The paint protection film is a crucial but frequently disregarded component of vehicle maintenance.
Clear paint protection films can be put into sections of your car’s body where the paint is likely to be scratched or nicked. To shield the paint from rock chips, grimy bugs, and other dirt, some car owners apply the film to the front of their vehicles. Also, it can be used on other areas of the vehicle, like the rocker panels and the area behind door handles, where the paint may deteriorate.
You have the option of getting a professional to install the paint protection film or doing it yourself. If you plan to install the paint protection film yourself, you should probably buy it online since it will be less expensive and there will be a wider selection. In this article, we’ll show you the best paint protection films, explain what we like about them (or don’t like, and respond to any questions you might have about buying or installing these products.
#1 VViViD 3M Scotchgard
Brand: VViViD
Scotchgard from 3M is a highly durable clear paint protection film. The paint protection film produced is an 8 mil (0.0008′′) thick clear polyurethane film with an adhesive backing.
You can use this extremely thin, transparent film to cover the front of your vehicle, acting as a transparent “bra” to protect it from debris. Although working with vinyl film can be challenging if you’ve never done it before, it’s long-lasting, very sticky, and rather simple to apply.
We advise purchasing more of this film than you anticipate needing. In this manner, you will have extra film in case you make a mistake and extra film in case you ever wish to reapply the film to your car.
Its features include being extremely thin, sticky, and reasonably priced. However, it could be difficult to apply and too thin for others.
#2 XPEL Clear Paint Protection Film
Brand: XPEL
We’d confidently recommend XPEL, a reputable supplier of automotive paint protection materials, to any car owner for their paint protection film. The paint protection film from XPEL is transparent polyurethane and eight mils thick, similar to 3M’s Scotchgard. There are three different sizes available: 6 by 25 inches, six by 60 inches, and six by 84 inches.
When applied, this film is almost undetectable and applies even more clearly than 3M’s Scotchgard film. But it is more expensive and less protective than 3M Scotchgard.
To prevent scratches, swirls, and other damage to your door sills and rocker panels, XPEL also manufactures a very high-quality door sill clear film guard.
It has the benefit of being almost undetectable after application. However, it is not good as 3M Scotchgard’s thickness. It is a decent substitute for 3M Scotchgard, which applies somewhat more clearly but is less long-lasting.
#3 Karlor Vinyl Wrap Film
Brand: Karlor
Vinyl wrap film from Karlor is the cheapest item on our list.
It won’t save you much money initially, but it doesn’t have the same quality as 3M Scotchgard, for instance. This product contains an acrylic-based adhesive that is not too sticky and makes repositioning during installation simple. It estimates that the movie will run for up to 10 years indoors and 4–7 years outdoors. This specific item is 0.17 mm thick and composed of PVC.
Although it is not backed by a respected brand like 3M, this film is cheap, clear when applied, and will shield your car from dents and scratches.
Its advantages include low cost and simple installation. However, it might not be as strong or long-lasting as competitor films or 3M Scotchgard. Also, if you’re on a tight budget, this paint protection film can be what you need.
#4 SunTek Top Coated Paint Protection Film
Brand: Clear Defender
The paint protection film from SunTek is normally only offered in bulk unit sizes because it is only used by professionals, which makes it ideal for covering the entire front end of your car or truck, including the hood. Also, it means you’ll have plenty of extra film in case you wish to use it on another vehicle, cover additional areas of your car, or save it for later. The film also has many applications in daily life.
The film from SunTek is an eight mil thick polyurethane “self-healing” film. Pour hot water on the film to remove any blemishes or swirls that may have appeared. In addition to the common gloss film, SunTek now sells matte film, allowing it to be utilized for matte paint jobs. Although the adhesive is less sticky and 3M film is not “self-healing,” SunTek’s film applies more clearly than 3M.
#5 Track Armour Ppf Paint Protection Film
Brand: Track Armour
Track Armour Ppf Paint Protection Film is reasonably priced and ready to ship within 24 hours. For short-term use, the track armor ppf paint protection film is unmatched in the market. Blue tape won’t ruin the shot anymore. The film is also fantastic for vehicles with “edgy” front bumpers and challenging protection angles.
Above all, the paint protection film from Track Armour comes with superb accessories and is simple to remove.
#6 VViViD Clear Paint Protection Film
Brand: VViViD
This VViViD paint protection film intends to be simple to apply; it can be stretched without the need of a heat gun and has “ultra conformable” ingredients, so it will adapt to whatever you’re trying to apply it to. This product, like Karlor’s film, has an air-release acrylic-based adhesive that is simple to apply, move, and remove without the need for hazardous chemicals.
This low-cost film is also quite resistant to abrasions, mild damage, and fading. Although the VViViD Clear Paint Protection Film is a solid product with a low beginning price and high sturdiness, we believe it to be behind those made by 3M, XPEL, and SunTek.
The advantages of this are low cost and simple installation. But the quality isn’t as high as that of comparable goods. Additionally, it is reasonably priced and of acceptable quality; however, we would probably recommend more recognizable brands.