Paint protection films are one of the best auto inventions. These films are designed to protect and preserve the vehicle’s exterior condition by protecting it from external factors. Compared to ceramic and glass coatings, paint protection films could be a bit expensive, but offer excellent protection. If your paint protection film is turning yellow, follow below for its causes and how you can prevent them to keep your vehicle looking brand new.

Why Is Your Car Paint Protection Film Turning Yellow?

Environmental Exposure

Paint protection films are specifically designed to tackle external factors such as dirt, dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures. These factors combined take a toll on the film’s strength and longevity over time. After several years, the film is bound to turn yellow and there is nothing you can do about it.

But, until then, it is time to replace the film anyway. Paint protection films, if installed properly by an expert, can last anywhere between 5-8 years depending on the maintenance. Regardless of the weather in your region, if you are willing to spend some time and effort ensuring maintenance of the vehicle, you won’t have any problem with the film turning yellow.

The reason paint protection films turn yellow sooner than you think is that vehicle owners fail to keep their cars clean. Bird droppings are acidic and one of the biggest factors affecting the longevity of the film. Not cleaning them or covering the vehicle leads to the droppings resting on the vehicle for days, ultimately damaging the paint.

This is why it is important for the vehicle to be parked in a covered area to prevent external factors from getting to the vehicle.

Low Quality

Another major problem surrounding PPFs is the quality. Paint protection films are available in varying qualities to meet the budget demands of the customers. While that leaves a huge window of options for those who cannot afford expensive films but it doesn’t come that easily.

Budget-friendly PPFs are solely focused on reducing the price, which compromises the quality. This means these films will last a year or so until they start turning yellow. These films are a good option for used car showrooms that do not wish to park their vehicles for a long time. In such cases, the vehicle protection is temporary and the owner can get the film replaced once the vehicle has been sold.

Modern high-quality protection films are made using the latest techniques that add strength, durability, and improve quality.

But, when it comes to making the film budget-friendly, most of the characteristics are compromised. This is why it is important that you do your homework thoroughly and consult an expert before getting your vehicle protected. Choosing low quality films is one of the common PPF installation mistakes, so make sure to avoid it.

Poor Installation

Installing paint protection film looks a lot easier than it is. This process involves multiple stages and is only successful if the expert utilizes proper tools, techniques, and skills. Although you will come across a wide variety of installers in the market today, not everyone is able to install a film the right way.

From parking the vehicle in a covered area to curing the film properly, a lot goes into ensuring a perfect paint protection film job. Many vehicle owners buy high-quality films only to end up choosing an amateur for installation in an attempt to save money.

That is a lot worse than choosing a low-quality film. The reason is that an amateur installer not only risks the quality of the installation but also the vehicle’s paint. That said, when it comes to choosing an expert, you should always go through your options and pick the one that carries the most experience and a versatile portfolio. The tools used for installing a paint protection film are only as good as the expert himself.

This applies to auto window tinting Springfield as well. So, when installing car window tints, choose a reputable installer.

How To Prevent Paint Protection Film Yellowing?

Now that we have discussed the reasons contributing to the yellowing of paint protection films, let’s discuss some important tips that will help you prevent it.

Apply Ceramic Coating Over PPF

You might have observed a lot of experts and vehicle owners opting to get their films covered by ceramic coating. While that might come off as an additional expense, it helps protect the film from turning yellow by not allowing dirt, dust, and other external factors from sticking to the film.

This is especially true if you live in a region that experiences extreme weather conditions such as rainfall and thunderstorms, etc. With the water sliding down as quickly as it falls on the vehicle, you won’t need to worry about the film getting damaged, let alone turning yellow.

Park Under A Shade

Leaving your vehicle out in the open is a recipe for disaster. Apart from the bird droppings, sun exposure plays an important role in reducing the lifespan and quality of the film. That is why, if you wish to park your vehicle at your home or the office, make sure to park it under a shade to limit the sun exposure.

Modern paint protection films are self-healing, meaning they utilize the UV rays to repair themselves. But too much sun exposure or extreme sunlight can do the opposite.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals And Abrasives

If your vehicle is covered by a paint protection film, that does not mean you are free to use whatever chemicals and abrasives you desire. You should only use cleaning agents that are authorized and recommended by the manufacturer.

Unauthorized chemicals and cleaning agents can easily turn the film yellow. On top of that, using abrasive materials and techniques can also affect the paint’s color. Always use soft cleaning and washing cloths combined with proper drying and cleaning practices.

Select A Reputable Brand

In addition to selecting a reputable installer, you should also choose a reputable brand. There are a lot of brands in the market today and you need to know the basics and do your research before picking an option. A reputable brand is covered by years of experience and research.

Instead of taking your chances with a newly introduced company, you should opt for a brand that has been around for a while. A brand’s repute is defined by customer reviews and the quality of work it offers. It is quite easy to research a particular company on the internet nowadays.

So, put in some time and pick a brand that backs its product with proper warranties and guarantees.

Conclusion

Paint protection films turning yellow is a common problem, but it can easily be prevented. The tips mentioned above are all tried and tested and will surely help you make the most out of your investment. Poor installation and low quality PPF are two major factors that contribute to the yellowing the film, so consult experienced paint protection film installers Springfield for high quality PPF and flawless installation.