Take This 1 Critical Step to Protect Your New Car
So you’ve just bought a new car. It looks great, the paint is nearly perfect, and you can’t wait to show it off. But before you head out for that first big drive, you may want to take some steps to protect your new car and keep it looking like new.
Paint protection is the most important step to protect your new car
While the paint is nearly perfect, now is the time to apply paint protection film to protect your new car. This is a clear film applied on top of the existing clear coat that protects your car from all sorts of damage.
First, there is obvious damage, like rock chips from driving behind other vehicles. Most paint protection films are strong enough to prevent sand and rocks from chipping and marring the clear coat and paint on the front of the vehicle.
Nothing is worse than having your brand-new car get sandblasted on that first real drive. And while letting your brand-new car go to a PPF shop before you get to drive it feels like a bummer, it’s better than ruining the finish before you’ve even hit 500 miles.
Not only does paint protection film protect against physical damage, but Xpel indicates it can provide UV protection as well. This will reduce the amount of fading that happens with pigmented paints under the sun. In turn, it will help retain your car’s value over time.
Finally, PPF blocks damage from bird droppings and other environmental issues. If you’ve ever touched a car with bare paint and it felt rough, it’s not because the car is dirty. It’s because contamination from industrial fallout can bond with clearcoat and leave microscopic particles behind.
Over time, these imperfections can dull the car’s finish and even cause tiny rust spots on the surface. Protection film acts as a sacrificial barrier to prevent this contamination from reaching your paint, and provides years of protection.
Can you apply paint protection film at home?
Applying paint protection film is a tricky process, so much so that it isn’t even available at every detail shop. It takes both specialized equipment and skills to apply properly, and it isn’t something you’ll want to try and tackle on your own.
In addition, most detailers lightly clay bar and polish even a brand-new car before PPF is applied. During production and transportation a new car accumulates some light contamination. For most, they aren’t likely 100% perfect upon delivery. A good detailer will ensure to resolve these issues before applying PPF. This will ensure a perfect application without any bubbling or delamination.
Furthermore, cutting PPF takes an especially skilled and patient hand. It is easy to cut too far and actually scratch the paint below. All told, hiring a professional is the best way to ensure your car gets the protection it deserves.
Find a detailer with PPF certification and protect your car for years to come
Because not every detailer offers paint protection film, it may take some digging to find the right technician in your area. But this critical step will help protect your car for years to come. Therefore, it is worth both the time and money investment.
