Auto Paint Protection

For those people who absolutely love their cars, protecting the paint becomes an obsession. Years ago, the promise of perpetually perfect paint was introduced with the invention of clear coat paint protection. Clear coat was definitely an improvement and offered great protection against sun damage and oxidation, but it fell far short when it came to physical protection from road debris and scratches.

To protect against road debris, a couple of inventions came about. One was referred to as a car bra. This was basically a polyurethane cover that fitted over a car’s front end and protected the most vulnerable part of the vehicle from flying gravel and bugs. This helped, but there were two main problems. It didn’t protect the entire vehicle, and it was absolutely atrocious to look at. The other attempt was something called a bug shield. This was a small plastic piece that attached to the front of the vehicle and re-directed the air currents up and over the vehicle. Though somewhat effective in protecting the front end of the vehicle from flying debris and bugs, it did nothing to protect a stationary car from scratches. And, who would want one of those on their $70,000 corvette?

The next evolution in paint protection is commonly called paint protection film, though individual companies refer to it by various names. This is a thin, thermoplastic urethane material that adheres to the vehicle’s paint and protects it from all types of minor damage. It can be applied to the entire vehicle, giving overall protection, unlike the other devices.

The paint protection film is applied in a similar fashion to window tinting film. Anyone who has attempted a do-it-yourself window tinting job understands how difficult the job can be. Though not impossible for amateurs to do, if one expects perfect results the job is best left to professionals.

These days it is easy to find professional paint protection film installers across the country. Nearly all automotive paint shops offer this service for a reasonable price and many offer package deals with the purchase of a new paint job.

There are a couple of important reasons why professionally installed clear paint protection film is the best option. First, the professionals have the proper facilities. Before installing the film, the car must be spotlessly cleaned and must stay that way until the film is applied. The pros have clean, dust-free bays where they can do the work. The average amateur’s garage is somewhat less than a dust free environment. The second reason is the fitting of the film. Applying the film to curved surfaces offers a challenge requiring more than simple straight cuts. It takes time to perfect this technique and the average Joe will likely need several tries to get it right. It’s best to save the time and let the pros handle it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Mayall

Choosing protective film for your car is an important task. Clear bra paint protection film can help your car’s paint job look brand new for many years to come. However, it’s important that you choose the right type of clear paint protection and that you know you are going with a solid, dependable brand and company before you invest your hard earned cash.

If you really love your car, you know that the paint is one of the most important things to keeping the vehicle looking great. This is why clear coat protection was invented to help keep your car looking its best for as long as possible. 3M clear coat paint gives your car the protection it needs without sacrificing the look and appeal to your vehicle.

A clear bra is a great replacement for the old, traditional style of car bra that some people today just don’t find appealing. Instead, you can use this clear paint protection film that is virtually invisible to anyone looking at the car.

But with the popularity of clear bra protective film comes many subpar copycats or inferior products on the market. This is why it is essential that you know how to choose the right protective film for your car. In doing so, it can take a little bit of research to make sure you make the right choice.

Vehicle paint protection has progressed and grown over the years. Some of the earliest protection was paint protection film. Then we also saw polyurethane or leather made car bras. But there were flaws with each of these choices. So then, this led to paint protection film or the 3M clear car bra. There are many different names for it in the industry but it all does basically the same thing, or is intended to do the same thing.

This clear material attaches to the vehicle’s paint and works to protect it from the many types of minor damage that can occur, particularly on the front of the vehicle. It is applied in a way similar to window tint which means that if it is applied incorrectly, there can be real problems. It might not work to protect your car fully or it may peel or strip off. Even worse, if applied incorrectly, it could damage your existing paint, the exact opposite of what it is being chosen to do.

To choose protective film for your car, shop around and go with someone who is experienced in 3M clear car bras so you can feel confident it will be done right. You can also read reviews and see what others are saying about a particular service before you use it.

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Learn more about how to protect your car from bugs and other damage with clear bra paint protection film today.

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When it comes to protecting the paint on your vehicle you really have two basic choices: wax, usually carnauba, or paint sealant. The choice really comes down to personal preference; both serve in different ways and both have their positives and negatives. Which should you choose to protect your vehicle? Read on to find out!

Generally speaking carnauba based waxes are the preferred waxes of automotive detailers, collectors and enthusiasts because when applied correctly they tend to give vehicles a rich, warm glow. An application of a carnauba based wax on your vehicle will help to protect it from the sun’s harsh UV rays, heat, moisture, oxidation, and many environmental contaminations while at the same time bringing out a vehicles natural shine! These types of waxes don’t so much appear to sit on the vehicles paint as transform it into a deep, liquid pool that shimmers under changing light conditions. The more carnauba in the waxes composition, the more shine the vehicle will take on.

Carnauba wax is produced by the Brazilian Tree of Life (Copernica Cerifera) or Carnauba Palm in order to coat its leaves. This ” Tree of Life” grows in the northern and northeastern parts of Brazil along the river banks, in valleys, and around lagoons where the soil found there is dark and fertile. It can also be found in neighboring countries such as South America, Ceylon, and Equatorial Africa, however, due to the short rainy seasons that most of these other countries experience the only trees that actually produce carnauba wax can be found in northern Brazil. The tree needs very little water to grow, is very prolific throughout the area and can attain heights of 40 to 50 feet over the course of approximately fifty years. The natives of the surrounding areas make very good use of the various resources produced by the tree in their day to day lives which is where the name “Tree of Life” comes from. This wax provides the tree protection from the sweltering sun and allows it to shed water which then falls onto the ground allowing it to be absorbed by the tree’s roots

Leaves containing the wax are harvested from the tree between the months of September and March. The harvesting process in no way endangers the trees themselves. The color and quality are dictated by the age of the leaves and the care taken during the extraction process. Carnauba is an extremely hard substance in its natural form. When the leaves of the Carnauba Palm are harvested, the wax either flakes off as the leaves dry out or the leaves are soaked in kerosene or turpentine to soften the wax, resulting in a thick liquid that then is poured into molds and allowed to solidify. These blocks of carnauba are then weighed and coded for sale toprocessors and refiners, or they are put into a machine that removes the wax. Wax makers then have to blend the wax with oils, petroleum distillates, or a solvent called naphtha (commonly used to thin wood varnishes and paints) in order to make the wax workable. The very best carnauba based waxes only contain about 1/3 natural carnauba.

That brings us to grading. Carnauba is harvested and then graded according to color, purity, as well as it’s area of origin-Parnahyba, Piaui, Ceara, and Bahia. Trees grown in the northern area of Brazil produce the highest grade carnauba. The yellow wax is the most pure and therefore receives the highest grade. This is the grade most commonly used in high end car waxes and in the pharmaceutical industry; it is often used to coat pill so that they can be more easily swallowed. Some manufacturers will then refine the yellow wax again into an ultra-pure white wax.

The one big drawback of using carnauba based waxes on vehicles is that it does not last as long as a synthetic paint sealant. A carnauba based finish will only last up to 90 days and then only in the most ideal of conditions. Depending on the climate in which your vehicle is being driven, as well as whether your vehicle is garaged often or not, your wax’s finish could be deleted in as little as 4 weeks. Arid desert heat, hot humid climates and coastal areas will also all drastically reduce the life span of your carnauba coat.

Paint sealants are a synthetic form of paint protection. They last a lot longer, they are easy to apply, and there’s nothing natural about them. This is surface science at its best. A paint sealant is made of polymers, which are composed of tens of thousands of synthetic particles (known as simple monomers) which are linked together. A paint sealant doesn’t so much as sit on top of your vehicles paint as it bonds to your vehicle’s paint. It forms a rigid shell which protects a vehicles paint like a transparent chain metal suit. They are glossy and slick, but they do not tend to have the warmth and depth of a carnauba based wax. Paint sealants have gotten progressively more popular as time goes on; some people really love the hard-as-glass look. In an industry that is driven by technology, it seems appropriate that an engineered paint protector is rapidly becoming the new favorite amongst auto detailers, car dealers and auto enthusiasts alike.

The real selling point of a paint sealant, however, is it’s durability. A premium paint sealant can easily last for 4 to 6 months and sometimes even longer under ideal conditions, meaning that water will continue to bead and the paint will remain protected from the sun’s harsh UV rays and contamination. The best way to give your vehicle the best of both worlds (a tough as nails coat of armor as well as the warm glow and shine of carnauba) would be to ensure that your vehicles paint is being properly maintained. Just as you should be changing your oil every 3000 to 5000 miles, you should be giving the same kind of dedication and care to your vehicles exterior. It is highly recommended that you have some type of paint sealant applied every 6 months and between paint sealant application make sure to apply a coat of wax to your vehicles paint every 30 to 45 days.

As you’ve seen, there are a lot of differences between synthetic paint sealants and natural carnauba waxes. Glassy, hard shell or deep, liquid shine? Six months or six weeks? These are the basic questions you have to answer before selecting the best type of paint protection for your particular needs. Just remember, a growing number of automotive professionals and enthusiasts simply refuse to choose. Instead, they coat their vehicles with a layer of paint sealant to ensure long-lasting protection and then top it with a layer of carnauba for the rich, warm, dazzling shine. It’s the perfect combination of beauty and longevity!

Remember, paint protection is one of your vehicle’s greatest necessities.

High Rollers Mobile Detailing Las Vegas can help you with all of your mobile detailing needs. Feel free to contact us for any questions you might have or to schedule a free estimate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Farias

Twenty years ago, clear coat car paint protection was all the rage. Clear coat for cars promised to end paint damage from road debris and leave cars looking new year after year. The problem was that when the clear coat got a nick or a scratch, it looked nearly as bad as damage to the paint itself. Repairing extensive clear coat damage was just as time consuming and expensive as repairing the paint job itself. Clear coat offered a degree of protection, but nowhere near what was promised. These days there’s something new on the market that fulfills many of the broken promises made by clear coat: Clear Paint Protection Film.

Paint protection film is the latest evolution in the automotive paint world. It’s been around for a few years, but just lately has it caught on to the masses. Though not a perfect solution to all problems paint related, it’s the best thing on the market and should be considered by anyone looking to protect an expensive paint job.

Paint protection film is made out of a thin thermoplastic urethane. Anyone familiar with do-it-yourself window tinting film should have a good idea of what paint protection film is since the two are nearly identical. Window tinting is of course tinted and paint protection film transparent.

The film comes in sheets or rolls. Several companies are now producing custom protective film pre-cut to fit a particular vehicle. This is a wonderful innovation and saves time in the cutting process, which can be very tedious for amateurs.

Recently, custom paint protection film shops have become very popular. Though the film can be applied by anyone with patience and some skill, the best results will be obtained by a professional service. These shops have the facilities to apply the clear film in a clean environment, which is critical. Any dust, dirt, pollen etc. on the paint when the film is applied will be trapped there until the film is removed. Most do-it-yourself people just don’t have the necessary facilities to do that. Even clean garages contain dust and must be draped with plastic sheeting to achieve anything near the required conditions for a clean environment.

Although car protection film is not armor plating and can sustain the same nicks and abrasions that a clear coat paint job is vulnerable to, it isn’t permanent. When the film becomes damaged, it can easily be removed without damaging the paint and new film applied. This is much cheaper than trying to repair damaged clear coating or paint.

Paint protection film can be used on non-painted parts of the car also. Apply it to plastic headlight and taillight covers to protect from scratches. It will also protect these parts from cracking in certain situations, and will hold the covers intact if they do become damaged. This could save you from a costly ticket. The sky is the limit when finding new uses for paint protection film, and people are encouraged to find innovative new uses for it.