What is Paint Protection Film (PPF)?
Although you may have heard the term paint protection film (or PPF), you may be unclear about what it actually is and how it works. In a nutshell, PPF is a Polyurethane film that’s applied to a vehicle in order to protect it from things such as stone chips, bird droppings, bug marks, swirl marks (due to poor cleaning/polishing), light scuffs, key mark vandalism and other everyday road debris that can damage the paint of your vehicle. Although the film is most often applied to the hood, front bumper, and mirrors, PPF can be applied to any painted surface that you want to be protected.
What are the benefits of having PPF on my vehicle?
As mentioned above, the primary objective is to protect your vehicle from the elements. Although PPF won’t stop a large stone from high speed damaging your vehicle, it will keep it protected from general stone chips and everyday wear and tear. Not only is this good news for aesthetic reasons, it also helps maintain the value of your vehicle by keeping it looking newer than it otherwise would. If the PPF is cared for and remains undamaged, the paint beneath will still look as good as new if you ever get tired of the look and decide to remove the film yourself.
Can PPF film be applied to chrome?
Any of our films can be installed on chrome although the end result will look slightly different than the original, pre-PPF look. Since the look is difficult to describe, it’s always a good idea to ask us to apply a small swatch to one area so you can see what it looks like before you decide whether or not this is something you want to be done.
Can PPF be applied over a vehicle that has been ‘touched-up’?
Yes, it can although we should point out that you’ll get the best results if the area in question has been color-sanded smooth and buffed after the paint has been applied. In other words, the better the touchup, the better the PPF will look.
Can I remove the PPF myself and should I worry about the paint being damaged?
Yes, you can usually remove the paint protection film without having to worry about damaging your car’s paintwork. In most cases, factory paint jobs are properly cured and prepped and it’s therefore extremely rare to have any issues with paint damage and even rarer for the paintwork to be damaged when removing the PPF.
Does Paint Protection Film resist cracking?
The high-quality PPF we use won’t yellow or crack for many years after installation. The PPF we use is able to resist staining while still offering great gloss retention. The clear coat is made from a special type of flexible polymer that can allow surface scratches to “heal” over time. This means that there’s no need for frequent polishing to try and keep it looking like it’s just been installed.
How deep of a scratch can PPF film still heal?
The clear coat is what’s known as a self-healing layer and only a few microns thick. The film won’t heal if this layer is penetrated.
Can I wax my Paint Protection Film?
Yes, you can, but take extra care not to build up wax against the edges of the film and don’t polish or use any chemicals which are abrasive.
Can I use detailing clay on the film?
Yes. The process is the same as with regular paint; wet the surface with a lubricant such as soapy water and then gently rub the surface with the clay bar. If you have particularly stubborn insect, bird, or hard water stains, we recommend using ‘Simple Green’ as the lubricant for the clay.
Can I use a pressure washer, and how soon after install?
Yes, you can use a pressure washer with most paint protection films. However, you must wait until the film has completely dried after installation (which is typically around 48 hours) and you should also be careful not to point the high-pressure water jet directly at the edges of the film otherwise it may begin to lift.
How do I wash the film, can I use a quick detailer or detail spray?
You can use any standard ‘off the shelf’ car wash soap, rinse-free car wash or more specialized detail spray to keep the film clean. However, you must check the label to make sure that your chosen product doesn’t contain more than 5% naphtha or kerosene
