Choosing Paint Protection Film
Our installers get asked, “what to look for when choosing paint protection film?” To answer this question, we put together a short list of what we look for and give our recommendation. If you have additional questions, please feel free to send us an email through our Contact page.
Paint Protection Film
Paint protection film (also known as clear bra) is manufactured by many brands, offered in a variety of thicknesses, and varies in cost when covering different areas of your vehicle. As installers for more than 30 years, we have experience installing most of the major brands. While each brand has unique features, product durability is how we decide the best quality.
We identify quality by the film performance and customer satisfaction. This includes customer comments, how the film holds up in the elements over time and what happens to the film when tested by the environment. The benefits of quality paint protection film are as follows:
Virtually invisible urethane film is the one quality that almost every brand has in common. This quality allows the original paint to shine through while protecting paint from the elements. When installing, our team wraps all appropriate edges for a clean and complete look.
Durable protection is a quality that varies between brands. The thickness of the film usually determines the durability. However, we look for durability across thickness to identify the best coverage. How the film performs against rock chips, road debris, bumper scrapes, and scratches makes the difference.
Self-healing film generally covers light scratches and swirls marks. The properties of the film allow for scuffs and light scratches to wash away with water. While vitally important, this feature is not available with every brand. Our team advises clients to purchase a brand with self-healing properties for better long-term protection.
A factory warranty is one of the best features of high-quality paint protection film. A brand that stands behind their product makes it easier for the installers and client to replace the film in the event of a minor accident. While a warranty can vary depending on the manufacturer, up to a 10-year warranty is protection that lasts. In addition, ask if the warranty is transferrable if you happen to sell the vehicle.
XPEL Brands
Our business is built on quality and how our clients feel when they ride out of the shop is the main goal. To that end, we recommend the XPEL brand and the full line of paint protection products. XPEL checks all the boxes including a factory warranty that is fully transferrable.
Their website boasts, “ULTIMATE PLUS™ is one of the most advanced paint protection films on the market. Available in three different thicknesses to offer you the protection you need for exterior and interior surfaces. The entire ULTIMATE PLUS line up is virtually invisible and provides protection from everyday damages including scuffs, scratches, chips and more.”
Detail Authority
We began as a one-man mobile detail shop and have grown to be Virginia’s premier paint protection facility. Using laser templates and customizing for your make/model, every install is a custom install.
We feature XPEL products for their ability to create innovative paint solutions. As a certified dealer, each XPEL installation comes with a limited, transferrable warranty. This means you drive with extra confidence knowing the products that protect your vehicle are protected too.
When you have questions on choosing paint protection film, we have answers at Detail Authority. For a free estimate on your vehicle, call us at (703) 970-7800.
