When you purchase a new car, one of the things you need to consider is how to protect its exterior from scratches, rust, and other common damage. That’s where paint protection film comes into play. It’s a clear, thin, and adhesive film that’s applied to the car’s exterior to guard against scratches, chips, etching, and more. You have two options when it comes to paint protection film installation. You can either do it yourself or hire a professional installer. As your local Fremont PPF installation company, of course we’d love to be the one to cover your car. But, we support the savvy DIYer who takes pride in accomplishing difficult tasks themselves. In this article, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional paint protection film installation to help you make an informed decision.
At Jet Black Tint and Glass in Fremont, we have the products, tools, and skills to expertly install PPF and vinyl car wrap on any vehicle. We also sell the DIY products to empower our eager customers to complete their own auto enhancements. For all of your custom modifications, check us out online or stop by your local Jet Black Tint today!
For any frugal car enthusiast or eager DIYer, self PPF installation may be an intriguing concept. There are many reasons why consumers may opt for DIY PPF application including cost savings and a chance to work on their own car. Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons of do-it-yourself paint protection film installation.
One of the primary advantages of DIY paint protection film installation is cost savings. With good research and preparation, you can purchase the film and tools needed at a lower price than the cost of a professional installer. Additionally, you don’t have to pay for labor fees. For those with the tools and skills to get the job done quickly and correctly, DIY may be the way to go.
By doing the installation yourself, you have full control over the process and the completed product. You can take as much time as you need, work more carefully, and adjust the application to your needs.
Applying paint protection film is not easy, especially if you haven’t done it before. You need to understand the film’s properties, how to remove air pockets, and how to maneuver the film to fit your car’s curves and contours without rippling, bubbling, or leaving gaps.
If you’re not careful, there’s a high chance of making mistakes and leaving the film with wrinkles, air bubbles, or debris underneath the surface, leading to an uneven, inconsistent finish. In some cases, the installation can worsen any damage to the car’s paint, meaning that instead of protecting it, you may cause more harm.
When it comes to removing the film, you may encounter problems getting rid of every trace of the adhesive left on the car’s clear coat. If you don’t use the right solvents to dissolve the adhesive, removal may result in a damaged or stained paint job, which requires repainting.
Not every shop that offers PPF installation is worth the salt, but for those with the skills and experience to install paint protection film, the ease and convenience to the customer are often the only advantages needed to make a decision. Let’s take a look at both the ups and downs of professional PPF installation.
Professional installers have the training, equipment, and experience needed to guarantee a flawless PPF installation. They understand the properties of the film and know how to work with various vehicles to achieve perfect results. Fremont Jet Black Tint and Glass technicians, for instance, have installed paint protection film on thousands of cars and trucks.
Professional installers use top-of-the-line paint protection films, which are more durable, clearer, and last longer than the products available on the market. These films tend to have better warranties and protection levels that ensure that the car’s finish is well-guarded against scratches, chips, and fading. At Jet Black Tint and Glass, we use Global® PPF.
Professionals have the knowledge, tools, and equipment to complete an installation quickly and efficiently. You don’t have to worry about disrupting your daily life by taking the time to do the installation yourself and you can take comfort in knowing that you won’t have too much downtime.
Professional installation comes at a higher price than DIY. This is because you’re paying for the quality of the materials, the expertise of the installer, and any additional services offered. But, when you factor in your own time spent installing DIY PPF, the price tag is about the same.
When you hire a professional, you’ll need to communicate what you expect in-depth and then give up some control over the process. While you may have some input, the professional installer is ultimately the one performing the installation.
Having considered the pros and cons of both options, we suggest that if you’re a novice to paint protection film installation or you don’t have the time, patience, and expertise to do an installation correctly, hiring a professional installer is a sound choice. You’ll have peace of mind that your car will have a professional-quality finish and that the process of installing the film won’t cause any damage. You’ll also have access to industry-standard materials and expertise that isn’t available to the average person. However, if you have experience in the installation process or you’re looking to save some money, then the DIY option is worth considering. You’ll have control over the installation process, you can take all the time you need, and you’ll save on the cost of labor. Whether to go the DIY or professional route when it comes to paint protection film installation depends on your level of experience, comfort with the material, and budget. As long as you give careful attention and consideration to each option’s pros and cons, you can make an informed decision as to which option best suits your needs. For a PPF team you can trust either way, connect with the pros at Jet Black Tint and Glass today.
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