Paint Protection Film (PPF) Near Detroit, MI

Is Elite Auto Lab in Detroit?

No, we're a Madison Heights shop that serves Detroit drivers. Our address is 436 E 14 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071, in Oakland County and roughly 12 miles north of downtown Detroit.

Detroit is the county seat of Wayne County and had 639,111 residents at the 2020 census. Its nickname, Motor City, reflects its place at the heart of the automotive world, and the Downtown, Midtown, Corktown and New Center areas feature many historic buildings. Here is the trip at a glance:

How do I get from Detroit to Elite Auto Lab?

Take I-75 north. North of M-102 (8 Mile Road), the freeway crosses out of Detroit and into Oakland County, and 8 Mile Road is exit 59. Keep going to exit 65, 14 Mile Road, which sits on the Madison Heights–Troy city line; our shop is at 436 E 14 Mile Rd. On the way you pass the I-696 interchange (exit 61), 11 Mile Road (exit 62) and 12 Mile Road (exit 63).

Through Detroit, I-75 is the Fisher Freeway or the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, named for pioneers in the auto industry. I-75 runs along the west side of Madison Heights and I-696 along its southern border, so one interstate takes you most of the way. Use a map app for current ramps and the final turns.

What is paint protection film, and what does it protect against?

Paint protection film (PPF) is a clear film that goes over your vehicle's painted panels and takes the rock chips, bug splatter and minor scratches that would otherwise reach the paint. It is a thermoplastic urethane film, and the top coat on newer films self-heals light scratches when it is warmed.

Why do Detroit drivers add paint protection film?

I-75 runs through Detroit as the Fisher Freeway or the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, and highway speed is when stones thrown up by other vehicles hit hardest. PPF takes those chips in place of your paint.

Salt is a Detroit fact of life: Detroit was among the earliest cities to salt its roads, around 1940, and salt speeds up rust on cars. A film over the front end and the lower panels sits between that spray and your paint.

Paint Protection Film Work From Our Madison Heights Shop

Here are four vehicles we protected with paint protection film at our Madison Heights shop.

What PPF coverage should I choose?

Most people start with the front end, meaning the bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors and headlights, because that is where road debris hits first, then add rocker panels and lower doors or move to full-vehicle coverage. We scope the exact panels for your vehicle when we quote.

We also install satin and matte film for vehicles with matte paint or a matte look. Downtown Detroit is roughly 12 miles from our shop, so for an install that takes more than a day, we will plan the drop-off and pickup with you.

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

A typical install takes 1 to 3 days, depending on the coverage level, how much paint correction your vehicle needs, and its size and complexity. Every install runs from an assessment and any paint correction through pattern cutting, installation and a 24-hour cure, and our paint protection film guide for Michigan drivers lists each step.

What warranty comes with paint protection film at Elite Auto Lab?

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 yellowing, cracking, crazing and fading. If the film has a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer repairs or replaces it at no cost.

It is limited, so it excludes damage from accidents, rocks and improper cleaning, and a claim goes through the shop that installed the film with your warranty card and receipt. Our guide lists every term.

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. A coating can go over the film for extra gloss, and our ceramic coating page for Detroit covers that side.

How do I compare PPF quotes?

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

How much does PPF cost in Detroit?

It 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. The quickest way to an exact number is a free quote with your year, make and model.

Request a free quote or call (248) 881-8204. If you would like to spread the cost, our financing page explains how payment plans work.

Which other cities near Detroit do you serve for PPF?

We also install PPF for drivers in the cities around Detroit, including Warren, which borders it to the north, and in Madison Heights, where our shop is.

• Paint protection film in Troy
• Paint protection film in Birmingham
• Paint protection film in Bloomfield Hills
• Paint protection film in Rochester Hills
• Paint protection film in Novi
• Paint protection film in Madison Heights
• Paint protection film in Warren
• All service areas

Does Elite Auto Lab offer other services near Detroit?

Yes. Besides paint protection film, Elite Auto Lab offers window tint, ceramic coating, auto detailing and vinyl wrap at the same Madison Heights shop, and each has its own page for Detroit drivers.

• Window tint in Detroit
• Ceramic coating in Detroit
• Auto detailing in Detroit
• Vinyl wrap in Detroit

How do I get a PPF quote near Detroit?

Request a free quote online or call (248) 881-8204. The form asks for your name, phone and email, plus a short description of your project and, if you like, your vehicle. Our paint protection film page has more on the service.