Protective film from chips to the car: varieties, features

If the car owner regularly uses the vehicle, then on the surface of the body very often there are small defects, chips and scratches. Naturally, this spoils the appearance of the vehicle. Many car owners are looking for inexpensive but effective ways to protect paint from damage . Some of them use protective film from chips to the car.

The main varieties

For consultation we turned to the specialists of the company "Center for Automotive Technologies" (www.avtotehnologii.ru), that's what they told us. Protective film from chips to the car has long appeared on the market of our country. Initially, this product was used only for the creation of outdoor advertising and tuning of bodies. However, the material gradually acquired protective functions. At the moment there are only two main types of such films:

• Cast vinyl;
• Polyurethane.

The first option is often called PVC coating. The thickness of such films is 100-200 microns. In this case, each of the varieties has its own peculiarities, advantages and disadvantages.

How is the protective film applied to the car from chips? The reviews indicate that such material has a special adhesive component. It is he who provides a reliable fixation with any surfaces of the machine. In addition to the composition, protective films are classified and in texture. They can be rough, matte, glossy.

What is cast vinyl?

The protective film from chips to a PVC car can last no more than 8 years. If the vehicle owner often has to travel outside the city, the service life is shortened. In this case, the coating can last about 5 years.

Vinyl film is in great demand among motorists, as this material is capable of accurately fitting even very small and complex details, for example, vehicle thresholds due to its qualities. Used such a protective film on the bumper, bonnet, handles, handles and so on. At the same time, it can be applied to the body even at home. The main thing is to have at hand all the necessary tools. It should be noted that the thickness of the material is not more than 100 microns.

Polyurethane film

The thickness of such a material is from 100 to 200 microns. Most often polyurethane film is used for finishing small fragments of the body. Due to the increased density, this coating is able to protect headlights and other vehicle parts from scratches, chips and cracks.

Covered with a polyurethane film, as a rule, the most vulnerable places, which are often subjected to mechanical damage. The service life in urban conditions of such coverage is up to 7 years. If the vehicle is often used for crossings between large settlements, this period is reduced to 4 years.

The difference between polyurethane and vinyl

The film on the hood from the chips must reliably protect the paintwork. Modern materials allow to fully satisfy the desires of car owners. However, the choice of coating should be given special attention. What is the difference between a vinyl cast film and a polyurethane film? The last variant of the coating differs considerably in thickness. If the vinyl film is only 100 microns, then the polyurethane film is up to 200 microns.

Also the difference lies in the service life of the coating. Vinyl cast film can last from 5 to 8 years, depending on the conditions of operation of the vehicle, and polyurethane film - from 4 to 7 years. Do not forget that each of the materials has its own peculiarity. Polyurethane protective film from chips to the car is appreciated by the owners for their reliability and elasticity. However, vinyl material can be used to work with complex surfaces and details. Apply polyurethane film is much more difficult because of the increased density. Of this material, usually cut out pieces of the necessary size with a plotter, and then cover them with details.

Should I use the film?

Protective film on the car from the chips, reviews about which are found both positive and negative, has many advantages. However, many car owners doubt. So is it worth using a film? Such protection on the hood of the car:

1. Protects the paint and varnish coating of the body from defects and chips.
2. It gives an opportunity to save considerably. Restoration of the body, not covered with a film, after a long operation of the vehicle is not cheap.
3. Allows to keep the factory paint.
4. Can be applied to the body for protection immediately after the purchase of the vehicle.
5. Suitable film on the hood of the car, its bumper, headlights, rear-view mirrors, racks and so on.

Is it worth it to cover the car completely

According to experts, the film on the hood from the chips (and for other body parts) can protect the paintwork by 100%. However, covering the vehicle does not always make sense. This method is allowed only in cases where the protection of all parts of the body is required. As practice shows, under any conditions of use of the car some of its details will be more vulnerable, unlike the others.

Therefore, to fully protect the body is recommended to use polyurethane film. It is this material that makes it possible to maintain the integrity of the paintwork even when the machine is used in unfavorable conditions.