For those people who absolutely love their cars, protecting the paint becomes an obsession. Years ago, the promise of perpetually perfect paint was introduced with the invention of clear coat paint protection. The clear coat was definitely an upgrade and offered great protection against sun damage and oxidation, but it fell very short when it came to physical protection against road debris and scratches.
To protect against road debris, a couple of inventions emerged. One was called a car bra. It was basically a polyurethane cover that was placed over the front of a car and protected the most vulnerable part of the car from gravel and flying insects. This helped, but there were two main problems. It didn’t protect the entire vehicle and it was absolutely egregious to watch. The other attempt was something called an insect shield. This was a small piece of plastic that was attached to the front of the vehicle and redirected air currents up and over the vehicle. Although it was somewhat effective in protecting the front of the vehicle from debris and flying insects, it did nothing to protect a stationary car from scratches. And who would want one of those on their $ 70,000 corvette?
The next evolution in paint protection is commonly referred to as paint protection film, although individual companies refer to it by various names. This is a thin thermoplastic urethane material that adheres to vehicle paint and protects it from all kinds of minor damage. It can be applied to the entire vehicle, providing general protection, unlike other devices.
Paint protection film is applied similarly to window tinting film. Anyone who has tried a window tinting job with their own hands understands how difficult the job can be. Although it is not impossible for amateurs, if one expects perfect results, it is best to leave the job to the professionals.
These days, it’s easy to find professional paint protection film installers across the country. Almost all auto paint shops offer this service at a reasonable price, and many offer packages with the purchase of a new paint job.
There are a couple of big reasons why professionally installed clear paint protection film is the best choice. First, the professionals have the proper facilities. Before installing the film, the car must be impeccably cleaned and must remain that way until the film is applied. Professionals have clean, dust-free bays where they can get the job done. The average hobbyist’s garage is less than a dust-free environment. The second reason is the setting of the film. Applying the film to curved surfaces offers a challenge that requires more than just straight cuts. It takes time to perfect this technique, and the average Joe will probably need several tries to get it right. Better to save time and let the professionals take care of it.