There are a myriad of different approaches to preserving a motor vehicle’s paint job. The clear coat applied on top of a car’s paintwork is designed to be a frontline defense against the elements. However, this transparent coating has inherent weaknesses and drawbacks.
Clear coats that are yellowed, peeled, cracked, scratched, oxidized, and discolored on cars everywhere. These are rolling reminders of what happens when you do not adequately clean and protect your vehicle. The damage resting on top of the paint will cause it to look terrible, even though the color underneath may be in perfect condition. It is because the clear coat is the one that is bearing the strain of the abuse.
On the bright side, the rise in demand for automotive paint protection film (PPF) over the past few years has helped solve many of these apparent coat dilemmas. You haven’t heard of the PPF, have you? The following concisely explains what it’s made of and how it operates.
Despite this, there needs to be more understanding of PPF’s capabilities and limitations. This is particularly true regarding its performance in highly challenging environments. The pendulum swings both ways, with the benefits and drawbacks of PPF being either grossly overstated or grossly understated, depending on which way you look at it.
What Is Car Paint Protection Film
Have you ever heard of the term “paint protection film” (also known as “PPF”) about a vehicle, specifically a car? Paint protection film, a clear bra or a “wrap,” is a thin coating of flexible material placed over a vehicle’s body panels to shield them from flying rocks or road debris. Other names for paint protection film include clear bra and wrap. This protective film can even save the paint on your vehicle from light hail damage or low-speed scrapes. These damages would typically scratch and scar the finish if they occurred without the film. And even though numerous varieties of paint protection film have been available for more than two decades, the technology has only recently advanced.
Paint protection fills quickly evolved into one of the most critical aspects of vehicle upkeep.
Should I go through with it? What are some of the drawbacks related to using paint protection film?
Most people no longer consider car ownership a luxury. The fortunate thing about modern times is that you can purchase a brand-new car through financing or a used unit on websites to save some money. You can choose either option. In either case, it is still your responsibility to ensure that the interior and exterior of your vehicle are kept in good condition.
Car paint protection films, as their name suggests, are said to be one of the quickest and most recommended ways to maintain the quality of the color on your vehicle, which is one of the parts subjected to the most wear and tear. But could they be successful, or is it just a fad that tricks the minds of car owners? In this post, let’s take a better look at a few of the benefits and drawbacks of paint protection film.
A brief overview of the PPF’s history
Paint protection film, much like America’s favorite lubricant (we’re talking about WD-40 here), was initially developed as a tool for military operations rather than for use in automobiles or by the general public. It was the case even though it is now widely used in bose areas.
It was the height of the Vietnam War, and the Department of Defense (DOD) of the United States was receiving one report after another of helicopters suffering significant damage due to shrapnel and debris. Additionally, it was especially noticeable in places like the rotor blades and across surfaces that carried sensitive military equipment.
According to those who specialize in the automotive industry, the DOD made an effort to find a solution. This is the point at which good ol’ 3M enters the picture. The textile and chemical conglomerate was dead-set on finding a solution to this issue, and it assigned some of its brightest minds the mission of developing a protective layer that could be just as resilient as it was transparent and as lightweight, as it was.
Initial Applications
The United States military did not have to wait long before it was given what seemed to be a workable solution to the problem it was having with its helicopter. The engineers modified the chemical structure of super strong urethane filmers at 3M to create a product that could withstand significant amounts of abuse from the elements and moderate surface damage from things like artillery shrapnel. This product was called the DuraShield. This film was an instant hit due to its low price, ease of application and replacement, and resistance to the deteriorating effects of UV rays and common aviation fluids.
As a result of this film’s capacity to mold itself to virtually any surface and then to forge a strong bond with whatever it was allowed to cure atop, it came to be known in common parlance as helicopter tape, or “heat tape” for short. Although it is used for the original purpose, it is intended only infrequently. This product is still marketed as heat tape in specific global markets today.
What Do You Mean by the Term “Paint Protection Films”?
You may have already seen or heard about car paint protective films, but you didn’t recognize them because they go by various names, including clear bra, transparent wrap, invisible shield, and mask. If this is the case, you’re not alone. Nevertheless, it is typically made up of three layers, and these layers are as follows:
1. Topcoat in Clear
The initial layer of the film is referred to as the clear coat. It also has a thickness of approximately 0.5 millimeters. This layer is the one that is subjected to the elements of the surrounding environment. It is crafted from specialized elastomeric polymers with a natural self-healing property, also known as the capacity to quickly return to its original shape even after being stretched out, scratched, or disfigured in some other way.
Because this substance has a shallow surface energy level, it doesn’t attract organic particles such as bugs or bird poop. It is one of the reasons why it is resistant to contamination by organic matter.
2. Polyurethane
Urethane was initially implemented by the United States Military for the noses of their fighter jets with the assistance of the 3M Company. Its implementation followed this in the aerospace and race car industries. It is a type of material that is lightweight, transparent, versatile, and powerful, and you can compare it to plastic. However, unlike plastic, this material has a high resistance to abrasions, corrosions, and impacts while maintaining flexibility. As a consequence, it can also return to its natural shape after being scratched, stretched, or otherwise deformed.
3. Adhesive
The subsequent layer is the component that gives the film its ability to adhere to your vehicle’s body. The constant exposure of the adhesive to the sun in the past was the cause of the yellowing that would occur with car paint protection films after some time. The culprit behind this phenomenon was the sun. In light of this fact, manufacturers devised an adhesive impervious to the effects of oxidation and ultraviolet light.
Most films manufactured today already have an acrylic adhesive layer, making them pliable, long-lasting, invisible, and resistant to peeling off your vehicle even after a significant amount of time has passed.
What Kinds of Damage Can Be Prevented by Using Paint Protection Films?
Now that you have an image of what would be applied on top of the paint job on your car, let’s better understand what it does to your vehicle’s paint job as a whole.
1. Provides Defense Against Scrapes and the Elements
The most crucial advantage of protecting your car’s paint with a film designed specifically for that purpose is that you won’t have to worry about any scratches appearing on the surface of your vehicle’s finish. It is regardless of whether you accidentally scratch it with your keys or another object or whether a rock accidentally falls on top of it. It is important to remember that the film is constructed out of materials capable of returning their original shape. As a result, the scratches on the film’s surface will become less noticeable after a short period.
These specialized films can help protect the paint on the vehicle from accidental scratches and fading caused by sun exposure. In general, the quality of the color can be negatively impacted by prolonged exposure to the sun’s rays and by temperature or climate fluctuations. It is why you might notice that the paint on your vehicle has lost some of its shine after driving it for a year or less. To our good fortune, the film is the medium subjected to the elements in their natural state.
2. It Will End Up Saving You Money in the Long Term
Because of the many different influences, the condition of your car will not remain as pristine as it was when you first purchased it. It is an unfortunate reality. Because of this, you need to take it to a car repair shop to have the paint touched up. You should do this at least once every two years. But it could be more frequently, depending on how often you drive.
Because car wax is sensitive to heat, it’ll soon melt and lose its effect if you don’t have it waxed. However, you would still want to have it done so that it sparkles once more. As a result, you will need to bring it back to the shop so you can wax it again.
These two procedures are pretty pricey, but if you have a car protection film professionally installed, the paint on your vehicle will maintain its original quality for much longer without the need for frequent waxing or repainting.
3. Easy Removal
It would appear that the clear wrap will soon become old and worn out. At this point, you will want to have it removed and replaced. Even if a new film is applied to the vehicle, some vehicle owners are concerned that the adhesive will leave a mark on the car, ruining its appearance. The uplifting news is that this is not the situation. When removed by a trained professional, the film, especially its adhesive, can be peeled off with relative ease. Nobody would know that you had a film installed on your vehicle unless you told them.
What are the various drawbacks associated with using car paint protection film?
Like any other available product, these transparent films have drawbacks that you need to consider.
1. Expensive Protection
Films of good quality are expensive, and because they need to be installed properly. You need to pay someone to have them professionally applied, which adds even more to the price. Nevertheless, as was discussed earlier, it may help you save money on the typical upkeep and repairs of your automobile.
2. Blisters and Peels
When we talk about blisters, we refer to the formation of teeny-tiny air bubbles either underneath the film or in the space between the film and the vehicle. A blister is typically the result of improper installation or installation of the film on a surface that has not been cleaned before installation.
On the other hand, some low-quality films will begin to peel away from the car as soon as possible after only a brief amount of time has passed. Similarly, this is the situation when you improperly installed the film. However, peeling can still occur even if the film is correctly installed and is of high quality. It happens if the film is not properly cared for after installation. It typically occurs after the vehicle has been subjected to an excessively vigorous or careless pressure washing.
Is It Worth Investing in Car Paint Protection Film, or Is It a Waste of Money?
Every person who owns a car harbors the secret desire to possess a gleaming automobile, particularly one previously held. The application of paint protection film to your car has made this possibility a reality. Now, we can confidently say that doing so is an investment that is truly worthwhile and ought to be considered. Just remember to get the most qualified expert to install it – American Dreams AZ is here! Contact us to get the best paint protection film for your car today.