- Protects highest-impact area (bumper)
- Quick installation
Limitations:
- Hood mostly unprotected (major chip target)
- Fenders exposed
- Visible film edge where partial hood ends
- May need to add coverage later
Our verdict: Partial front is better than nothing but leaves significant vulnerable areas. Most customers who start here upgrade to full front within 2 years.
Full Front Coverage
What's included:
- Full hood (wrapped to back edge)
- Front bumper (full)
- Front fenders (wrapped to door edge)
- Side mirrors (full coverage)
- Headlight lenses
- Fog lights (if visible)
Typical price: $1,500-2,500
Installation time: 4-8 hours
Who should consider:
- Most vehicle owners
- Highway commuters
- Daily drivers
- Vehicles valued $30,000-80,000
- Long-term ownership (3+ years)
Advantages:
- Protects all high-impact forward surfaces
- No visible film edge (wraps around)
- Best value per square foot
- Covers 80%+ of typical rock chip damage areas
- Most popular choice for good reason
Limitations:
- Rocker panels unprotected
- A-pillars unprotected
- Door edges exposed to parking lot damage
Our verdict: Full front coverage is the sweet spot for most drivers. It provides comprehensive protection for the highest-risk areas at a reasonable investment.
Extended Front / Plus Package
What's included: Everything in full front, plus:
- A-pillars (both sides)
- Partial rocker panels
- Door cup guards
Typical price: $2,200-3,200
Installation time: 6-10 hours
Who should consider:
- Sports car owners
- Enthusiast drivers
- Vehicles with low rocker panels
- Owners who park in public lots frequently
- Bay Area highway commuters on 101/85/680
Advantages:
- Catches diagonal debris trajectory (A-pillars)
- Protects rockers from own tire throw
- Door cups prevent fingernail and key scratches
- Comprehensive without full body commitment
Limitations:
- Doesn't cover doors, roof, rear
- Slightly higher cost than full front
Our verdict: Extended front is excellent for spirited drivers or those who want "full front plus a little more" protection. Great value upgrade from standard full front.
Track Package
What's included: Everything in extended front, plus:
- Full rocker panels
- Door edges
- Rear bumper
- Sometimes: luggage area (hatchbacks), door handles
Typical price: $2,800-4,000
Installation time: 1-2 days
Who should consider:
- Track day enthusiasts
- Autocross participants
- Sports cars and performance vehicles
- Vehicles with aggressive wheel setups
- Owners who track their daily drivers
Advantages:
- Maximum front protection
- Rocker panels protected from tire throw and curbs
- Rear bumper catches track debris
- Door edges prevent parking lot damage
- Designed for high-performance use
Limitations:
- Doors, roof, and quarter panels unprotected
- Significant investment for specific use case
Our verdict: Track package is purpose-built for performance driving. If you hit the track even occasionally, the rocker panel and rear bumper protection is invaluable. Debris and rubber compound chunks fly everywhere at track speed.
Full Body Coverage
What's included:
- Every painted surface
- All edges wrapped
- Door jambs (optional)
- Interior trunk lip (optional)
Typical price: $5,500-10,000+
Installation time: 3-5 days
Who should consider:
- Exotic and supercar owners
- Collector vehicle owners
- Brand new high-value vehicles ($80,000+)
- Long-term keepers planning 10+ year ownership
- Vehicles with rare or irreplaceable paint
- Show car owners
Advantages:
- Maximum possible protection
- No unprotected painted surfaces
- Best for preserving factory condition
- Optimal for resale value
- Peace of mind in any situation
Limitations:
- Highest investment
- Extended installation time
- May be unnecessary for typical driving patterns
Our verdict: Full body makes sense when the vehicle value justifies complete protection. For vehicles over $100K or with irreplaceable original paint, it's often the right choice. For most daily drivers, it's more protection than needed.
Coverage Decision Framework
Step 1: Assess Your Vehicle Value
| Vehicle Value | Recommended Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Under $25,000 | Partial front or full front |
| $25,000-50,000 | Full front |
| $50,000-80,000 | Full front or extended |
| $80,000-150,000 | Track package or full body |
| $150,000+ | Full body |
Step 2: Consider Your Driving Environment
| Driving Type | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| City only, minimal highway | Partial front may suffice |
| Mixed city/highway commute | Full front |
| Highway-heavy commute | Full front or extended |
| Spirited driving, mountain roads | Extended or track |
| Track days | Track package |
| Show car, minimal driving | Full body |
Step 3: Evaluate Your Ownership Plans
| Ownership Duration | Coverage Strategy |
|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Partial front (if any) |
| 2-4 years | Full front |
| 4-7 years | Full front or extended |
| 7+ years | Extended, track, or full body |
| Forever keeper | Full body |
Step 4: Factor in Parking
| Parking Situation | Additional Consideration |
|---|---|
| Home garage + work garage | Less coverage often sufficient |
| Home garage, public work | Door edges recommended |
| Street parking | Consider door protection |
| Public lots frequently | Track package prevents door dings |
Coverage by Vehicle Type
Sedans (Tesla Model 3, BMW 3 Series, etc.)
| Driving Pattern | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| City commuter | Full front |
| Highway commuter | Full front + door edges |
| Enthusiast driver | Track package |
Sedan-specific notes:
- Lower rocker panels on sports sedans need protection
- Door edges are common contact points in parking
- Full front addresses majority of chip damage
SUVs (Tesla Model Y, BMW X5, etc.)
| Driving Pattern | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| City/suburb use | Full front |
| Highway + cargo use | Extended front |
| Adventure/trail use | Track package |
SUV-specific notes:
- Higher ride height means less rocker exposure
- Larger hood = more surface area = slightly higher cost
- Hatch area benefits from protection if loading cargo
Sports Cars (Porsche, Corvette, etc.)
| Driving Pattern | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| Street only | Full front or extended |
| Occasional track | Track package |
| Regular track use | Track package or full body |
Sports car notes:
- Low rockers are extremely vulnerable
- Wide tires throw more debris to rockers
- Front splitters and aero pieces need protection
- Track use demands comprehensive coverage
Trucks (F-150, Tacoma, etc.)
| Use Case | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| Street only | Full front |
| Work truck | Full front + rocker panels |
| Off-road use | Extended or track |
Truck-specific notes:
- Larger panels = higher base cost
- Bed sides often not protected (work surfaces)
- Rocker panels important for off-road use
- Tailgate protection available for loading protection
Cost Analysis: Return on Investment
The Math Behind PPF Coverage
Scenario: Full front on $50,000 vehicle, kept 7 years
Protection investment:
- Full front PPF: $2,000
Without PPF (probable costs):
| Damage | Occurence | Cost | 7-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock chips | 3-5/year | $100-150 touch-up | $2,100-5,250 |
| Major chip (respray area) | Once | $800-1,500 | $800-1,500 |
| Headlight hazing | Once | $300-500 replacement | $300-500 |
Probable unprotected damage cost: $3,200-7,250
ROI calculation:
- PPF cost: $2,000
- Avoided damage: $3,200-7,250
- Net savings: $1,200-5,250
- ROI: 60-260%
Break-Even Analysis by Coverage
| Coverage | Cost | Break-Even (Damage Avoided) |
|---|---|---|
| Partial front | $900 | 6-9 touch-ups |
| Full front | $2,000 | 1 panel respray or 13-20 touch-ups |
| Track package | $3,400 | 2-3 panel repairs |
| Full body | $7,500 | Major respray avoided |
Key insight: For highway commuters, PPF typically pays for itself within 3-4 years of driving.
Bay Area-Specific Recommendations
By Commute Route
| Route | Debris Risk | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 101 (Gilroy-SJ) | High (construction) | Full front minimum |
| Highway 85 | Moderate-High | Full front |
| Highway 17 | Moderate (mountain) | Extended (debris + curves) |
| Highway 280 | Moderate | Full front |
| City streets only | Low | Partial or full front |
By City
| Area | Parking Risk | Coverage Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | High | Door edges recommended |
| San Jose | Moderate | Standard full front |
| Gilroy/Morgan Hill | Low-Moderate | Full front |
| Mountain communities | Moderate | Extended for debris |
Upgrade Path: Starting Small and Adding Later
If budget is a concern, you can add coverage over time:
Smart Upgrade Path
Year 1: Full front coverage ($2,000) Year 2-3: Add rocker panels ($400-600) Year 4+: Add rear bumper, door edges as needed ($200-400 each)
Advantages of this approach:
- Spreads cost over time
- Protects highest-risk areas first
- Allows evaluation of actual damage patterns
Disadvantages:
- Slightly higher total cost vs. doing all at once
- Seams between different-age films may be visible
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most popular PPF coverage option?
Full front coverage is our most installed package, representing about 60% of all installations. It offers the best balance of protection and value—covering the highest-impact areas (hood, bumper, fenders, mirrors) while keeping costs reasonable. Track package is second most popular (25%), especially among sports car owners.
Is partial front coverage worth it, or should I save for full front?
Save for full front if possible. Partial front (bumper + partial hood) leaves your full hood exposed—which is where many rock chips land. The visible film edge where partial hood ends can also look unfinished. If budget is tight, we'd recommend either full front with a longer timeline to save, or no PPF rather than partial half-measures.
How much does full body PPF cost on a typical car?
$5,500-8,000 for a sedan, $7,000-10,000 for an SUV, $8,000-15,000+ for exotics. The range depends on vehicle size, complexity, and film brand chosen. Full body includes every painted surface with wrapped edges—it's typically 3-5 days of installation work. For most daily drivers, this level of coverage exceeds what's necessary.
Should I get rocker panel protection?
Yes, if you drive a sports car or low-profile vehicle. Rocker panels (the lower body panels between wheels) catch debris thrown by your own tires and adjacent vehicles. Lower vehicles are more vulnerable. SUVs and trucks with higher ride height have less rocker exposure but still benefit from protection if you drive aggressively or on debris-heavy roads.
What coverage do you recommend for a Tesla?
Full front minimum, track package ideal. Tesla's water-based paint is notoriously soft and chips easily. We see more rock chip repairs on Teslas than any other brand. For Model 3/Y owners who commute on Bay Area highways, full front coverage is essential. The track package (adding rockers and A-pillars) is ideal for enthusiast drivers.
Can I add more coverage later if I start with full front?
Yes, but with considerations. Additional coverage can be added at any time, though there may be slight color matching variations if significant time passes between installations (film manufacturing batches can differ slightly). Seams where new and old film meet may be visible in certain lighting. For seamless appearance, it's best to install desired coverage all at once.
Is track package overkill for a car I don't take to the track?
Not necessarily. "Track package" is just a name—the coverage (extended front + rockers + rear bumper + door edges) benefits any spirited driver, mountain road enthusiast, or owner who wants comprehensive protection. If you drive aggressively, park in public lots, or want maximum front/side protection without full body cost, track package is excellent value.
What coverage should I get for a leased vehicle?
Full front if keeping 3+ years, partial or none for shorter leases. Most lease turn-ins don't require PPF—wear and tear allowances typically cover normal rock chips. If you're keeping the vehicle 3+ years and want to maintain its appearance, full front makes sense. If returning in under 2 years, the investment may not be worthwhile unless you anticipate heavy highway driving.
Our Coverage Recommendations
Best Value: Full Front Coverage
- Protects where you need it most
- Reasonable investment ($1,500-2,500)
- Works for most driving patterns
- Best cost-per-protection ratio
Best Protection: Track Package
- Catches everything full front misses
- Worth the upgrade for spirited drivers
- Comprehensive without full body commitment
- Ideal for performance vehicles
Best for High-Value Vehicles: Full Body
- Maximum protection available
- Preserves original paint completely
- Best for long-term ownership
- Optimal for vehicles over $100K
Ready to Choose Your Coverage?
We'll help you evaluate your specific situation—vehicle, driving habits, parking, and budget—to recommend coverage that makes sense. No pressure to over-buy; we want you protected where it matters.
Schedule Your Free Consultation → or call (408) 848-8468
📍 Visit us: 610 Holloway Rd, Gilroy (behind Target)
Expert coverage recommendations since 1993.
Visit the Experts in Gilroy
Blackout Window Tinting is the Bay Area's premier choice for premium auto protection. Based in Gilroy at 610 Holloway Rd (behind Target), we've served the South County and Silicon Valley area for over three decades. Whether you're coming from Morgan Hill, Hollister, or anywhere else in the Bay Area, we're your trusted local source for professional window tint, PPF, and ceramic coating.
📞 Questions? Call us at 408-848-8468 or get a free quote online.
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