If you are searching for the best way to protect your vehicle paint and body, paint protection film provides ultimate protection against rock chips, UV exposure, bird droppings, road grime, and acid rain. The PPF is a highly flexible, durable, and transparent finish that protects the paint and enhances matte finish on any paint color. Find out if paint protection would be a good option for your car and what you need to know to have it properly installed so it can last for years. With Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center, you can look forward to getting accurate information about all types of paint protection options and which one can do an exceptional job of protecting your car paint.
Your car goes through gradual wear and tear over time that affects its appearance. Long commutes on highways and frequent road trips expose your vehicle to all types of debris and other elements, which results in scuffs, scratches, and stone chips, as well as dust, road grime, and other environmental contaminants. Paint protection film can defend your paint from this damage and preserve its new-like condition even years after installation.
Read on to learn what PPF is made from, how it works, and what it can and cannot do, especially when exposed to extreme situations. With a clear idea regarding its pros and cons, you can make a better decision for your vehicle and protect it from damaging elements.
What Exactly Is Paint Protection Film?
PPF is a high-quality thermoplastic urethane film that can protect a vehicle from almost everything, including bug splatter and bird droppings to surface scratches, rock chips, acid rain, and all forms of oxidization and UV damage. When properly applied by a professional, either an auto detailer or vinyl installation expert, it forms a transparent protective layer that protects the clear coat of a vehicle, as well as the paint beneath it.
What was initially developed as a tool for military operations and a protective topcoat for painted surfaces, particularly helicopters, has now become immensely popular amongst car owners for its great paint protection qualities. It would not be wrong to say that paint protection film has become one of the biggest game changers in the history of car care with its surface coating that offers immense protective benefits and longevity.
Related: What Is the Difference Between Paint Protection Films and Ceramic Coatings?
What Makes PPF the Ideal Choice?
The best thing about PPF is that it can be custom-designed to fit any vehicle, making it the best option for every car owner seeking unrivaled scratch and stain resistance. Its top layer is composed of an elastomeric polymer substance that helps it to maintain a natural shape once it has been stretched or applied to a painted or clear-coated surface. It allows the PPF to self-heal in case of light scratches or dings and eliminates any risk of swirl marks.
With its unique self-healing properties and ability to match most factory matte paints, PPF is the ideal choice for people who want to preserve their vehicle paint and make it shine for a longer period.
Types of Paint Protection Film
You will find paint protection available with many other names in the market.
Some other names for these protective products include:
- Clear bra
- Clear mask
- Invisible shield
- Clear wrap
- Car protection film
PPF vs. Vinyl
Many people believe PPF and vinyl coating to be the same thing, as both help to protect a vehicle from harmful elements and keep it safe, but they are both different. Vinyl wraps add custom style to a vehicle, while PPF is used exclusively for protection.
Vinyl Wrap
Vinyl wrap is a relatively thick substance, which makes it easier to install and provides additional coverage, but it is not transparent. It can be dyed in a variety of colors and easily applied to any swoops or curves present on your vehicle. A vinyl coating helps to shield your car from harmful UV light, surface-level damage like minor rock chips, and stain resistance, but, it is typically installed for aesthetic or marketing purposes.
Paint Protection Film
PPF is a far thinner, and lightweight product as compared to vinyl. It offers superior impact protection as it is stronger, and protects your paint job better. Also, it is crystal clear, much lighter, and self-heals when scratches occur, which makes it a unique and very cost-effective product. PPF acts as a matte-like armor or a transparent, see-through shield that allows glossy painted surfaces to safely shine from underneath.
How Paint Protection Film Is Installed?
Installing PPF is a tricky job and takes a lot of time if you decide to do it yourself as there are tons of measuring, test fittings as well as higher material waste due to the width of the roll being used. It is best left to the professionals who are trained for the task and have the tools and equipment to do it right.
The installation process involves using a platter, a computer-controlled machine that reads what dimensions are required and precisely cuts the PPF into sections, all customized to fit a particular body panel. This equipment is practical for working with complex areas as it makes installations in some areas really easy.
The paint protection film process includes the following steps:
Scrubbing the Car Exterior
PPF can only work well if your vehicle is free of all debris, stretch marks, and rust. If they are not removed, they will not only affect the appearance of your paint protection film but also make these defects more notable. Make sure to get the necessary paint correction and bodywork steps done before going for paint protection.
The professional installers will wash your vehicle thoroughly with special cleaning agents that contain specially blended solvents for removing adhesive residue, wax, grease, tree sap, road tar, oil, and bugs using microfiber cloths. The vehicle surface is polished and scrubbed to remove any adhesive cleaner or residual solvents lingering on the surface to ensure a successful paint protection job.
Cutting the PPF to Fit Your Car
Once all the surfaces are prepped, the installer will cut the PPF sheet to fit your vehicle. The cutting and application process is done in sections. The areas, like hood, rocker panels, quarter panels, side mirrors, door, and various other portions, are measured and prepared for installation.
Spray
A fitting solution or an activator is required for installing PPF. Most installers use a two-solution application method that delivers optimal results.
PPF Application
After the solution is applied, the PPF installation process begins. This stage involves a series of spraying, moving, squeegeeing, repositioning, and re-squeegeeing to remove any bubbles or creases in the film. You can trust a trained and professional installer to do a good job and fit the film perfectly.
The Final Stage – Heating the Film
Heating the film is necessary to activate the adhesive and make the PPF stick to the surface. Professional installers use an industrial heat gun and a touchless instant temp reader for this purpose. The heat also makes the material shrink, which creates a clean, tight fit where it is applied.
Choosing the right PPF installer is crucial for getting the desired results. The experience of the installer matters a lot, as unlike vinyl wrap, PPF can be tricky to install. Thus, it is always best to work with a certified PPF installer with solid reviews.
How Long Does Paint Protection Film Last?
The best feature of a paint protection film (a.k.a. PPF or Clear Bra) is its longevity. When professionally installed, a paint protection film should last at least 5 to 10 years. This is the reason so many of these products are covered by warranty when the installation is performed by a certified company that specializes in PPF. Using PPF in combination with wax, ceramic coatings, or any other form of paint protection can impact its longevity.
Some of the more common factors that impact a PPF’s longevity are:
- Bad surface prep
- Poor application etiquette
- Carelessness regarding environment during the application
Pros and Cons of Paint Protection Film
PPF Pros:
- It offers superior protection against rock chips and scratches
- It prevents the formation of paint swirls
- It comes with amazing self-healing properties that keep your car surface free of ugly marks
- It can last up to 10 years when properly maintained
PPF Cons:
- It can affect your vehicle’s shine and look if it is not cared for the right way
- It is not always hydrophobic and repels water, which makes cleaning or washing difficult
- Low-quality products or a shady job will discolor and develop a yellowish tinge
- If it gets damaged, it has to be completely removed and replaced to prevent damage to your vehicle
- It cannot be done at home and needs professional installation
- It can damage paint if you leave it on for too long or do not care for it
- It is a costly car paint protection solution
Related: Ceramic Coating Keeping Your Car Clean: Is It Worth It?
How to Make the Most of a Paint Protection Film?
Paint protection film is a great way to protect your vehicle. Any cons associated with it can be done away with by combining a high-grade PPF with ceramic coating. This is why many car owners only install a PPF on the front portions of their vehicle and then go for a ceramic coating on top of this film, as well as other areas of the vehicle.
Ceramic coatings help to improve and retain shine, and enhance the debris repelling hydrophobic properties as PPF often becomes dull over time. It also cuts down the need for frequent car washes and ceramic wax coatings, saving you a lot of time and labor.
Paint protection film is a brilliant product when it comes to protecting the exterior of your vehicle from airborne debris damage. However, vehicle protection and modification is a big decision, and you should not make this decision unless you have read all the information about what it can do, what are its limitations, and how you can make it work for you.
Call Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center to schedule an appointment with detailing experts to learn more about paint protection options and how PPF can protect your vehicle. The professionals tell you everything you need to know about paint protection film and how it can keep your car’s fresh look for a long time. They help you buy the best quality product for your vehicle and ensure that your car’s value and appearance remain at their peak for years.
