• Paint protection film adds a protective layer between a vehicle’s paint and the environment
• Professional paint protection film installation is recommended and requires technical skill
• Paint protection film is a cost-effective investment for long-term protection
• Modern PPF formulations have self-healing properties to repair minor scrapes

Whether you’re worried about potential car paint scratches, general damage, or the aftermath of a shopping trolley scrape, you know the value of protecting your car’s paint work.

And if your model is known to have paint issues—cough, Tesla, cough—it makes even more sense to ensure it will not flake, fade, or peel over time. Modern car paint protection film formulations offer a reliable solution to these concerns.

In this article, we break down what it is and isn’t, the benefits of PPF, potential risks, and more.

Simply put, paint protection film, commonly called PPF, is a clear layer that bonds to your car’s top coat—creating another barrier between it and the environment.

Vinyl is the same material that is used to put advertising vehicle wraps on commercial vehicles. It provides a degree of protection to but it is thick and coloured – meaning it is not able to showcase your existing paint work or provide a subtle gloss adjustment. 

Paint protection film is a clear layer of thermoplastic urethane applied to your car’s body. Once in place, it bonds with the clear coat of the car’s factory paint, adding another layer of protection between the paint and the environment.

Modern paint protection films are very thin—like the XPEL PPF used at Tint Haus, which is only 215 microns (0.215 mm). This thinness allows for full transparency if required. And since it’s still three times thicker than your car’s clear top coat, it adds color depth and can self-heal minor scratches.

In addition to the obvious benefit of protecting paint from scratches and minor damage, there are 7 major benefits our clients often mention.

1. Save money
2. Enhanced Appearance
3. Self-Healing Properties
4. Easier cleaning and maintenance
5. Custom Fit
6. Long-Lasting
7. Preserve Resale Value

Transparent PPF provides additional color depth, while color conversion options allow you to tweak the look to your needs.

Many modern PPF options can ‘heal’—meaning minor scratches and swirl marks disappear when exposed to heat. Check with your installer on how to do this.

PPF’s hydrophobic properties cause water to bead quickly and run off, taking dirt and contaminants with it. This feature makes cleaning your vehicle easier and reduces the need for frequent washing.

Professionally applied paint protection film often outlasts the average ownership of a vehicle. At Tint Haus, we provide a 10-year warranty against edge lifting, bubbling and delamination.

Most problems with PPF are the result of poor installation. DIY attempts (see below) often fail, and some professional installers lack the experience and precision machines required for complex panel shapes.

Similarly, some PPF brands don’t provide sufficient longevity. This is why we only use STEK and XPEL PPF at Tint Haus, backed by a 10-year warranty.

Technically, it is possible to install PPF yourself. You can buy rolls of paint protection film online and attempt to install it. This is not just a “peel and stick” operation though.

You will need to take into account the following:

A Clean Environment

Any dust, dirt, and wind can ruin the application process – leaving creases and bubbles in the PPF or noticeable imperfections under the PPF. Professional installers have clean rooms to prevent this.

Surface Preparation

The vehicle’s top coat needs to be as clean as possible before the PPF can be applied. This typically involves hours of washing and drying and then cleaning again with isopropyl alcohol to remove any lingering oils or residue. The surface under the film needs to be perfectly clean and dry.

Remove any car badges.

If your paint is already scratched or damaged with swirls, you will need to correct this before you apply the PPF.

Cutting The Film

You will need to measure and cut the film precisely to fit each panel – while ensuring that the film itself does pick up any dust or grime. Professional PPF installers have automated machines known as plotters to pre-cut the pieces precisely from a digital library.

The Application

Roll out the film, and carefully start applying it from one end, smoothing as you go. It does take some practice to get a smooth, full, bubble-free application, so you will want to start on less visible areas first.

If you have any overhanging pieces of PPF, they will quickly collect dirt and grime. Not, only does this look bad, but it means it will delaminate.

Hardening

It is vital that the film hardens and bonds sufficiently before exposure to the environment. If exposed too early, intense wind and rain can prevent the film from adequately hardening, making it more likely to delaminate especially around the panel edges. 

Technically, DIY paint protection films can last as long as professionally installed ones if you purchase the same brand online – for example from the XPEL website.

Brand PPF manufacturers use computer cut design patterns to ensure that the film is the perfect size and shape for each panel. A cheap DIY kit will be less accurately cut and the quality of the film is likely to be much lower.

Also, unless you are experienced and have an appropriate installation environment,  the ppf will likely be poorly applied and the surface incorrectly prepared, meaning your ppf installation may last only half the time or even delaminate shortly after application.

In short, whatever you might save on your initial outlay, you are likely to pay for it with delamination, poor fit, and a lower quality film.

A professional paint protection installation of quality PPF typically lasts to five – ten years, depending on the product, the application and environmental conditions. 

At Tint Haus, all our PPF packages come with a 10-year paint protection film warranty providing coverage against bubbling, lifting, peeling and discolouration.

At Tint Haus, we install the toughest ppf on the market. We also offer heavily discounted, bundled car protection packages.

If you have a newly bought car, a rare or luxury car, or even an upper-end brand that is your daily driver, the answer is yes.

Comparing the one-off-cost for Tint Haus PPF for 10 years of protection against retouching, repainting, and insurance excess, it is a no-brainer.

Most of our clients choose PPF as a package to save even more. View our Car Protection Packages.

One of the great benefits of automotive paint protection, or PPF wrap, is the ease of maintenance it provides. The hydrophobic properties of the coating prevent dirt, grime, and water spots from sticking to the surface, making car paint protection much easier to clean. However, it’s still important to take proper care of your car’s paint work to ensure its longevity.

No, a car with paint protection film is actually quite easy to maintain. Regularly washing your car with a pH-neutral car wash solution and using a microfiber towel to dry it will help prevent water spots and keep your car looking shiny. 

We install only the best Paint Protection Films for our discriminating clients, that is why we are authorised XPEL and Suntek PPF installers.

These market-leading formulations are long-lasting and give your car the best possible protection.

We pride ourselves on delivering the care and attention to detail our customers rightly expect with precision installation by qualified technicians with years of experience.

In addition, our state-of-the-art installation studios are equipped with industry-leading lighting and infrared curing lamps to guarantee an unsurpassed quality finish – every time.

Contact Tint Haus for a seamless PPF fitment every time.