• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Dodge, Jeep and RAM Forum dedicated to FCA owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the SRT Forum today!


What did you do to your Hellcat today?

TEXAS REDEYE

Active Member
Founding Member
Member ID
#1007
Messages
192
Reactions
486
Likes
67
City
PASADENA
State
TX
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 HELLCAT RED EYE
I received my Demon springs from HHP, they will be installed this Sunday. I'm hoping to drop my 60 foot.
 


Confuzed1

500 Posts Club
Founding Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Member ID
#1100
Messages
670
Reactions
1,403
Likes
132
City
Go Pack Go
State
WI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 PCP Redeye Challenger Widebody
I already have second thoughts on my PPF. If I were to do it again, I would have spent the PPF money on upgrading the audio system and then in a few years, if, and only if, there were enough rock chips I would have the bumper resprayed.

I have had bumpers on other cars resprayed and I know the cost to do it correctly, so speaking from actual experience I do regret my PPF job. I absolutely hate seeing the PPF imperfections and the PPF does create imperfections, like on the hood around the air vents, I can see where the PPF ends. Same with the front bumper fascia...Rock chips would not bother me like this does.

Ceramic coating is awesome though, makes washing the car so easy. Make sure to do the wheels and calipers since they get so dusty from the brakes.
So thumbs up on ceramic coating, and thumbs down on PPF. I must say that does surprise me a bit since others say PPF is a great thing to do. But - then again I understand your logic in not doing it.

Judging from my last HC, 95% if not more of the rock chips and small damage seems to always be on the front facia. In particular the front plastic part. I've never removed the front fascia, but it must not be too hard since I've seen others do it....just a few bolts and a bunch of clips from what I see. So having it repainted when it comes time might not be too terribly expensive. (relatively speaking)

The last quote I got was a few years ago to do ceramic coat on my previous HC was around 1500....but there was a bit of paint correction involved since the car had about 10K miles on it at the time. Sound reasonable? I don't think that covered the calipers or wheels however...
 


Demon1

500 Posts Club
Staff Team
Founding Member
Donating Member
9 Second Best E/T
Member ID
#977
Messages
994
Reactions
2,139
Likes
132
City
Naples
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Dodge Demon
Most would rethink not getting PPF with a widebody on DRs. The self healing is a big benefit to the flares and I don’t want truck flaps.
 


hellno

3000 Posts Club
8 Second Best E/T
HFCOTM
Member ID
#1308
Messages
3,326
Reactions
5,815
Likes
302
City
memphis
State
TN
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 challenger hellcat
took a picture of my son and me in front of our challengers ,best thing ive ever did
and just so you know batman drives a challenger ,my sons first and middle name is BruceWayne he is my first born and he was named after batman thumbnail[1].jpg
 


Confuzed1

500 Posts Club
Founding Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Member ID
#1100
Messages
670
Reactions
1,403
Likes
132
City
Go Pack Go
State
WI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 PCP Redeye Challenger Widebody
Most would rethink not getting PPF with a widebody on DRs. The self healing is a big benefit to the flares and I don’t want truck flaps.
Yep, I already installed my truck flaps. Got the ones with the chrome naked lady. 4 of em!
 


Skrelnik

Active Member
Member ID
#1341
Messages
156
Reactions
151
Likes
37
City
Fairfield
State
CT
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Challenger Hellcat M6
So thumbs up on ceramic coating, and thumbs down on PPF. I must say that does surprise me a bit since others say PPF is a great thing to do. But - then again I understand your logic in not doing it.

Judging from my last HC, 95% if not more of the rock chips and small damage seems to always be on the front facia. In particular the front plastic part. I've never removed the front fascia, but it must not be too hard since I've seen others do it....just a few bolts and a bunch of clips from what I see. So having it repainted when it comes time might not be too terribly expensive. (relatively speaking)

The last quote I got was a few years ago to do ceramic coat on my previous HC was around 1500....but there was a bit of paint correction involved since the car had about 10K miles on it at the time. Sound reasonable? I don't think that covered the calipers or wheels however...
Yeah, and today of course, a hickory tree nut fell on the Hellcat and made a small dent, not noticeable to most people but I surely see it. So now I have to wonder if I use a paint less dent repair shop, will that pull the PPF off and now I have to basically take the entire PPF off.

I agree, almost all rock chips hit the front bumper. I cannot recall having a car that had rock chips on the hood or sides.

The shop that did mine Ceramic Coating charged $800, and I priced out four shops with the most expensive being $1.3k.

Here is a quote from a shop I did not use, just so you can compare. Below that are pics of my hood and really irk me..

Screenshot_20191010-200019.jpg
IMG_20190824_152200.jpg IMG_20190824_152146.jpg IMG_20190824_145708_Bokeh.jpg
 


Skrelnik

Active Member
Member ID
#1341
Messages
156
Reactions
151
Likes
37
City
Fairfield
State
CT
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Challenger Hellcat M6
So thumbs up on ceramic coating, and thumbs down on PPF. I must say that does surprise me a bit since others say PPF is a great thing to do. But - then again I understand your logic in not doing it.

Judging from my last HC, 95% if not more of the rock chips and small damage seems to always be on the front facia. In particular the front plastic part. I've never removed the front fascia, but it must not be too hard since I've seen others do it....just a few bolts and a bunch of clips from what I see. So having it repainted when it comes time might not be too terribly expensive. (relatively speaking)

The last quote I got was a few years ago to do ceramic coat on my previous HC was around 1500....but there was a bit of paint correction involved since the car had about 10K miles on it at the time. Sound reasonable? I don't think that covered the calipers or wheels however...
Love the ceramic coating though, really awesome...so easy to wash the car.
 


Confuzed1

500 Posts Club
Founding Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Member ID
#1100
Messages
670
Reactions
1,403
Likes
132
City
Go Pack Go
State
WI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 PCP Redeye Challenger Widebody
Yeah, and today of course, a hickory tree nut fell on the Hellcat and made a small dent, not noticeable to most people but I surely see it. So now I have to wonder if I use a paint less dent repair shop, will that pull the PPF off and now I have to basically take the entire PPF off.

I agree, almost all rock chips hit the front bumper. I cannot recall having a car that had rock chips on the hood or sides.

The shop that did mine Ceramic Coating charged $800, and I priced out four shops with the most expensive being $1.3k.

Here is a quote from a shop I did not use, just so you can compare. Below that are pics of my hood and really irk me..

View attachment 4227
View attachment 4230 View attachment 4231 View attachment 4232
Wow - glad you didn't use them! That price is ridiculous! All kinds of things added that you probably didn't ask for I'd venture to guess. Honestly, by the pics I can't really see the dent, but in person it might be worse.
 


Skrelnik

Active Member
Member ID
#1341
Messages
156
Reactions
151
Likes
37
City
Fairfield
State
CT
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Challenger Hellcat M6
Wow - glad you didn't use them! That price is ridiculous! All kinds of things added that you probably didn't ask for I'd venture to guess. Honestly, by the pics I can't really see the dent, but in person it might be worse.
Those pics didn't have the dent, that literally happened today. Those pics were of the PPF lines around the hood scoop. Drives me bonkers. The first two pics you can see where the PPF ends, they didn't remove the plastic vent and tuck the PPF underneath. The third pic I have no idea what is happening. Not to mention my side view mirror's PPF peeled off after a week. The shop had to redo it. I had a real bad PPF experience...

IMG_20190829_180847_01.jpg
 


Confuzed1

500 Posts Club
Founding Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Member ID
#1100
Messages
670
Reactions
1,403
Likes
132
City
Go Pack Go
State
WI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 PCP Redeye Challenger Widebody
Those pics didn't have the dent, that literally happened today. Those pics were of the PPF lines around the hood scoop. Drives me bonkers. The first two pics you can see where the PPF ends, they didn't remove the plastic vent and tuck the PPF underneath. The third pic I have no idea what is happening. Not to mention my side view mirror's PPF peeled off after a week. The shop had to redo it. I had a real bad PPF experience...
OK - I can see that! Seems to me the PPF wasn't installed properly at all. Most others I've seen is almost seamless. As in, you need to look hard to see the line it leaves.
 


Magnified

Poster Club Hall of Fame
Founding Member
Member ID
#1155
Messages
11,826
Reactions
20,036
Likes
352
City
West Texas
State
TX
Country
United States
Vehicle
2017 Charger HC (once upon a time)
Well, today, for the first time in a probably 3+ months (i literally cannot remember the last time) I washed the car. Just before we have a huge sand storm. But it needed to be done. Was mostly gratified that the quartz seems to be still holding up. However, after soaping, brushing, and rinsing with low-TDS water, I still have a film of dirt on the car (doesn't appear to be adhered, just did not handwash with a scrubber this time). Its what I get for letting it go so long, but family affairs have to take precedence over the cars, even this one. From about 10 feet away it looks pretty freaking sharp, but when you look up close with the dust blowing in, or out the windows in the evening sun, is no bueno. Maybe this weekend, wash again, and do the detailing. Had to do 4 others, so no real time. But to try and avoid this kind of thing in the future I set up a wash bay area in the port cochere. Pressure washer, foam gun, and purified water all with dedicated lines, and simple spigot turn ons. If I can do it without having to get all the crap out every time (like pulling into a wash bay) I'll be more able to spare the time to do it.
 


Primetime Hellcat 17

500 Posts Club
Founding Member
Member ID
#949
Messages
687
Reactions
974
Likes
132
City
Phoenix
State
AZ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2017 challenger Hellcat
Those pics didn't have the dent, that literally happened today. Those pics were of the PPF lines around the hood scoop. Drives me bonkers. The first two pics you can see where the PPF ends, they didn't remove the plastic vent and tuck the PPF underneath. The third pic I have no idea what is happening. Not to mention my side view mirror's PPF peeled off after a week. The shop had to redo it. I had a real bad PPF experience...

View attachment 4239
Having same problems over here to. Just did my hood and a week later it’s peeling back. Lol what a joke. My guy that did it cuts all by hand. I’m thinking I’m gonna have to find a shop that has the computer and cutting machine. Type in the make and model of your car and bam it’s cuts it for you. I feel your pain and frustrations. 😬😬😡😡😩😩
 


Demon1

500 Posts Club
Staff Team
Founding Member
Donating Member
9 Second Best E/T
Member ID
#977
Messages
994
Reactions
2,139
Likes
132
City
Naples
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Dodge Demon
Having same problems over here to. Just did my hood and a week later it’s peeling back. Lol what a joke. My guy that did it cuts all by hand. I’m thinking I’m gonna have to find a shop that has the computer and cutting machine. Type in the make and model of your car and bam it’s cuts it for you. I feel your pain and frustrations. 😬😬😡😡😩😩
Installation skill on PPF is everything. I just picked up my Demon today and it looks great. They have the computer cut material.
 


Magnified

Poster Club Hall of Fame
Founding Member
Member ID
#1155
Messages
11,826
Reactions
20,036
Likes
352
City
West Texas
State
TX
Country
United States
Vehicle
2017 Charger HC (once upon a time)
Yeah, and today of course, a hickory tree nut fell on the Hellcat and made a small dent, not noticeable to most people but I surely see it. So now I have to wonder if I use a paint less dent repair shop, will that pull the PPF off and now I have to basically take the entire PPF off.

I agree, almost all rock chips hit the front bumper. I cannot recall having a car that had rock chips on the hood or sides.

The shop that did mine Ceramic Coating charged $800, and I priced out four shops with the most expensive being $1.3k.

Here is a quote from a shop I did not use, just so you can compare. Below that are pics of my hood and really irk me..

View attachment 4227
View attachment 4230 View attachment 4231 View attachment 4232
That quote seems ridiculously high. I think mine in Houston was 500 or 600 bucks (did not happen because the front end was already too jacked up to make it worth it - why I need to buy a new front end if I'm keeping the car). Most expensive part of the ceramic quote I got was the detailed cleaning to make sure the car was "perfect" before it was applied.
 


Skrelnik

Active Member
Member ID
#1341
Messages
156
Reactions
151
Likes
37
City
Fairfield
State
CT
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Challenger Hellcat M6
That quote seems ridiculously high. I think mine in Houston was 500 or 600 bucks (did not happen because the front end was already too jacked up to make it worth it - why I need to buy a new front end if I'm keeping the car). Most expensive part of the ceramic quote I got was the detailed cleaning to make sure the car was "perfect" before it was applied.
Yeah, that is why I passed on that shop, but I do like the ceramic coating they did, just the PPF job was not so good of a job, it actually sucked. Other issues were I had a check engine light, the passenger-side Hellcat emblem fell off while we were leaving the shop, and the idiots discharged all the juice in my battery by leaving the interior lights on for days. When we drove away we were wondering why the interior lights were on, and it was so hot when I touched it.

Installation skill on PPF is everything. I just picked up my Demon today and it looks great. They have the computer cut material.
110% agreed. Only issue is there is no way to confirm if they will be good or not. I performed a thorough check, looked at other cars, all the reviews on googl, BBB and Instagram. I don't know what more I could have done. I even expressed my OCD and was promised I would be happy.
 


Demon1

500 Posts Club
Staff Team
Founding Member
Donating Member
9 Second Best E/T
Member ID
#977
Messages
994
Reactions
2,139
Likes
132
City
Naples
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Dodge Demon
Yeah, that is why I passed on that shop, but I do like the ceramic coating they did, just the PPF job was not so good of a job, it actually sucked. Other issues were I had a check engine light, the passenger-side Hellcat emblem fell off while we were leaving the shop, and the idiots discharged all the juice in my battery by leaving the interior lights on for days. When we drove away we were wondering why the interior lights were on, and it was so hot when I touched it.



110% agreed. Only issue is there is no way to confirm if they will be good or not. I performed a thorough check, looked at other cars, all the reviews on googl, BBB and Instagram. I don't know what more I could have done. I even expressed my OCD and was promised I would be happy.
I feel for you man. You did it the right way. Just a bad deal. Maybe check with some of the local car clubs next time is about all I can suggest. As I said before the computer cut pieces are so much better than hand cut. Maybe the best can hand cut as well, but I suspect most aren’t that good. I saw a thread on another site where that hand cut was so bad it looked like they were drunk when doing the work.
 


Paladin06

4000 Posts Club
Premium Account
U.S. Army Veteran
Donating Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#1080
Messages
4,783
Reactions
25,033
Likes
302
City
Clarksville
State
TN
Country
United States
Vehicle
2015 Challenger Hellcat/2019 Challenger Redeye

Paladin06

4000 Posts Club
Premium Account
U.S. Army Veteran
Donating Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#1080
Messages
4,783
Reactions
25,033
Likes
302
City
Clarksville
State
TN
Country
United States
Vehicle
2015 Challenger Hellcat/2019 Challenger Redeye
Installed the Demon race air grabber filter.

1A78144C-05D2-4CDF-9779-3B484256E406.jpeg
 


Paladin06

4000 Posts Club
Premium Account
U.S. Army Veteran
Donating Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#1080
Messages
4,783
Reactions
25,033
Likes
302
City
Clarksville
State
TN
Country
United States
Vehicle
2015 Challenger Hellcat/2019 Challenger Redeye
Better picture 96C1CE26-A013-4F0E-90F7-BF53D6A7D25C.jpeg
 


BULL

Oh NO! Not that guy!
Staff Team
Founding Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Donating Member
HFCOTM
Wiki Contributor
Member ID
#1079
Messages
15,319
Reactions
47,644
Likes
402
City
Weld County
State
CO
Country
United States
Vehicle
MY16 M6 Challenger Hellcat
HFCOTM
View Images


Top