The period immediately after installation is the most important. The film adhesive needs time to fully cure and bond to the paint surface.

• Do not wash your vehicle for at least 7 days after installation.
• Avoid high-pressure water directed at film edges for at least 2 weeks.
• Do not wax or apply any coatings for at least 30 days.
• Bubbles and haze are normal in the first 1 to 4 weeks as moisture cures out. Do not press on them.
• Avoid extreme temperatures when possible — parking in a garage during the first week helps the curing process.

Once the film is fully cured, maintaining it is straightforward:

• Hand washing is best. Use a pH-neutral car shampoo and a soft microfibre wash mitt. Rinse thoroughly.
• Touchless car washes are acceptable. Avoid automatic car washes with rotating brushes.
• Keep the pressure washer away from film edges. Hold the nozzle at 45 degrees and maintain distance. Edge lifting from high pressure is the most common cause of film failure.
• No harsh solvents or abrasive cleaners. Avoid products with alcohol, acetone, or petroleum distillates.
• Remove bug splatter and bird droppings quickly. The acids in these materials can permanently etch the film surface if left in the sun.

If your vehicle has self-healing PPF (STEK DYNOshield, LLumar, or 3M Pro Series), minor surface scratches and swirls will disappear with heat:

• Natural sunlight on a warm day is usually enough for light scratches.
• For faster results, pour warm water over the area or use a heat gun on low from at least 12 inches away.
• Deep cuts that go through the film body will not self-heal and may require section replacement.

Waxing: You can wax over PPF after 30 days. Use a wax free of naphtha or kerosene. Carnauba-based waxes are a safe choice. Waxing is not required if your film has a ceramic top coat.

Polishing: Light machine polishing is safe on quality PPF films. Use a soft pad and a PPF-safe polish. Avoid heavy cutting compounds.

Ceramic coating over PPF: This combination gives the best long-term results. A ceramic coat over PPF dramatically enhances hydrophobic performance, reduces how often you need to wash, and adds extra scratch resistance. Calgary PPF can apply ceramic coating during or after your PPF installation.

A bubble appeared weeks after installation — is that normal?
Small late-appearing bubbles are usually moisture working its way out. They typically clear on their own. If a bubble persists past 4 weeks, contact us.

Bird droppings landed on my PPF — what do I do?
Remove immediately with a damp microfibre cloth and a PPF-safe spray detailer. Do not scrape when dry.

Can I use a snow brush in winter?
Use a soft brush only, brushing from the centre outward. Do not use scrapers directly on film-covered panels. Remote-starting the car to warm it up first is the safest approach.

The film edge is lifting slightly — what should I do?
Do not pull it. Contact us right away. A lifting edge can usually be re-adhered quickly if caught early. Pulling it yourself risks damage to the paint underneath.