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With so many paint protection films on the market today, it can be confusing to know what’s going on. 3M, Xpel, Suntek STEK, etc. What makes them different? If at all? The answers may surprise you. Here is a deeper look at the paint protection films available.

2 sub-types of PPF from each manufacturer

10 Year Warranty, Self-healing, Colour-Stable PPF

These are the high end paint protection films. Each major film brand has a variant of this technology. All built around the same theory. The following 4 sub-types are the leading brands in the western world as of 2020.

3M Pro Series Paint Protection Film Gen 5.0
Xpel Ultimate Plus
STEK Dynoshield
Suntek Ultra

5 Year Warranty PPF films with no top coat

These films are substantially cheaper, but have a few drawbacks. With no self-healing top coat, they quickly accumulate swirl marking, scratches and general wear and tear, leading to a dulling of the film over time, and a generally beat up appearance. Because these films have no top coats, they are all prone to discolouring and yellowing over time. These films are indicated only for short term vehicle ownership under 5 years. Also, as these films look quite good after a fresh installation, they are routinely used to bait and switch unsuspecting customers, so do your due diligence and know what you are buying. Here are the leading 5 year warranty films in the western world as of 2020:

3M 946 Series
Xpel 9300 Series
Suntek PPF-C
STEK Lite
Avery
Premium Shield

So which brand is the best after all?

All 4 leading manufacturers, 3M, Xpel, Suntek, STEK are making good quality products, and generally offer the same two sub-types. We believe the 10 year warranty products such as 3M Pro Series Gen 5.0, or Xpel Ultimate+ to be the better options over the 5 year materials, unless you only intend to keep your vehicle a maximum 5 years. The 10 year warranty products are the thickest paint protection films available fin the world, and they provide an unmatched level of durability and protection for even the most rigorous jobs and applications. Take advantage of the edge seal technology employed by Calgary PPF to get lasting protection that just won’t quit.

Get Started with Self-Healing 3M Pro Series Paint Protection Film Today!

The paint protection film of your dreams awaits. Contact Calgary PPF today to gain the benefits of 3M’s great products.

Be sure to treat your vehicle right by contacting the experts at Calgary Paint Protection Film. You can always expect friendly and prompt service. We work around your schedule to provide maximum convenience. Keep your car looking like new, the easy way! Phone: 587-324-1993

It is easy to love our vehicles. They provide us with transportation, storage space and, ultimately, access to a better quality of life. It makes sense to spoil them as a result. Spoiling your vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean literally adding a spoiler to the back, but it certainly can refer to this action.

Instead, when we talk about spoiling our vehicles, we are referencing all of the add-ons, cleaning and maintenance we perform to ensure its optimal condition and performance. A good example of this is 3M paint protection film, which keeps the exterior of your vehicle looking new while also providing a critical layer of protection. Detailing is another method of spoiling our transportation solutions.

Below, we have a list of some of the best products for detailing your vehicle. Although it doesn’t include all of your favourite brands and products, this list does include the items you need to get into every fibre of your vehicle and give it the cleansing it truly deserves.

Detailing Items for Your Vehicle

Microfibre Wash Mitts

In the past, mitts like these were used to paint surfaces. However, microfibre versions are a relatively recent invention, though they are no less fantastic for their newness. With these, you can clean every part of your vehicle without struggling to keep your cloth or wash rag clean. Plus, they are machine-washable, making their clean up easy and straightforward.

Clay Bars

Although the quality of clay bars can vary, when you find a brand or product you really enjoy, nothing is like it. For keeping the exteriors of your vehicle in mint condition, sparkling and beautiful, use clay bars. They will not disappoint, and they are ideal for 3M paint protection film cleaning also!

Elbow Grease

Our final item is you! Your vehicle deserves a pampering that reflects its valuable service. Only you can provide this level of dedication and cleanliness, and the appreciation that your hard-earned efforts will glean is also your own. A reciprocal cycle like this is often hard to come by!

Yout Best Car Detailing Solution

Of course, doing the work of your car detailing can be a fun and rewarding experience in its own right. However, sometimes we simply do not have the time to get into all of the nooks and crevices of our vehicles. During these situations, consider taking it to a professional detailing service instead. This can save you time and money when done correctly.

Cars and rust don’t mix. It’s why people invest so much money in rustproofing their vehicles.

But what is undercoating & rust proofing? What causes a car to rust, and how do you protect yours against it?

This blog has the answers for you.

What Causes A Car To Rust?

In basic terms, it occurs when oxygen and iron come in contact and begin an oxidation process, which develops into rust.

External factors, such as water, snow and humidity, can speed this process up, which is why rust tends to occur more during the wintertime. Other elements, such as road dirt, grime, road salt, and other corrosives, can wear down the waterproof barrier and contribute to the rust’s growth.

Thankfully there are ways to protect your automobile.

Do I Need To Rust Proof My Car?

Absolutely you should consider it. While car paint and car films will protect the vehicle from any damage occurring (including rust), an accident or dent can result in rust developing. The same applies if you have a ceramic coating or 3M paint protection film.

There is also the factor that we live in Alberta, and it’s a province where winters can be brutal, and road salt is practically considered a condiment.

The only time it is not valuable to invest in undercoating or rustproofing is when your vehicle is too old, and therefore not worth the expense, or if the car is already damaged by rust (as the cost itself for the auto body repairs can be expensive).

How Do I Protect My Car from Rust?

There are several different options for drivers, depending on their needs:

Wash & Wax Every Two Weeks

The more often you wash your vehicle, the less likely it will develop the wetness that can create rust. Often people get this done once a month, which gives rust plenty of time to get into the vehicle. It’s best to aim for every two weeks.

Invest in Paint Protection Film, Undercoating and Rust Proofing

Just like a 3M paint protection film, the 3M undercoating works to a similar effect. It prevents rust and corrosion of the vehicle undercarriage, guaranteeing your vehicle is protected during the winter months.

Invest in 3M Undercoating, Rust Proofing & Paint Protection

3M Rust Proofing protects your vehicle panels and wheel wells from rusting better than any other coating on the market today. It is the best piece of protection that you can get for your vehicle.

Drive Carefully & Safely

Avoiding the following can reduce your chances of scratches and dents, therefore, reducing the chances of rust occurring:

Avoid driving over potholes and roads that are under construction
Avoid parking over gutters or watered areas, such as puddles or snow mounts
Do not park close to other cars in the parking lot
Park the car under shade to avoid snow and wet weather

While investing in these options might not seem like it’s worth it, it will be when you avoid rust developing in your vehicle. Repairing rust can be very expensive so add precautions to your cars with these suggestions.

A clear bra is another name for a paint protection film. The names are interchangeable, and both of them provide the same primary function, which is to protect your vehicle from small amounts of damage. Typically, you would apply a clear bra to the elements on the front of your cars, such as the bumper, headlights, and detail areas.

However, to truly understand why a clear bra is necessary, you will need to know about a few other things. Firstly, the likelihood that your vehicle will get unsightly scrapes and scratches, and secondly, how easy it is to prevent this damage from occurring. More information is below.

Why You Need a Paint Protection Film

How likely is the damage?

Damage to the front of your vehicle is very likely. Just take a moment to consider it. Firstly, when you drive behind other cars on the road, their tires will naturally throw up rocks, which is also the cause of windshield chips. Additionally, if you live in a crowded urban centre, chances are people will have to perform complicated parking maneuvers near your vehicle, and not everyone is as careful with your car as you would be in the same situation.

How easy is prevention?

The prevention of this type of damage to your car or truck is effortless. All you need to do is find a qualified and licensed 3M paint protection film installer near you, and book an appointment. Then, show up to your appointment and speak with the professionals who can advise you on the best areas to apply the clear bra as well as general maintenance and upkeep tips. However, it is fair to note at this point that the upkeep of your clear bra should be fairly minimal.

How to protect your clear bra?

Protecting your clear bra should involve only one simple step. Don’t tailgate your fellow drivers. Yes, it is really that simple. When you leave the professionals to install your clear bra, it will be smooth and free from any blisters or defects. This process essentially makes the paint protection film a permanent part of your car, and any damage it sustains will not carry through to your vehicle.

How to Find a Paint Protection Film Installer

Finding a paint protection film installer is also relatively simple. At Calgary PPF, we have the tools you are looking for to complete this installation, and we would love to hear from you. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer any questions you may have.

3M paint protection film is a great way to protect your vehicle’s beautiful paint job from unnecessary weathering or damage. It appears as a clear film that is barely visible when installed correctly and can last over a year. However, like most modifications to vehicles, it is best done by professionals who have the tools and equipment necessary for correct installation.

With that being said, learning about the process can still be fun and rewarding. Knowledge is power, after all, and learning more about this product can give you imaginative ways to utilize it in your daily activities. Therefore, you can follow the steps below to understand the process and share the information with friends and family alike.

The Process of 3M Paint Protection Film Installation

The process of 3M paint protection film installation begins with cleaning your vehicle. Proper surface preparation is an essential part of many vehicle enhancements as it allows you to work on a clean surface, free of harmful dust and grime.

After your vehicle is suitably cleaned, prepare two solutions in spray bottles. The first bottle should be mostly water with a few drops of baby shampoo, and the second will be a mix of water and isopropyl alcohol (60%/40%). If you don’t have baby shampoo, don’t worry. Most soaps will act as a surfactant, which is what is important to reduce the surface tension of the water.

Next, it is time for you to remove the protective backing of the paint protection film. During this process, soak the film with your water/ soap solution, and then align it to the desired application area. After you have correctly aligned the piece to the appropriate section, spray under the film with the water/ alcohol solution, which will begin the curing process of the adhesive.

Finally, use the provided squeegee tool and pull away from the centre to remove any air bubbles. Take your time with this step as it is here that you will be finalizing the position of the paint protection film. After the installation, remember not to wash your vehicle for at least 24 hours, which will give the film time to adhere correctly and cure on your car.

Trust the Experts with 3M Paint Protection Film Installation

Now that you understand the process, you should be able to appreciate the difficulty involved in proper application. If you do not have the right amount of each solution or the film is not aligned correctly, you are likely to install an inferior system, which may cause the film to fail prematurely. Therefore, your best option for installing this product is to leave it to the experts as they have the experience, tools, and understanding necessary to complete the job successfully every time.

The cost of car window tinting can vary depending on a variety of choices. However, if you are thinking about tinting your car windows, this will be a helpful guide to set you on the right path.

Considerations Before You Buy

One of the considerations you must make before investing in car window tinting is where the tinting will be applied. Some people like to cover all of their windows, but others only perform the service on their windshield and front door windows. Both options have their pros and cons, but ultimately the decision will be unique to you.

Another consideration for you to make is the level of tinting you will receive. Getting blacked out windows can be illegal in some jurisdictions and you also don’t want to go so light that the effects are minimized. Settling on the right balance of dark to light can be difficult, but checking with your service provider can make the decision a lot easier.

With these considerations in mind, a typical 2-window tinting can cost around $200. For a full package, the price will rise to about $450. However, this is just for a basic package and there are better quality options available for you. A specialty 3M Crystalline Window tint starts at $600 and can go up to $1,700 depending on the number of windows that it is applied too.

Finding the Right Company

Finding the right car window tinting company should come before any of the previous steps. It is important that you find a company with the right experience and knowledge regarding the type of window tinting you want to purchase. Plus, it is a great bonus if they provide you with a loaner vehicle while the car window tinting is applied to your vehicle.

Furthermore, there are several reputable dealers of high-quality and luxury window tinting products, and seeking out these companies can make a big difference to your purchase. Don’t trust secondhand or poor quality materials as they are likely to prematurely fail. This will leave you with a poor aesthetic finish and you will likely have to get the service done again.

Finally, if you are considering purchasing a windshield protection film, you should reconsider. This product is no longer relegated as it once was due to the exuberant cost of installation and the lack of protection it provides. As well, if your windshield is damaged with this protective film installed, the process to repair it will likely damage your windshield further and increase the cost of repair substantially.

One of the hardest parts of owning a vehicle with a matte finish is the maintenance involved. It requires maintenance over and above that of a gloss finish, and can really detract from the aesthetics of your vehicle if not properly maintained.

Luckily, there is a new solution for your matte finish, and it takes the form of a paint protection film. The XPEL Stealth system is a unique product that was specifically designed to protect matte, flat, magno, frosted, and frozen paint colours.

Installed in much the same fashion as traditional paint protection films, this system is applied over a wet vehicle, and smoothed out for an even, smooth finish. This guarantees a quality product that looks beautiful and endures anything you can throw at it.

Plus, it has a variety of other benefits that include:

Benefits of the XPEL Stealth Paint Protection Film

One of the key benefits of the XPEL Stealth system is that it has the ability to self-heal. This means that if there are minor scratches or swirl marks from cleaning, the paint protection film can heal itself. All that is required is a little heat and time.

Secondly, the XPEL Stealth coating is easy to apply and can be made for custom applications. Two benefits make this possible. First, the design access program (DAP) that is part of the XPEL experience allows technicians to find the right pattern for your vehicle. Secondly, they can modify it to accentuate the look of your vehicle as you choose. This means you can stylize your flares, splitters, trim, headlights, or whatever else you want to finish with a great-looking matte finish.

Finally, another great benefit of the XPEL stealth system is the ease of maintenance. Rather than the expensive salves and ointments that typically are required for matte-finished cars, a simple wash is enough with this system. Plus, with its sleek, satin finish it will look great even with a little bit of mud on it.

Find Your Authorized Dealer

If you have been considering the best way to protect your satin or matte finish, there is nowhere else to look than the XPEL Stealth coating. Now, all that is left for you to do is to find an authorized dealer. Make sure they carry this brand and that they are sufficiently experienced in the installation of this system.

Next, make sure that they understand what you are expecting. For this, you should have a clear vision of what you want your vehicle to look like, and a plan to make it a reality. This will make the process go smoother for both you and your installation experts, and you will be that much closer to a beautiful satin finish with protection that just won’t quit.

Spring is one of the best times of year. The snow melts, the trees turn green again, and the days grow warmer with each passing day. However, there are also some drawbacks to this season which include: mud, road salt, dirt, and muck. This can have a detrimental effect on many things including your vehicle. Hopefully, though, you have made the right choice and put paint protective film on your car. This will help prevent your paint from being damaged or losing its lustre, but there are a few things you can do to make the paint protection film even more durable.

Regular Inspections On Your Paint Protection Film

This is the easiest task to perform yourself. Take a walk around your vehicle every so often and pay close inspection to the areas that have had the protective film applied. Do you see any minor blemishes, or has it started to peel away at the edges? Usually, this won’t be the case because of the protective film’s ability to self-heal, but over time eventually, all things will require some amount of repair.

See An Authorized Paint Protection Film Applicator

Don’t fret though! If these issues are apparent, any qualified paint protection film applicator will be happy to take a look. It may be that only a minor touchup is required, or the damage hasn’t penetrated all of the way through the film. Just bringing it into the shop should be enough for you to access the qualified professionals expertise, and they will inform you of what, if any, repairs are required.

Make Regular Visits To A Calgary Paint Protection Professional

However, when paying regular attention to the finer details of your paint protective film, you should be able to notice any changes to the film layer. Usually these minor issues are a result of driving too closely behind other vehicles on the road, or staying too close to the edge of the curb lane. Both of these bring undue amounts of debris close to your vehicle, so take your time and drive safely for the benefit of yourself and the benefit of your paint protective film.

Just like you might think there are no benefits to getting paint protection film in winter, window tints have an array of myths about them too. And it is these misconceptions that deter people from investing in them, despite the fact they could be wrong. It is time to break down these myths and give you the full truth about window tinting in Calgary:

Myth 1 – There is no benefit to getting it for my car

There is this belief that window tinting in Calgary is all about the cosmetic appeal, and there is nothing else to it. Well, that’s not true. In fact, there are many benefits that come with installing window tints in your vehicle, including:

That the films that block more than 99% of UV rays, protecting you and your car’s interior.
The window blocks solar glare and reduces the need for squinting while driving.
It adds a layer of protection for your vehicle and reduces break-in attempts and;
The window tint reduces the amount of heat that builds in your car.

As you can see, there are more benefits to getting a window tint – especially a 3M window tint – than merely looking stylish and cool.

Myth 2 – It will make my vision too dark to see

All window tints come in an array of colors and shades that can work with each driver’s individual needs. But that doesn’t mean that it will impair your vision while driving. Even the darkest tints can be seen through. In many cases, it is like wearing sunglasses – you will get some shade, but it won’t make it too dark to see. In fact, as we mentioned above, it will actually reduce any glare, making it easier to drive.

Myth 3 – It will also its effectiveness over time.

Such is the technological advancements that window films are now more durable and vibrant than ever before. Take, for example, 3M window tint. It is considered the most robust and longest-lasting window tint in the market, ensuring that you can have it on your vehicle for years without any issues. More so, when you go to a paint protection film provider to get your windows tinted, you can get a warranty, meaning your vehicle is protected for as long as you use it.

Myth 4 – Window tints are too expensive

Back in the day, that might have been the case, but not anymore. Nowadays, as the benefits of window tinting in Calgary have become widely known, the prices for these tints have reduced in price. Modern window films last for decades, come with warranties, can be easily removed and replaced with a new film, highlighting the value that comes with it. Just make sure you go to a trusted professional that offers you a decent rate. Super cheap window tints are not the best investment.

Now that we are in December and winter has finally engulfed us, you have to take extra precautions with your vehicle. The exterior of your car is going to go through a lot during winter, including freezing weather, dirt, rocks and gravel, hard salt, mud and much more.

So to ensure that your vehicle is protected during the wintertime, it is a smart idea to install paint protection film in Calgary. You might be wondering: how does this help? If you keep reading this blog, you can see the advantages of getting paint protection film in Calgary this winter.

4 Reasons To Get Paint Protection Film For Winter

1- It helps protect against all marks, scratches, and dents

As we mentioned above, your vehicle is going to be exposed to a lot of debris (dirt, rocks and gravel, hard salt, and mud) that can damage the paint of your vehicle. But with a thin coat of paint protection, your vehicle will be protected throughout winter against any of these external forces.

2- Protects against temperature changes in winter

There is no doubt that your vehicle is going to go through a lot of temperature changes in winter, and a paint protection film can help with that. It will protect your paint against any changes in temperature, so it does not damage in either extreme warmth (like washing your car) or extreme cold (when we hit those -30s).

3- The paint will be as good as new in springtime

Not only is 3M paint protection film (the recommended choice for your vehicle) utterly invisible to the human eye, but when applied on your car provides full protection to the original paint. Come springtime; your vehicle will look as good as new.

4- A smart investment

It is not overly expensive to get paint protection film in Calgary. When you consider the costs of paint repairs to the exterior to your vehicle, it is a wise investment to get paint protection film. From anywhere between $300 to $800, you can ensure your vehicle is protected and that you won’t have to pay for repairs down the line.

Don’t miss out on the chance to provide your vehicle with extra protection this winter by getting paint protection film, especially 3M paint protection film. It can make a huge difference to your vehicle and ensure your car is perfect coming springtime.