Paint Protection Film

Welcome to Sun Tint Paint Protection Film: 101!

For those that don’t know, paint protection film is the latest, most advanced method of protecting a vehicle’s paint where it is most vulnerable. Older methods such as black, vinyl bras and bug shields can actually cause damage, are unsightly and obscure the color brilliance you were originally aiming to protect. It consists of a clear, nearly undetectable, protective urethane film that is custom cut for your vehicle make & model so it fits like a glove. A standard kit will cover the most chip-prone surfaces: a portion of the hood and fenders, bumper & side view mirrors. When installed correctly, paint protection film can defend your car against impact from everyday damaging road hazards such as gravel, road debris, stones, road salt and even insects.

You need to know that when this industry started, all forms of clear paint protection film were very difficult to install because they were so stiff & unyielding. There were tricks & techniques to make installation easier but the learning curve for a product like this was extremely time consuming. This resulted in terribly low sales figures for manufacturers’ of the product because very few shops wanted to gamble with their time, effort & finances on such an unproven industry.

So then what happened? The majority of the industry moved to eliminate the protective top coat thus making the film more pliable & easier to install. Sales increased as many more shops began offering clear paint protection film installation.

Everyone is happy… right? Well, the manufacturers & most installers are but… you, the customer need to educate yourself before you make the investment.

There are 2 different types of clear paint protection film available: Non-Coated and Coated which refers to the clear or top coat to seal the film, just like the clear coat on your vehicle’s paint. Non-Coated is a basic urethane film. It can be susceptible to debris & contaminants (love bugs, bird poo, etc) which cause stains & discoloration. This type can be optically smooth but tends to discolor or turn yellow on their own over time as the missing top coat makes the product sensitive to atmospheric conditions. The Coated type has an extra layer that actually protects the urethane film. Therefore each type of film performs differently & has different care & maintenance instructions.

Which type is BEST for YOU? That depends on 2 factors: How often you drive your vehicle and how you prefer to maintain it.

• If you drive the vehicle on a daily basis, opt for the top-coated product. It’s a much stronger product and it will be easier to clean & maintain.
• If you drive the vehicle only on the weekends, special occasions or it it’s a "garage queen", then consider the following:
  • Do you have your vehicle professionally detailed or do you use a high-speed polisher or compound cream? If so, opt for coated product. It can withstand this type of cleaning… it’s just as strong as your painted finish.
  • Do you usually clean your vehicle yourself and only use mild soap & water? Then, choose the non-coated. The product is attractive and maintainable for vehicles that are gently driven.
  • Let’s say you like to clean your vehicle yourself but you usually use more aggressive cleaning products like bug & tar remover. The coated product would be best in this case. The top-coat holds up to these types of chemicals.