The Intersection of Art and Science in PPF Installation
There are two elements to a great paint protection film (PPF) installation. The first is the film itself. The quality and performance of PPF varies widely depending on the raw materials brand OEMs use to make it. The second is the installer. A skilled installer possesses not just the technical expertise to apply the film, but a finesse and flair that ensures the vehicle maintains a showroom-quality appearance for years after PPF installation.
Together, they are the art and science of PPF installation. Neither more or less important than the other; both essential to achieving the result the vehicle owner expects.
Most experienced installers have worked with substandard PPF at some point and know it when they see it – or, more accurately, when they feel it. In recent years, more and more budget PPF options have reached the market, typified by their poor elasticity and ease with which they tear. That lack of conformability may be manageable for talented installers, but film’s tendency to peel and yellow long before the warranty expires is not.
PPF performance characteristics can be traced directly to its central ingredient, thermoplastic polyurethane – better known as TPU. Almost every feature – and many failures – of PPF can be traced to the TPU used in its formulation. The TPU selected determines PPF durability, conformability and optical clarity. It dictates how long it takes to install and how long it will last. It enables creative colors and finishes. The quality of the TPU in any PPF determines its properties and performance, yet TPU is invisible and largely unknown to most installers.
That should not be the case.
Consider: While in the past, most PPF customers drove high-end vehicles, interest in applying PPF is now expanding beyond the luxury market. Installers want to build relationships all these customers, and using PPF made with proven materials such as premium TPU not only preserves the glossy beauty of the car and protects against damages to the paint — it gives customers peace
of mind that their installer is selecting the best choice for their vehicle.
Lubrizol invented TPU, and ESTANE® TPU from Lubrizol has been the gold standard ever since. This is true today because Lubrizol continues to innovate, evolve and tailor ESTANE TPU to meet the needs of any application, and to ensure installers always have the premium film they need to provide the highest quality result. Lubrizol can formulate ESTANE TPU to produce PPF with enhanced resistance to ultraviolet light, heat or cold, to deliver superior durability, or to produce consistent, vivid colors and textures. Simply put, Lubrizol has mastered the chemistry of TPU and harnessed it to help produce the best PPF in the world.
PPF installers owe it to themselves and their customers to consider not just the art, but the science of PPF when choosing the films they use. That starts with understanding TPU and the role it plays in all aspects of PPF performance and seeking out brands that use ESTANE TPU.
Learn more at Lubrizol.com
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