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If you’ve just bought a new car, you might be thinking about how to keep your car’s paintwork looking in perfect condition. Fortunately, there are a range of options available to do just that. Some people opt for DIY wax protection or ceramic paint protection coatings, however, the best way to protect your car paintwork is PPF, or Paint Protection Film.

What Is Paint Protection Film?

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a thick layer of a polymer called Urethane (a commonly used polymer within the automotive industry), that is applied on top of the bodywork of your vehicle to provide a layer of protection against everyday issues such as dust & gravel, poor weather conditions, bird dropping & dead insects.

The material that PPF is made from is known to be very durable. It is robust, flexible, and chemically stable, along with being completely resistant to degradation from the sun’s UV rays. Once applied to the vehicle, it functions as a second skin, absorbing all of the shock from the impact of debris while causing zero damage to the paintwork underneath.

How Does PPF Work?

Paint Protection Film comprises a number of layers, including 3 layers of rubberised base coat to absorb the shock from any debris that might hit the car before impacting the paintwork itself. On top of this, there is usually a transparent top coating to keep the car looking pristine and shiny. Some PPF suppliers, such as Ngenco, offer a colour change OEM as part of their paint protection package, which comes as a separate layer between the transparent top coat and the base coat.

When a rock hits a vehicle’s surface, the impact is concentrated on a tiny area, leading to cracks and chips in the paint, which is thin and relatively inflexible. Over time, areas exposed to airflow, like the front bumper and hood, accumulate these imperfections. Applying PPF adds a flexible urethane layer that absorbs and redistributes impact energy, protecting the paint by diffusing the force over a larger surface.

Spray Applied PPF vs Classic PPF

Many PPF users are now making the switch from classic paint protection film to a new, spray based PPF formula from brands such as Ngenco. Paint Protection Spray works in a very similar manner to classic PPF, however, there are some advantages not available to standard PPF users. Paint Protection Spray requires no seams, relief cuts, or joins on large and awkward panels, allowing for a much smoother finish. Ngenco also has zero gloss level deterioration, and is completely hydrophobic.