On a brand-new car, a single paint or coat scratch can be quite inconvenient. Your aspirations to keep it in pristine shape for years to come are ruined. Nonetheless, every owner of an automobile experiences this. The good news is that you may be able to lessen the damage with the use of self-healing paint protection coatings. What are they, though, and how do they operate?
We aim to demystify self-healing paint protection coatings in this essay. When you’re done reading, you’ll be a more knowledgeable shopper.
A “SELF-HEALING” PAINT PROTECTION FILM: WHAT IS IT?Using self-healing paint protection films, the chipped area of your car’s paint can mend itself. As a result, you do not need to send your car to a shop for every small flaw.
The layers of a self-healing protective coating are numerous. Polyester, glue, a clear coat, and polyurethane are some of the ingredients used to create these films. They are bonded together to form a self-healing paint protection film through a process known as microreplication.
In addition to shielding your automobile from fading and stains, these protection films react to heat during repairs.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF A “SELF-HEALING” PAINT PROTECTION FILM?The self-healing capabilities of a paint protective film depend on heat. You could believe that a paint protection film can eliminate surface scratches on your car. The protecting layers don’t operate in this manner, though. Each component of the self-healing paint protection film plays a distinct role. For instance, polyurethane offers a robust coating that is scratch- and impact-resistant. Its thickness is 6 mm.
The protective film can firmly adhere to the surface of your car thanks to the adhesive. Also, it allows for its removal without causing any harm to the car. The acrylic glue has a thickness of roughly 1.6 mm. The clear coat’s job is to prevent the film from fading or accumulating stains. It also stops the yellowing that frequently happens with many low-quality films. A 0.5 mm thick clear coat layer is present.
A 3 mm release liner is furthermore included with the self-healing paint protection film. With this one, it is simple to remove the protective layer. Scratches on this protective film leave noticeable marks. Apply heat using a heat gun to the damaged region to encourage the layers beneath to realign, which will cause the scratches to disappear.
Use hot water instead if you don’t have a heat gun. Alternatively, leave your car in the sun to allow the protective film to trap the heat from the sun and repair itself. As you watch the scratches on the surface of your vehicle vanish, you get the illusion that the protective film is self-healing.
What’s exciting is that the integrity of the film remains intact, even when the car film is scratched several times. Although the damage may occur on the same area of your car’s surface, the film can still repair it. Nevertheless, there is a warning. If your car keeps getting multiple scratches on the same spot, the damage will eventually become permanent. However, this is unlikely to happen, not unless you do it on purpose.
BENEFITS OF APPLYING SELF-HEALING PAINT PROTECTION FILMApplying self-healing paint protection film to your car comes with various benefits, including the following.
- Preserves your automobile’s resale value
- Helps you save on paint repair work
- Provides formidable paint protection
PPF INSTALLATION: PROFESSIONAL OR DIYYou can opt to install a paint protection film on your car by yourself. There are many videos on YouTube on how to do it. Remember that how well you install it determines how long it serves you. For this reason, experts do not recommend DIY.
SO, WHAT DO PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS DO DIFFERENTLY?Professionals have high-quality kits that are essential for proper installation. These are tools that you may not have. Also, they possess the know-how to correct any errors that occur during the process. For example, bubbles tend to form when you apply the PPF wrongly. Getting rid of them can be an uphill task.
Professionals tend to apply the PPF faster, while you can spend a whole day trying to do the same. As a result, you may leave the car looking bad and unprotected.
HOW TO MAINTAIN PAINT PROTECTION FILMIf you want the self-healing paint protection film to serve you well, you have to look after it properly. Start by washing it, since the film only protects your car’s paintwork from scratches, but does not clean it. Ensure that you no longer wash your car in the direct sunshine. Furthermore, do not take it to an automated car wash.
Whenever any chemicals or bird droppings fall on the surface of your vehicle, remove them as soon as possible. Otherwise, they might cause damage to the coating.
Wax your vehicle at least once a month to keep it looking clean and shiny. Besides, it will not have any negative effects on the coating.
OTHER RULES TO OBSERVEAfter you apply the PPF to your car, wait for seven days before you start washing it. Do not spray the water directly on the edges of the PPF. Or else, the edges will lift and undermine the protective qualities.
Before you wipe the surface of your car, ascertain that it is wet. Doing so when it is dry can damage the coating.
Avoid using abrasive chemicals on the car’s surface when cleaning it. In case you are struggling to remove any dirt from the vehicle, take it to a professional.
SHIELD YOUR CAR TODAYDo you want to take good care of brand-new car paintwork? Adding a self-healing protective film is your best bet. Ensure you select competent specialists to do it for you so that the PPF can serve you for over 10 years.
We have a team of professionals who have been helping car owners like you to protect their vehicles. Note that we only use the best materials on the market. If you are a resident of the Yonkers area, contact us today.
