Don’t Pay Until You Check These 5 Things
You’ve waited 4 days for your car. You walk into the shop, and from 10 feet away, your new Midnight Purple PPF looks incredible.
But before you hand over your credit card and drive off, you need to look closer.
Colour PPF is a difficult material to install. Unlike thin vinyl, it doesn’t like to stretch. Because of this, inexperienced installers often make critical mistakes that won’t show up until a few weeks later—unless you know where to look.
At Auto Glow, we perform a 30-point quality check before handing over the keys. Here are the top 5 things we check for—and you should too.
1. The “Silvering” Effect
This is the most common defect in Colour PPF.
Because the film has a coloured layer, if the installer stretches it too hard around a curve (like a bumper corner or mirror cap), the colour layer can break or thin out.
- What to look for: Look closely at the sharpest curves of your bumper. If the colour looks slightly faded, “silvery,” or lighter than the rest of the panel, the film has been over-stretched. This is a permanent failure of the material.
2. The “Wrapped Edges” Test
The difference between a cheap job and a pro job is in the corners.
- The Lazy Way: The installer cuts the film exactly at the edge of the panel. You can see the line of the film, and dirt will eventually build up there, creating an ugly outline.
- The Pro Way: The film should be wrapped around the back of the panel whenever possible (hoods, doors, fenders).
The Inspection: Open your hood and look at the edge of the metal. You should see the colour film wrapping around and terminating inside the panel, not sitting on top of the edge.
3. Lift Lines & Glue Marks
Colour PPF uses a wet application method. Sometimes, an installer will lift the film up to reposition it. If they wait too long, the adhesive starts to “bite.” When they stick it back down, it leaves a squiggly distortion line called a “lift line” or “glue disturbance.”
- What to look for: Look at the large flat areas (hood and roof) under direct light. The reflection should be glass-smooth. If you see squiggly lines or patches that look like smudged fingerprints underneath the film, that is adhesive damage. It cannot be polished out.
4. The Badge & Trim Lazy Cut
Did they take the badges off, or did they cut around them?
Removing emblems (like the “Range Rover” lettering or the Mercedes Star) takes time and patience. Lazy shops will just lay the film over the badge and use a knife to cut a hole around it.
- The Risk: This almost always leaves a tiny gap of original paint showing around the letters. Plus, there is a high chance they scratched your paint with the knife while cutting.
- The Standard: A top-tier install involves removing the badges/handles, installing the film seamlessly, and then re-adhering the badges on top of the PPF.
5. Bubbles: Water vs. Air
If you see a bubble, don’t panic—but know the difference.
- Water Bubbles: Tiny, hazy bubbles are common right after a wet install. They are breathable and will evaporate through the film in 2-3 weeks of Dubai heat. This is normal.
- Air Pockets: If the bubble looks clear and has a sharp edge (like a blister), that is trapped air. It will not go away on its own. It needs to be fixed by the installer immediately.
Conclusion: Quality is in the Details
A perfect Colour PPF job should look like paint. You shouldn’t be able to tell there is a film on the car until you touch it.
If you inspect a car and spot these issues, you have the right to ask for a redo.
If you want to avoid the headache entirely, choose a certified shop that guarantees the finish.
Worried about your installation?
We offer a Free Inspection for cars wrapped at other shops. We’ll tell you honestly if the job was done right.
Related Article :
- XPEL Colour PPF: Is It Worth the Premium Price Tag?
- Does Car Insurance Cover PPF in Dubai?
FAQs
Q1: How can I tell if a Colour PPF install is bad?
A: Look for silvering on curves, exposed panel edges, glue marks, trapped air bubbles, and visible cuts around badges.
Q2: Is silvering in Colour PPF fixable?
A: No. Silvering means the film was overstretched and the colour layer is permanently damaged.
Q3: Are bubbles normal after PPF installation?
A: Small hazy water bubbles are normal and evaporate. Clear, sharp-edged air bubbles are not and must be fixed.
Q4: Should PPF edges be visible?
A: No. Professional installs wrap the film around panel edges whenever possible to hide cut lines.
Q5: Can I inspect PPF before paying?
A: Yes. You should always inspect the vehicle under proper lighting before final payment or delivery.
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