PPF: Best placement and usages

Paint Protection Film (PPF) can offer no end of protection from the elements. UV rays, road grit, stones and debris; even sand rash is staved away from the gleaming finish that lies beneath.

PPF is the only way to protect your paint from a stone hitting your vehicle and creating an unsightly stone chip, so it’s well worth getting placement right (unless you’ve decided on full vehicle coverage).

There are several common options for installing paint protection film to your vehicle:

Partial front end: This results in the application of PPF to the front bumper, headlights, side mirrors, and around 18- to 24-inch up the hood and fenders.

Full front end: This is PPF installed to the front bumper, headlights, side mirrors and full hood and fenders.

Full car: Every exposed painted surface is covered with paint protection film.

Of course, these are just the most common areas to apply paint protection film. In reality, you can get it installed anywhere you want on your car.

A few other commonly requested areas include the door handles, rocker panels, fender panels, and the trunk ledge. Some people even get their kick plates done in PPF to save it from the heels of shoes etc. Pretty much any area of the vehicle that is at risk of damage from general use.

The best possible PPF coverage is that of the full car, but failing that we would recommend a full-frontal pack or most exposed areas such as flared rear quarters and front end.

Front facing edges are the most exposed areas to stones and debris coming off vehicles in front and also coming from under your own front wheels (or wheel, of course, let’s not forget the bikers amongst us looking to protect their two-wheel pride and joys).

Effective paint protection film will offer a thickness of around 6mm (not including adhesive, clear coat, or release liner) which is another reason it’s important to visit a proper supplier. The film we use in-house is of the highest quality and the team is fully trained to apply it accurately in order to provide the maximum protection available without compromising the aesthetic of your vehicle.

The most prominent type of PPF is completely clear acting as an invisible-to-the-naked-eye shield. There are other types available, though, that include different finishes such as matte, satin, carbon fibre and even tinted. If you’re looking for a colour change, then vinyl is your answer. Although, it won’t protect your paintwork from damage from physical items such as stones like PPF does.

Once applied, you generally have around 5-10 years of life from your PPF if you treat it well. That said, whether you treat it well or not, RMA Car Care offers a 10 year guarantee with its supply and application of paint protection film so there’s added peace of mind bringing your vehicle to us. If you have any questions at all or would like to book your vehicle in for PPF, get in touch at RMA Car Care – 04 597 3077