PPF – Mythbusting
As an Xpel Certified PPF installer based in Hampshire, we find that sometimes there are some misconceptions around paint protection film. So, in this month’s article, we’re taking five of those myths and debunking them… Read on for all the details.
PPF Mythbusting:
Myth #1: Paint Protection Film is expensive…
While we accept that PPF isn’t always cheap in terms of an initial outlay, it does represent good value for money.
Modern paint colours are getting more adventurous, and even relatively modest cars can have complicated expensive-to-repair paint systems. For example, regular Mazda models can be ordered in a stunning colour called ‘Soul Red’. Initially shown as a concept car colour, it somehow made it to production. This includes translucent, pigmented layers applied over regularly arrayed aluminium flakes. Sound complicated? It is! Which means it’s costly to repair.
Installing PPF gives you a much better chance of avoiding a paint repair. Stopping chips, minor scuffs in car parks, or manoeuvring the car out of the garage are usually limited to the PPF itself, which is sacrificed for the paint. Depending on what needs to be done, we can typically replace PPF panels in a single working day, only replacing the panel with damage. With a paint finish, you’ll be without the car for multiple days. Furthermore, often the paint colour has to be blended into adjacent panels, making the repair much more expensive. Suddenly, that initial outlay for PPF doesn’t seem so expensive…
The great thing about PPF is you can find a cost-effective solution to cover the most vulnerable parts of your vehicle. We dedicated an entire article to this subject. You can read it HERE.
Myth #2: Paint Protection Film can harm my vehicle’s paint…
Generally, this myth raises its head when people have seen vehicles being wrapped with vinyl or they have first-hand experience with that process. While not always the case, the risk of finding cut marks from knives used to cut the vinyl is pretty high. However, we use PPF templates at our Hampshire studio. These eliminate the need for any cutting on the car, so the risk is removed.
Removing PPF can be a laborious task. But, generally speaking, when it’s been installed over factory paint and removed using the correct methods and tools, PPF should not cause any damage to your car.
There is a minimal risk it can pull clearcoat (clear top layer over the coloured part of your paint). However, this has generally only occurred where someone hasn’t repaired as well as they could have. Another reason might be if there has been a sharp impact on the PPF, ‘bruising’ the paint underneath. ‘There is a minimal risk it can pull clearcoat (clear top layer over the coloured part of your paint). However, this has generally only occurred where someone hasn’t repaired as well as they could have. Another reason might be if there has been a sharp impact on the PPF, ‘bruising’ the paint underneath.
Certain cars carry a much higher risk of pulling paint during removal (not naming names, but they’re both Italian with animals in the badges), but it’s rarely a problem.
Myth #3: Paint Protection Film will invalidate my insurance…
PPF shouldn’t be a problem for your insurer. However, like anything that is not factory fitted, it should be declared before installation. Ultimately it doesn’t add performance or affect security, but in the case of a claim where you’d want it returned to pre-accident condition, it would raise the cost of a repair. So, it could affect the premium you pay.
The only problems we know people have encountered are where PPF installation has not been declared, and the insurer of a fault claim (i.e. no other parties were involved) has refused to pay for the film to be reinstalled.
Myth #4: Paint Protection Film will invalidate my car’s warranty…
We’re unaware of any customer having an issue with their warranty. Manufacturers like Porsche can be fiercely protective of their T&Cs surrounding warranties. For example, they’ve been known to refuse warranty claims for cars not fitted with ‘N’ rated tyres, denoting official Porsche approval, despite the claim being nothing to do with the wheels/tyres). Manufacturers like Porsche work directly with Xpel and even offer an installation as part of your initial order process.
As mentioned elsewhere, when we install Xpel PPF at our Hampshire studio, we use accurately designed patterns, so there is no cutting on the paint or disassembly of your car. Therefore there shouldn’t be any warranty impact, whether body or chassis.
Myth #5: Paint Protection Film is only for expensive cars…
One of the most common misconceptions is that PPF Protection is a service that only benefits supercars. But never underestimate the value of your daily drive! (We welcome many to our Hampshire detailing studio). Perhaps it carries you (and your wee ones) on the school run, down narrow country lanes. Or maybe you park it at the train station for the regular commute. PPF is the only way to keep your paintwork safe from prickly hedges or scratches from other commuters dragging their luggage alongside your car.
We hope this article debunks some of the most commonly held myths around PPF installation and protection. But if you have any questions, do get in touch. We are based in the picturesque village of Rotherwick, near Hook in Hampshire.
