PPF Installation Training

FAQs About PPF Training

Why Learn to Install Paint Protection Film (PPF)?

Learning to install paint protection film (PPF) on vehicles and other surfaces offers several benefits:

Vehicle Preservation: PPF provides a clear protective layer that guards the paint from scratches, rock chips, insect splatter, and minor abrasions. If you own a car, especially a valuable one, knowing how to apply PPF can help you keep it in pristine condition.

Cost Savings: Professional PPF installations can be expensive. If you learn to do it yourself, you can save money, especially if you plan to apply it to multiple vehicles.

Business Opportunity: PPF is one of the fastest growing service-offerings in the car care market. There is a clear skill gap in the UK for skilled PPF installers, which provides many opportunities including freelance, sub-contracting, employment, a new service for your existing car care business or a new business built around paint protection film.

Skill Development: Learning to install PPF also means upskilling yourself or staff and developing new skills that can be transferred to detailing and wrapping.

Personal Satisfaction: There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from completing a job with your own hands and seeing the immediate results of your work, especially when the finished product is a beautifully protected vehicle. It’s also a great way to channel energy if you’re someone with OCD, and many people with OCD do very well in detailing, PPF and Wrapping.

Increasing Vehicle Resale Value: A car with a well-maintained exterior, thanks in part to PPF, can fetch a higher resale value compared to one that has paint damage or wear.

Increase your dealership upsell opportunities: If you already work in the auto industry such as in a car dealership or a related field, adding PPF installation to your list of additional products and services can increase your turnover and profit.

Staying Updated with Industry Trends: The automotive industry often introduces new technologies and methods to preserve and enhance vehicle aesthetics. Staying updated with techniques like PPF installation can keep you aligned with modern practices.

Environmental Benefits: By protecting a vehicle’s paint job, PPF can reduce the need for frequent repaints, which often involve harmful chemicals and generate waste. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Networking: If you decide to take a course or training on PPF installation, you can also benefit from networking with other professionals in the detailing space, it’s also beneficial to know other PPF installers and build relationships with people with the same skills as yourself for knowledge sharing and to help each other out.

The Bottom Line: arguably one of the most important factors to consider for any aspiring business owners is the potential impact on your bottom line by introducing PPF as a product or service.

In summary, learning to install paint protection film can be a worthwhile investment for both personal and professional reasons. Whether you’re looking to maintain your vehicle, start a business, or add to your skill set, PPF installation offers numerous benefits.

How difficult is Paint Protection Film to install?

Installing paint protection film (PPF) is a nuanced task that requires patience, precision, and skill. The difficulty can vary based on several factors:

Complexity of the Surface: Flat surfaces are generally easier to work with. However, vehicles have curves, contours, and intricate areas that can be challenging. For instance, wrapping a flat hood is easier than a mirror or a bumper with deep recesses and curves.

Size of the Film: Handling a large piece of PPF can be cumbersome, especially without an extra pair of hands. Combined with complex surfaces like for example an Aston Martin DBS (One of the hardest bonnets we’ve ever installed PPF too).

Quality of the Film: Higher quality films might be more forgiving in terms of stretchability and adhesion, while cheaper films might be less flexible or could have issues with clarity. Key point to remember – the more you stretch a film, the less resistance that film will have for stone chip and scratches.

Tools and Workspace: Proper tools, like squeegees, heat guns, and slip solutions, are essential. Additionally, a clean, dust-free, and well-lit workspace is crucial to avoid contamination under the film.

Experience and Skill Level: Like many skills, practice makes perfect. Initial attempts are often challenging, but with experience, the process becomes smoother. Learning techniques to handle bubbles, wrinkles, and ensuring seamless edges takes time.

Preparation: Proper cleaning and preparation of the surface are critical. Any dirt or debris under the film will be visible, so meticulous preparation can influence the ease and quality of the installation.

Post-installation Corrections: Sometimes, after the film has been applied, there might be small bubbles or imperfections that need to be corrected. Knowing how to handle these without damaging the film or the underlying paint requires skill.

Climate and Environment: Temperature and humidity can affect the ease of installation. For example, in colder environments, the film might be less pliable, making it harder to stretch and fit. In contrast, in more humid environments, the film’s adhesive might not set as quickly.

To reduce the difficulty:

• Consider taking a training course or seeking mentorship from experienced installers.
• Start with smaller pieces or less complex parts of a vehicle to build confidence.
• Use high-quality films and tools.
• Ensure you work in the best environment possible.

What is Paint Protection Film?

Paint Protection Film is the most effective way to protect your paintwork. PPF is made of polyurethane or urethane film, a relatively thick, durable and transparent film applied to a car’s paintwork, and high impact areas, designed to protect against scratches, swirl marks, stonechips, abrasion, UV degradation, chemicals, harsh weather and other general wear and tear.

Paint Protection Film is often referred to as PPF, clear bra, clear film, car film and paint film.

PPF was originally designed for military applications such as protecting the rotary blades of helicopters in Vietnam from shrapnel and debris. Today, PPF is more commonly found in the automotive market to protect new and used cars. PPF is also used on motorcycles, caravans, mobile homes, aeroplanes, helicopters, boats, mobile phone screens and hundreds of other applications.

Which PPF manufacturer do you use?

Our first choice for paint protection film is Stek Automotive – they have one of the widest collections of paint protection film including: clear gloss, matte, coloured, patterned, carbon, chrome and more.

We also have access to the following PPF brands: XPEL PPF, HEXIS PPF, SUNTEK PPF, PROFILM PPF and CARPRO PPF.

What type of PPF is available?

There are many different types of Paint Protection Film available, we are now using PPF manufactured by Stek Automotive in the United States. Many customers ask us about Xpel PPF, in our opinion Stek provides superior clarity, a more hydrophobic top coat and longer warranty.

We’re proud to be able to supply the following types of PPF:

• Clear film
• Matte film
• Chrome film
• Pattern film (including carbon, damascus, forged and camo film)
• Colour film
• Window film
• Windscreen film
• Headlight film (including clear and tinted)

For more information on different types of paint protection film, contact our ppf installation team in Worcester on 01905 382690.

Pros and Cons of paint protection film

PPF Pros

• Unrivalled paint and surface protection
• Up to 10 years protection
• Self-healing (heat activated)
• Up to 10 years warranty
• Hydrophobicity similar to most waxes and ceramic coatings

PPF Cons

• PPF is one of the most expensive paint protection products
• Not suitable for DIY/enthusiasts
• Training is required to fit and remove paint protection film
• Specialist equipment required for application
• Extremely clean and dust-free environment is recommended for application to reduce the risk of catching dust, fibres and other contaminants under the surface of the PPF

Paint protection film or ceramic coating

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is the most effective protection product on the market, but it comes with a price tag to match. Prices start from £1,800 for a front end application or £4,000 for full coverage installed by a professional. Whereas Ceramic Coating can be applied by a car detailer from as little as £300.

Ceramic coatings like Premium Ceramic Coating can be used as a DIY product, with professional training, whereas professional training is required to installed PPF.

Most ceramic coatings last from 2 to 5 years, Ceramic Coating Pro is on of our most hardwearing protective coatings and lasts for 5+ years with proper maintenance. Whereas most Paint Protection Films will last up to 10 years.

Once a car is prepared, Ceramic Coating can be applied to a whole car within 1 hour, whereas PPF may take 1-2 days or longer, depending on the film manufacturer, size and design of the vehicle (more lines and intricate areas – more time).

Some ceramic coatings such as Premium Ceramic Coating and New Era can be applied on top of PPF, to give the surface a glossy wet look, and increase hydrophobicity.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to paint protection film, you may be interested in ceramic coating, our installation packages start at £300.

Terms and Conditions

All loans are subject to affordability checks including use of credit reference agency data. You must be 18 or over to apply. Participating retailers only. Finance agreement and full T&Cs available on application. Finance provided by Bumper International Limited. Correct at time of print.