What is the Lifespan of Autobahn PPF?
Properly applied, high-quality paint protection films will last longer than you may think.
Paint protection film, also known as a “Clear Bra”, is the dominant form of automotive paint protection available today. There are other products out there that offer a bit of protection, such as waxes, ceramic coatings, or vinyl wraps, but nothing comes close to PPF when it comes to total protection.
But impact absorption is nothing without durability; if PPF was great at protecting your car but required re-application every 2 months, no one would like it. In fact, the best part about PPF is that it is a “set-it-and-forget-it” solution. This means that once you have PPF installed, you can rest assured that your vehicle will be safe for years to come.
Here’s a breakdown of the durability and longevity of paint protection films:
How Long Does PPF Last?
Undoubtedly, the best part of paint protection films is how long they last. You can expect high-quality films to last for up to 10 years, but you should get a minimum of 5.
You can usually tell that you’re getting top-quality films because they will come with a warranty. For example, Autobahn films come with a Full Lifetime Warranty – if the manufacturer is confident enough in their product to offer this kind of warranty, you know that you are getting the best.
Besides the quality of the film itself, here are the 3 biggest things that impact the longevity of PPF
- The Preparation. Think about something as simple as putting a sticker onto a water bottle. If the surface of the water bottle is wet, dirty, damaged, or rough, the sticker won’t adhere well, and will soon start to peel off. The same principle applies to PPF (when it comes down to it, PPF is simply a very, very fancy sticker). The prep work for an application of PPF is the most time-consuming and important step of the process because if it is done improperly, nothing that comes after it will matter.
- The Application. Once the prep work is done, it is time to apply the film. This is a nuanced and complex operation, as the technicians must be sure to prevent any bubbles, creases, or folds which will cause a poor result. This is the step where experience really matters, which is why it’s good to work with a shop that has over 20 years of it.
- Environmental Agents. The whole point of PPF is to take abuse so that your car doesn’t have to. Although PPF is incredible at holding up to environmental factors, such as UV rays, road grit, salt, acidic bird droppings, it will eventually wear out. The longevity of your film is partly dependent on how much abuse it is exposed to. If you compare two cars with the same film, one of which is used on weekends for a fun drive and the other is used as a daily driver with a 2-hour commute, the PPF on the first car will last longer than the PPF on the second car. The good news is that at the end of the day, both cars are immaculate.
Do it Right, Do it Once
This is a saying that we embody at Diversity. We believe that if something is worth doing, then it is worth doing to the highest possible standard, especially when it comes to the well-being of our vehicles. Take a look at our competitive prices right here, and then give us a shout to set up an appointment or consultation – it could very well be the best thing you ever do for your car.