The Ultimate Guide to Paint Protection Film (PPF) Maintenance and Care

Before applying any water or chemicals, check the surface temperature of the PPF. In summer, dark-coloured film can exceed 70°C. If the film is hot to the touch, move the vehicle into a shaded area for at least 60 minutes. Applying cold water to a hot film can cause thermal shock to the adhesive layer or cause soaps to flash-dry, creating permanent streaks.

Walk around the vehicle and inspect all film edges (bonnet, wheel arches, door handles). Look for 'fingering' or lifting. If you find a lifted edge, avoid spraying high-pressure water directly at that area during the wash process, as this will force water and dirt under the film, ruining the bond.

Prepare your snow foam and wash buckets. For PPF, use a dilution of 1:10 for snow foam lances. In the wash bucket, use approximately 30ml of pH-neutral shampoo per 10L of water. Using the correct ratio ensures enough lubrication to prevent scratching without leaving a film-dulling residue.

Briefly hose down the concrete or driveway around the car. This prevents dry dust from blowing onto the wet film during the washing process, a common issue in dry, windy conditions which can lead to micro-scratching during the drying phase.

Using a pressure washer at a distance of at least 30cm, rinse the vehicle from top to bottom. Focus on flushing out red dust and grit from the gaps between panels. This 'contactless' rinse removes 80% of the abrasive material before you ever touch the film, significantly reducing the risk of swirl marks.

Apply a thick layer of pH-neutral snow foam to the entire vehicle. Allow it to dwell for 4-5 minutes, but do not let it dry. The foam encapsulates fine dust particles and softens organic matter like bug splatters. On PPF, this dwell time is critical as it allows the surfactants to penetrate the pores of the film.

While the foam is dwelling, use a soft-bristled detailing brush to gently clean around badges, fuel caps, and film edges. Do not use pressure; let the chemical and the bristles do the work. This prevents the 'black line' of dirt buildup that often occurs at the edge of the PPF over time.

Dunk your wash mitt into the soapy bucket, then gently glide it over the film in straight, overlapping lines. Start at the roof and work down. After each panel, rinse the mitt in the 'Rinse' bucket to release trapped grit before taking more soap. This ensures you are always using a clean mitt on the delicate film surface.

Use a separate wash mitt for the bottom 20cm of the car (sills and bumpers). These areas accumulate the most road grime and metallic particles. Keeping this separate prevents transferring heavy grit to the bonnet and doors where PPF clarity is most visible.

Every 3-6 months, apply a dedicated iron fallout remover to the film. PPF can trap metallic particles from brake dust. Spray a pH-neutral iron remover, wait for the purple colour change (3 minutes), and rinse thoroughly. This keeps the film's surface smooth and prevents 'pitting' from oxidation.

Rinse the car thoroughly. For the final pass, remove the nozzle from your hose and let a low-pressure stream of water 'flood' the panels. On a well-maintained film, the water will sheet off, leaving very little behind. This reduces the amount of physical contact needed during drying.

Lay your large microfibre drying towel flat across the bonnet and pull it towards you. Do not 'scrub' the film. Pat-dry the remaining droplets. For film edges and mirrors, use a car dryer or leaf blower to move water out of crevices, preventing drips that cause unsightly water spots later.

Apply a PPF-specific sealant (e.g., Gyeon Maintain). Spray 2-3 mists onto a clean microfibre applicator and wipe onto one panel at a time. These products are specifically formulated to add UV inhibitors and slickness to TPU without causing the cracking or hazing that some solvent-based waxes might cause.

If you notice light swirl marks, park the car in direct sunlight for 20-30 minutes (above 30°C ambient). Alternatively, pour warm water (60°C - not boiling) over the affected area. The heat allows the TPU to return to its original state, effectively 'erasing' the scratches. This is the hallmark of premium PPF care.