All vehicles, including cars have to endure potential damage like that from flying debris or rocks. The car’s exterior is continually combating external elements. In spite of such challenges, all car owners dream of a car in pristine condition, looking as good as new from the showroom.
The solution for this challenge is PPF (Paint Protection Film). It is a self-healing film applied to the painted surfaces of a used or new car. The major use of such film is to protect the car paint from harsh side-effects of driving a car outdoors and maintaining the car to look as new as possible.
What is PPF?
It is a polyurethane, thermoplastic film applied to the painted surface of a car. It helps the car surface to protect its paint from minor abrasions, bug splatters and stone chips. Its role is like a self-sacrificing layer of armour which endures the damages to the car surface and protects the paint from the same. This self-sacrificing layer keeps the car paint in great, glossy condition.
History of PPF
PPF has a fascinating history. It was initially developed and utilised by the US army during the Vietnam War for protecting their helicopter rotor blades and other delicate parts of military transport from any damage.
After this, the automotive sector discovered the uses of PPF and soon most cars began to use the PPF layer. With most car owners realizing the benefits of PPF protection in recent times, they have become popular with even race car drivers. PPF has also become cost-effective for car owners with the reasonable PPF price for car.
How does PPF work?
A car owner who has driven long distances is well aware of the dangers of flying debris, rock chips and scratches. As such, the common doubt with PPF is whether it will protect the car paint from such damage.
The answer is -Yes! PPF does this and there is a fascinating science behind it. PPF is composed mainly of thermo-plastic urethane which is a kind of plastic reputed for its excellent resistance to corrosions, abrasions and impacts. It is this basic material which provides PPF its self-healing qualities implying that all scratches and chips will disappear over time or through application of heat.
A PPF sheet comprises several layers, each of which serves a specific objective. The top most layer is a clear coat which offers a glossy finish and has self-healing qualities. The middle layer comprises the authentic urethane film which absorbs impacts. The lowest bottom layer has an adhesive material which bonds the PPF to the car paint.
Such multiple layers of PPF are particularly engineered for absorbing the impact of any external elements hitting the film. This leaves the car paint unscathed from damage. In the event of an object hitting the film, the impact of the hit is distributed across a large area, lowering risk of damage.
The role of PPF is to create a barrier between the paint of the car and the external world. It helps combat different kinds of potential damage such as minor abrasions, bird droppings, bug splatter and stone chips. PPF can without doubt preserve the original quality and look of the car paint for many years.
Benefits of PPF
There are numerous benefits of using PPF on a car surface. These are what make it a worthwhile investment for car owners. Following are some important benefits:
Protection from impact
The main benefit from PPF is its capacity to impact objects like stones, small rocks, gravel, branches of trees etc. Thus, the car’s surface is protected from direct impact so that it is free of scratches or chips.
Resistance to contaminants and acidic corrosion.
PPF can resist corrosion and acidic contaminants. This implies that the car can be protected from acid rain, bird droppings and bug splatters; all these can cause damage to the paint if not dealt with.
Protection from water spots and mineral deposits
Mineral deposits and hard water spots may leave ugly marks on the car paint. PPF serves as a barrier, stopping deposits to get in contact with the paint.
Lowering of oxidation
UV light might cause oxidation on factor paint and it can be tackled by use of PPF. This implies that use of PPF will help your car paint look newer for longer, even if exposed to sunlight.
Improved finish
The finish of the car paint can be improved by the application of paint to the car surface. Within an instant, it helps create a customised, brilliant look. PPF comes in multiple finishes and colours like pearl, metallic, glossy and matte. These add to the beauty of the car.
Property of self-healing
PPF can heal on its own from minor scuffs and scratches. The reason is that it is made of thermoplastic polyurethane that can become pliable and soft when heated. Such minor abrasions can disappear with application of heat, restoring PPF to its initial state.
Can be repaired easily
When there is major damage to the car paint, PPF can be removed easily and replaced by a professional expert of car detailing. There is no need to repair the complete section of the car and only the impacted areas should be dealt with. The PPF coating price is also reasonable.
Boost of re-sale value
By maintaining the car in pristine condition, the resale value of the car will be improved. Prospective buyers are more likely to be impressed by a new looking and well-maintained car. It is also possible to remove the film without leaving any damage to the paint, thus improving the resale value of the car.
How long does it last?
The endurance period of a car’s PPF depends mostly on the quality of the film as well as nature of its maintenance. PPF’s of high quality can last for anywhere between 5 to 10 years; this makes it a long term investment for the protection of the car paint. But such durability is also impacted by other factors like exposure to contaminants, nature of driving and the climate.
How to maintain?
This is quite simple. Regular washing helps maintain the car at its best. Any acidic contaminants like bird droppings must be removed as fast as possible for preventing the staining of the film. In case of minor scratches, application of heat can aid in the self-healing of the PPF layer. But deeper scratches may need more professional and complicated treatments.
In sum, these are all the main reasons why investing in a PPF for the car’s surface to serve as a barrier from external contaminants is such a wise decision that helps one to gain from its several benefits.