The Benefits of Paint Protection Film
Every day on the 405, the 101, and the surface streets of the San Fernando Valley, your vehicle's paint is under attack. Gravel, sand, bug acid, bird droppings, road salt — your factory paint absorbs all of it. Paint Protection Film is the only product that physically absorbs that damage before it reaches your paint.
Ready to protect your paint?
GET A FREE QUOTE +PPF Coverage Packages
Protection doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. We offer three core coverage packages designed around the most common protection priorities — and we can customize any package to fit your specific vehicle, driving habits, and budget.
The Track Pack
Front End Protection
Best for: Daily commuters, highway drivers, city vehicles taking regular debris exposure
- Partial hood (leading edge)
- Front fenders (leading edges)
- Front bumper (full)
- Side mirrors
Targets the highest-impact zone on your vehicle — the areas that take the most direct debris exposure from every vehicle ahead of you on the freeway. Highest return on investment per dollar spent. The front bumper alone absorbs the majority of rock chip damage on most vehicles — protecting it is non-negotiable if you care about your paint.
Full Front
Seamless Panel Coverage
Best for: New car owners, highway commuters, luxury vehicles, anyone who wants seamless coverage
- Full hood (complete panel)
- Full front fenders (complete panels)
- Front bumper (full)
- Side mirrors (full)
- Headlights
Eliminates the most common complaint about partial front-end coverage — visible seam lines across the middle of your hood or fenders. By covering complete panels from edge to edge, the film installation becomes virtually invisible. No line across your hood. No obvious boundary on your fenders. The package we recommend for new vehicles and for owners who want protection to be completely undetectable.
Full Body
Maximum Investment Protection
Best for: Luxury vehicles, exotic vehicles, long-term keepers, maximum investment protection
- Every painted surface on the vehicle
- Hood, roof, trunk, doors, fenders
- Rear bumper, rocker panels, A-pillars
- Available in gloss or matte (Stealth)
The complete solution. Every painted surface on your vehicle is protected — front, rear, sides, top, and all the high-wear contact points. For luxury vehicles, exotics, and any car where paint condition matters deeply, full body PPF eliminates the question of whether any panel is protected. Available in gloss that enhances your paint's depth, or in our Stealth matte finish for a complete aesthetic transformation.
The Stealth PPF — Matte Transformation
For drivers who want full paint protection without giving up on style, our Stealth PPF delivers something no other single product can: complete paint protection and a full matte finish transformation in one installation.
Same Premium Film. Different Finish.
Stealth PPF uses the same 8–10 mil premium film construction as our standard gloss PPF — the same self-healing topcoat, the same chemical resistance, the same impact protection, the same manufacturer warranty. The difference is the finish. Where standard PPF enhances your paint's gloss, Stealth PPF converts your factory gloss paint into a deep, uniform satin-matte finish that looks like it came from the factory that way.
Why Stealth PPF Over a Matte Wrap
A color-change matte wrap offers the aesthetic but zero impact protection. Stealth PPF offers the aesthetic and full rock chip, scratch, and chemical protection underneath. It's a two-in-one upgrade — the look you want and the protection your paint needs, in a single film that carries a manufacturer warranty.
Who It's For
Stealth PPF is particularly popular on dark-colored vehicles — black, midnight blue, deep green — where the matte transformation creates a uniquely aggressive, premium appearance. It's also popular on vehicles where the owner wants a distinctive look without committing to a full color-change wrap.
PPF Brands We Install at Tint & Wraps Customs
We install only premium, manufacturer-warranted PPF films. No generic film. No unbranded product. Every film we use is backed by a manufacturer warranty that travels with your vehicle's VIN.
XPEL Ultimate Plus
Features the most advanced self-healing topcoat in the PPF category — minor scratches and swirl marks disappear with heat exposure, maintaining your paint's showroom condition without intervention. High-gloss clarity makes the film virtually invisible on your paint. Impact protection against rock chips and road debris is unmatched in the standard PPF category. Backed by a 10-year manufacturer warranty.
STEK DYNOshield
Engineered for exceptional stain resistance — bird droppings, bug splatter, tree sap, and environmental contaminants don't penetrate this film's surface. Available in both gloss and matte finishes, making it our primary Stealth PPF film for full-body matte transformations. High impact resistance makes it the preferred choice for performance vehicles and track use. Self-healing topcoat included.
LLumar Platinum PPF
Precision-engineered UV protection. Specifically formulated to resist yellowing — a concern with cheaper PPF films that cloud and discolor under prolonged UV exposure. Engineered to resist staining and minor abrasion while preserving paint clarity over the long term. Backed by a 10-year warranty and manufactured by the same company behind our authorized LLumar window tint films.
The Tint & Wraps Customs PPF Process
PPF installation is the most technically demanding service we offer. The margin for error is zero — a single contamination particle, a misaligned edge, or a bubble that isn't worked out before the adhesive sets creates a permanent imperfection. Our five-stage process was built around eliminating every variable that compromises the result.
Surgical Decontamination Wash
Every vehicle begins with a full decontamination wash — a multi-stage cleaning process that removes surface dirt, road grime, industrial fallout, tar, and embedded contamination from the paint surface. We follow with a mechanical clay bar treatment that pulls bonded contamination from the clear coat that washing alone cannot remove. A completely clean, smooth paint surface is the non-negotiable foundation for a flawless PPF installation.
Paint Correction
PPF amplifies what's under it — both the good and the bad. Any swirl marks, fine scratches, water spot etching, or oxidation present in your paint before installation will be permanently sealed under the film. We perform professional paint correction to remove surface imperfections before any film touches your vehicle, locking a corrected finish under the PPF rather than preserving the damage. This step is what separates a premium PPF installation from one that looks good for six months and then shows every pre-existing flaw.
Digital Plotter Cutting
Using advanced CAD software and manufacturer-supplied vehicle templates, we pre-cut every piece of PPF to match your vehicle's exact panel dimensions before installation begins. No razor blades on your paint. No free-hand cutting on the vehicle. Each piece is cut to precise tolerances that account for your specific year, make, and model — including the complex curves and body lines that differentiate one vehicle from another. Plotter cutting is what makes seamless, edge-to-edge coverage possible.
Tucked Edges & Panel Precision
Wherever the vehicle's design allows, we tuck film edges behind panels, under trim, and into door jambs rather than terminating them on the surface of the paint. Tucked edges are completely invisible, eliminate the edge line that can collect dirt over time, and provide significantly better long-term adhesion in high-wear areas like door edges and bumper corners. Standard practice at our shop on every applicable panel.
Final Inspection & Quality Control
After installation, every panel is inspected under controlled lighting conditions for bubbles, contamination inclusions, edge alignment, and any imperfection that doesn't meet our installation standard. We check every edge, every corner, every panel transition, and every area where film meets trim or paint. If anything doesn't meet our standard, it gets redone before your vehicle leaves our facility. You receive a completed inspection report and care instructions with every PPF installation.
Paint Protection Film vs. Ceramic Coating
This is the question we get most often from first-time protection customers. The answer depends entirely on what you're trying to protect against — because PPF and ceramic coating solve fundamentally different problems.
Paint Protection Film (PPF)
PPF is a physical barrier. Its job is to absorb impact — rock chips, gravel, scratches, door dings, and debris contact — before that force reaches your paint. At 8–10 mils thick, it is the only product available that physically prevents the damage that causes paint chips and scratches.
- Absorbs rock chip and debris impact
- Self-heals minor surface scratches with heat
- Resists chemical staining and etching
- Blocks UV radiation
- Preserves factory paint condition
- ✕ Enhance gloss or shine (maintains existing gloss)
- ✕ Make washing significantly easier
- ✕ Provide hydrophobic water-beading effect
Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is a chemical enhancement. Its job is to bond to your paint's clear coat and create a harder, slicker, more chemically resistant surface. It dramatically improves gloss and depth, creates a hydrophobic surface, and makes washing significantly easier. What it cannot do is absorb physical impact — ceramic is measured in microns, not mils.
- Creates a hydrophobic, self-cleaning surface
- Dramatically improves gloss and paint depth
- Resists chemical contaminants and fallout
- Makes washing faster and easier
- Provides UV protection against fading
- ✕ Prevent rock chips or physical scratches
- ✕ Absorb debris impact
- ✕ Self-heal surface damage
If you have to choose one: PPF for paint preservation, ceramic for paint enhancement. They solve different problems. One protects the physical surface. The other protects the chemical surface and improves the aesthetic. If you want both — read the next section.
PPF + Ceramic Coating — The Complete Package
For drivers who want the absolute best protection their vehicle can receive, the combination of PPF and ceramic coating is the industry's gold standard — and it's not close. PPF goes on the high-impact zones first, absorbing physical damage. Ceramic coating then goes over the entire vehicle — including over the PPF — creating a unified hydrophobic surface that enhances gloss, repels contaminants, and makes maintenance dramatically easier across every panel.
What You Get
- Physical impact protection on high-risk panels from PPF
- Chemical and environmental protection across every surface from ceramic
- Hydrophobic self-cleaning properties over the entire vehicle
- Dramatically enhanced gloss and paint depth
- A single, unified surface that is significantly easier to maintain
- Two warranties — one from the PPF manufacturer, one from the ceramic
The Most Popular Combo
Full Front PPF (complete hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, headlights) combined with a full-vehicle ceramic coating. The front end gets physical impact protection. Every surface gets chemical protection and gloss enhancement. The result is a vehicle that looks better than it did from the factory and is protected against virtually every form of paint damage short of a collision.
Ask us about combo pricing — packaging PPF and ceramic together is more cost-effective than scheduling them as separate services.
Ready for the gold standard?
GET A FREE QUOTE +How to Care for Your PPF
PPF is low-maintenance by design — but there are specific care practices that maximize the film's lifespan and keep your installation looking flawless for years.
The First 48 Hours
- Do not wash the vehicle for at least 48 hours after installation
- Avoid high-pressure water contact with film edges
- Do not apply any waxes, sealants, or detailing products
- Some slight haziness or small water pockets are normal — they resolve as the adhesive cures
Washing Your PPF-Protected Vehicle
- Hand washing is preferred — pH-neutral shampoo and soft microfiber mitt
- Touchless automatic washes are acceptable after curing
- Avoid brush-style automatic washes — they can lift edges over time
- Never direct a pressure washer at film edges at close range
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue, especially around edges
What to Avoid
- Gasoline and fuel spills — clean immediately with a mild cleaner
- Parking under heavy-sap trees — clean sap promptly before it bonds
- Abrasive polishes, cutting compounds, or harsh chemical cleaners
- Squeegees or hard implements on the film surface
Activating the Self-Healing Topcoat
- Light scratches heal on their own with sun exposure or warmth
- Pour warm water (not boiling) over the affected area to accelerate
- Park in direct sunlight for 20–30 minutes for the same effect
- The topcoat returns to its original position as it warms
Long-Term Maintenance
- Annual inspection to check edges, surfaces, and any lifting
- We offer PPF inspection and maintenance at our Van Nuys shop
- Individual panels can be replaced without disturbing adjacent coverage
- We match the original film for any panel replacement
Paint Protection Film — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does PPF cost in Van Nuys?
PPF pricing depends on the coverage package, your vehicle's size and body complexity, and the film brand selected. Entry-level front-end packages start at a lower price point, while full-body installations on large or complex vehicles represent a more significant investment. Call us at (747) 295-7683 or submit a quote request with your year, make, model, and desired coverage — we'll give you an exact number before you commit to anything.
Can you see the film once it's installed?
On a properly installed premium film, the answer for most viewers in most lighting conditions is no. High-gloss PPF is engineered to be optically clear — it enhances your paint's gloss rather than sitting on top of it as a visible layer. In certain lighting angles, very close inspection may reveal the film's presence on flat panels. Tucked edges eliminate visible termination lines at panel boundaries.
Does PPF turn yellow over time?
Cheap, unbranded PPF films absolutely do. This is one of the most important reasons to choose films from manufacturers like XPEL, STEK, and LLumar — all three are specifically engineered with non-yellowing chemistry and backed by warranties that cover discoloration. Our authorized films do not yellow under normal conditions and usage.
How long does PPF last?
Premium PPF films from XPEL, STEK, and LLumar carry 10-year manufacturer warranties and routinely last the full warranty period and beyond with proper care. Film longevity depends on maintenance practices, parking conditions, and usage — vehicles parked outdoors in direct sun daily will see more UV and thermal stress than garage-kept vehicles.
How long does installation take?
Installation time depends heavily on the coverage package and vehicle complexity. Front-end packages typically take one day. Full-body installations on standard vehicles take two to three days. Exotic vehicles and complex body shapes may take longer. We'll give you an accurate timeline when you book based on your specific vehicle and coverage package.
Can PPF be removed safely?
Yes. Professional PPF removal by a trained installer leaves your paint completely undamaged and residue-free. The adhesive system used in premium PPF films is specifically designed to release cleanly from automotive clear coat. DIY removal is not recommended — improper technique can stretch the film against the clear coat during removal, potentially causing damage. We offer professional removal as a standalone service.
Will PPF protect against deep scratches or dents?
PPF absorbs and prevents light to moderate scratching — fingernail scratches, swirl marks, minor road abrasion, and debris contact. It will not prevent deep key scratches that apply enough force to cut through the film itself, and it will not prevent dents from physical impact. PPF is paint protection, not bodywork protection. For damage that exceeds the film's absorption capacity, the film itself may be damaged — but your paint underneath is preserved.
Can PPF be applied over ceramic coating?
No — PPF must be applied to clean, corrected paint before any coating. Ceramic coating goes over PPF, not under it. If your vehicle currently has a ceramic coating and you want to add PPF, the coating must be removed from the panels being filmed before installation. We handle this as part of our prep process.
How do I wash a car with PPF?
Hand wash with pH-neutral automotive shampoo and a clean microfiber mitt. Touchless washes are acceptable. Avoid brush automatic washes and avoid high-pressure water directed at film edges. Never use abrasive products, cutting compounds, or harsh chemicals on the film surface. Full details in our aftercare section above.
Is PPF worth it on a used car?
Yes — with one important consideration. PPF applied over existing paint damage preserves that damage under the film rather than hiding it. This is why our process includes paint correction before every installation. Once the paint is corrected and the film is applied, the corrected condition is preserved for the life of the film. For used vehicles with paint in good condition, PPF is an excellent investment that protects the existing finish going forward.
What is the difference between PPF and a clear bra?
They are the same product. "Clear bra" is a legacy term for paint protection film — it originated from the bra-shaped early cut patterns applied to the front end of vehicles. Modern PPF covers full panels rather than a bra-shaped section, but the terms are used interchangeably in the industry.
Why should I choose Tint & Wraps Customs for PPF in Van Nuys?
We are an authorized installer of XPEL, STEK, and LLumar PPF films — meaning the manufacturer warranties we offer are backed by the film manufacturers, not just by us. Our installation process includes paint correction before every film application, digital plotter cutting for every panel, tucked edges wherever the vehicle design allows, and a final inspection under controlled lighting before your vehicle leaves our facility. We've built our reputation in the San Fernando Valley on installations that hold up over time.