Paint protection film

12 years Valor warranty

10 years Platinum warranty

Value retained at resale

1997 experience since

Manufacturer’s warranty by Eastman Performance Films (LLumar) on the material. Conditions include: installation by an authorised LLumar dealer on original paint, registration, valid for the first purchaser. We hand out the full terms. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.

Effect

What the filmabsorbs

Paint is put under strain every day. The film is a replaceable layer on top: it cushions mechanical loads and keeps residues away from the paint. It cannot stop heavy impacts and deep cuts either.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera in deep black paint, fully wrapped in paint protection film — Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, fully wrapped in paint protection film

Abstract illustration of stones hitting a transparent paint protection film

Stone chips

A small hit concentrates a lot of force. The elastic film spreads the impact and absorbs part of the energy.

Abstract illustration of water and wash fibres on a transparent paint protection film

Washing

Friction in the car wash leaves fine marks. On the film they recover with warmth.

Abstract illustration of insect and bird dropping residues on a transparent paint protection film

Insects and bird droppings

Time and heat intensify the effect. The paint protection film keeps residues away from the paint.

Abstract illustration of UV rays hitting a transparent paint protection film

Sun

UV light ages materials. Aliphatic TPU stays free of yellowing for longer.

Abstract illustration of salt and chemical drops on a transparent paint protection film

Chemicals and salt

Residues stress the surface. The film is resistant to many cleaners and road salt.

Road dirt

Particles scour the surface. They hit the film, not the clear coat.

Structure

The layersof the film

The term PPF alone says nothing about quality. What matters is how the top coat, the carrier and the adhesive work together, and what lies underneath.

01 / 06

Self healing top coat

Top coat

The surface you see and touch. Fine scratches recover with warmth, deep cuts do not.

02 / 06

TPU carrier film

approx. 150 to 200 µm

The elastic base spreads impacts and absorbs part of the energy before it reaches the paint.

03 / 06

Adhesive layer

Pressure sensitive adhesive

Bonds film and paint. During installation the film stays repositionable; pressure and time build up the bond.

04 / 06

Protective liner

removed

Protects the adhesive side until installation. It does not stay on the vehicle.

05 / 06

Clear coat

approx. 15 to 50 µm

Defines the gloss and reflections of the vehicle. Wash marks usually sit here.

06 / 06

Base coat

approx. 10 to 30 µm

The colour of the vehicle. Below it come filler, primer and the body.

01
Self healing top coat Top coat
The surface you see and touch. Fine scratches recover with warmth, deep cuts do not.
02
TPU carrier film approx. 150 to 200 µm
The elastic base spreads impacts and absorbs part of the energy before it reaches the paint.
03
Adhesive layer Pressure sensitive adhesive
Bonds film and paint. During installation the film stays repositionable; pressure and time build up the bond.
04
Protective liner removed
Protects the adhesive side until installation. It does not stay on the vehicle.
05
Clear coat approx. 15 to 50 µm
Defines the gloss and reflections of the vehicle. Wash marks usually sit here.
06
Base coat approx. 10 to 30 µm
The colour of the vehicle. Below it come filler, primer and the body.

Simplified illustration.

Technical illustration of a flexible transparent TPU film with visible polymer structure over smooth vehicle paint

Material

Why TPUmakes the difference

In thermoplastic polyurethane the soft segments are built firmly into the polymer chains. The film gives and springs back. Soft PVC, on the other hand, gets its flexibility from plasticisers that are lost over time: the material becomes hard, shrinks and turns brittle.

For exterior surfaces we use aliphatic TPU. It stays clear for longer under UV light, whereas aromatic formulations can develop a yellow tinge. Which film we use on your vehicle and why is something we explain to you before installation.

Gloss paint protection film
Matt paint protection film
Ceramic coating approved for film as a complement

Porsche 911 with a continuous transparent paint protection film as a floating protective layer over the entire front

Paint protection film. Paint protection film.

Quality

How to recognisea good film

On the day of installation many films look the same. The difference shows after months in the sun, at the edge and on removal.

Two films compared: on the left a surface with orange peel, on the right a smooth film — **Orange peel.** A cheap film produces noticeably more orange peel than the clear coat. The difference in a side by side comparison is clear.

Staying clear. Aliphatic TPU hardly loses any optical stability outdoors, aromatic TPU clouds noticeably from the first year. We use aliphatic film.

Factory film removed after 8,000 kilometres, the film is yellowed and dirty — **Paint condition after 8,000 km.** The film fitted at the factory is clearly too small. After the film is removed, the damaged area is clearly visible.

Balanced film
Specification winner

The profile counts. A film has many properties that influence each other. A very soft top coat heals spectacularly and gets dirty quickly, a very stretchy TPU pulls back at the edges later. The balanced film is the good one, not the one with a single peak value.

From the workshop

Film over the lettering

Mercedes-AMG GT in matt paint: the film is laid over the AMG lettering on the rear and worked around every letter, without a cut on the paint.

From the workshop

Wrapped vehicles

Porsche 992 Turbo Convertible, paint protection film being applied to the side panel and sill — Side panel and sillPorsche 992 Turbo Convertible Watch the video

Ford Capri in dark green, the bonnet being wrapped — Classic car, bonnetFord Capri Watch the video

Mercedes-AMG GT in matt paint with paint protection film, side view — Fully wrappedMercedes-AMG GT matt Watch the video

Orange bonnet of a Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series with paint protection film — BonnetAMG GT Black Series

BMW M4, the front being covered with paint protection film — FrontBMW M4

Radiator grille of a Ferrari being wrapped, the prancing horse is visible — Radiator grilleFerrari

Porsche 992 Turbo Convertible, film on the door mirror — Door mirrorPorsche 992 Turbo Convertible Watch the video

Ford Capri, film on the wing — WingFord Capri Watch the video

Mercedes-AMG GT in matt paint, film on the flank — FlankMercedes-AMG GT matt Watch the video

Orange wing of the AMG GT Black Series with carbon air intake under paint protection film — Wing and carbonAMG GT Black Series

Porsche 992 Turbo Convertible, film on the rear with spoiler — Rear and spoilerPorsche 992 Turbo Convertible Watch the video

Close up: film being applied to a blue air intake — Close upAir intake

At Autoblitz Mayer

Like a tailored suitfor your vehicle

We have our own film plotter and cut the film in house. Every film pattern is checked against your vehicle and adjusted. If no pattern exists yet for a new model, the manufacturer comes to us and captures the vehicle with a 3D scan.

01
Inspect the paint
We look at the condition and history of the paint and discuss any preparatory work needed. Scratches do not disappear under the film.
02
Prepare thoroughly
Iron fallout, tar and residues are removed, followed by a gentle paint correction if needed. A ceramic coating must not be applied beforehand.
03
Cut and apply
The film patterns are checked against your vehicle, adjusted and cut on our plotter. The film is positioned wet and applied by hand.
04
Check and hand over
Joint inspection of the vehicle, care instructions and a contact person for later. The first wash follows after the curing time of around 14 days.

Film plotter in the Autoblitz Mayer workshop, next to it the computer with the open film pattern

Additional service

Windscreen protection film

A clear protective film on the windscreen intercepts stone chips and wiper marks before they reach the glass. It can be replaced like paint protection film, the glass stays original. Worthwhile on vehicles with expensive windscreens, for example with head up display or camera systems.

Enquire about windscreen protection

Questions and answers

What customers wantto know beforehand

How long does paint protection film last?

For LLumar Valor the manufacturer gives a 12 year warranty on the material, for LLumar Platinum in matt and gloss 10 years. How long a film looks good in everyday use depends on sun, care and driving profile. An aliphatic TPU film is the basic requirement for a long service life. After that we recommend renewal. Sun, climate, mileage and care affect the actual lifespan.

Can you see the film?

Hardly, with clean workmanship. How visible edges are depends on film thickness, vehicle shape and workmanship.

Does the paint have to be prepared before wrapping?

Yes, carefully. Otherwise scratches, holograms and iron fallout remain visible under the film. We check whether a gentle paint correction is necessary. A ceramic coating must not be applied before wrapping, otherwise the film will not adhere.

What does self healing mean?

Fine scratches in the top coat recover with warmth, for example from sun or warm water. Cuts down into the carrier cannot be repaired by heat; then we replace that section. Not every film has this top coat, and the quality differs from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Can a new car be wrapped straight away?

Yes, that is the best time. After a repair respray, however, the paint has to outgas for four to six weeks. If it is wrapped too early, bubbles form under the film.

Can the film be coated as well?

Yes. A ceramic coating approved for film makes care easier and is applied as soon as the film has dried and built up adhesion. We recommend it to anyone who wants to spend little time on care.

How do I care for a wrapped vehicle?

With a gentle hand wash and pH neutral shampoo. No hot waxes, no pressure washer directly on edges. Remove bird droppings and insects promptly. Do not polish iron fallout; dissolve it with an iron fallout remover.

Who pays if the film is damaged in an accident?

The insurer replaces what was firmly attached to the body beforehand. That includes the paint protection film. We document the wrap for this case.

Can a dent under the film be repaired?

Often yes. We first try to push or pull the dent with the film in place. If that does not work, the affected film section is renewed.

Can the film be removed again later?

Yes, professionally and warmed with hot air at 80 to 120 degrees. Never tear it off cold, especially not in winter. Resprays and an old film increase the risk, which is why removal belongs in the workshop.

Questions from two decades of wrapping, answered briefly. Your question is missing? 07195 135464

Projects