How to Maintain the Paint Protection Film on Your Car

Investing in a high-quality Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a smart choice to safeguard your car's paint finish from road debris, stone chips, bug splatter, and other environmental contaminants. It’s what we recommend to our clients here at Exclusive Paint Protection in Charlotte, NC. However, it’s important to know the proper way to wash and care for your PPF to maximize the lifespan and appearance of the protective coating. 

Here are a number of tips you can use to preserve the PPF on your car.

Regular Washing and Cleaning - Sometimes people believe that using a PPF means they don’t need to wash their vehicle as often. This is a mistake. Routine washing is crucial to prevent the accumulation of dirt, grime, and contaminants on your paint protection film. Use a mild automotive detergent or a designated PPF cleaner to avoid abrasive substances that may compromise the film's integrity. Hand washing with a soft microfiber sponge or mitt is recommended to minimize the risk of scratches.

Avoid Washing Your Vehicle in Direct Sunlight - Water evaporates in sunlight or if your paint is hot much faster than normal, which can lead to water-spotting.

Use Top Quality Washing Materials - It is best to use high quality items like a microfiber mitt, and a superior car wash product when cleaning your PPF to keep from damaging the finish on your vehicle. 

Start By Washing The Wheels - Your wheels will typically be the dirtiest part of your car, get those washed and out of the way before cleaning the painted surfaces. 

Wash and Rinse Each Section of Your Vehicle Thoroughly - Rinse your vehicle first moving section by section before starting to scrub with a wash mitt as this will reduce your chances of swirl marks. Then make sure you rinse off all the soap to keep from getting streak marks. 

Use Two Buckets - The two-bucket method has been around for years. Basically, you set up two buckets, one with your car wash soap, and one with pure rinse water. Once you have washed a panel, it’s very likely there is dirt on your mitt. Rinse the mitt thoroughly in your rinse water before dunking it back into the car wash solution to reduce the chances of reintroducing debris onto your car.

Don’t Air Dry Your Vehicle - If you have had a PPF applied to your car it is best to use a waffle-weave towel or an air-blower to dry your car after washing. Don’t let it air dry as this will result in water-spotting.

Other Maintenance Tips That Are PPF Specific 

Following any of the above steps will help to protect the finish on your vehicle, especially if you have a PPF applied on it, but they work for regular paint jobs as well. If you do have a PPF on your car there are a few more things you can do that are specific to your vehicle. 

Hand Wash Your Vehicle - Automatic car washes can be rough on your car’s PPF causing swirl marks or deep scratches. It’s much better to hand wash your car or to take it to a car wash facility that has bays with pressure washers that you can control. 

Wait At Least 7 Days To Wash Your Vehicle After PPF Application - The Paint Protection Film needs time to fully cure on your vehicle. If you wash it before 7 days you will interrupt the curing process impacting the final results. 

Avoid the Edges When Using A Pressure Washer - Pressure washers can pack some serious PSI and if you get too close to the edges of the protective film on your car there’s a chance of that pressure getting under the film causing it to lift. The general rule for distance with pressure washers is 8–12 inches away.

Deal With Natural Debris Right Away - PPF coatings are not indestructible. You’ll want to remove bird-dropping, bug-splatter, or tree-sap as soon as possible as the acidic levels in these contaminants can damage the film and reduce its life-span.

Don’t Dry Wipe or Power Buff Your Vehicle - Your PPF coating could get scratched if you wipe it with a dry cloth. Make sure that the surface is hydrated in the process of wiping. And you can do serious damage to the film if you try to power buff it so definitely leave the buffer in the garage. 

Use A Premium Sealant if You Are Not Using a Ceramic Coating - Typically PPF applications are paired with ceramic coating for maximum performance and protection. However, if you decide not to go that route, make sure you still utilize a premium protective sealant.

Maintaining the PPF on your car involves a combination of regular care, proper cleaning techniques, and preventive measures. By adopting these practices, you can ensure that your Paint Protective Film continues to provide effective protection, preserving your vehicle's paint finish and overall aesthetic appeal. Remember, proactive care is the key to maximizing the longevity and performance of your car's PPF investment and keeping your car looking its best.