Hello Corvette Members!!
Below is just a little write up of what I’ve learned in the past 6.5 years of paint protection films and pre-cut kits. I also have installed over 2100 vehicles in the FL area.
Info:
Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a 8 Mil urethane film that stops rock chips, road debri and love bugs from damaging your paint. PPF is now OEM for many manufacturers including BMW, Porsche, Lotus, Ferrari and majority of all of the Coaches. The films in most cases last at least 5 years, depending on how well the film and car was taken care of. I’ll explain how to clean the film below.
Headlight Film comes in many different thicknesses. Lately I’ve been selling 27 mil headlight film which protects your lenses from yellowing, cracking or chipping. Color films are also available as well such as Yellow, Smoke, and Blue.
Design Patterns:
There are many different design companies out there including Xpel, Proform, Stongard, Invinca-Shield, Ultra-Shield and Clear Shield. The leader of the pack is Xpel/Proform who just merged together. Xpel focuses on great coverage for all cars, where as Proform in most cases takes a handful of all of the nice cars and goes the extra step with coverage, Ex. full hoods, and fenders, with wrapped edges. The other company’s patterns are good but have more relief cuts and less coverage over all. Custom designs can also be done by using bulk material and trimming away the edges. Not all installers are comfortable or can do this. I can do customer work if requested.
Films:
There are also many different films which include 3M, Avery, Venture, Clearshield and Llumar. I only sell Top Coat/ Clear Coat Films which adds an extra barrier from sand oils, and other contaminants from embedding into the non top coat film. Clear coat films are also longer lasting and easier cleaning.
3M: 5 year warranty - The 3rd generation film now so far has been great, long lasting, easy care, but does have some downside for the very picky people. 3M can show stretch marks, does have a slight orange peel and is harder to install. In most cases 3M is the way to go even though of its downsides. If you get a fine scratch in the film it can be taken out with rubbing alcohol. If warranty ever occurs 3M pays the installer labor and film costs.
Venture: Lifetime Warranty – Venture last November just came out with a clear coat version. Venture is very very clear with no orange peel, doesn’t show stretch marks and looks fantastic once applied to the car. Downside is since the film is relatively new, longevity is unknown. Cleaning also has to be more regular and scratches if occurred can not be removed. Scratches are hard to do but can happen. Warranty is lifetime but Venture only replaces the film and doesn’t pay the installer for labor.
Avery Top Coat Film: 5 year warranty. Same Characteristics as the Venture. Testing the film as I speak.
Installer:
The installer makes the world of difference. The installer can make the job look great or horrible. Make sure you pick an installer that has lots of experience and will stand behind his work.
Cleaning and Maintenance:
In a perfect world all corvettes would be garage kept and cleaned once a week and waxed once a month, well, at least do this to the bra. I would recommend anyone that has a clear bra, purchase a can of Plexus which is a anti static spray to keep dirt and dust away as well as a cleaner and a polish for the film. This is needed more so on the Venture and the Avery top coat films. For 3M the Plexus works great, but any type of a clear polish will also work. If you ever get dirt or dust build up on the edges use a cloth with rubbing alcohol to clean the edges.
If you have any questions or would like to get a price quote please call or e-mail me. I am located in Tampa and do travel a little.
Thanks
Ryan Burroughs
ww.autopaintguard.com
ryan@autopaintguard.com