How to Pick the Best Paint Protection Film (PPF)
If you’ve been looking for ways to protect your new car, then you’ve probably learned by now that paint protection film is the way to go.
It used to be simple picking a paint protection film. You took whatever film the dealership offered, and it would quickly start to yellow, crack, and peel.
In the past decade, car paint protection film manufacturers have responded to demand with a wide range of clear bra films that boast impressive technology. There are now many paint protection film options available, all with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Today we will be comparing Suntek & Xpel PPF, the two most popular paint protection films on the market.
- Suntek vs. Xpel PPF thickness?
- PPF Warranties
- Which ppf looks better?
- Self-healing technology
- Suntek vs. Xpel PPF cutting software
Suntek vs. Xpel PPF Thickness
Paint protection films aim to protect your car’s paint from rock chips, dings, and minor scratches. The thickness of the paint protection film you select is an important factor in determining it’s effectiveness of preserving paint.
The table below breaks down the thickness of Suntek Ultra and Xpel Ultimate Plus ppf. The total ppf thickness is evaluated by measuring the different layers of the film.
(Sources: Suntek Spec Sheet, Xpel Spec Sheet)
PPF |
Suntek |
Xpel |
|---|---|---|
| Top Coat | 0.5 mils | 0.5 mils |
| Film (Polyurethane) | 6 mils | 6 mils |
| Adhesive | 1.5 mils | 1.1 mils |
| Total Thickness | 8 mils | 7.6 mils |
So, Which PPF is thicker?
Suntek Ultra PPF is slightly thicker as a result of a thicker adhesive layer. Xpel uses a thinner layer of a tougher adhesive.
Given the recent decline in automotive paint quality, a tough adhesive may pose the risk of damage upon removal. There are typically higher costs related to the removal of Xpel ppf due to the removal difficulty.
Suntek Ultra & Xpel Ultimate Plus both come with 10 year warranties against peeling and lifting.
We’re certified installers in Laval!
Warranty
Paint protection film installation is by no means a cheap investment. For this reason, it’s important that the film you select for your car comes with a long-term warranty.
Both Suntek Ultra (and Ultra Matte) & Xpel Ultimate Plus films come with a 10 year warranty. As this warranty is added onto your vehicle’s CarFax report, your insurance will cover the cost of replacement should your vehicle ever be involved in a collision.
Our Suntek Ultra 10 year warranty applies on all of our paint protection film packages, and guarantees that your film doesn’t yellow, peel, lift, bubble, or crack.
Appearance
Any modern paint protection film will provide your car with a stunning glossy finish, and any differences would be marginal. However, it is often argued that Suntek Ultra has a higher clarity finish, with less orange peel than Xpel’s film.
Self-Healing
Both Suntek & Xpel films come with heat activated self-healing technology. This means that minor swirl marks and light surface scratches in the film will heal themselves when exposed to heat.
Did you know that we are one Canada’s very few certified installers of Revivify Self-Healing Nano Coatings? Pairing a full front-end paint protection film with these coatings is one of our most popular ways to protect our clients’ new cars.
PPF Cutting Software
A proper paint protection film installation is typically performed with the use of a plotter and pattern cutting software. This allows us to have a precise film fitment on your car with little to no need for trims or hand cutting on the vehicle. Suntek & Xpel cutting softwares both have the most extensive database of ppf patterns.
By using Suntek’s CORE cutting software, we are also able to make adjustments or modifications to pre-existing patterns. This allows us to achieve a more seamless install by tucking the film behind trim, or wrapping it underneath a panel edge.
Choosing a custom ppf installation may result in higher costs due to the labor involved, but can help make the film even more invisible than it already is. If you’d like a custom install, make sure to leave us a note when you request a quote for PPF.
Conclusion
If you’ve read this far, then you can probably tell that there aren’t actually too many differences between Suntek Ultra & Xpel Ultimate Plus paint protection film for your car.
Both of these films, as well as other lesser known competitors on the market all boast features that will ensure your car is protected and looks stunning.
We chose to become Certified Suntek Ultra installers because our clients found it looked the best (visually), and the adhesive was much more forgiving on automotive paint than some other manufacturers.
If you’re looking for paint protection film in Laval, or the Greater Montreal area, contact us today to discuss different paint protection film options.
Request a quote today!
