Every car is susceptible to scuffs, scrapes, and scratches. The longer you drive your vehicle, the more paint imperfections it can accumulate. This is why many owners decide to install paint protection film, or PPF, over their car’s exterior.
This transparent film offers long-lasting protection and comes with many amazing benefits, including reducing the need for car washes, boosting your vehicle’s resale value, and the ability to self-heal surface-level scratches.
However, what happens if your paint protection film gets damaged? Can it be repaired?
Keep reading this article to learn more.
How to Repair Paint Protection Film
Most paint protection films can provide years of superior protection. However, that doesn’t mean PPF is immune to damage. If your paint protection film was torn or peeling, it’s important to know what steps you should take to mitigate further problems.
Self-Healing
For starters, if you notice any scratches on your PPF, try parking your car in direct sunlight for a few hours. This gives the clear bra a chance to “heal” itself, removing the small scratches and swirl marks entirely.
Contact Original Installer
However, if this isn’t working, you might need to take further action. If the damage was the result of a shoddy installation job, call the original installer and ask if they can refund you or replace your damaged film.
We strongly advise that you DO NOT attempt to remove the damaged PPF yourself. This could significantly harm your vehicle’s paint. Instead, take your car to a team of paint protection film professionals who are equipped to get the job done right.
At Elite Protective Films, we have the tools and expertise to effectively remove the damaged PPF from your car. If any adhesive is left behind, we can quickly remove it with an automotive adhesive remover. This product will not impact your paint.
What Happens if My PPF Gets Damaged?
As we previously stated, if your paint protection film gets damaged, do not try to remove it yourself. This is because:
- PPF that is wrapped around the edges of your car must be removed using extreme care and precise tools.
- The tools needed to remove the film need to be heated to the correct temperature.
- PPF must be removed in a specific way in order to minimize the amount of adhesive left behind.
- If there are any traces of adhesive left on your car after the film has been removed, it needs to be removed with the proper high-quality products.
If you lack the tools or experience to successfully remove paint protection film yourself, you could cause costly damage to your car.
Can It Be Replaced?
Absolutely, damaged PPF can be replaced. After your previous film has been removed, you can get new PPF professionally applied to your vehicle.
Can Damaged Paint Protection Film Be Patched?
Unfortunately, there is no way to seamlessly patch up damaged paint protection film. Your best course of action is to get the PPF professionally removed and replaced.
How Can PPF Self Heal?
At Elite Protective Films, we are proud to only use XPEL PPF at our shop. This film has unique self-healing abilities, allowing it to heal swirl marks and light scratches.
Think of self-healing paint protection film as an ice cube. If you lightly scratch the cube and then allow it to melt, the ice will return to its original state. XPEL PPF does the same thing. When activated by heat, the film will heal any surface-level imperfections.
Maintaining Your PPF
To get the most out of your paint protection film, it’s important to properly maintain it. Some things we suggest doing are:
- Avoid pressure washing your vehicle.
- Don’t take your car to an automated car wash. Hand wash it instead using the two-bucket method.
- Always use a microfiber mitt and premium wash products.
Protect Your Car’s Integrity With PPF
Want to protect your vehicle’s exterior for years to come? If so, contact Elite Protective Films today. Our technicians have treated more than 35,000 cars, trucks, vans, boats, and RVs and have 50 years of combined experience.
To keep your paint pristine, call us at 971-888-8468 now.
