Clear Bra = Paint Protection Film = PPF Let’s look more into paint protection film, what it is and how…
Clear Bra = Paint Protection Film = PPF
Let’s look more into paint protection film, what it is and how it protects your car.
PPF from the likes of STEK not only safeguard your vehicle’s paint, but also maintain the value of your car. They protect the vehicle from scratches, rock chips, grime and every day road hazards. All these hazards take a toll on your car over time. Self healing clear bra is a low maintenance and great looking solution for protecting your investment.
Modern PPF is guaranteed to not get yellow or crack over time. The film is perfectly clear and does not show orange peel. The latest top tier PPF also comes with a hydrophobic coating to help keep it clean.
Paint Protection Film Protects Against:
- Rocks
- Bug Acids
- Salt
- Oils
- Gravel
- Tree Sap
- Bird Droppings
- Magnesium Chloride
- Pollen
What is the best brand of paint protection film?
There isn’t one best film. The industry keeps growing, and new competition keeps stepping up the standards. The once industry standard 3M was overthrown by XPEL, a software company turned film manufacturer, with a smoother, self healing finish and a better warranty. Then brands like SunTek Ultra and STEK stepped it up by including a hydrophobic top coat and advanced adhesive backing that results in cleaner installs, a glossier finish, and lower maintenance film.
The latest films from STEK, SunTek, and XPEL are all self healing, carry a 10 year warranty, and are all great films. As of 2018, I am a fan of SunTek Ultra, and STEK DYNOshield. XPEL has recently replaced their ULTIMATE film with ULTIMATE PLUS, claiming better self-healing, durability and clarity.
Levels of Paint Protection Film Coverage.
Even though a full-body clear bra is a very widely used option, there are still alternatives that can result in lower cost. Let’s look at the various alternatives out there for PPF installation and coverage. This can help you make a more informed decision for your own vehicle.
Minimum Clear Bra:
Minimal paint protection package usually include the front bumper, headlights, and side mirrors.
This option focuses on protecting the most usually damaged areas of your car. These are the areas that are front facing, usually lowest to the ground and take the brunt of road debris and rock chips. Because of the front-only protection, this is the style of clear film protection that pretty much defined the clear bra name. The name comes from the leather bras that some people used to put on cars back in the 80’s and 90’s.
Standard Clear Bra (most common):
Standard clear bra packages usually include the front bumper, headlights, side mirrors, full hood, and full front fenders.
This package is the most popular clear bra package. It is also the most cost-effective package as it takes care of the areas that are most commonly damaged, including the hood.
Full Wrap Paint Protection Film
Full PPF coverage is a complete exterior wrap, covering all painted surfaces, plus the headlights. When you want the utmost in clear film paint protection, this is the package for you. A full body clear wrap ensures that every square inch of you car’s paint is protected. This package goes as far as protecting important exterior trim parts such as carbon fiber trim on high-end cars.
The main benefit of doing a full clear wrap like this is you get self-healing paint protection for your entire car. This full-body protection will look great and protect the car from rock chips and swirl marks for up to 10 years. Also, because the entire body is wrapped in clear film, the surface appearance is absolutely the same throughout the whole car.
Furthermore, this would be the package to choose if you want to use matte clear film to convert a car from gloss to matte. For more on that, read on….
Finishes – Choose Gloss or Satin (Matte)
Gloss – It’s the most popular clear bra used on exotics due to its protective qualities as well as its ability to maintain the vehicle’s high gloss appearance without added orange peel texture seen in other films. The surface of Xpel Ultimate and SunTek Ultra is so glossy and so smooth it is looks exactly like a well polished high-gloss coat of paint. Track cars, luxury vehicles and automotive collectors all seek the same properties in a protective film.
Satin – XPEL Stealth and SunTek PPF M are the matte finish versions of Xpel Ultimate and SunTek Ultra. A factory painted satin black Lamborghini Aventador for example, would require a satin clear bra, to keep the same look and finish of the satin paint. Xpel Stealth and SunTek PPF M can also turn a gloss car into a satin finish without any alteration to the vehicle’s current paint. A favorite among exotics, race cars, hot rods and those looking for a bold presence.