We at Tint Tech have seen many vehicle maintenance products come and go.  We have seen the technology in auto window tinting film dramatically improve over the decades, and particularly in the last few years.  We have seen many types of products to protect a car’s front end from chips, scratches, and nicks.  And over the years we have come to learn that one of the best investments for your car is paint protection film .

Paint protection film, that thin layer of protection that you use to “wrap” your car, protects the paint job on your car, makes minor scratches and scrapes easy to remove, and therefore really helps your car hold its value.  That is especially true if you have a high-end car that you want to keep in pristine condition, but still drive around.

We now live in a world where do-it-yourself (DIY) is the name of the game.  On YouTube, you can learn how to tackle a plumbing job in your home, cook the most exciting meal of your dreams, or even learn how to sing.  That ability has encouraged many people to try to save a little money, use their own elbow grease, and take on a project they would not normally do themselves.

The same is true of paint protection film.  As the technology has improved, the DIY options for paint protection film have improved as well.

As specialists on paint protection films and other types of auto films, we at Tint Tech are eager to give you our take on some of the best paint protection film products out there.  Whether you are thinking about doing it yourself, or you want a professional to install the film for you, these products that we discuss below are great options for you.

So, we will devote this blog to our thoughts on some of the products available to you in the market.  If you want more information on these, or other products, we invite you to give us a call at Tint Tech .  Because our paint protection film professionals have worked with so many different products in the market, we can help you make the right choice for your vehicle and your budget.

Here is the good, the bad, and the last word on some of today’s paint protection film options.

To begin, Karlor’s Vinyl Wrap film is the choice if you are a strict budget.  Of the five products on this list, Karlor Vinyl Wrap Film is the least expensive but is still a good product.

Given that it is less pricey, you will not get the same quality as some of the more expensive films.  But, you need to see what works for your budget.  Vinyl Wrap Film has an acrylic-based adhesive that is not so sticky that you have trouble readjusting the film during installation.  The manufacturer represents that the film should last 4-7 years outdoors and 10 years indoors.

The good – it is inexpensive and easy to install.  The bad – it is likely less durable than other, pricier, options.  Overall, if you are looking paint protection film that does not break the bank, Vinyl Wrap from Karlor might be your choice.

This slightly less-known company has a product that, like Karlor’s Vinyl Wrap, is a less expensive option, while still giving you solid protection for your car’s surface.  Also, like Vinyl Wrap, it has acrylic-based adhesive that makes repositioning during installation easy.  Clear Paint Protection Film from VVIVVID is not expensive and easy to apply, but lacks the quality of other better-known brands.

3M has been an adhesive product leader for many years and, not surprisingly, its Scotchgard paint protection film is the gold-standard.  Its product is a long-lasting, clear paint protection film that is only .0008” (or .08 mm) thick, which is far thinner than the other two films mentioned above, both at .17 mm thick.

It is a polyurethane film that is relatively easy to apply but can be tricky if you have never applied paint protection film before.  If you are trying to do it yourself, you may want to purchase more film than you think you will need so there is some left over to fix any mistakes the first time around.  What is so great about Scotchgard is that it is so thin you will not see it once applied.

XPEL has a strong line of vehicle maintenance products, and its clear paint protection film rivals 3M’s Scotchgard.  Also, at .08 mm thick, XPEL’s film is nearly invisible once it is applied, yet it is not as durable as 3M’s Scotchgard, and it is actually slightly more expensive than 3M’s product.

In addition, XPEL makes a great quality “door sill clear film guard” that protects door sills and rocker panels from scratches or other damage.

SunTek’s paint protection film is typically sold in larger quantities, which allows for you to have lots of extra film to cover more than just the front end (“bra”) part of your car.  Also, SunTek’s film has fascinating “self-healing” technology in its polyurethane film, where any scratch or swirl will disappear with the application of hot water or hot air on the surface of the film.

SunTek also has a matte film in addition to the normal gloss film.  The matte film is perfect for matte paint jobs, which are increasing in popularity these days.  SunTek is pricey, but the self-healing properties of its film sets it apart from 3M’s Scotchgard.

The technology of paint protection film has progressed in the last few years.  Tint Tech specialists, the paint protection film professionals in Calgary, would be happy to discuss with you the details about what is out there when it comes to paint protection film options in Calgary today.

Tint Tech professionals will help you make the right choice when it comes to paint protection film.  Again, we welcome you to call today to learn more at 1-403-968-8468, or be sure to fill out our online contact form.