WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PAINT PROTECTION FILM?
Paint Protection Film, also known as clear bra, stone guard, or simply put; PPF is a transparent film that is applied to the painted surfaces of a car to protect the paint from damage caused by rocks, sand, and other road debris. The film is made of a tough and durable urethane material that is nearly invisible once installed, it can also help preserve the appearance and value of your vehicle by keeping the paint looking newer longer.
Here are a few benefits and considerations to keep in mind when choosing to have paint protection film applied on your car:
1. Protects against chips and scratches: One of the main benefits of PPF is that it helps to protect your car’s paint from chips and scratches caused by rocks and other debris. This is especially useful for drivers who frequently drive on our dreaded 400 series highways, visitors to cottage country or areas with a lot of construction.
2. Virtually invisible: When installed by a professional, PPF is very hard to detect on the vehicle surface. Let us elaborate here, when you install PPF on a full panel it is very hard to tell if it is paint or film. However, if it is, you opt to have a partial install completed. There is going to be a line and it will become even more present when the vehicle is dirty.
3. Easy to clean: The film has a smooth surface that is easy to clean and maintain. This means that you can easily remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants from the film without damaging the paint underneath.
4. Durable: PPF is extremely durable and can last for several years with proper care. In fact, many manufacturers offer different film thicknesses. That can fit your driving needs. For example, are you someone that frequently uses the highways to get around? Then you may think to have high impact areas like your front bumper wrapped with a 10 mil PPF. It’s slightly more expensive to have installed, but it works like a charm for heavy highway drivers.
5. Cost consideration: “It’s an investment!” The cost of PPF can vary depending on the size of your vehicle and the amount of coverage you need. Do you want a matte finish? Or maybe something more to your personality, like red? Will it be a custom install or computer-cut patterns? Or even a mix of both? All of these questions and vehicle coverage options will determine the end price for your installation. And while we are on the topic of cost, remember when you’re shopping around. Shops will all have different prices to offer you. As not all shops are created equal, some shops are in areas where rent is high or a number of employees or other reasons as to why their prices are high or low. The key is the number of years of experience the installer or business has and what their service warranty is. (This is clutch!)
6. General Maintenance: While PPF is relatively low maintenance, it is important to know that the film will not just take care of itself. Some general maintenance steps are required to ensure that it remains in good condition for as long as possible. Things like removing bird bombs and bug guts from the surface in a timely manner will ensure the protein will not etch into the film. However, please ensure to only do this when the surface of the film is cool to the touch.
7. Appearance: While the film is nearly invisible once installed, it can sometimes have a slightly different appearance than the paint underneath. This is particularly noticeable in direct sunlight or under certain lighting conditions.
Overall, paint protection film is a great way to protect your car’s paint from chips, scratches, and UV damage. It is a durable, low-maintenance solution that can help preserve the value of your vehicle and keep it looking newer for longer.
