How to Prepare Your Car for Paint Protection Film Services

paint protection film

The paint on your vehicle is extremely vulnerable. Road debris is constantly hitting the surface of your car, and is gradually changing the appearance of your vehicle. In a short period of time, a new car can have several rock chips, paint swirls and other imperfections in the paint. In fact, no new car is perfect by the time you take possession of it. If you want your vehicle to continue looking new, you have to protect it with paint protection film (PPF). A vehicle without paint protection film is like a cell phone without a screen protector. The paint will easily scratch, crack and eventually look like it needs to be replaced. PPF is a protective sacrificial layer that can be directly installed on the surface of your car to protect it against scratches, road debris and other abrasions.

What is Car Paint Protection Film?

Car paint protection film is a transparent material made of plastic that is directly applied to the surface of a vehicle. It serves as a shielding barricade against harmful debris, such as small stones, gravel, rock chips, sticks, and even bird droppings.

Once installed, the paint protection film becomes invisible due to its transparent nature and will not change your car’s appearance. It is considered a removable sticker that can be taken off at any time. PPF is sometimes confused with paint correction and ceramic coating, but there are several key differences that should be understood.

Benefits of Using Paint Protection Films

Protection from the Elements

Environmental elements can cause affect the integrity of paint over time. It can literally lose its luster and become dull, faded and discolored. These environmental elements include rain, snow and direct sunlight. Acidic rain and snow can eat away at the paint’s surface and direct sunlight is responsible for causes your car’s paint to fade.

The strong chemical bonds in PPF are designed to combat the effects of these environmental elements, and will keep your car’s paint looking new for up to 10 years.

Paint Protection

Factory paint is always stronger than aftermarket paint. This is why it is better to take proactive measures that will keep your factory paint in good shape. The secret is to keep what you have looking new instead of replacing it down the road. Paint correction becomes more difficult as your vehicle ages. And paint touch ups are tough to conceal once your factory paint has faded. Paint protection is a protective layer for your vehicle to look its best for many years to come.

Preserves your Car’s Looks

Paint protection will help keep your car looking new.

Customers love it because it’s transparent and people won’t notice it unless you tell them it’s there.

Self-healing Capabilities

The best automotive paint protection films have powerful self-healing capabilities. On average surface scratches heal in 30-40 minutes when the vehicle is exposed to heat. Other features include:

Stain resistance

UV protection

Increased resale value

Preparing Your Car for Paint Protection Film Installation

The following are things you should do to prepare your car for PPF film installation.

Clean the Car’s surface

Cleaning the car’s surface is an important step before installing the film.

Installing Paint Protection Film

Here are the steps you will need to take to prepare your vehicle for PPF:

Gather the Required Materials

Before you begin the installation, make sure you have gathered all the needed materials for the job. You will need the paint protection film (which you can get from your local auto parts store or online), a lint-free cloth, a squeegee, and spray adhesives. Also, you will need a cutting tool and a spray bottle. Ensuring you have the necessary tools is key to a successful installation.

Measure and Cut the Film

Measure your car’s dimensions to determine the best placement for each piece of the PPF. You can use a ruler or a measuring wheel for this step.

After taking the necessary measurements and deciding where to place each film piece, carefully cut each piece to fit each application area. Some companies sell pre-cut patterns to make this step easier.

Mask and Tack the Film

After cutting the film, mask off the surface where it will be installed. Start by tabbing the film’s corners.

Next, carefully roll the film onto the car, making sure the film is rolled toward the car’s back. The adhesive should be on the inside of the film.

Once the film has been rolled down toward the back of the vehicle, secure it with a roller or clamps. You’ll then coat the film with a water solution, allow it to dry and work out any wrinkles and bubbles with a squeegee.

Looking To Protect Your Car’s Paint Job? Get in Touch With Tint Genius Today.

If a high quality, durable paint protection film is installed properly, it can last for several years. For this reason, it’s always better to find local professionals who know how to do the job right. At Tint Genius, we only install the industry’s best PPF film that is optically clear and guaranteed to never yellow or stain with age. We offer a 10 year warranty and have several PPF packages that provide varying levels of coverage. The most popular option is a full front install that includes the full hood, the bumper, the full fenders and mirrors. You can also add the roof edge, rocker panels and A-pillars. Some people also choose to cover the whole car with PPF. This is a great option for customers who prefer a matte finish and want a solution that protects all painted surfaces. If you have a new vehicle, it’s best to install PPF while your paint is in the best condition possible. The process typically takes 2 days for a full front and up to a week for a full vehicle.

Give us a call today at 678-609-6005 to discuss the best PPF options for your vehicle