Protecting Value: Why Your Vehicle Needs Car Paint Protection Film

Your car's paint is an important aspect of your vehicle's value. We take a look at why you need car paint protection film, and how it works.

Living in North Florida can mean enduring brutal hot summer months where it is not uncommon for the temperature gauge to register in the three digits for days on end. Due to the intense heat and little cloud cover in Florida, automotive damage is widespread.

Vehicles are more impacted by the sun than most folks understand. That is because it is also damaging your expensive paint job!

So, how do you combat sun damage to your car? A popular option is to use car paint protection film or PPF!

But, what is PPF and how does it work? Read on to find out the benefits of using car paint protection film and how it will help maintain your car value for years to come.

What Is Car Paint Protection Film?

Damage to car paint could happen to any car in the blistering heat, but deeper hues like red, blue, and, in particular, black are more vulnerable. When safeguarding exterior car paint, there are many options available.

While a clear coat should protect a vehicle's paintwork and be the first line of defense against the weather, it has its problems and downsides. Everywhere you go, you can see clear coatings that have peeled, faded, cracked, oxidized, have paint chips, or scratches and discolorations.

This is a constant reminder of what occurs when you fail to keep your car clean and protected from the elements. While the paint beneath may be perfect because of the factory's clear coat bearing the brunt of the punishment, the damage on the top will make your vehicle appear worn out and neglected.

A surge in demand for car paint protection film, or PPF, has solved many of these clear-coat problems you may now be facing. PPF is an ultra-thin polymer or polyurethane that, when applied by a professional (usually a vinyl installation expert or auto detailing specialist) forms a clear and protective surface layer.

This removable skin layer will protect your car's factory clear coating and the paint below the surface from UV exposure, surface scratches, hard water deposits, oxidation, and other damaging elements.

Where Did PPF Come From?

Paint protection film, like WD-40, was intended as a tool for the military rather than for auto or civilian use. During the Vietnam War, the United States Department of Defense became inundated with reports of helicopters with severe damage by shrapnel and debris. This was especially noticeable on rotor blades and other delicate military equipment surfaces.

According to automotive industry experts, the D.O.D. wanted to find a fix for the problem. This is where 3M comes in. The textiles and chemical powerhouse was dead set on solving the problem, so it charged some of its brightest minds with creating a protective covering that was as tough as it was translucent and light.

The US military was supplied with what looked to be a viable answer to its helicopter problem. 3M's experts produced a solution that could endure both considerable amounts of elemental abuse and significant damage to the surface from things like shrapnel from artillery by altering the chemical composition of a very tough urethane coating.

This film was an instant hit since it was inexpensive, easy to apply, simple to replace, and resilient to UV deterioration and common aviation fluids. This film got the nickname of helicopter tape, or "heli tape" for short, because it can mold to just about any surface and make a tight bond with whatever was curing on it.

What Is PPF Like Today?

Today, PPF is rarely used for its initial purpose. But, this product is still advertised as helicopter tape in some foreign marketplaces. Over the years, 3M started to improve and re-engineer this groundbreaking protective film for civilian use.

PPF, on the other hand, took decades to mature into the high-quality urethane film it is today, and almost as long to gain in popularity. High-end vehicle owners and detailing firms, over time, began to purchase more of these expensive coating materials, as their protective features and claimed longevity lived up to the hype.

PPF resisted everything from bug spray and bird droppings to rock chips, surface scratches, and all types of oxidation and UV damage. It appeared that PPF was on its way to being one of the largest game changers in automobile care and car maintenance history.

While 3M invented PPF and fine-tuned it for use in the automotive industry, there are a few other companies that produce paint protection films. These protective products have a few nicknames:

• Clear Mask
• Clear Bra
• Clear Wrap
• Invisible Shield
• Car Protection Film

Vinyl Wrap vs PPF

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the differences between vinyl and PPF. So here's a rundown of the details that distinguish each of these products:

Vinyl Wrap

Vinyl wrap is a rather thick material that is easy to install and gives more coverage, however, it is not a clear coating. On the other hand, the PPF does not come in colors. It's transparent, much thinner, and self-heals when scratched.

Paint Protection Film

When compared to a standard vinyl wrap, PPF is significantly thinner and is a lighter alternative. The option to purchase it in a clear or tinted shade, as well as its greater surface protection and "self-healing qualities," are unique to PPF.

Because freight trucks are practically rolling billboards, a vinyl wrap may provide some degree of paint protection, but it is primarily added for aesthetic or advertising reasons. A PPF, on the other hand, will be either a matte-like armor or, if transparent, a see-through barrier that enables shiny painted surfaces to gleam beneath it. 

How Long Does Paint Protection Film Last?

The lifetime of the paint protection film is arguably its best feature. A professionally fitted paint protection film should last between 5 and 10 years, according to 3M. This is why, when installed by a licensed business specializing in PPF installations, most of these products are covered by a warranty.

Are You Ready to Protect Your Car's Paint Job?

Car paint protection film is for anyone who wants to keep their vehicle looking new and pristine for years to come. And, we can help you with it!

We Solar Shade Window Tint are trusted by satisfied customers in Jacksonville, Lake City, and the surrounding areas for all of their window tinting, commercial wraps, auto paint protection, and graphics needs.

Contact us, or check out our Services section for helpful information!