Paint protection film (PPF) is one of the most popular and straightforward ways to elevate your vehicle’s appearance while preserving its value. A transparent and durable layer designed to protect your car’s paint from scratches, rock chips, and other potential damage, PPF is a wise choice for car owners, especially those with high-value vehicles.
If you’re looking to provide your car with a blend of aesthetic enhancements and long-lasting paint protection, installing PPF on your car is an excellent option. However, before investing in this advanced paint protection technology, it’s important to carefully consider its pros and cons. Doing so will help you determine whether PPF meets your needs and fits your budget.
This blog will explore the advantages and drawbacks of PPF for your car, helping you make a conscious decision based on your long-term plans for your vehicle.
What Is PPF for Cars?
Paint protection film (PPF) is a clear, durable, and flexible film that is applied on the outer body of a vehicle. The main purpose of installing PPF on your car is to protect the paint from minor damages, including scratches, etc.
In addition to protecting against elements like bug splatters, rock chips, debris, etc., it also protects your car’s paint from sun damage. Most PPFs have self-healing properties. This means minor scratches will be repaired with heat from the car’s body or sunlight.
PPF is made of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) or polyurethane (PU), materials that are resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and impact. Some PPFs are even designed to protect your car’s sunroof or panoramic roof. You can choose from different types of PPF, which generally vary in thickness, with thicker films offering greater protection against impact.
Pros of Installing PPF on Your Car
As the top-rated installers in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St Paul, Bravo has installed paint protection films on thousands of vehicles. Over 25 years of experience have taught us about the things that matter the most.
In our experience, XPEL Ultimate Plus offers the best protection for your vehicle’s smooth exteriors, encapsulating the company’s innovative spirit and cutting-edge technology.
The following are the benefits of installing high-grade PPF on cars:
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Perfectly Safe on Brand New Paint Jobs
Many car owners feel apprehensive about installing a thermoplastic urethane film on their shiny new car. However, your car’s shine won’t last long if you don’t install protection. Every time you drive, you risk damaging its beautiful paint job from:
- Light scratches or chips from roadside debris, flying gravel and rocks, etc.
- Insect splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, etc.
- Discoloration from acid rain or chemical spills
- Paint cracks from extreme heat, fading caused by harmful UV radiation, etc.
However, installing a well-formulated car PPF creates a crystal-clear protective shield around your car’s exterior surfaces. The paint protection film is also 100% transparent and 8 mils, or 0.0008 inches, thin for an extremely clear finish.
You Can Opt for a Range of Finishes
As a car owner, you may not want to compromise on your vehicle’s original finish by installing an additional film. Fortunately, Bravo Protection’s XPEL Ultimate Plus is available in both matte and glossy types of finishes, allowing for customization and texture-matching.
Bravo recommends opting for a glossy finish Clear Bra PPF installation to add depth and shine to the original paint surface.
If you’re not looking for glossy, a matte finish can also be applied, providing a unique texture to your car.
Installing PPF car protection doesn’t mean you have to compromise with the type of finish.
Comes with a Hydrophobic Top-Coat
The best automotive protection films come with a hydrophobic top-coating. The coating acts as a wax hood that repels water and liquid chemicals, causing them to bead up and run off instead of damaging your car paint.
Now, that’s a definite advantage, wouldn’t you say?
Self-Healing Properties
Self-healing properties may sound like a bold claim, but XPEL’s Clear Bra film features a top coat that can repair minor scratches and swirls with the application of heat. With a little bit of work, you’re as good as new!
Customize Your Coverage
If you don’t want to install PPF along the entire length of your car, you can opt for partial coverage instead. Critical spots easily damaged or scratched include the hood, fenders, and mirrors.
At Bravo Protection Products, we offer flexible coverage packages that provide different degrees of coverage for varied budgets.
Easy to Install
Installing PPF on your car involves far less hassle than other messier protection methods like ceramic coating or waxing. Bravo uses special software with thousands of updated makes and models, allowing us to laser-cut patterns within 5 minutes. If you have a vintage car that requires a customized job, we can help you protect it, too.
Protects Your Factory Paint for Over a Decade
XPEL’s Ultimate Plus carries a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty and an extended lifetime installation guarantee. Unlike low-quality films that yellow with age or start to peel off and crack. XPEL’s protection films last a long time with proper care and usage.
Cons of Installing PPF on Your Car
While PPF is an attractive option for most car owners, there are some considerations with its application. These are as follows:
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Upfront Costs are a Bit High
A high-quality paint protection film that offers long-lasting protection may come at a slightly higher cost. However, it is advisable to simultaneously consider the long-term benefits.
Durable and long-lasting paint protection film can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars in paint chip repairs and repainting jobs.
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Improper Application Can Affect Your Car’s Look
A paint protection film must be applied with extra attention and care to ensure a smooth coating without air bubbles, swirls, or wrinkles.
This is where expert professionals with experience in PPF application are essential, as it requires both speed and patience.
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Require Extra Care and Caution
After applying PPF, you may need to take special precautions and follow additional care instructions. However, these are a worthwhile trade-off for the time saved on multiple paint jobs and repairs.
Care Tips After Installing PPF on Your Car
The following are some care tips to keep in mind with PPF:
- Make sure not to wash your car for at least 7 days after installing PPF, as this gives the film enough time to properly cure.
- Wash your car with mild soap and water. Do not use strong products with harsh chemicals that may damage the PPF.
- You should use a clean, soft microfiber cloth to dry your car after washing it.
- Do not use products on your clear bra or paint protection film that contain kerosene, naphtha, or dye. The dye can stain the film, while the other two can erode and destroy the thin film.
- If you’re using a pressure washer to clean your car, keep the spray away from the edges of the PPF film to prevent it from pushing up under the edges of the film.
- Remove contaminants like bug splatter, tree sap, and bird droppings as soon as possible.
- Check the PPF regularly for damage. If you can spot recent small issues, you can get them repaired without having to replace the entire film.
Conclusion
Whether you should install PPF on your car depends on many factors, including your priorities and expectations.
It offers your car unmatched protection against scratches, minor damage, and wear and tear. It also gives your car a polished, showroom-like look for years, maintaining the same appearance as when you first bought it. Despite its benefits, some owners are deterred by the cost, the need for professional installation, and the maintenance required for PPF coating for cars.
However, the durability and aesthetic value you’ll enjoy in the long run from installing PPF on your car will far outweigh these drawbacks. If you’re still unsure whether PPF is right for you after carefully weighing its pros and cons, speaking with experts and professional installers can help you make an informed decision
Choose Bravo Protection for Installing PPF on Your Car
Bravo Protection is one of the leading providers of car paint protection film in Plymouth. You have the flexibility to choose from various premium products. For example, our range of Clear Bra installations includes bronze clear bra, silver clear bra, gold clear bra, and platinum clear bra car coverage.
We also offer various packages so you can choose the one that best fits your needs—Basic Protection, Standard Protection, and Ultimate Protection. Our standout features and benefits include best-in-class materials, durability, longevity, self-healing properties, exceptional clarity, and more. Schedule a free consultation today.