How to Care for Paint Protection Film

To care for your paint protection film, you'll need to wash your vehicle regularly. Read more about it here in this detailed breakdown.

Nothing says luxury quite like driving around a car with a shiny new paint job. Unfortunately, paint can only stay bright and shiny for so long.

As you drive, you'll kick up dust and debris that will scratch the surface of your paint. Bird droppings and other contaminants will eat away at it. 

You can stop these issues with a paint protection film if you take the time to properly maintain it. If you touch your car right after installation or don't keep your vehicle in a garage, the film may not last as long as you would like. 



These are only a few paint protection maintenance steps you should keep in mind. Keep reading to learn more. 

Don't Touch It After Installation 

After you have the car paint protection film installed, you shouldn't touch or drive your vehicle for about a week. This will give the film the time it needs to settle and cure. 

If the weather in your area is particularly humid or cold, it might take longer for the film to settle. 

It's important to note that during the curing process, the protective film may bubble. Don't try to push the bubbles down yourself. They will go away on their own once the film settles. 

Remove Tree Sap and Bird Droppings Right Away

Bug splatter, tree sap, and bird droppings are all acidic contaminants that can eat through even the best car paint protection film if you allow them to sit. It's highly advisable to remove them as soon as you notice them. 

In most cases, all you need is a bit of warm water and a microfiber cloth to clear away these contaminants. If that method doesn't work, you can use a detailer spray or rubbing alcohol. 

Wax Your Vehicle

Putting a layer of wax over your car film isn't necessary. Not only can it create unattractive build-up around the edges of the paint film, but ceramic coatings are a much better choice in terms of protection. 

This being said, if you still want to apply wax to your vehicle, you can once the film finishes settling. 

When you're looking for products to use, make sure that they don't contain over 5% Kerosene or Naphtha. These abrasive chemicals will destroy the self-healing layer of the film. It's also not wise to use wax with added dyes.

If you can, buy a carnauba-based product. It will keep the film looking great without doing any harm. Apply the wax every six months or so for the best results. 

Keep the Car in a Garage 

The sun's UV rays can damage your protective paint film after a while. Not to mention, if you park your car out on your lawn, you leave it vulnerable to bird droppings and other contaminants. 

Store your vehicle in a garage when you're not driving it. If you don't have access to one, you can build a carport or put a drop cloth over it. 

Wax and ceramic coatings can also act as a second line of defense to protect your film from damage. 

Take Care of Small Scratches

No matter how many measures you take to protect your paint film, accidents happen. If you go a while without washing your car, the particles of dirt built up on the surface can cause minor scratches. 

The good news is that protection films are self-healing. It should only take about half an hour for any vulnerabilities to close up.

You may have to wait a bit longer if the weather is cold. You can speed along the process by pouring warm water over your car. 

Don't Take Your Vehicle Through an Automatic Car Wash

Automatic car washes are convenient, but they can damage your car paint film. You're better off washing your vehicle by hand. 

It's recommended to use a premium wash mitt. It will remove dirt and grime instead of simply swirling it around. Avoid rough sponges or paper towels. 

Use high-quality cleaning products. Cheaper soaps contain too many harsh chemicals. 

When facing a stubborn stain, don't scrub the vehicle. Instead, let the soap soak for a few seconds before rinsing. 

If you don't have the time to clean your vehicle by hand, you can take it to a touchless carwash. These facilities don't have the brushes that tend to scratch paint film. 

Be Careful With Pressure Washers

You can pressure wash your paint film, but you should practice extreme caution if you do. If you spray your vehicle from the wrong angle, it will cause the paint film to peel up.

To avoid this, try to keep a long distance from the edge of the protective film. 

Consider Detailing Clay 

Does your vehicle feel a bit gritty when you run your hand over it? Are you dealing with stubborn water stains and bird droppings? 

Take your car to a detailer. They'll use clay to remove dirt and contaminants, leaving a smooth surface behind. They can also clear out any mineral deposits stuck in the edge of the paint film.

Care For Your Paint Protection Film

Installing a paint protection film is the perfect way to shield your vehicle from contaminants. Since most films are self-healing, dirt won't make it through to scratch your car.

To keep your protection film from peeling or fading, you'll need to take certain precautions. Give it time to settle before you touch it, store your car in a garage, and choose the right cleaning products.

Want to learn more about what paint film installation can do for your ride? Be sure to reach out to us today and see how Solar Shade Truck And Car Paradise can help you.