If you need PPF installation, Auto Boss will provide you with complete details. When you decide to install PPF on your vehicle, one of the critical questions you may have is: Does your vehicle require polishing the car surface before installing PPF? In this guide, we will shed light on the subject.
Reasons to apply polish on car surface before PPF installation
Applying polish to the vehicle surface before PPF installation is a strategic step in the whole process. Polishing is necessary to prepare your vehicle surface for PPF installation. Some of the reasons to get a car surface polished are:
Surface uniformity
A smooth surface is necessary when you decide to install PPF in your vehicle. Surface polish is needed to create a uniform surface for your car. You can eliminate surface irregularities or imperfections in the car paint. A smooth paint ensures that PPF can adequately be installed. PPF’s effectiveness increases when it is installed properly, and its proper installation requires a polished vehicle.
Improved Adhesion
When you polish the vehicle surface, you create an ideal surface for the installation. Polishing promotes adhesion, minimizing the risk of edge lifting or air pockets between the car surface and vinyl wrap.
Enhanced clarity
Getting on your vehicle improves the paint’s clarity, allowing actual color to appear, which also improves your vehicle’s aesthetics. Polish Ensures your car will look the finest after transparent PPF installation.
Surface cleaning
Polishing removes contaminants, minor scratches, or oxidation from a car’s clear coat. Surface polish prevents imperfections or contaminants from trapping under the paint protection film.
Critical steps to take before PPF installation?
How can you get your PPF installed perfectly? Proper surface preparation and workflow are necessary to get perfect PPF installation. Auto Boss professionals provide these steps:
Cleaning and washing
Whether you want to install a color-changing car wrap or PPF, cleaning and washing are the first steps in the process. Clean the vehicle’s interior and exterior thoroughly to remove contaminants from the surface. It is also necessary to ensure that your PPF is installed ideally and stays on the car’s surface for a long time.
Pro-tips:
- Soak the car surface with a soapy solution and add a bit of alcohol to this solution. A soapy solution containing alcohol de-greases the vehicle’s surface
- Spray the mixture on the car surface with a clay bar towel/soft cloth and wipe the surface.
- Wipe off the cleaning solution gently.
- The clay bar towel absorbs moisture from the vehicle surface without leaving residue on it.
- Prepare your vehicle surface with a slip solution.
After cleaning the surface:
- Spray the soapy solution once more.
- Use a new squeegee to remove the remaining moisture.
- Start using the squeegee from the top of the section to the bottom.
Auto Boss experts recommend avoiding using a towel to prevent lint from getting on the vehicle surface.
Application
- When you prepare a vehicle surface, apply PPF to it. Install PPF in a clean workspace because dirt or dust can also be trapped in the environment. If you are selecting DIY PPF installation, use pre cut pieces. Align the PPF pre cut piece to the correct position.
- Remove the back side of the film and adjust it to the correct position.
- Apply PPF
Squeegee
- Put even pressure on the squeegee on the vehicle wrap.
- Use a squeegee from the top of the wrap to the bottom
- Try pushing moisture out from your Don’t use the pressure more on the squeegee
Finishes Reducing the lifespan of PPF
Use a clean cloth to wipe the film from the edges. Counter-check your PPF for the perfect installation.
What happens when you don’t polish the car surface before PPF installation?
While skipping the car polish stage before PPF installation, there are several issues:
Adhesion issues
A dirty or rough surface can affect adequate adherence, which results in bubbles, air pockets, or edge lifting over time. If dirt is trapped under the PPF surface, it may damage the overall application. In rear conditions, when a PPF gets dirt beneath, it can cause peeling off.
Visual imperfections
Unpolished vehicle surfaces can retain pollutants, oxidation, and tiny scratches that may impair the overall clarity of PPF.
Compromised Aesthetics
If you don’t polish your vehicle’s surface, you may not be able to display its original color and shine. Hence, an unpolished surface affects the overall aesthetics of your car.
Reducing the lifespan of PPF
Poor car surface preparation can affect overall performance, PPF lifespan, and effectiveness. It reduces the PPF’s protection capacity. When a PPF is not installed correctly, it may peel off earlier. If the corners of the PPF are not correctly installed, the chances of moisture seepage or corrosion increase.
Other Important tips to consider before PPF installation
Auto Boss professionals suggest these tips to consider before installing PPF
Seek professional assistance
Don’t try polishing your car surface yourself because it requires buffing machines or polishers. However, seeking professional expertise regarding PPF installation and detailing professional knowledge gives you valuable insight to ensure a meticulous process.
Choose premium quality PPF
Auto Boss recommends choosing a high-quality PPF with warranty, durability or self-healing properties. The quality of the PPF affects its performance and protection level.
Is car surface polish before PPF installation worth it?
Yes! Polishing your vehicle surface is a worthwhile investment. When you remove marring, swirl marks, scratches, or other imperfections from vehicle paint, you keep the paint more profound, more transparent, and glossy. There are several stages in preparing your vehicle’s surface.
Auto Boss offers these services:
- One-stage car paint correction.
- Spot compounding
- Check the deeper imperfections
- Use complete front-end PPF wrap
- Impact area PPF wrap
Conclusion
Vehicle surface polishing is a necessary step in PPF installation. Polishing improves the lifespan and performance of PPF and enhances the visual appeal of car surfaces. Besides PPF installation, Auto Boss provides paint correction and vinyl wrapping facilities. Make your vehicle unique by hiring us.
FAQs
Can you apply wax to the vehicle surface before PPF installation?
No! Don’t apply sealants or waxes before applying PPF to it. Auto Boss installers remove waxes before installing PPF.
Can PPF reduce vehicle shine?
No! PPF doesn’t reduce vehicle shine. It can add shine to car paint.