What Does Clear Bra (Paint Protection Film) Do?
Clear bra films offer:
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Unrivaled scratch and stain resistance, protecting against pesky rock chips or would be vandals.
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Exceptional clarity, glossing up the finish of your car considerably.
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10 year manufacturer warranty, guaranteeing protection for most customer’s time with their vehicle.
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Self healing properties will see swirl marks or small etching fade when activated by a heat gun, or the sun on a hot day.
How Much Does It Cost?
This depends on the coverage you are looking to get. You can use the film to guard the door edges in the case the wind swings them into something, costing only $80. Or you can add the film to the trunk of your car, to prevent scuffs from dragging heavy luggage out of your car.
Most clients opt to wrap the front end of their vehicle, protecting the high impact areas from rock chips. This includes the full hood, bumper, fenders, lights and mirrors. For most cars, this starts at $1,950.
On the right vehicle, full body coverage is the best choice. Whether a collectible model or a sentimental one, this is the ultimate solution of paint protection. When covering the entire vehicle in PPF, we can use a matte finish film. We call this a "stealth" clear bra, bridging the gap between restyling films like vinyl and protection with PPF.
Is Clear Bra (PPF) Stronger Than Vinyl Wrap?
Yes, it most certainly is. Although vinyl is very rugged, PPF is approximately twice as thick. Consider clear bra if you are looking for the ultimate level of protection.
Do People Clear Bra Their Entire Car?
Yes, people certainly do. This is usually reserved for clients who love the color of their vehicle and want to keep it new for years to come. This service begins at $6,000 for most vehicles. Although this may seem expensive, it is a fraction of the cost it could be to repaint a Porsche or Lamborghini for example. Matte finishes are also possible, which create a unique finish with the same level of protection as gloss PPF.
Is a Ceramic Coat an Alternative to Clear Bra (PPF)?
No, it is not. Ceramic coat should be thought of as a detailer’s tool. It seeks to make the surface of your car harder, making it more resistant to marring caused by towel marks. It also adds a hydrophobic property that makes washing the vehicle a cinch. It does NOT however, prevent against heavy abrasion or rock chips.
Paint Protection Film Clear
High-gloss defense against road wear.
STEK Paint Protection Film Clear is a nearly invisible layer of sophisticated protection, with a high-shine finish that helps defend against all major enemies of pristine paint: rocks, salt, insects and road debris.
All layers of this advanced film are formulated for optical clarity, and the top coat offers added protection with the power to self-heal, using heat from the sun or an engine. This makes Paint Protection Film Clear a significant upgrade to automotive finish performance.
We stand behind Paint Protection Film Clear’s innovative paint protection film technology with a 5-year limited warranty*, and pair it with our exclusive TruCut™ Paint Protection Film pattern software to help ensure an ideal fit and smooth installation.
Paint Protection Film Benefits:
Stain Resistance
Paint hue stays true to its original color, with advanced protection against yellowing and stains from dirt, oil, tar and bugs.
Impressive Endurance
Automotive finishes stay fresh and flawless longer with a Paint Protection Film shield against damage from rocks, salt and other debris.
Self-Healing
Repairing scratches is effortless; the ppf film uses heat from a vehicle’s engine or the sun to heal.
Nearly Invisible
Paint Protection Film Clear is optically clear and sized for seamless hood coverage.
Warranty
STEK Paint Protection Film Clear is scientifically formulated with rigorously tested technology that’s backed by a 10-year limited warranty. Certain restrictions apply. *
* Certain restrictions apply; contact a manufacturer’s representative or see an authorized dealer for manufacturer’s limited warranty details.
PAINT PROTECTION
Can I wax STEK Paint Protection Film Matte?
Some waxes will add a level of gloss to PPFMatte. However, there are waxes on the market specifically for matte finishes. Waxing is still recommended for added protection.
Can I take my car through a pressure wash with STEK Paint Protection Film?
It is best practice to wait 3 days before washing your car. While hand washing is preferred, you can use a pressure wash, but be careful near edges as the pressure water can lift the edge.
Can “coatings” be applied to STEK Paint Protection Film?
Ceramic coatings are approved for use with our Paint Protection Films when applied over the surface of the product. Ceramic coatings create an additional barrier for solvent and water penetration while not negatively impacting the performance or self-healing of our Paint Protection Film. This application will not void your warranty.
If there is a stain that won’t wash off, what do I do?
If a stain will not wash off with a regular car wash, you can apply isopropyl alcohol to a microfiber towel and clean the stain, if that does not work you can use a small amount of lacquer thinner. If the stain remains we would recommend you use a mild-abrasive wax and polish the surface of the film to restore the original appearance. Polishing/buffing of the film is a great way to remove contaminants from the surface, however this process should be limited to as-needed or once every 12- 18 months. An example of a mild-abrasive wax would be Turtle Wax Renew RX Polishing Compound Light to Medium Cleaner.
Can STEK Paint Protection Film be applied over repaired/fresh paint?
STEK Paint Protection Film is designed and warrantied when applied to original paint. Issues with aftermarket/repaired paint are not warranted by STEK. If you choose to still have STEK Paint Protection Film installed over fresh paint, the common waiting period is 30 days for the paint to outgas.
Should I wax my car prior to STEK Paint Protection Film installation?
It is not recommended to apply wax or any coatings to your vehicle prior to having STEK Paint Protection Film installed. Any waxes or coatings can interfere with proper adhesion of the film to the vehicle.
How soon after installation can I drive my vehicle?
In an ideal situation, an installer will have the vehicle 24 hours to monitor the film for any lifting edges before releasing the vehicle to the owner. In situations where this is not possible, we strongly recommend at least a 2-3 hour waiting period indoors followed by an inspection to ensure all edges are sealed before the vehicle is released.
How do I remove STEK Paint Protection Film?
Film should be lifted at a 45-degree angle and pull towards yourself, this will cause the adhesive to release. Do Not fold the film over on itself and rip it off, this can leave adhesive behind. In cold weather environments we recommend a steamer to aid in softening the film/adhesive for removal.
How does the self-healing work?
STEK Paint Protection Film contains a proprietary top-coat. This top coat protects the urethane against surface scratches. The majority of surface scratches will self-heal when exposed to heat – sun, warm panel (motor running), warm water, etc. We demonstrate this with a copper wire brush to simulate surface scratches that will self-heal such as surface dirt, sand, salt, etc.
Will STEK Paint Protection Film turn yellow?
STEK Paint Protection Film is protected against yellowing. Our top coat protects the Paint Protection Film against harmful solvents that are in gas, oil, bird droppings, car exhaust, etc. that can absorb into the film and discolor it.
Will paint with and without STEK Paint Protection Film fade differently?
No. The area protected with STEK Paint Protection Film will fade at the same rate as the unprotected area.
Polarized sunglasses make Paint Protection Film look iridescent. Is this normal?
This is purely an interaction between light reflected from car surface through the film and polarized glasses. Light reflected from the surface is polarized in different direction and each polarization propagates through the film differently. This is an inherent feature of the film as it gets oriented to some degree during the installation. A good analogy would be looking at a screen of an ATM machine in polarized glasses – you can see a normal screen when you look straight at it and then you tilt your head and see a black screen.