Paint Protection Film (PPF) Questions You Always Wanted To Ask

Rivian PPF

We get it. Protecting your vehicle with Paint Protection Film isn’t an everyday occurrence. Because of this, you probably have questions. Some of the most common questions, like the cost of install, we’ve already answered. We’ve also talked about whether PPF, Ceramic Coating, or Both is right for you. However, there may be some questions you might not know how or even be too embarrassed to ask. Well here are a few Paint Protection Film questions that we hear quite a bit:

How long does it take to install Paint Protection Film (PPF) on my vehicle?

Installing Paint Protection Film can vary based on a few factors. The most important factor is the actual package or options you choose to have installed.

A Partial Front or Full Front takes anywhere from one to two days. A full vehicle PPF normally takes between three and five days to install and cure.

These are estimated times and can vary based on the size of the vehicle and the actual amount of film being installed. Newer vehicles normally take less time to install simply because the prep time on the paint tends to be less. A single piece of PPF installed on a replacement panel can take as little as a few hours to install.

Does Paint Protection Film (PPF) cover/fix paint chips?

The honest answer here is; sometimes. PPF in itself will not fix scratches or chips. Some smaller swirls and scratches may be masked by the glue in the film and may be less visible after install.

We do highly recommend having your vehicle Paint Corrected prior to the PPF install in order to remove minor scratches and swirls. Paint correction also allows your vehicle to look extremely uniform if you opt to only protect the front end with PPF.

Rock chips and missing paint will unfortunately not hide with PPF. Even with touch up, sometimes the damaged area is actually more visible after the film install.
Think of PPF like putting a screen protector on your phone…light scratches may hide but any debris or trash that is on the surface will be just as visible if not more so.

What happens if I get in an accident or my Paint Protection Film (PPF) is damaged? Can it be replaced?

Absolutely. One of the best parts of protecting your vehicle with PPF is its ability to be replaced when needed. If your vehicle sustains road damage or something scuffs your car, the PPF will help absorb the damage. Rather than needing to re-paint the entire panel, damaged PPF can be easily removed and replaced. This is typically done one panel at a time. So damage to a fender will result in that individual panel having PPF re-installed, rather than the need to re-paint and blend to adjacent panels.

If your vehicle is in a more severe collision, Paint Protection Film can be re-installed to all affected panels. Typically you will want to wait 30 days after a panel is painted to have new PPF installed. In the cases in which an insurance claim has been filed, be sure to make sure your PPF is documented in the estimate. Insurance can reimburse you for the cost of the replacement PPF.

As a reminder, here at EZ Auto Spa we work directly with all major insurance companies.

How long does Paint Protection Film (PPF) actually last?

This will depend on the actual product that is installed on your vehicle. Here at EZ Auto Spa we install only the highest grade film that comes with a 10 year manufacturers warranty. This insures that the PPF will not fail or discolor once its installed properly.

However, know that a manufactures warranty will not cover usage damage on the film. You should expect your film to wear down over time, this means it’s doing its job. Think of PPF as the sacrificial layer that protects your paint and clear coat. Vehicles that are heavily driven or primarily stored outdoors may see road debris damage that warrants replacement at an earlier timeframe. It honestly all depends on your personal uses, driving habits, and car storage

Do you use a razor on my car when installing Paint Protection Film (PPF)?

Yes and no.
Yes, a razor is used when installing PPF, nut No it doesn’t cut all the way through the film.
Rather, a razor is used to score the PPF to remove excess material.
Sometimes this is done on a peel board or table, sometimes it’s done near the vehicle.

There are two ways to cut PPF to fit a vehicle. The first is called Custom or “Bulk” and the second is called Pre-Cut.

Bulk installs are done by hand by forming the PPF to the panel and then cutting the film and rolling the edges.
Pre-Cut PPF is installed by using a plotter to cut pre-programmed pieces based on the vehicles vin number.

In most cases Pre-Cut PPF eliminates the unnecessary risk of razor cutting PPF on the vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle, we are normally able to wrap most edges by slightly modifying the pattern and emblems can be removed prior to PPF installation. This lowers the need to cut on a car and allows PPF to be installed without removing most body panels. Pre-Cut PPF typically stops 1/8th of an inch from edges and can help eliminate edge lifting or peeling up.

Can I install both Paint Protection Film (PPF) and Ceramic Coating on my vehicle?

Absolutely. Some combination of packages is actually one of our most popular options.

The Paint Protection Film offers the maximum protection, while the Ceramic Coating makes the finish look and preform at its highest level.
We discuss this question in much more depth here.

Does Paint Protection Film (PPF) look 100% perfect when installed?

This is an extremely popular question. We completely understand it. You want to protect your vehicle but you also want it to look as perfect as possible.

The honest answer is, NO. PPF is not a 100% flawless process. No matter who you choose, all installs will include some visible flaws in the process.
We talk more about this specific question here.

Whats the difference in a partial front, full front, and full car Paint Protection Film (PPF)?

These are the most common PPF packages that clients can choose when protecting their vehicle.

Partial Front PPF describes covering the most exposed areas of a vehicle. This will typically cover the front bumper as well as the front ~18″ of the hood and both front fenders. This will offer protection from most road debris and cover most common driving conditions. The edge of the vinyl will be visible on all partial panels.

A full front PPF package offers very comprehensive coverage of the front of a vehicle. The front bumper, the full hood, both full front fenders, the backs of mirrors, as well as the front headlamps will all be covered. Edges are wrapped when possible and no lines or seams will be visible in the middle of panels. This is a great option to protect the entire front of a vehicle.

A full vehicle PPF package offers the most complete protection of your vehicle. All exterior painted surfaces are covered. Edges are rolled when possible. Headlamps and tail-lamps are also protected. Additional install time is required for a full vehicle package install.


We hope this helps you feel more prepared to make your tint purchase. You may also like to take a look at some of these great resources: 

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