By Chris Collier
Following the battles at the Paint Protection Film competition at the International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off ™, PPF magazine reached out to some of the competitors, and some other installers across the country, to discover the tool they can’t live without. Congratulations to all competitors on a great performance!
Jeremiah Bienko,
813-TINTING, owner/vinyl wrap artist
Q: How long have you been in the PPF industry?
A: I have been in this industry as a whole for over 20 years. I’ve been installing PPF for more than 10 years now.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: Each installer has multiple forms of water sprayers that they use for PPF installation. From old-school, hand-pump sprayers to bottles that you can pre-pump that hold air for longer spraying. Or the newest way—having a full tank with a pre-mixed solution and compressed air. I’m not here to talk any of these methods down. I have used them all and like anything in this world, they all have strengths and downfalls . . . none being bad or dramatically wrong in this case. For the most part, I find all seem to work out great. I have found a comfort zone in the middle. I like the medium-sized bottle that you can pre-pump manually and then spray for an extended amount of time and then pump again if needed. I have to refill them more than someone with a large tank, that’s for sure. But it also allows me to manage smaller amounts of water, helping eliminate contamination and I can also keep the water warmer by dealing with smaller amounts. I like to have warm water when I install [because] it helps to make the film a bit softer and easier to work with. These pump sprayers I use are my go-to—I can’t live without this tool.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: I can always grab another squeegee or use a different knife or maybe even find another means of steam or heat for my installation. But my sprayer—no, I need that. It’s my best friend. I have a great deal of control with it. From a rinsing type of spray to a more aggressive spray to a soft fan spray for just a quick misting, it’s been a winner for me for years.
Pavlo Li, Wrapz Inc. and Touch of Glass Detailing Studio, PPF specialist Competed in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the PPF industry?
A: I’ve been working in the vehicle wraps industry for 16 years [with] five of them specifically with PPF.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: My favorite tool is the Avery Dennison FleXtreme Micro-Squeegee.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: Nowadays in order to keep the most demanding customer satisfied you have to be able to wrap edges and corners. This tool allows you to tuck in the film under the rubber trims and between body panels.
Christopher Mead, Beaver Motor Group, lead PPF installer
Competed in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the PPF industry?
A: I started in this industry six years ago and concentrated almost exclusively on paint protection film during that time.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: There have been so many tools over the years which could be called a favorite. Currently I would have to say Fusion Tools’ new Pink Specialty squeegee is my most used of any tool.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: There isn’t one particular tool I couldn’t live without. We as installers should be able to use any tool at our disposal in order to get the job done properly. The tool doesn’t make the installer.
Shawn Holbrook, Blue Sky Tint, owner
Competed in 2021
Q: How long have you been in the PPF industry?
A: 8 ½ years.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: My favorite PPF tool to use is the yellow turbo. It’s your closer, if you will. You prep your surface to get ready to apply the PPF and then you’re off to the races with your turbo. The yellow is the perfect softness for the pressure I apply and my style.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: It’s not the only tool you need, but it’s the most important one because there are so many different types out there. You need to use the one best suited for your style and pressure you apply.
Andrew Moyer, Sun Stoppers of Lake Norman, N.C., shop manager Competed in 2021 (Paint Protection Film 2021 Finalist)
Q: How long have you been in the PPF industry?
A: Two years with PPF.
Q: What is your favorite tool to use?
A: The Hornet.
Q: Why can’t you live without it?
A: I feel that the Hornet really helps me avoid leaving major water puddles. It also helps me not trap air when rolling the edges of PPF.
Chris Collier is the assistant editor for PPFMag.
collier@glass.com
Send us Your Cool Projects
Whether it’s a challenging PPF project or a unique vinyl wrap we want to hear the details and see some photos. Send your pics and project info to Tara Taffera at ttaffera@glass.com
To view the laid-in version of this article in our digital edition, CLICK HERE.
