PAINT PROTECTION FILM
Ultimate Clear Bra Protection
STEK DYNOshield
DYNOshield provides you with a premium top-coated Paint Protection Film (PPF). The nano-ceramic top coat is bonded to the film at a molecular level providing extreme hydrophobic properties and virtually eliminating the need for waxes and after-market top coatings. DYNOshield also has strong self-healing properties allowing light surface scratches to "heal" back to a smooth and glossy finish. The proprietary top coat combined with UV-resistant, anti-yellowing adhesives gives DYNOshield unique clarity and performance with extreme puncture resistance.
DYNOshield Specifications
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Glossy Finish
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Hydrophobic (Advanced water repelling properties)
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Anti-Contamination (Easy to remove contaminants)
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Stain Resistant
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Fast Recovery Self - Healing (by heat or hot water)
10 Year Warranty:
DYNOshield paint protection film is warrantied for 10 Years against delamination, yellowing, bubbling and cracking.
Do you know that not all companies that sell paint protection film are manufacturers? In fact, very few companies that sell PPF actually manufacturer the film they sell. What most companies in this industry are selling is merely re-labeled films made by other white box manufacturers.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with this process, it does limit those companies with regard to making adjustments to how the products work and make modifications based on their customer feedback. This is one of the reasons we have chosen to work with Stek. They manufacturer their own paint protection films and are constantly working to improve the product.
Forbes Magazine recently published an article entitled “ Paint Protection Film (PPF): An Investment In Your Car's Future ”. The article is written from a perspective of an automotive enthusiast that has experience utilizing a vehicle for years with no paint protection and now has become a believer. We wanted to summarize the article as it raises some questions that we often hear and make some points about the nature of paint protection in 2019.
The first thing the article does is define what paint protection film is. As the article says, “ Paint protection film, also referred to as clear bra or a "wrap", is a thin layer of flexible material placed over a vehicle's body panels to protect them from flying rocks or road debris. This type of protective film can even save your car's paint from light hail damage or low-speed scrapes that would normally scratch and scar the finish. And while various forms of paint protection film have been around for more than two decades, the technology behind these films has evolved rapidly in recent years.”
The first point we wanted to make is that the article is accurate in saying these films have been evolving rapidly. Older generations did not conform as well and that made installations more challenging. The result was often installations that had visual imperfections as a result of trying to get the film to conform and stay in place. The newer films both conform better and have new generation adhesives that allow the film to be laid down with less stretching and have adhesive to keep the film in place once locked in. In addition, the older films often took on a dull or yellow appearance. The newer technologies have better clarity and do not discolor as previous generations.
The article goes on to tell the author’s story of the mistake of not using paint protection film on his first Ford GT. As he writes, “ Fourteen years ago I bought a new Ford GT , an exotic sports car with a big price tag. As the most expensive car I'd ever purchased I was eager to maintain its "like new" condition, though I also intended to drive it like a regular car. I knew about paint protection film back in 2005, but I had heard enough reports involving the film yellowing or bubbling, or leaving a nasty residue when it was removed, that I didn't put it on my GT. Over the next 13 years I drove my Ford GT 31,000 miles, and while the paint continued to look good from 10 feet away, any careful inspection showed a rash of chips and scratches on the GT's front end and lower side panels.”
After making this mistake on this beautiful Ford GT, the writer was intent not to have the same thing happen when he purchased a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. With the combination of gloss and matte finishes, the writer was worried about damage on this rare car. As the owner writes, “ My anxiety over the Demon's delicate paint pushed me into finally giving paint protection film a try. I asked a local detailing shop to install the film. (They) specialized in high-end automotive services, including paint repair, color correction, clear bra (PPF) installation, ceramic coatings and window tinting. It's been just over a year since I had those services performed, and I'm thrilled with the result. The paint protection film has kept my Demon's paint looking brand new, and the ceramic coating on the film and wheels makes cleaning the car a breeze. Everything from splattered bugs to bird droppings to brake dust wipes off easily. My stress level when driving the Demon (or squeezing past it in my cramped garage) is substantially lower because I know the PPF is there, giving my paint an extra layer of protection against chips and scratches.”
At Flawless Cleaning and Detailing, we are experts in not only paint protection film, but also paint correction and ceramic coatings. We examine every vehicle and determine exactly what is needed to make the vehicle look as good as possible and then offer protection to keep it looking that way.
As the author summarizes after he had his 2019 Ford GT protected, “ If you own, or plan to buy, a high-end vehicle I would suggest getting your vehicle wrapped in paint protection film. The technology has come a long way in recent years, making the films durable enough to last between 5 and 10 years without yellowing, bubbling or leaving a residue on your paint when it is removed. I only wish today's PPF technology had been around when I bought my first Ford GT in August of 2005.”
Clear Bra/PPF Services
FULL
Front
Advantages and Disadvantages of Paint Protection Film by Ivan Rajic
Paint Protection Film, clear bra, PPF, etc are all names for an amazing product that changed the automotive industry over 15 years ago. The last 10-12 years these films have gotten extremely good looking in terms of texture and installation, as well as overall performance and durability. Most of the films from reputable brands have had great UV protection and self-healing properties for the last decade and in the last few years we saw improvements in stain resistance, easier installation (which leads to less marks during install) and hydrophobic characteristics. So what are some pros and cons of the film? Here are a few thoughts I have after working with it for about 8-9 years now…
Disadvantages of PPF:
I’ll start with the disadvantages because I feel they’re more of a debatable and subjective issue rather than a “con”, but I’ll list them regardless. These disadvantages pertain to aesthetics and maintenance.
In terms of aesthetics, PPF will never look as clear, deep and texture free as paint. It’s usually 6-8+ mil thick and it’s practically a piece of plastic, so of course it’s going to have some texture. That said, some films out there are much better looking in terms of texture than others, so the difference with covered and uncovered paint is minimal.
Sometimes film can’t wrap around certain crevices on the paint, so the edges of the film will show. This is most easily seen on silver cars from my experience. A good installer will make these edges as close to the panel edge as possible (sometimes right on the curve of the edge) so it simply disappears.
Going back to these being debatable cons… This is just the nature of the material so if you want the protection you have to deal with it. That said, a proper install with good film will make you forget you have film on your car in a matter of days. I’d compare this to actual glass on a car. For example, as clear as windshield glass is, you don’t see through it as you would without it, but you need glass to protect from wind and the elements. In short, it’s not a disadvantage of the film, rather you simply have film on your car to do a specific job and it does it really well.
The other disadvantage is maintenance. If you get a scratch, staining or other defects in the film, they may be in there permanently. If you get such defects in paint, they can many times be polished and corrected bringing the paint back to how it was before the defects. This could be seen as a con, but again the film is there as a sacrificial layer to protect from scuffs, rock chips, scratches, etc.
You have to be careful around the above-mentioned edges of the film when doing just about any maintenance. One of the biggest issues I’ve seen is using a pressure washer near the edge as it may cause it to lift, especially if angled right into the edge. Some common sense quickly solves this issue. Other than that edges will obviously collect wax, polish, etc. so you may need to tape them off or not go near with certain products.
Advantages of PPF:
I’d love to say there are MANY advantages, but simply put there’s just one… you have the film and it does what it’s meant to do really well. The obvious advantage is how there is a prevention of rock chips, and that “peppered” look on the front end or rocker panels. Then there’s the fact it protects against random scratches that may happen daily such as kids walking next to the car with bikes, loading stuff into the trunk and simply opening the door too far and hitting a wall. It also has other specific uses like using it on sensitive interior trim that may scratch easily, engine bay areas where hoses/wires may rub the paint off and headlight lens to prevent yellowing (along with chips of course). More uses for film are in different areas around the car where stuff like plastic door sills will rub the paint, window trim will touch the top of the door, roof rack area to help prevent scuffs when stuff is moving around up there.
Lastly, there’s a plethora of uses for PPF outside the automotive industry. I’ve personally wrapped my own as well as clients’ motorcycles. You can do key areas on each of the above or the whole thing and it does an amazing job keeping the surface in great condition. On bicycles it helps a ton with cables rubbing, rocks popping from below, chain smacking the frame, etc. On my motorcycle it’s great all around but most noticeably on the gas tank where your legs rub the sides as well as the top when filling up.
At Flawless Cleaning and Detailing, we pride ourselves on transparency, openness, and education. At any time should you have questions prior to, or after paint protection film application, we would love to hear from you.
What can be protected with PPF?
Automotive
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Front Bumper
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Fenders
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Hood
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Roof
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Headlights
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B Pillar Trim
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Door Cups
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Door Edges
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Door Sills
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Interior Plastic Trim
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Entire Vehicles
Marine
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Boats
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Jet Skis
And More!
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Bicycles
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Motorcycles
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RVs
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Trailers