How to Maintain and Wash a Car with PPF
In this article we are going to explain exactly what makes Paint Protection Film the best way to protect your car, why it is important to maintain your car regularly and the best process for washing your car when it is protected with PPF.
What is Paint Protection Film, Why is Maintenance Important and How Exactly Should You Wash a Car with PPF?
Paint Protection Film or 'PPF' is a virtually invisible layer of polyurethane film that can be applied to the entire vehicle's bodywork. Ultimately this is the safest way to protect your vehicles paintwork and the best approach you can take to protect both its long term appearance and future re-sale value.
In terms of maintaining the your car and it's PPF, regular maintenance washing and occasional decontamination washing is the way to go. However unlike a vehicle that hasn't been protected, there a few products you should avoid and few areas you should take extra care. Keep reading as we break this down and explain the best way to maintain your car after having PPF applied.
What is Paint Protection Film (PPF)?
Paint Protection Film or 'PPF' for short is a thermoplastic polyurethane film designed to protect the condition and appearance of a vehicles paintwork. In simple terms it is a thin transparent film that is applied to the bodywork of your car or vehicle to protect from physical and chemical damage.
From a more technical perspective, it is an engineered film that is comprised of three layers:
- Self-healing Top Coat
- Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
- Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)
The top coat is the outermost layer of the film and therefore the component that is exposed to the outside elements. It is within this layer that your PPF is considered 'self healing'. In the event the film was to pick up any light damage such as swirl marks or light scratches put on within the wash process, through the use of heat such as sun exposure or the light application of a heat gun or hair dryer, this layer has the ability and is designed to return to its original, uncompromised appearance.
The TPU layer is what makes up the bulk of the films thickness and is its main protective layer. Urethane in itself is resistant to corrosion, impact and abrasion and this is what gives the PPF its strength and ability to absorb the damage from stone chips without affecting the underlying paintwork. Whilst this layer is strong to protect the paintwork it is also malleable, which allows the installer to be able to manipulate the film on even the most difficult body panels such as technical bumper shapes, door handle recesses and sharp body lines.
The adhesive layer of the film is what allows the PPF to bond with the vehicles paintwork. This layer is what really separates a cheap film from a premium quality product, again it must be able to conform to the shape of the vehicles body work but it must also be entirely transparent upon application as with the other two layers. Finally, it must also be able to resist years of exposure to every weather condition without failing, preventing the film from lifting from the vehicles surface, yet still allowing it to be removed when desired without leaving behind a tough residue or causing damage to the underlying paintwork.
Why is it important to Maintain a car with PPF?
As we have already established, Paint Protection Film is ultimately there to protect the condition of your vehicles paintwork in both the short and long term, however in the same way as a ceramic coated or completely unprotected vehicle it is still important to maintain it correctly through regular maintenance washing and an occasional decontamination wash.
This means saying goodbye to the cheap drive up 'Wash and Go' services, avoiding the use of the petrol station 'Automatic Car Wash' and ensuring that the dealership don't valet your car during it's service check-ups. Instead you can either follow our Maintenance Safe Wash guide or hire the services of a professional detailer who has experience maintaining vehicles wearing PPF.
In terms of regular maintenance washing, whether it is yourself of a professional detailer, we would recommend washing the vehicle once a fortnight or even once a week where possible depending on the amount of miles you cover.
How do I Wash & Maintain a Car With PPF?
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Avoid Washing for the First 14 Days: The first few weeks after having PPF applied to your vehicle are the most crucial in terms of the film's long term durability and appearance and we would strongly advise that you don't wash the entire vehicle for the first 14 days. During these first couple of weeks although the film likely isn't going anywhere, the adhesive that bonds it to the surface of the vehicle will still be drying out and fully curing, avoiding contact with high pressure washes and concentrated water in general is the best approach to prevent any lifting edges or disturb the drying process.
- Maintain a Clean Surface: This comes through regular maintenance washing, as we've mentioned above typically once every week or every fortnight is typically enough based on an average of 150 miles a week. As with a ceramic coated vehicle, Paint Protection Film does help to protect from natural acidic contaminates such bird-droppings and bug-splatters, however these can still cause damage if left unattended for too long. We recommend keeping a bottle of high quality quick detailer to hand to remove these as soon as possible and prevent long term etching.
Pro Tip: When removing bird droppings or bug splatter and unable to perform a full maintenance wash, it is always best to use a clean, damp microfibre cloth and blot at the marks as opposed to wiping them away in order to minimise swirls and scratches on the vehicle surface. -
Take Extra Care: When it does come to washing your vehicle, it is important not to get too close to the film edges with a high pressure washer. Typical rule of thumb is to never direct the lance closer than 12 inch / 30cm from the vehicle surface. The same logic applies to high pressure compressed air. Avoid the use of harsh acidic or alkaline chemicals and always opt for pH Neutral formulations where-ever possible.
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Follow a Safe Wash Process: When it comes to maintaining the vehicle whilst minimising the risk of swirls and scratching, even after having PPF applied you should still carry out a proper pre-wash stage using pH neutral 'Citrus Pre Wash' and 'Snow Foam'. Follow the 'two-bucket method' with the use of grit guards. Use high quality, clean microfibre wash mitts, with separate mitts for bodywork and wheels and finally dry the car using a premium, plush microfibre towel.
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Use the Correct Car Shampoo: Again when it comes to car shampoo, pH Neutral is the way forward for vehicles with PPF or Ceramic Coatings. The use of high alkaline shampoos and washing-up liquid has the potential to drastically reduce the lifespan of any ceramic coatings and Paint Protection Film. Wax based shampoo or 'Wash and Wax' type products are also ones to avoid.
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Correct Drying Technique: This is one of the most commonly overlooked parts of washing a car. As it is the final contact you make with the vehicle within a wash process it is just as important you are using the right tools and techniques. We recommend using a large, clean, Plush Microfibre towel. Work from the top of the vehicle downwards, starting with the roof, windscreen and bonnet. Work the towel in straight lines, a single pass with a clean towel should collect all of the water on PPF with an integrated ceramic coating or film that has been ceramic coated after install. An additional but optional step for drying is to use a Car Blow Dryer such as a Blo-RS. These are extremely handy for drying the wheels and getting that hard to reach water out of grilles and other tight spaces. Again it is important with these not to get to close to the film edges, try to maintain a safe distance of 6 inches / 15cm with blow dryers.
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Maintaining Clean Equipment: This applies to all of your tools such as buckets, brushes, wash-mitts and drying towels. Clean these between washes and ensure they are clean before use. Always use grit-guards in your buckets and rinse them out after use. When it comes to towels and wash-mitts, these can be cleaned with a dedicated 'microfibre wash' or simply your run of the mill laundry detergent. Same as the towels in your house, it is important not to use softeners, fabric conditioners or scent boosters that can add waxy layers into the towels fibres.
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Avoid Shortcuts: Petrol station style 'Automatic Washes', dealership valets (no matter the brand) and the cheap drive up 'Wash and Go' Services are best avoided at all costs. For dealerships, a polite notice not to wash the car during its visit is usually enough for peace of mind. When it comes to Wash and Go services and Automatic Car Washes, they will typically use unsafe acid and alkaline based chemicals to speed up the cleaning process, alongside abrasive brushes that will heavily damage your vehicles paintwork, again these are best avoided.
- Decontamination Washing: Regular maintenance washing is the perfect way to ensure your vehicle stays looking its best, however every now and then a deeper clean goes a long way to freshen up your coatings. This includes a few more wash stages with the use of products like 'Iron Fallout Remover', 'Water Spot Remover' and 'Tar and Glue Remover' to fully decontaminate the vehicles surface. It is always best to check however that the specific products you are using are safe for PPF or Ceramic Coatings and that you follow the correct dilution ratios. We recommend carrying out a Decontamination Wash every 3 months (based on an average of 150 miles a week). If this isn't possible, every 6 months at a minimum.
Conclusion
Opting for Paint Protection Film on your vehicle is the best decision you can make if you wish to maintain it's appearance in the long term, Ceramic Coatings are another great option that will provide chemical protection and ease of maintenance but only with PPF can you be safe from the more physical aspects such as stone chips and scratches.
When it comes to ensuring your PPF lasts the test of time, correct and regular maintenance washing will allow you to both keep your car looking it's best and guarantee the film's longevity.
If you're new to the world of PPF, avoid washing the car for the first 14 days after install. In the same way as any vehicle, an occasional decontamination wash every 3-6 months helps to keep the films surface free from contaminants such as iron or road tar deposits.
If you're considering Paint Protection Film for your vehicle, we would always recommend hiring the services of a professional installer as opposed to a DIY project if you're looking for a near invisible finish. If you're in the UK or local to us in the North East of England, we'd love to work with you!
Learn more about the PPF Packages we offer at Just Car Care
