Paint protection film has become a popular choice in the past few years as it offers a superb solution for keeping your car’s paint in good condition. It has progressed from simply preventing car damage and provides a balance between aesthetics and usefulness, offering style and value at the same time. If you are not familiar with PPF and have been reading or hearing stories that prevent you from making up your mind regarding vehicle protection, call Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center for expert guidance. They will explain what PPF is and more significantly, what PPF is not. With the right information, you can better understand how PPF performs and make a good decision for your vehicle.
When it comes to protecting a vehicle, there are plenty of options to choose from. The clear coat that rests atop a vehicle’s paintwork is meant to serve as a frontline defense against elements, yet it has inherent weaknesses and drawbacks. Faded, peeled, cracked, oxidized, and discolored coats indicate neglect to clean and protect your vehicle. The automotive paint protection film is a powerful line of defense that protects your vehicle from rock chips, bug splatter, bird droppings, and countless other forms of road debris that can mar the exterior you love. It is a great way to maintain your car’s fresh look for a long time.
However, there is a lot of confusion out there over what PPF can and cannot do. With the pros and cons of PPF either overly exaggerated or completely understated, making a decision can be tough. This article breaks down some paint protection film myths and helps to save your vehicle from all the potential hazards your paint is exposed to. Here is a quick glance at some key points to help you better understand what it is and how it works.
Myth #1 – Is Vinyl the Same as Paint Protection Film?
There is a popular misconception that PPF is the same as vinyl or works the same as vinyl wrap. It is important to note that vinyl wraps are light substances, used for changing the aesthetic appearance of a vehicle. In most cases, they change the color of a car or add additional graphics without going for repainting. They offer a lot of customization, but are much thinner than the clear bra.
Paint protection film protects the original paint of the vehicle from scratches, road debris, or dirt of any kind. It is a much thicker and heavier version of vinyl wrap. PPF is crystal clear, thick, and self-heals when a scratch occurs. It does not enhance the aesthetics of your car, rather it preserves its original beauty and shine. You can opt for matte, satin, carbon fiber finish, or colored finish for enhanced looks. PPF is around 8-12 mils thick, whereas vinyl wraps are somewhere around 4 mils, which offers little or no protection.
Related: Is Ceramic Tint Really Worth It?
Myth #2 – Will There Be Seams Visible on My Car?
Wrapping edges is an art when it comes to PPF application, but sometimes, even a very well-wrapped edge can lift or peel due to the radiuses the film has to stick to, depending on the complexity of your vehicle’s shape or the skill of your installer. The protective film is hardly noticeable when it is locked into place, but in some cases, seams may be visible on close inspection.
The process demands precision and skill to ensure the film adheres seamlessly to your vehicle’s contours. Professional detailers and installers undergo advanced training and certification processes to provide the best possible service to their clients. Working with an expert ensures there are no air bubbles in the finished product, which makes the PFF look seamless.
Myth # 3 – Will the Ppf Look Perfect on My Car?
The condition of your vehicle plays a significant role in perfect PPF installation. A swirl-free, scratch-free, rock-chip-free, close-to-perfect finish is only possible when swirls, holograms, defects in the paint, minor scratches, and other imperfections are taken care of before you take your car for PPF.
PPF installation is a difficult task that is time-consuming, complex, and costly. The material is not cheap, and in case of any problem, it may need replacement. Bubbles, lift lines, and water under the film are common occurrences with every installation. You also need to check that you have taken your car to a clean and tidy place with some debris control and an air filtration system to prevent contamination or other problems with installation.
Professional installers strive for perfection but pre-existing flaws such as scratches, rock chips, debris in the clear coat, misaligned body panels, and sanding marks are much more noticeable and magnified after PPF is applied. The first step to a perfect PPF installation is paint correction or any other type of defect removal. Applying PPF over a scratched or swirled car can result in loss of gloss.
Myth # 4 – Will My Ppf Last Forever?
Like everything else, PPF and the paint under it have a life expectancy and will break down with time. PPF works as a sacrificial layer between the film and the clear coat and absorbs and minimizes damage to the factory paint. It means it is a consumable material, and in most cases, after several years of abuse, some panels will need replacement.
Before investing in PPF, you should learn about its functions and lifespan to make the right decision. Driving conditions, wear and tear, and methods of care can affect its life and ability to protect your vehicle. The self-healing properties will also diminish over time. It is essential to focus more on the quality of the film and the installer than the length of the warranty, as most people don’t keep their cars for more than 5 years.
Keeping this in mind, the durability or longevity of PPF will depend on several factors, including the level of maintenance, length of time a vehicle was driven, physical damage to the film or vehicle as well as the parts of the vehicle that take more abuse, such as pumpers.
Myth # 5 – Are All Ppf Installations the Same?
As you search for PPF installations, you will see there is no Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for this product and service. While you are shopping and doing your homework, you will see prices are all over the place. You may get full front-end coverage for anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500. It is due to dealership pricing at the point of sale, experienced installers, new installers looking for work, or shops trying to make a smaller profit at lower quality.
All PPF will protect your vehicle the same way, but quality material is very durable. PPF will vary in thickness, glossiness, and durability, and it is up to you to make the right choice and find a skilled and experienced installer. Avoid making a bad decision that could lead to repainting your vehicle due to poor prepping and cutting up the paint. In most cases, most of the time and money spent on a coating job is the labor to prepare the paint for PPF. A proper Full Front End coverage will take one to two days to install, while Full Car Coverage could take up to five to seven days.
PPF is an outstanding way to shield your vehicle’s surface from damage caused by scratches, abrasions, and natural elements that affect its shine and value. Knowing how it works and what factors you need to keep in mind can help you make the right decision for your vehicle and invest in this protective measure to get the best results.
Related: Choosing Your Car Wrap Color
If you are interested in having your new or even used vehicle protected with paint protection film, call Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center and set up an appointment today for a professional consultation. They will answer all your questions regarding PPF, correct any myths you have heard, and provide the right facts to help you make the best decision for protecting your car without any fears.
