In the automotive aftermarket, paint protection film (PPF) has been a go-to product for preserving a vehicle’s finish. Now, a new innovation is poised to revolutionize the industry as quickly as the original product: color PPF. While Asian manufacturers have taken the lead in this
emerging market, American companies are racing to catch up.
PPF, an American invention originally developed by 3M for military helicopter blades, has traditionally been a clear, thermoplastic urethane (TPU) film applied to a vehicle’s exterior. But as consumer demand for customization grows, manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of what PPF can do.
“There’s nothing else like it,” says PPFMag blogger Gabe Fletcher, referring to color PPF showcased at the 2023 SEMA Show. This new product combines the protective qualities of traditional PPF with the aesthetic appeal of color-change wraps, offering a two-in-one solution for vehicle owners seeking both protection and personalization. He notes that two Asian manufacturers displayed single-layer products at trade shows last year that he says are leaps and bounds ahead of vinyl laminated to clear PPF.
The Chemistry Behind Color PPF
The development of color PPF presents unique challenges that go beyond those of traditional clear or matte films. Al Fitpatrick, sales manager at China-based UPPF, explains, “Color PPF has one or two more additional processes for the color layer.”
Darrell Reed, commercial director for the Americas and Europe at Eastman Chemical Company, delves deeper into the manufacturing process.
“There are two key manufacturing options for achieving color PPF,” he says. “One approach involves using colorants in the urethane pellets to extrude the main film substrate in a specific color. However, transitioning between colors on an extruder can be challenging and time-consuming, creating a bottleneck and reducing flexibility.” Reed says using a clear substrate and introducing color elsewhere in the stack
can “shift the bottleneck to the coating and laminating assets” and that “the choice depends on capacity, expertise and the desired level of unique color effects.”
This complexity in manufacturing is one reason why many American companies have been slow to enter the color PPF market.
“To do a single run of the color film costs tens of thousands of dollars” Reed notes. “You need a huge amount of capital and backing and then have to extrapolate that into a whole range of colors.”
Asian Manufacturers Lead the Way
Currently, Asian manufacturers dominate the color PPF market. Companies like NKODA and Nanolink from China, and IVIOS, ULTRAFIT and STEK from South Korea, have been at the forefront of this innovation.
Adam Lawson, NKODA global marketing manager, says, “There is a lot of R&D involved. NKODA’s been doing PPF for ten years and color PPF for five.”
Fitpatrick attributes this lead to market dynamics and manufacturing capabilities.
“The Asian manufacturers are eager to test new technology and the demand for color TPU PPF is also high in their domestic market,” he says.
Aatif Muneer, CEO of Nanolink’s U.S. operations, adds, “We started R&D for color PPF three years ago. Issues like delamination and fading were holding back manufacturers. We are the only manufacturer who made big investments with TPU resin manufacturers and made color TPU resin to avoid this risk.”
Nanolink currently has 26 color PPF offerings.
Color PPF vs. Vinyl Wraps
While color PPF might seem visually similar to vinyl wraps, there are significant differences. Color PPF offers the durability and self-healing properties of traditional PPF, combined with the aesthetic appeal of color-change wraps.
“We specifically targeted a dry-apply installation method, which aligns with the majority of the current color change film market,” Reed says. “The entire stack has been developed to provide an installation experience similar to vinyl while delivering the durability and performance of traditional PPF.”
He says Eastman’s upcoming color PPF is thicker than vinyl but offers similar stretch
and conformity, yet higher durability.
“The air release for dry application is exceptional, and it can be easily cut and
scored,” he explains. “Unlike vinyl, it features a self-healing top coat like traditional PPF.”
American Manufacturers Catching Up
While Asian manufacturers have taken the lead, American companies are not far behind. Eastman, in particular, is making strides in color PPF development.
“When we started the project, there were no options to my knowledge in the
market,” Reed says. “We anticipated with growing consumer awareness and demand
for clear PPF, there would be demand for a color change film with the higher durability and protection of PPF relative to vinyl.”
Eastman’s development process is rigorous and multifaceted.
“We do extensive market research, gathering insights into the level of need, desired performance, installation properties and cost targets,” Reed explains. “Eastman’s R&D team actively collaborates with customerfacing teams to gain firsthand insights.”
Eastman’s color PPF product is now in the final phases of manufacturing readiness.
“We have initiated a limited launch to a few dealers with LLumar Protective Wrap
Film in the U.S., and the feedback has been very positive, confirming the uniqueness
and differentiation of our product relative to competitive products they’ve seen in the
market,” Reed says.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite the progress, developing color PPF isn’t without challenges.
“The main factor is the cost to manufacture color TPU PPF,” Fitzpatrick explains. “New equipment, testing and R&D are required in the manufacturing of color PPF and production will also vary.”
There’s also the question of the product’s performance and whether it will last as long as clear PPF.
“As long as they are made from same TPU, the answer is yes,” Fitzpatrick says, “But many color PPF on the market are made from different material (PVC, TPH) and different manufacturing process, and those products will perform differently.”
Reed emphasizes the non-linear nature of innovation on this front.
“It’s important to note that true innovation is not a linear process,” he says. “Often, addressing one aspect of the product may introduce trade-offs in other areas. Therefore, our focus is on continuous improvement while managing potential trade-offs.”
The future of color PPF looks promising. UPPF currently offers 41 color PPF choices and continues to add more. Nanolink projects to have 30 by the year’s end. Eastman is initially focusing on satin colors, which are in higher demand relative to gloss, Reed says.
As the technology matures, expect to see more diverse color options and new innovation in the space. Reed is optimistic.
“We are really excited about this new platform and where it is going,” he says. “I know many of our dealers can’t wait to get their hands on it based on what they are hearing from beta testers, and we are working hard toward the wider launch later this year in the U.S. and expanding beyond that.”
The color PPF market represents a significant opportunity for growth in the automotive aftermarket industry. As American manufacturers catch up to their Asian counterparts, competition will likely drive further innovation and improvements in this exciting new product category.
For installers and vehicle owners alike, color PPF offers an enticing blend of protection and personalization. As the technology continues to evolve and more players enter the market, color PPF will become an increasingly popular option for those looking to protect and customize their vehicles.
The race to dominate the color PPF market is on, and while Asian manufacturers may have had a head start, American companies are quickly closing the gap.
As Reed puts it, “We are confident that our product will stand out in the market without the trade-offs observed in other color change PPF products—and the wait will have been worth it.”
Install-ability
Joseph Torbati, owner of OCDetailing in Fremont, California, has been installing color PPF since 2018.
“We started with just one to five installations a month,” he says. “But since Cybertrucks hit the market, we’re now doing about 25 a month.”
The Cybertruck phenomenon has been a catalyst for color PPF. However, Torbati’s clientele isn’t limited to Tesla’s futuristic pickup. “We’re doing Teslas, Porsches—those are pretty common as well,” he explains.
But what sets color PPF apart from its matte or clear counterparts? Torbati says the installation process is a whole different ball game.
While “most of it installs exactly the same as the correlating PPF,” he notes, “Usually what you find with the color PPF, you have to be a much better installer.”
That’s due to the nature of color-change installations. Due to the cost per installation, customers want the vehicle to look like it just left the factory.
What makes it so different? “Places you normally leave relief cuts, you can’t do with a color-change so it’s a more advanced install,” Torbati explains. “You’re either a tension expert or you’re using a lot of patches, which can look bad.”
It’s important to pick the right product to install as well. He stresses noting the quality and durability of color PPF isn’t consistent across brands. He suggests testing color PPFs with something acidic and really strong soap— acid and alkalization. He says these are things that cars can get hit with and potentially mar the topcoat of PPF.
“If the topcoat stains from that, it’s a sign that it’s not going to hold up that well in the real world,” he explains.
While Torbati is all in on color PPF, others in the industry are more cautious. Randy Humphries, owner of Tint Works in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is one such skeptic.
“I’m very limited on the color PPF stuff I do—I don’t like doing it just because of how it holds up,” he says.
Humphries’ approach is targeted. “I’m only doing Cybertruck color-change PPF. If you get into some cars where there are seams and release, it becomes a whole process. That’s why Cybertrucks are a big craze right now because it’s an easy $7,000+,” he explains.
The pricing of color PPF installations is another point of contention in the industry.
“If you quote $10,000-12,000 for a color PPF job, they’ll just go with vinyl instead,” he says, but notes some shops will do it for half that price with worse results. “They’ve got guys doing color PPF for 4,500 bucks. They hurt the market for people that really want to offer a quality job.”
Casey Flores is the editor of PPFMag.
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