PPF is expensive because of the labor-intensive installation process. The vehicle’s surface must be meticulously cleaned before a technician measures, cuts, and fits each PPF piece. Precise application of an adhesive primer is also required, adding to the overall expense and time investment.
Paint protection film (PPF) may seem like an expensive addition to your car but it provides a whole host of benefits that make this investment well worth the cost.
From improved paint longevity and weather-resistant properties to customizable details and enhanced coverage options, PPF gives you peace of mind when it comes to protecting the exterior of your vehicle.
But why is this film so expensive? In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons behind the higher cost of paint protection films and how these films can save you money in the long run.
10 Reasons Why PPF Is so Expensive
High-quality materials are used to make PPF
The film itself is made up of a combination of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, thermoplastic urethane, and elastomeric polymers, all of which are high-grade and highly durable.
This combination makes the film resistant to UV rays, abrasion, chemicals, saltwater, and all weather conditions.
The design for PPF is also very intricate as it must be cut precisely for each vehicle make and model.
The material’s special adhesive properties allow it to stick around corners that most normal materials cannot reach due to their thickness or inability to bend.
All these elements provide superior protection from any damage caused by rocks, pebbles, stones, or other abrasive particles that could scratch the car’s paint job.
PPF requires a significant amount of labor to install correctly
Paint Protection Film requires a significant amount of labor to install correctly and this is what makes it so expensive.
The process starts with thoroughly cleaning the vehicle’s body to make sure there is no dirt, dust, or oils on the surface.
This ensures the film will adhere properly.
Once cleaned, a technician carefully measures and cuts each piece of PPF that is needed to fit the contours of each panel perfectly.
Next, an adhesive primer must be applied which also needs to be measured precisely.
After this, the film itself is applied by hand in multiple sections and smoothed out using special tools and techniques to eliminate air pockets or ripples in the material.
Finally, once completely applied, another layer of the sealant must be treated over the entire application area of PPF in order for it to have proper bonding strength and complete protection from outside elements such as UV rays and bug acids.
All this detailed work from start to finish can take several hours making it quite laborious which is why PPF tends to be more costly compared to other car detailing materials.
The installation process is complex and time-consuming
The reason why this protective film is so expensive is that the installation process requires precision and highly specialized skills in order to do it properly.
A PPF specialist has to carefully measure each area of the vehicle where the film will be applied in order to ensure that it fits perfectly and provides maximum protection.
They also have to take into account things like curves, crevices, and other irregularities in order to get an accurate fit.
This intricate measuring process is then followed by a complex application procedure which includes detailed trimming of the edges of each panel prior to installation.
To make matters even more difficult for installers, PPF isn’t an exact science – different brands have different levels of adhesion and stretchability which need to be taken into account when selecting a product and making sure it fits correctly.
As you can imagine all these factors combined contribute significantly towards driving up the cost of installing paint protection film onto cars – making it a relatively expensive service overall.
Professional installers require specialized training and expertise
Installing PPF requires significant training and expertise, installers must be highly skilled in applying PPF without creating air bubbles.
Air bubbles can ruin the smooth look of the finish and require costly repair work.
Professionals also need to understand how different types of PPF should be installed over various surfaces for maximum protection.
That’s because each type has been designed for specific needs.
For example, some films are designed with ultra-high performance in mindᅳable to absorb impacts better than others and must be installed carefully to ensure optimal protection levels.
In addition, experienced installers must have an eye for detail when handling difficult curves such as those found on bumpers or door handles so that they don’t end up looking distorted after installation.
Because of these complexities, it’s essential that professional installers are knowledgeable about Paint Protection Film technology as well as other related techniques, like the use of specialty tools and heat guns.
The cost of PPF is affected by the size and complexity of the vehicle
The size and complexity of a vehicle affect the cost of PPF in numerous ways, including the amount of material needed, the number of steps required in installation, and the difficulty of properly applying it.
The larger area on a big car requires more PPF material than one on a smaller car, resulting in higher costs right off the bat.
For example, SUVs tend to require double-sized rolls or even custom cuts because they often have significant surface area compared with traditional passenger cars.
Additionally, those larger areas take much longer to wrap properly and may require extra attention due to curves or ridges that need to be covered evenly.
Not only do these factors add expense due to labor hours needed for installation, but they also create additional chances for errors which could void manufacturer warranties if not done correctly.
The complexity of certain vehicles also adds time and cost when it comes to PPF installation.
Because many luxury models have intricate shapes such as curved edges along the sides and hood, more prep and application time are needed.
The same goes for cars with curved glass windows versus standard flat ones.
Highly detailed designs, logos, or intricate accents like chrome trim also add more labor hours due to their delicate nature – it takes a skilled professional to install PPF on these kinds of vehicles without damaging them in the process.
The quality of the installation affects the overall cost of PPF
Paint protection film (PPF) is a high-tech material that is relatively expensive because it requires specialized installation that includes cutting the film to the exact size for each specific part that needs to be protected.
Not only does this process require precision in order to get the perfect fit every time, but it also must be done with great care so that no air bubbles or creases are left behind.
This can be a highly intricate task for experienced professionals since they must know exactly where to cut and install PPF in order to achieve optimal coverage while still maintaining an aesthetically pleasing look.
Furthermore, if not handled properly during installation there can be permanent damage inflicted on the paint itself – making PPF even more of an investment due to its costly repairs.
PPF provides long-term protection
Paint Protection Film (PPF) is designed with an adhesive backing that bonds it to the surface of a car or whatever vehicle it’s being applied to – this makes it extremely difficult for anything like gravel or dirt to penetrate its barrier.
This extra layer of protection helps reduce costly repairs due to scratches, chips or fading paint jobs that can occur over time.
Additionally, since PPF absorbs much of an impact during collisions with flying debris like stones or ice chunks on busy highways it can help reduce repair costs even in cases where physical contact has occurred.
Not only does Paint Protection Film provide a great deal of cost savings when compared to replacing your paint job every few years but it also adds a glossy shine that further protects the car’s finish against exposure from the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays and other pollutants in the air like bird droppings – both which can cause oxidation and discoloration.