If you drive in central Texas then your paint is going to be getting a real kicking. Most people don’t really realise how much damage paint can suffer. Whether it’s small rocks coming off the toll roads, bugs, birds or just the sun from May to October. Paint Protection Film Austin Tx is one of the most searched for services car owners look for after purchasing something new. Usually alongside the paint protection film they will ask about chrome delete services. At Paragon Details we get asked both every week. Paint Protection Film (PPF) is a clear urethane material applied to your factory paint. It’s generally around 8-10 mils thick and will take the brunt of the damage your clear coat would. It’s like a screen protector for your phone but for your 40k car. Some PPF’s have self-healing properties which means any small swirls will repair themselves when exposed to sunlight or warm water. This can look like magic but really it’s just good chemistry!
Does it really Stop Rock Chips on the Highway?
Short answer = Yes. Long answer = It depends on what kind of rocks you’re getting! If you’re getting pea gravel from a dump truck on the MoPac at 70mph then a good quality PPF will survive all day. However if you’re getting some sharp road debris larger than a thumbnail then you may get some nicks in your PPF. But generally your paint will be protected as PPF’s are sacrificial. People get very surprised when they see a small mark in their PPF but it’s not a failure it’s doing what it’s supposed to. Most people will focus on the front of their car so PPF is generally applied to the bumper, bonnet, fenders, mirrors & headlights. The rocker panels and area behind the rear wheels will also get peppered with rocks. Some people will go for a full wrap but others will just do the front half. Both are fine but it depends on how long you intend to keep your car and how much you hate seeing rock chips when washing your car. I’m a fan of doing the high impact areas first and adding more if you have budget.
How long will it last before it yellows?
A good quality PPF will last between 5-10 years depending on the brand and warranty. However with the harsh Texas sun you won’t get much life out of a cheap PPF. They’ll start to yellow and become cloudy. Sometimes they’ll also crack at the edges. Removing them can become a nightmare as the adhesive will have baked onto your paint. A better quality PPF will have a top coat to protect against UV and staining. We recommend washing by hand with a soft mitt. Don’t use a pressure washer 3 inches away from the edges. Let it cure for around a week before washing for the first time and don’t use any automatic brush washers. Some owners will apply a ceramic coating to their PPF to help with beading and dirt sliding off. This isn’t necessary but is a nice addition. Read through your warranty carefully as some will cover yellowing and peeling but not rocks. Ask what exactly is covered. If the installer isn’t specific then that’s a red flag. A good shop will be able to clearly explain what is covered.
How much does it cost?
Everyone always wants to jump to this question. A full front will generally be around 2k. A full car can get quite pricey depending on how big your car is and how many curves there are. The price can vary a lot depending on the brand of PPF, size of the car, amount of curves, how much you want covered and how good the installer is. Complex bumpers can take longer to apply. Trucks are big! Luxury cars with crazy creases can take more care to wrap around the edges. The real cost comes down to labour. A clean install with the edges tucked in can take a lot of patience. Cheaper quotes will often mean corners are being cut. Instead of using pre-cut patterns they’ll be cutting the PPF on the car with a blade. This can cause nicks in your paint. When searching for Paint Protection Film Austin Tx make sure you’re comparing what is included. Some will include paint correction, door jams, edge wrapping and warranty documents. Two quotes can look the same but be completely different.
Can you apply it to old paint or a ceramic coating?
Unfortunately you can’t. PPF will go over your paint and any imperfections. If your paint has swirls, scratches or oxidation then your PPF will seal these in and could emphasise them. This is why a good shop will do paint correction first. They’ll polish your paint to remove all the nasties. New cars still need preparation as they’ll have been washed with dirty cloths at the dealerships and have fine scratches in the paint. Older paint can be a problem. If there’s peeling clear coat or a cheap respray then your PPF can lift this up when it’s removed. Be honest with your installer about your cars history. As for ceramic coatings this is a different product. A ceramic coating is a thin liquid that gives a glossy finish and makes it easy to clean. However it won’t stop any rocks. PPF will protect against impact whereas a coating will protect against the slickness. Lots of Paragon Details owners will do both on their new vehicles. PPF on the front and coating over the whole car. They tell us they keep their cars much cleaner for longer than expected.
What are chrome delete services and who wants them?
Chrome delete services are pretty much exactly what they sound like. Taking your shiny chrome trim and making it black, satin, matte or sometimes body colour. This includes window surrounds, grilles, door handles, mirror caps, badges, emblems and roof rails. On lots of trucks/SUV’S the chrome can be quite large. Many owners feel like it looks old fashioned or flashy. Most of the time this is done with a vinyl wrap. It’s not permanent which is great. If you sell your car or get bored of it you can simply peel it off and your original chrome will be there. You can also paint or powder coat however this is a commitment so most people will go for a vinyl. Cheaper vinyl can fade, bubble and curl in the summer. A good installer will clean the surface, heat up the vinyl and stretch it into the recesses. The edges will be tucked in so you can’t see any seams from a couple of feet away. It’s a small change but makes a big difference. If you have a white/silver car and have blacked out trim it will look like a completely different car. It looks much sharper, aggressive and expensive.
Should I do both together?
It’s a smart idea to do both together. The car is already in the shop, cleaned and prepared. The trim pieces will be masked or removed so the installer can easily apply the edges of your PPF around the trim. You’ll also save time. You don’t want your car in the shop for 3 days. Some shops will offer a discount for doing both. Don’t rely on it. Usually the chrome delete services will go on first as it’s on painted surfaces. Then the trim will be wrapped. Your installer should know what order to do it in. Just make sure whoever is doing your chrome delete knows how it will look with the PPF edges. If it’s not done well it will look bad and can lift over time. If you’re collecting a new truck then it’s almost expected now to have PPF on the front and blacked out trim. Maybe even tinted windows to match. However you can do them separately. If you’re on a tight budget then do the PPF first as it will protect your value. Then do the trim when you have some extra cash. You can easily change the look of your car but you can’t undo chipped paint.
How do I choose a good installer?
Look at their work. Don’t look at stock images. Ask to see close ups of the edges. Headlights, wheel wells, door handles. Poor installs will have lifting corners, bubbles, stretching and knife marks. Ask what brands of PPF they use and why. Ask if they use pre-cut patterns or if they cut on the car. What is covered in the warranty? Check their reviews. Read the 3 star reviews as they will tell you more. A clean shop with good lighting, temperature control and no dust is important. Dust can get trapped under the PPF and will be permanent. How do they communicate with you? Do they listen to what you want? Or do they try to push the most expensive package? A good shop will tell you what you don’t need. There are lots of options around Austin. Some are amazing, some are just ok and some will make you regret your choice. Take your time and get a couple of quotes. Visit the shop. A shop like Paragon Details will take their time to go through the options with you. This isn’t something to rush into.
Conclusion
Yes for most people. If you care about your resale value and hate seeing rock chips then it’s a must. Owners who have chosen Paint Protection Film Austin Tx always tell us they wish they had done it sooner. If you want to match your look then add chrome delete services. Keep it simple, choose a good quality PPF, a good installer and an honest warranty. Do your research, ask annoying questions and choose a shop you can trust. Your paint will thank you in 5 years and probably a lot more than you expect. If you’re local and want to chat then Paragon Details are happy to help!
FAQs
How much does paint protection film cost in Austin Tx?
The price can vary a lot. Front end packages are usually around 2k. Full coverage can be much more depending on how big your car is, what brand of PPF and how complex the body lines are. Make sure to get itemised quotes.
Is chrome delete permanent?
No if it’s done with vinyl. If it’s done with a wrap then it can be peeled off. However if you want it to be permanent then you can paint or powder coat. Think carefully!
Can paint protection film be removed?
Yes, a good installer will be able to remove it using heat and patience. Cheap or sunbaked PPF can be harder to remove. If your car has old resprayed surfaces then it can lift with the PPF. Be honest with your shop about your cars history.
How long does it take to install?
Partial fronts can take 1-2 days. Full coverage can take between 3-5 days. Adding chrome to the trim can add a little extra. Don’t rush it or you’ll get mistakes!
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