Paint Protection Film 101

 

Nowadays, as you probably already know, there are many different ways to protect your paintwork. There are several different types of Waxes , Coatings and Sealants that can be your options to help enhance and preserve your treasured automobile. We often get asked about a different kind of protection, which is called PPF, also known as Paint Protection Film. 

This is somewhat off the beaten path when we talk about methods of protection for cars, for reasons that might be a bit clearer once you have read this post. We thought it would be worthwhile to do a little blog post on PPF. Hopefully, after this post, you will have a better understanding when it comes to paint protection film , and whether this type of protection fits you and your vehicle. Let’s have a look!

What is PPF? Paint Protection Film is made from a type of plastic ( urethane material ) that has a certain amount of elasticity to it which allows it to be curved, stretched and bent around corners. It is designed in such a way that it is perfectly suitable for the body panels of vehicles. It is generally applied to painted surfaces of a new or used car in order to protect the paint from stone chips, bug splatters, and minor abrasions.

Now let’s talk about its quality. How Long Does Paint Protection Film Last? One of the best things about Paint Protection Film is its longevity. A professionally installed Paint Protection Film (PPF) should last from 5 to 10 years. PPF receives a warranty if the installation company is certified to use their products. Like any car care product, there are several factors that impact product longevity, including PPF.

First, The Surface Prep of the paintwork before installation 

While PPF is an invisible protective layer, it relies heavily on the surface underneath it that it’s being applied to. Surface Prep is also the most time-consuming part of the application process as the imperfections and contaminants from the paint need to be removed before applying the paint protection film. This should include a full decontamination + multi-stage machine polish where applicable. If all contamination is not removed from the paint, the PPF won’t install correctly and firmly. Which will increase the risk of it failing prematurely.

Second, How It’s Applied 

installing PPF is actually quite difficult to do correctly. If there are bubbles under the film, it will wrap the material and not adhere to the surface properly. There is a connection between how long the PPF will last on your vehicle and how it is applied. Typically, an air bubble occurs due to a contaminant being trapped under the film. Over time this will create more bubbles under the PPF. If you are considering having a full paint protection film done, we would strongly suggest you get it done by a reputable installer like us!

Third, Environmental Factors

One of the selling points of Paint Protection Film is its ability to hold up against heat and UV damage from the sun. However, too much exposure to direct sunlight will actually lessen the lifespan due to the adhesive below it degrading. It’s also important to understand that PPF is used for high-impact protection such as stone chips. If the PPF is continually exposed to debris and environmental contaminants such as bird poo, acid rain or other damaging materials, it can wear the PPF thin if not constantly upkeep or maintained properly

Hopefully, this article will give you an explanation about PPF a.k.a Paint Protection Film. If you are afraid to apply your PPF by yourself, we can help you to do it! We are Epic Tint and Wraps, we provide car care services such as Car Wrap, Vehicle Wrap & Window Tinting.  We are Car Wrap Sydney, Vehicle Wrap Sydney and Window Tinting Sydney-based Car Care Services. Make sure to visit us when you need professional help related to Car Care. Find more information on our About Us page, or contact us for more information. We will gladly help you to give the best for your pride and joy!