How are Paint Protection Films Installed?
Published on : Feb 11,2025
Paint Protection film aka PPF is an unspoken necessity for cars. It maintains the ‘New Look’ of the car, and it protects from scratches, fading due to UV rays, chips, bugs, and more.
Wondering how Paint Protection films work and are installed?
This blog will delve into the installation process of Paint Protection films.
What to expect during a Paint Protection Film installation?
Let’s begin by breaking down the installation process of paint protection film in steps. Step 1 - Preparing your Vehicle
The process begins with a thorough cleaning of your vehicle. The car is washed properly, and all the dirt, dust, and contaminants are removed.
Step 2- Preparing Paint protection film
The next step is to prepare the Paint protection film according to your vehicle. The dimensions of various panels of the vehicle are measured and then PPF is cut into pieces of relevant size accordingly. The film should be slightly larger than the required size to allow adjustments.It is made sure that the film is clean, and no dirt or dust might affect the adhesion.
Step 3- Applying the PPF on your car
This step begins with applying a soapy solution to the surface of the car to create a slippery layer. The purpose of a soapy solution is to ease the process of repositioning the PPF in case of any error.
The film is then placed on the car's surface.
Step 4: Clear Air Bubbles
Once the film is placed correctly, the professional applicator uses a squeegee to remove the bubbles or any dirt under the film.
Squeegeeing should start from the center of the film and worked outwards to remove water and air bubbles. Pressure applied must be uniform.
If needed, needle technique is also used. It refers to the process of carefully puncturing the small bubbles and pressing out the air.
Step 5- Heat Gun application
After the placement of the PPF, a hot gun is utilized to activate the features of the paint protection film.
The heat is used to adjust the vehicle’s curves and edges properly.
Step 6- Finishing
In this step, the PPF installed is examined carefully. Any sort of extra film on the edges or curves of the car is removed. This gives a seamless look to your vehicle.And lastly, the paint protection film is left to dry for 48-72 hours.
How long does a Paint Protection Film installation take?
The duration of the installation process depends on the following factors:
- Size of the car - A bigger car is proportional to a longer duration.
- Vehicle design- A car's design and complexity also decide the duration of PPF installation. Several edges and curves will result in a greater amount of time.
- Paint Correction - Before applying Paint protection film, the vehicle's paint needs to be corrected beforehand. Extensive paint Correction means greater time taken for the installation process.
- Installer's expertise - The installer's expertise and experience can also affect the duration—the more skilled the installer the fewer errors and time taken.
- Quality of PPF- Good quality PPF will need fewer retakes and will be installed seamlessly without degrading the quality of PPF
Keeping all the factors in consideration, it can take around 4-8 hours for the installation of Paint protection film on your vehicle.
After installation - After the paint protection film has been installed on your car. You must follow the mentioned precautions.
- Avoid washing your car for a week - Paint protection film uses a layer of adhesive. Give some time for the adhesive to settle down. Avoid washing cars for a week as it may hamper the process.
- Only gentle cleaning- You can gently clean your vehicle. Use a soft cloth to remove dust or dirt.
- No harsh chemicals- Don’t use harsh chemicals, waxes, or polishes.
A few precautions before and a few after the process can lead to a successful installation of PPF.
Conclusion
As you must know, Paint Protection Films are worth investing in. The PPF offers durability, self-healing properties, and shine to underlying paint.
However, it is only possible when the Paint protection film is installed successfully.
Cosmo PFF, available in Cosmo Gold and Cosmo Platinum offers 5-10 years of non-yellowing warranty and maintains shine.
Now that you are aware of the installation process of the Paint protection film and know your best choice. Why wait any longer? Get Cosmo PPF installed in your car today!
