There are several ways to install paint protection film (PPF). For Randy Humphries, owner of Tint Works TN in Murfreesboro, Tenn., it’s all about automotive disassembly.
“I’m one of those installers who likes to disassemble things,” Humphries says. “Before I was in this industry, I was in the garage building race cars, hot rods and custom stereos. I have a pretty good understanding of the process of breaking a car down. The 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is no different.”
The deconstruction operation is one of the most fascinating elements of the PPF process for me. I connected with Humphries in a bid to learn more about PPF applications involving these complex methods. I hope this walkthrough advances your everyday knowledge.
Getting Started
“The GT4 has a few things you can remove to make the install go by smoothly with a little extra work,” he shares. “The gas cap is the easiest. On the bottom side of the cap is a tension clip you pop up with a small panel tool. It slides back and then off. Next, I remove the outer window seals. Open the door and the sail panel (triangle piece by the mirror) pops back. Turn it counter clockwise on driver [side] and clockwise on passenger [side]. It’s got one clip holding it in. Behind it is a T20 Torx Screw. Remove that and the outer carbon fiber sail pillar comes right off. Roll the window down and gently pull up on the rubber window gasket; it pulls right out. Next is removing the upper window trim and rear carbon fiber air duct.”
The Next Steps
I grew up around a grandad who appreciated Chevrolet Corvettes, owning several throughout his life. But the Porsche—specifically the Cayman—is one of my favorite cars out there. Now, let’s get back to Humphries’ walkthrough.
The Rubber Gasket
• “With the door open, there’s a rubber gasket that the window seals into when the doors shut. From the front of it, start to pull the rubber down. Approximately 10 white spin tabs are under that. Turn them with a 1/4 turn with a T20 [screwdriver] from back to front. When you get to the last one, pull down a little and then pull forward. It’s now out of the way.”
The Rear Carbon Air Vent
• “The rear carbon air vent is held in by 10 mm and 14 mm [bolts]. Gear wrenches is what I prefer. With the rubber gasket out of the way, you slightly pop the panel back to access the bolts. The top one is a 10 mm—remove that completely (it’s a tight fit; be careful not to drop the bolt). The lower one is a 14 mm and does not come out. It sits in a groove and as you loosen it, the vent moves out. Once the nut is loosened all the way out, you hold the air vent put then pull toward the front of the car. It’s now out.”
The Spoiler
• “The last piece I remove is the spoiler. I only remove it from the hatch and not the pedestal mounts. You can strip the speed nuts in the wing. You start off by opening the hatch. The handle to lift it on the inside has a clipped-in handle. A small flat head screw driver will do. Slightly pop out each tab and the cup comes right out; then you remove the Torx Screw. Pop down from the back-forward and keep in mind there’s a light plug so don’t jerk it. Underneath that are two holes, one under each mount (T30 screws I believe). Remove those. With the hatch open, there are two plastic caps on each side (two-part cap). Pop the outer cap off or you can just fish line the whole piece off. Behind those you will find the last T30s. Once those are removed, close the hatch and wiggle the spoiler off.”
Closing Thoughts
“Always keep pieces in a safe area as they are expensive,” Humphries says. “When the project is completed and the customer sees the work you put in, that’s the reward we installers love to see. Pushing yourself to do a better job on every install is my goal—it’s my favorite part.”
Editor’s Note: Please contact me at ccollier@glass.com if you’d like to participate in this series. And check out the series’ first four entries below.
• PPF Projects: The 2022 Toyota Tundra
• PPF Projects: The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor
