Paint Protection Film in Michigan: A Buyer's Guide to Coverage, Install and Quotes

Is paint protection film worth it in Michigan?

It is worth it if you plan to keep the vehicle and want the paint to stay as it left the factory, because PPF takes the stone chips and light scratches that driving causes instead of your paint. It is a weaker fit for a vehicle you will sell soon, or for paint that is already chipped or peeling, since film locks in whatever is underneath.

Michigan adds a reason beyond stones. Road salt speeds up rust on cars, and the salt that traffic throws up reaches vehicle bodies, so a film over the front end and lower panels sits between that spray and your paint. Detroit was among the earliest cities to salt its roads, around 1940.

A fair way to decide is to ask how long you will keep the vehicle, how many highway miles you drive and how much the paint's condition will matter when you sell. If the answers are years, many and a lot, film is worth pricing; if they are a year, few and not much, a ceramic coating or a careful wash routine may be enough.

What is paint protection film made of?

Paint protection film is a thermoplastic urethane film that goes over painted panels, and newer films are multi-layered with a self-healing top coat. It was first developed for the military to protect helicopter rotor blades from flying debris, and it is sold by thickness in mils in the US.

Carmakers later adopted the film, and race car drivers used it before it spread through the wider automotive industry, according to Wikipedia.

What does PPF protect against, and what doesn't it?

PPF protects against stone chips, bug splatter and minor abrasions, and the top coat of newer films can reform after light scratches. It does not make paint indestructible: a hard enough impact can still cut or tear the film, and a thin film does not stop dents.

• Rock chips and road debris: the film takes the strike in place of the paint.
• Bug splatter: it lands on the film, not on the clear coat.
• Light scratches and abrasions: the top coat can self-heal light marks with heat, from warm water or sunlight.
• Not covered by the film itself: dents, and damage that cuts through the film.

What PPF coverage options are there?

Coverage runs from a front bumper to every painted panel, and most people start with the front end: the bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors and headlights. We scope the exact panels for your vehicle when we quote, so you can see what is covered line by line.

• Front end: the bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors and headlights, where debris hits first.
• Rocker panels and lower doors: the lower edge of the sides, which road spray reaches.
• Track pack: coverage for vehicles that see performance driving.
• Full vehicle: film on every painted panel.
• High-impact spots: headlights, mirrors and other areas that pit and chip.

We also install satin and matte film for vehicles with matte paint or a matte look. For more on priorities, see the best parts of your vehicle to protect with PPF.

How is PPF installed, and how long does it take?

A typical install takes 1 to 3 days. The time depends on the coverage level, how much paint correction your vehicle needs, and its size and complexity.

1. Assessment. We inspect the paint for damage, contamination and defects, and go over anything we find with you.
2. Paint correction, if needed. Swirls and scratches are polished out first, because film locks in whatever is underneath.
3. Decontamination. A wash, clay bar treatment and IPA wipe remove oils, wax and contaminants that could affect adhesion.
4. Pattern cutting. Patterns are cut for your vehicle's exact year, make and model, not from generic templates.
5. Installation. The film is wet-applied and squeegeed into position at our Madison Heights shop.
6. Edges and finishing. Edges are wrapped or cut precisely to the panel edge for clean transitions.
7. Cure and final check. The vehicle cures for 24 hours before a final inspection under different lighting, and we fix anything we find before delivery.

Should I get PPF, a ceramic coating or both?

They do different jobs. PPF is a physical layer that absorbs chips and scratches, while a ceramic coating adds gloss and makes paint easier to wash but does not stop physical damage, and many customers add both.

Wikipedia draws the same line, describing film as physical protection and sealants as mainly UV and chemical resistance. A coating can go over the film for extra gloss, and our detailing and ceramic coating page covers that side.

Can PPF go over a vinyl wrap, and can it be removed?

Yes to both, with some considerations. Clear film can go over a vinyl wrap for added protection, though warranty terms may differ, and film can be removed: we offer removal for film we installed and for film from other shops.

Tell us what is on the vehicle now and what you want to change, and we will say what is possible when we quote. Our vinyl wrap page covers the wrap side.

How do I care for PPF?

Wait 7 days before washing the vehicle and 30 days before waxing or sealing it. After that, hand washing is ideal and a touchless car wash is acceptable.

• Avoid harsh chemicals, petroleum-based products and abrasive compounds.
• Light scratches in the film's top coat can self-heal with heat, from warm water or sunlight.
• A ceramic coating can be applied over the film for added gloss.
• The warranty below excludes stains, scratches and water spots from improper cleaning, so the care rules protect your coverage too.

What warranty comes with paint protection film?

The film we install, including satin and matte, carries the manufacturer's 10-year limited warranty, which runs from the date of professional installation and covers defects such as yellowing, cracking, crazing and fading. If the film has a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer repairs or replaces it at no cost, parts and labor included.

The warranty comes from the film's manufacturer and it is limited, so it helps to know what it does and doesn't cover. This is a summary of the terms the manufacturer publishes, it isn't legal advice, and the warranty document has the full wording.

• What it covers: defects in the film such as yellowing, cracking, crazing and fading, repaired or replaced at no cost, parts and labor included.
• How long: 10 years from the date of professional installation. A replacement does not extend the original warranty period.
• What it excludes: improper installation or handling, misuse or abuse, accidents, vandalism, damage from rocks or road debris, film installed with visible defects (including scrapes and chips in the paint), stains, scratches or water spots from improper cleaning, non-automotive use, and film on unpainted surfaces.
• Where it applies: the United States and Canada only.
• What it limits: the manufacturer's liability is limited to the product's purchase price, and the warranty does not cover indirect or consequential damages.

To make a claim, contact the shop that installed the film. The manufacturer asks for the completed warranty card, which the installer fills out at installation, a copy of your original receipt showing the film was installed, and a description of the defect, so keep the card and the receipt together.

How do I compare PPF quotes?

Compare quotes on the same six lines: the panels covered, the film, whether paint correction is included, how the edges are handled, the warranty terms and the timeline. Two quotes with different totals are often pricing different jobs.

1. Panels covered. Ask for the list of panels, not just a package name such as "full front."
2. Film. Ask who makes it and whether it is gloss or matte.
3. Paint correction. Ask whether polishing is included or priced separately, since film locks in whatever is under it.
4. Edges. Ask whether edges are wrapped or cut to the panel edge, and whether anything is cut on your paint.
5. Warranty. Ask for the film's warranty terms in writing, including what is excluded. Ours is covered in the section above.
6. Timeline. Ask how many days your vehicle will be at the shop.

How much does PPF cost?

The price depends on how much of the vehicle you cover, the film you choose, your vehicle's size and body complexity, and whether the paint needs correction first. We quote each vehicle individually, so the quickest way to a number is a free quote with your year, make and model.

• Coverage area, from a bumper to a full vehicle
• Film type, such as standard clear or matte
• Vehicle size and body complexity
• Paint correction needs

If you would like to spread the cost, our financing page explains how payment plans work.

Where does Elite Auto Lab install PPF?

Elite Auto Lab installs PPF at 436 E 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, for drivers across Oakland County and Metro Detroit. We're open Mon–Fri 10:00 AM–6:00 PM and Sat 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, and closed Sunday.

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How do I get a PPF quote?

Request a free quote online or call (248) 881-8204, and tell us your vehicle, the coverage you are considering and whether you want gloss or matte film.

Our paint protection film page has more on the service, and you can see recent work in our gallery.