Ferrari Portofino PPF Replacement in Dubai: Fixing a Bad PPF Job

This Ferrari Portofino came to Apex Detail Studio in Al Quoz, Dubai, after another workshop fitted its PPF badly and the rear bumper had taken impact damage. We inspected the car, lifted the old film slowly with heat, cleaned off the adhesive and refitted XPEL Ultimate Plus cut with DAP, with edges tucked in. Full-body PPF starts from AED 12,000 for sedans and AED 13,500 for SUVs and trucks, depending on options, before 5% VAT.

What was wrong with this Ferrari Portofino’s PPF?

The Portofino’s paint protection film had been installed badly by another workshop, and the owner was not happy with the result. On top of that, sections of the rear bumper had been damaged by impact, so the car needed both a film fix and careful work on the damaged areas.

A poor PPF job is easy to spot once you know what to look for: edges that lift or collect dirt, visible seams, stretch marks, trapped dust and bubbles, and film that stops short of the panel edge. On a car as shapely as the Portofino, every one of those flaws catches the light. We see this often enough that we have written up other cases, such as this bad PPF job on a BMW M2 and our broader guide to a bad PPF job fixed in Dubai.

Why replace the PPF on a Ferrari Portofino rather than patch it?

When film has been fitted badly across the car, patching it only moves the problem around. Removing it and starting again with properly cut film is the only way to get clean edges, an even finish and protection the owner can trust.

We chose XPEL Ultimate Plus for the refit. It is a clear, high-gloss film that self-heals light swirls with heat and keeps the Portofino’s paint looking factory fresh, which matters on a car whose shape and colour are the whole point. The film carries a manufacturer warranty, and our team explains the terms at handover.

The lesson for any Portofino owner in Dubai is that the installer matters as much as the film. The same XPEL roll can look perfect or terrible depending on prep, cutting and edge work. Before you book, ask how the film will be cut, whether badges and trim come off, how edges are finished and where the car will be fitted. At Apex the answer is DAP precut patterns, tucked edges and controlled installation bays in our 20,000 sq ft Al Quoz studio. Our guide to choosing the best PPF installer in Dubai lists the questions worth asking.

How did we remove and replace the Portofino’s PPF?

We inspected the car, lifted the old film slowly with heat so it released without pulling paint, removed the leftover adhesive, prepared the surface and then fitted new XPEL Ultimate Plus cut with XPEL’s DAP software, tucking the edges under the panels.

1. Inspection: we checked the existing film, the condition of the paint underneath and the damaged rear bumper areas before touching anything.
2. Safe removal: the old film was warmed and peeled back slowly, panel by panel. Rushing this step is how paint gets lifted with the film.
3. Adhesive and prep: we cleaned off old adhesive, dirt and debris so the new film would bond to a clean surface.
4. New film: XPEL Ultimate Plus, cut with DAP so it follows the curves and contours without hand trimming on the paint. The logo areas were cut precisely, and we took extra care around the Ferrari Scuderia shields.
5. Finishing: slip solution, squeegee work and edges tucked under the bonnet edge, wings and around the bonnet vents.

Read more about the cutting method in our DAP precut PPF guide.

Step by step on this Ferrari Portofino

These stills come from the full build video further down the page, so every photo shows this exact car in our Al Quoz studio.

What does the Ferrari Portofino look like after the PPF replacement?

After the replacement the Portofino looks the way PPF is supposed to look: invisible. The film sits flat and glossy, the edges are tucked away, and the shields, vents, headlights and wings are covered cleanly.

From the rear, the side and the wheel and wing areas, there are no lifted edges or seams catching the light. The owner now has protection that does its job and does not spoil the car.

Watch the Ferrari Portofino PPF fix

The two videos show the bad PPF job being removed and the new film going on, then the finished result.

How much does PPF replacement cost on a Ferrari Portofino?

Full-body PPF at Apex starts from AED 12,000 for sedans and AED 13,500 for SUVs and trucks, depending on options, before 5% VAT. Removing old film is quoted only after we inspect the car, because the time it takes depends on the film’s age, condition and how it was fitted.

Send us photos and your car’s details on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we can see, then confirm the figure once the car is in the studio. More on films and coverage is on our paint protection film service page, and you can see another Ferrari job in our Ferrari Roma article.

Frequently asked questions

Can bad PPF be removed without damaging the paint?

Yes, if it is done slowly with heat and the adhesive is cleaned off properly. That is how we removed the film on this Portofino.

How do I know if my PPF was installed badly?

Look for lifting or dirty edges, visible seams, stretch marks, bubbles, trapped dust and film that stops short of panel edges.

What film did you use on the Ferrari Portofino?

XPEL Ultimate Plus, a clear gloss self-healing film, cut with XPEL’s DAP software.

Do you need to see the car before quoting PPF removal?

Yes. Removal is quoted only after inspection, because it depends on the film’s age, condition and fitting.

Do you cut film on the car’s paint?

No. The film is precut with DAP to follow the car’s curves and logos, so no blades are needed on the paint.

Can you fix PPF that another shop installed?

Yes. We inspect it, tell you what can be saved and replace what cannot.