 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Paint protection film products have been available for many years, and are even common in certain areas of the country. Denver, for example, has an extremely robust paint protection film market. During the winter season, local river beds are dredged for small pebbles known as “river bed scree”, and many tons of these small rocks are scattered on roads and highways to improve traction when heavy snow begins to fall. Vehicle damage from this practice has inspired nearly every auto dealership in Denver to employ a clear bra program, and sales of the product are brisk year round.
Our local market for paint protection film products, while not as large as the Denver market, has come a long way in a relatively short time. Today, local market indications show that consumer awareness of this product is entering its strongest growth phase since it was introduced. 3M™ paint protection film was recognized with Popular Mechanics Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award.
PPF Value
The purchase of a new automobile is, in many cases, the second largest purchase that the average consumer will ever make. Keeping a new car “looking new” is a real challenge in today’s driving environment, and especially frustrating is the inevitable accumulation of stone chips and impact damage on a once pristine hood. Today’s autos are more vulnerable than ever due to the EPA’s 2001 VOC guidelines that began a shift in the automotive industry toward the use of water-based paints. While creating less impact on our environment, water-based paints are MUCH more vulnerable to chipping than the solvent-based paints they replace.
Coverage
The most common areas of coverage are the hood, fenders, mirrors, door handles (Upper Package) and the front bumper (Bottom Package). You will decide which packages are a better fit for your needs.
Upper Package
The upper package is almost always the best value when approached from a cost/benefit point of view. Once damaged, the vehicles metal hood and fenders are impossible to properly recondition without being repainted. This greatly reduces the trade-in and resale value of a vehicle. The consumer’s loss upon trade-in will be greater than what they paid for PPF.
Bottom Package
The bumper of a vehicle has a flex additive in its paint that gives it a much greater resistance to chipping than the metal impact areas. Additionally, the price of reconditioning a bumper is minimal compared to any other portion of the vehicles exterior. This should be taken into consideration if you are eying this product from a strictly cost benefit point of view.
Durability
3M™ Paint Protection Film is remarkably durable and damage resistant. Over the lifetime of the product the film should retain not only its gloss but remain damage free. However, Sun & Shield Automotive Films, nor 3M™ guarantee that a vehicle’s paint cannot be damaged when this product is applied. Under the right circumstances an object that is heavy enough and sharp enough, could penetrate the film and damage the vehicle’s paint underneath. However, these instances are very few and far between and in most cases, we will work with our clients to replace the film for as little cost as possible.
Removability
The film is designed to be removable, even several years after installation, and is guaranteed not to damage the painted surface of the vehicle. However, there is really no need to replace the film, unless the vehicle becomes damaged as in the case of an accident.
Alternatives
There are alternative to using Paint Protection Film, i.e. bug shields and vinyl bras. Nonetheless, PPF is simply a superior alternative to vinyl bras and bug shields. Here are a few reasons why:
1.Vinyl bras can provide some protection against road debris, but since they are attached by hooks, sand and silt can collect under the bra and actually “sand” away the vehicle’s paint. PPF adheres to the vehicles painted surface, so fine particles cannot wash or settle underneath.
2. Vinyl bras do not allow sunlight to pass through their surface, and can cause a two- tone or “tan line” effect. PPF allows sunlight to pass through so a vehicle’s paint can weather evenly.
3. Bug shields, besides being unsightly, can actually REDUCE gas mileage by 1-3 mpg, as they alter a vehicle’s aerodynamic profile. Additionally, bug shields are especially susceptible to cracking in environments that experience sustained high temperatures throughout the year.
Importance of Design
Our patterns are designed for one purpose and one purpose only, to give our clients the best protection and fit for their money. Other pattern makers have to be sure that the patterns they manufacture can be easily installed by the lowest common denominator, which is why they often look out of place and don’t provide adequate protection. Our patterns are for experts only and will provide you with maximum protection.
Other Films
While there are other paint protection films on the market, it is worth noting that 3M™ Paint Protection Film is the only one with a true clear coat.
Avery Dennison offers a film called Nano-Fusion in which they have infused the film with clear, penetrating protection. We don’t know what this means but if you would like to use this film we can install it for you.
All other films are either a bare urethane which will age, stain, scuff, and yellow very rapidly or they are “top coated” urethane. “Top coated” film is a compressed layer of urethane bonded to a layer of bare urethane. These films are subject to the same problems a bare urethane film has, only at a slightly slower pace.
Warranty
3M™ provides and backs a nationwide 5 year warranty against fading, yellowing, discoloration, significant loss of gloss, peeling, and cracking. We have been involved with this product for over ten years, and have performed TENS of THOUSANDS of installations across Georgia and the Southeast. Our experience with the product has shown us that even though the warranty from 3M™ is a full 5 years… the average life of the product is actually over 7 years.