PAINT PROTECTION FILM (PPF)

What is Paint Protection Film?

Paint Protection Film (PPF), also known as clear bra, is the best way to protect your vehicle’s paint from road debris and prevent rock chips. Full front coverage is our most popular option, but it’s very common to add film in high wear areas like rocker panels, headlights, pillars and rear bumper. Many of our clients also decide on full car coverage for complete protection.

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At NEW SHINE Detailing, we provide tailored installation services for all kinds of vehicles, utilizing quality paint protection film. Using the same care and attention to detail as with our premium car detailing services, we are able to provide clients with the highest quality in fit and finish. Whether you are looking for the typical front end coverage, entire car wrapping or custom installs, like headlights, rockers or rear bumpers, we have you covered. We primarily use Verleno PPF as this is a Canadian brand recognized for its high quality along with its partnership with Carfax Canada; however, we also offer XPEL, STEK, Suntek, 3M, KAVACA, and Solargard.

Our Paint Protection Installations may be added to your CARFAX Canada Review

3 Common Misleading Claims On PPF Installs

Common Marketing Claim #1: A ‘Custom’ Install Means a Superior Install.

We want to be completely clear and say that ‘custom installs’ are not necessarily better installs. Many installers will claim they only offer custom installs. Translation: they take a piece of film lay it over the panel, squeegee it out to semi match the panel, and start cutting the film directly on the painted panel. We offer precut (precisely cut PPF using a plotter) installs based on VIN/model of the vehicle.

Frequently these bulk installers state that patterned film (precut film) is inferior because it leaves visible edges. While this used to be true, patterned film has evolved leaps and bounds, and quality craftsman have the ability modify the patterns within the plotter software in order to customize patterns however necessary from full edge wrapping to customize patters requested by the client. This super precise system eliminates the unnecessary dangers of cutting through PPF on the vehicle and accidentally cutting clear coat. Sometimes patterns still require small trimming, but entire panels aren’t necessary in this day and age. We are able to wrap most every edge possible by modifying a pattern. This overcomes the need to cut on a car, without removing body panels.

Many of these installers also claim they are ‘expert’ at custom bulk PPF installs, promise they would never cut paint; stating they average 10 installations a week, therefore their knife sound/feel is ‘perfect.’ Well, no matter how good someone is, and there are VERY few with this skill to cut a few mils only and avoid hitting anything else, why would you chance it? It only takes a millisecond of distraction for a panel to be potentially ruined. So, for the preservation of the vehicle, we believe it is preferable not to cut on any vehicle when it isn’t necessary, let alone a $100,000+ car, ensuring the safety integrity of all vehicle surfaces.

Common Marketing Claim #2: Corners, A Professional Must Fully Wrap All Corners!

This is a marketing and selling point used by many installers to either leverage themselves as experts or other installers as inferior. The cold hard truth of Paint Protection Film is that not all corners with PPF can be wrapped perfectly. Sure, many can, but if forced, expect the possibility of some corners not completely adhering and lifting up over time. The alternative to this is using an “edge prep” product to keep edges intact. The major downside is that this product can negatively affect and possibly ruin many types of paint. The main takeaway here is that; due to its thickness, Paint Protection Film cannot wrap every corner clean without bunching up around the edge. It’s not super thin like vinyl. In the end, forced bunching of film can cause lifting and possibly eventual trim removal to fix.

Common Marketing Claim #3: All Edges Must Be Tucked for a Top Tier Installation

When edges are tucked with a couple mm’s (millimeters) or more of film, they will either eventually lift come up, or just collect dirt. So, beware when an installer says they tuck film under some trim without dismantling panels, because PPF adhesive needs something flat and solid to hold onto. If the area isn’t large enough the adhesive can’t stick and it can lift, collecting dirt, and looking like a long solid dirt line. Then the installer will trim it and if they aren’t totally proficient and experienced with free hand cutting they have a high likelihood of cutting directly into your paint. Better than trying to get PPF to tuck, install it as it should be and leave the line below trim on the flat surface. If done properly the line will be aligned with the panel gaps and will be barely noticeable, if at all.

Important Advice: Paint Protection Film is a Temporary Protective Measure. Is it necessary and Prudent to Remove Panels?

At the end of the day, remember that PPF is a temporary protective fixture on your vehicle. It is not meant to be a permanent addition. The main reason for this is mainly related to the lifespan of the adhesive. So, if it is not removed in the proper window of years, a super bond can form. When removing PPF after the adhesive has passed its optimal period and the super bond has started to take hold it is entirely possible to lift paint off with the film. Also, PPF can prematurely wear out for a number of reasons, including taking repeated beatings to extreme conditions, constant UV exposure or from an improperly prepped install.

We want to emphasize the temporary nature of PPF because removing body panels to install film is pretty much unnecessary unless it’s an extreme show car, but nothing on those is practical. That being said, one day all PPF will need to be removed. Therefore, if the initial installer removed panels to place film in impossible to reach areas, those same panels will have to come off and then and be reinstalled a second time when either replacing or removing the original PPF. Not only does this add a tremendous amount to labor costs, but it greatly increases the potential to break a mounting clip. Most installers don’t have factory clips on hand, so if they break during installation that clip probably isn’t going to be fixed. If we (as installers) removed every panel and made all edges seamless then PPF install costs would have to more than double. This is clearly not practical for daily drivers and most weekend fun vehicles. Also, if you do happen to damage the film and it does need replacing then that panel needs to be removed again. This is all supreme aesthetic overkill for a technology meant to practically protect the factory finishes. In addition, PPF will take the abuse to protect the paint and will overtime need to be replaced. The money spent to dismantle panels can be better used to other projects for your vehicle such as a protective Ceramic or Graphene Coating.

A LOT of PPF installers claim that professional only means: corners wrapped, everything tucked, and no seams. It’s just not worth the cost of the install nor is it worth the costs of time, effort, and money later down the line to fix issues if the installer creates a potential problem in any step along the way.