Car Paint Protection Film

by Ronel Forbes

March 30, 2023

In nations like the Philippines, where commuting requires standing in line for minutes or hours and enduring humid or wet weather, owning a car is actually no longer a luxury. The good news is that you may now opt to purchase car paint protection in different cities in the Philippines. In either case, it is still your duty to keep your car in good condition inside and out.

The paint on your automobile is one of the most exposed components, and as their name suggests, automotive paint protection films are one of the quickest and most recommended ways to keep it in good condition. But does the movie actually function, or is it merely a fad that deceives automobile owners? In this piece, we’ll discover more about paint protection film’s benefits and drawbacks.

What is a Paint Protection Film?

A Paint Protection Film, often known as PPF, is a clear or colored film that is used to cover a car’s exterior to shield the paint from harm. Typically, it is constructed of a thin layer of transparent, self-healing urethane.

PPF, often referred to as Anti-stone Film protects against road debris, pebbles, and gravel that could harm a car’s body if slapped up against it. Because of its great hydrophobic qualities, it also defends against insects, limescale, and resins.

Importance of Paint Protection Film for Cars

For automobile owners who wish to keep their vehicles in top condition, the PPF is an essential investment. Scratches, chips, and other costly types of damage can be reduced by shielding the car’s exterior from harm from gravel, road debris, and environmental threats.

If your automobile gets a scratch or other minor damage, you won’t have to get the entire portion replaced, repaired, or repainted thanks to PPF. Professionals can quickly and effectively remove the old PPF from the damaged area and reapply a fresh layer of film over it. PPF, however, won’t be able to shield the paint from severe damage.

Car Paint Protection Film Features

Below are the main attributes of PPF for cars:

Self-healing: The PPF can become scratched up over time. But because it is constructed of urethane, a thermoplastic polymer that can soften and become malleable when heated, the film has the ability to mend itself. After being cleaned with hot air treatment or warm water, these tiny abrasions can disappear and the PPF can return to its original condition.
Resistance to stains and discoloration: The PPF shields the external paint of the car from stains and discoloration. Even under the worst situations, it is still obvious.
PPF for vehicles is extremely durable and can last up to 10 years, keeping the paint on the car looking brand new. This raises the car’s resale value as well.
The PPF will not become yellow as a result of UV exposure. The PPF does not fade or turn yellow over time, despite the fact that it may appear to be a typical plastic sheet.
Damage prevention: The main benefit of applying a PPF on a car is that it shields the body paint from minor scratches and keeps the color vibrant.
Simple to maintain: The PPF does not require complicated procedures to be maintained. Regular water and car wash soap solutions will work to clean it.

Types of damages Paint Protection Film can prevent

Here are a few automotive damages that PPF can shield against:

Scratches
Chips
Scuffs
Abrasions
Bird excrement
Acid rain
Twig sap
Insect stains
Mineral deposits
Water striations
further environmental dangers

Benefits of the Paint Protection Film (PPF)

The benefits of a paint protection film are listed below:

Creates a better finish

Your car’s external surface will look better after having PPF applied. It produces a spectacular and unique outer appearance and appeals right away.

Superior anti-corrosion protection

A layer of a substance that prevents harmful pollutants or toxins from penetrating is provided by the PPF’s healing properties. Moreover, it defends against difficult stains and lessens paint deterioration from gravel chips.

Scratches that are mild instantly heal

Because the PPF has self-healing properties, small scratches can be fixed by a skilled auto detailer by heating the PPF.

Resilience to high temperatures

The PPF can withstand UV light’s harmful effects. It is resistant to extreme heat, preventing the paint from fading earlier than anticipated.

Simpleness of repair

Minor abrasions or scratches on the film can be rapidly fixed by heating it. Because to its self-healing capabilities, these little scratches may be fixed quickly and cheaply.

Keeps the resale value high

The PPF can shield the paint from minor abrasions and scratches, keeping the color fresh and preserving your car’s high market value.

How does the Car Paint Protection film work?

A PPF protects the paint from deterioration caused by flying objects, gravel, insect spots, and environmental dangers. It creates a shield that shields the car paint from harm and enables it to shine.

Various PPF layers’ functions

PPF is available as ready-to-use material in rolls. There are various layers, and each one has a purpose. The many PPF layers’ functions are listed below:

Top layer: It shields beneath layers and maintains their cleanliness up until installation is finished. This layer is taken off when it’s time for installation.
Middle layer: It has an adhesive that keeps attached inside the film and binds it to the clear coat, allowing it to be removed without harming the paint.
Urethane layer: The urethane layer is the thickest section of the layer. When hit by debris or a flying stone chip, it will flex, absorbing most of the impact and dispersing the remainder across a larger area. This indicates that the paint is still shielded.
The last layer is made up of a thin, clear film that seals and shields the urethane layer from impurities.

Types of Paint Protection Films

The common PPF types that are offered on the market are listed below:

Gloss PPF
Matte PPF
Colored PPF
Cleared mask
Clear bra
Rock chip protection
Clear wrap
Car scratch protection film

Process of installing PPF

PPF is typically installed by qualified auto detailing specialists. Although you can install it on your own, the complicated process makes it time-consuming. This is the typical method for installing the PPF in the car.

Vehicle body panels are meticulously cleaned because pollution will shorten the PPF’s lifespan. Defects may also result from it.
To aid position the film on the car’s surface and prevent the adhesive from sticking to the panels, soapy water is sprayed onto the panels.
In order to prevent any air bubbles from forming, the PPF is meticulously laid out on the panels. Additional soapy water inhibits the glue and makes the surface slick for simpler application.
The PPF becomes locked to the paint after the expert places the film on the panel appropriately and pushes the soapy water out.
After the PPF is put in place, the expert will trim off any extra material to ensure a top-notch installation.

PPF limitations for car

These are a few drawbacks of PPF installation on cars.

PPF has a limit: High-impact crashes can cause significant damage that could break or seriously damage the film.
PPF has the potential to be pricey: Compared to ceramic, waxes, and sealants, PPF is a little more expensive.

How to maintain a car Paint Protection Film

These pointers will help you maintain your car’s PPF:

To clean the surface of the car, use a mild soap and water mixture.
Useless to use abrasive cleansers.
Don’t wash the car with high-pressure water.
Look for any signs of dents, scratches, or chips on the car’s exterior.
To avoid more harm to the paint of the car, have any damage repaired or replaced very away.

Conclusion

The majority of car owners and buyers don’t recognize the value of paint protection and view it as an optional enhancement. They think that because their automobile is new, a simple car wash will do once they get it home rather than paint protection. That is untrue. Your car, new or used, has to be shielded from elements that could damage the body paint.

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