PPF FAQs

PPF is the abbreviation for Paint Protection Film, also known as clear bra in the USA.

Originally known as Helicopter tape, it was developed many years ago to protect the leading edge of Helicopter Rotors from debris and other airborne contaminates which could cause damage.

Today, the material has progressed substantially, and the film we use at Autoshine is a near invisible product when installed to a vehicle, and protects against stone chips, scratches, and abrasions.

After being in the industry for many years and extensively researching every film that is on the market, our standard film of choice is now Xpel Ultimate Plus.

The choice of film is vital for a perfect install, so we carry out many in house tests regularly to ensure we are using the absolute best available.

Our tests include:

• Adhesive strength
• Self-healing properties – how well the film repairs itself after it has been scratched with a wire brush, this includes testing how many times it can be scratched before it will no longer self-heal, and also how fast it self-heals once heat is applied.
• Various qualities that are required while installing.
• Clarity
• Size of Impact the film can protect from
• Length of warranty the manufacture provides
• Length of time in market – Is the product proven or not?
• Installations on our own vehicles to see how the film performs over time

As you can see there are many factors to consider when choosing a film and we don’t take the decision lightly or by simply accepting what a salesperson from a film company tells us. We also do not listen to the many varied opinions on Forums.

In every one of the above tests, XPEL wins every time.

We are not endorsed by any manufacture; this is part of our quest to be the best and that includes our requirement to use the best PPF available.

Our expert team are factory trained by Xpel as well as Suntek with the certificates to prove it. However, this is only the very beginning for our installers.

The real training happens here at Autoshine and Tinting and is unique to us as we teach the techniques that we have developed ourselves over many years.

Do you cut the PPF on the car?

This is a big No and something we hate to see within the industry, but sadly is very common.

All our PPF patterns are computer cut in house in our well-equipped production department, ensuring there will be no scratches in your paint if you were to ever remove the PPF.

Typically, as we are an Xpel dealer, we have access to there computer patterns which are perfect in accuracy and much time is spent creating them. The system also allows us to edit the patterns wherever we choose so we can wrap round the edge of the panels where ever possible.

If for any reason we don’t have a pattern for your vehicle via Xpel, our skilled team will template the vehicle while it is with us and create the computer pattern that we need to ensure no cutting will be taking place on your vehicle.

We provide a 10 year warranty on our installations, which is the longest and most complete warranty available for PPF in the UK.

Our Warranty covers against the film turning Yellow, delaminating, or lifting from edges, and all of this for 10 years!

The only circumstances which our Warranty wouldn’t provide cover for are what you would expect, such as damage caused from accidents, ordinary wear and tear and damage from cleaners which are not recommended for PPF.

With all our PPF packages we provide a complimentary inspection, which we advise to be used any time 2 weeks after you have taken collection of your vehicle.

The reason we offer this is PPF is installed wet, and this can take up to 21 days to fully dry.

Although the vehicle is perfectly able to be driven in this time, it is possible for the film to contract or expand slightly in different temperatures.

Because of this, we prefer to have your vehicle back with us, where we will clean the vehicle if required, raise the vehicle up on our vehicle lifts, and closely inspect each and every edge of the film to ensure it has dried fully and in the correct position.

This inspection usually takes around 2 hours so we can typically carry it out while you wait or provide you with one of our courtesy cars for the day if you would prefer.

There is no requirement you must have this inspection carried out, it is just something we like to offer for your peace of mind as well as our own.