To retain the showroom quality finishing and keep your car looking brand new, it’s very important to avail the best Paint Protection Films in the business and with this article, we map out a definitive plan of action for the maintenance of your vehicle. Paint Protection Films (PPF) are thin layers of clear urethane film that are applied to the painted surfaces of a car to protect the car paint from chips, scratches, and other types of damage. They are typically made from a clear plastic film that is applied to the car’s surface. The film is then sealed with a UV-resistant coating that helps to keep the paint protected from the sun’s rays. The urethane film is nearly invisible and does not alter the appearance of the car’s paint job. They are typically used on the leading edge of a vehicle, such as the hood, fenders, and side mirrors but can also be applied to other areas of the car that are susceptible to chips and scratches, such as the door edges and bumpers. The highest quality PPF wraps are virtually invisible and will not yellow or crack over time.
Which is better 3M or XPEL PPF?
The two main types of car paint protection film are 3M PPF and XPEL PPF which offer high-performance protection. Both are clear films that are applied to the painted surfaces of a vehicle to protect them from scratches, chips, and other types of damage.
The comparison between the two comes down to a number of factors, including personal preference. Some people may prefer 3M PPF because it is a more established brand with a good reputation, while others may prefer XPEL PPF because it is newer and seen as more innovative. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which brand of paint protection film is best for them. The two films are very similar in many ways. Both are clear, thin films that are applied to the surface of a car to protect it from rock chips, bugs, and other debris. Both films are nearly invisible once applied and will not yellow or degrade over time.
The key differences between the two films are that the 3M film is slightly thicker, which may make it more durable in some situations. This makes the 3M film resistant to dents and scratches, but also makes it slightly more difficult to install. The XPEL film is a bit thinner and thus easier to work with. XPEL is a relatively small company compared to the 3M but Paint Protection Film is their primary focal point. They were the first to introduce “The World’s First Self-Healing Paint Protection Film” which garnered them a very impressive reputation in the field of car protection. The warranty offered is also one of the main talking points between XPEL and 3M films. XPEL Paint Protection Films have a ten-year extended warranty, while 3M Scotchgard offers a seven-year plan only. This factors in with the pricing as certain XPEL PPFs tend to be on the expensive side.
Overall, both films are excellent choices for paint protection, but the 3M film may be the better option if you are on a budget.
How long do 3M Paint Protection Films last?
The 3M PPF will last as long as you take care of it. The film is designed to withstand the elements and protect your car’s paint for years to come, but it is not invincible. You will need to wash and wax your car regularly to keep the film looking its best, and you may need to have the film replaced if it becomes damaged. Arguably the best attribute of a paint protection film is still its longevity. 3M states that one of its professionally installed paint protection films should last anywhere between 5 to 10 years and it generally offers a warranty period of 7 years.
That said, much like car coatings, waxings, ceramic films, and any other type of paint protection several variables impact the product’s longevity. Some of the more common factors that decide a PPF’s longevity are:
- The environment in which the vehicle is driven (town, city, highway)
- The type of vehicle (car, SUV, truck, motorcycle)
- The color of the vehicle (white, black, red, blue)
- The frequency of washing and waxing the vehicle
- The type of paint protection film (clear, matte, textured)
- The quality of the installation
Assuming all other variables are equal, a clear PPF will last longer than a matte or textured PPF. In general, we expect our PPFs to last 5-7 years on horizontal surfaces and 7-10 years on vertical surfaces.
Top 5 Best Paint Protection Films for Your Car
- 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series – The 3M company is an international leader in films, adhesive products, and laminates.
The 3M Scotchgard is a very fine, transparent film that can be applied to different parts of your vehicle, helping to protect your car from various environmental factors. It’s quite long-lasting, extremely sticky, and easy to apply. 3M PPF are amongst the cheapest on the market. While they do have many shielding properties, the warranty period is 3 years less than what XPEL offers. This could showcase that XPEL has more confidence in its brand and product. The longest warranty period offered by 3M is that of 7 years, but a lot of people don’t plan to retain their vehicles beyond 5 years which could turn this into a moot point of comparison.
- XPEL Ultimate Paint Protection Film – XPEL is a well-known innovative force in the automotive paint protection industry. XPEL films are nearly invisible to the eyes upon application and go on even clearer on the car surface, than 3M’s Scotchgard film. It isn’t as protective as the 3M Scotchgard though and XPEL paint protection films cost a bit more than 3M.
XPEL still enjoys the reputation of producing the best films in today’s market. Its self-healing properties are stamped with a 10-year warranty and the glossy finishing reintroduces glitz and glamour while protecting the shine of paintwork.
- SunTek Paint Protection Film – SunTek’s paint protection films are typically only sold in large quantities, and used in bulk by professionals. The film also has a lot of household uses.
SunTek’s film has self-healing properties and comprises 8 mils thick polyurethane film. This film is comparatively thinner than XPEL and is not able to afford the same level of protection. It does have a glossier finish which attracts some customers. SunTek also sells matte film, so its products apply to a variety of paint jobs. It’s backed by only a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- LLumar Paint Protection Film -Llumar is a brand of film that is renowned for its hydrophobic properties, which make it water-repellent. LLumar Platinum and SunTek Ultra films have pristine clarity and showcase a higher-gloss finish than their competitors on the market.
LLumar Platinum Paint Protection Film and SunTek Ultra are the same films intrinsically, just packaged and marketed under two different brands. Eastman Chemicals owns both LLumar PPF and SunTek PPF and they are considered to be big players in the window tint industry, along with selling Paint Protection Films. But these films don’t heal as fast as XPEL and the warranty isn’t as long.
- VViViD Clear Paint Protection Film – These paint protection films are easy to apply to your vehicle due to their ability to be stretched without using a heat gun. VViViD films comprise ultra-conformable compounds that can easily shape-shift covering any surface you want it to. This product features an acrylic-based adhesive that can easily be repositioned, installed, or removed without using any harmful chemicals.
It has a low entry price and good durability, but the VViViD Clear Paint Protection Films are still considered to be an inferior product compared to 3M, XPEL, SunTek, and LLumar PPFs.
Tags :
Share :