Paint Protection Film (PPF) is the industry's leading protection option for your vehicle. This self-healing film offers excellent stone chip rejection, protection against light physical abrasion, and acts as a sacrificial layer against chemical damage. Though this revolutionary film is designed to keep your paintwork in pristine condition, it does require a little 'know-how' to keep it performing at its best. Learning how to clean PPF is very straightforward, but doing so frequently can help ensure its longevity.
Like any unprotected vehicle, PPF is best kept when washed regularly; we recommend twice a month for best results. It is crucial to stay clear of any commercial car wash facilities. These automated services can damage and ruin your PPF.
HOW TO WASH PPF
STEP ONE:
Thoroughly pre-rinse the entire vehicle, removing and dislodging any major dirt and debris from the car before physical washing on the Paintwork and PPF. This helps reduce the number of swirl markings and scratching introduced in any unprotected areas of the vehicle (Exposed Paintwork, Plastics, and Trims). While hose pressure is safest, you can use a pressure washer. Be careful near the edges as the high pressure can lift the film. DO NOT use a pressure washer any closer than 0.5m from the PPF.
If you own a Foam Lance attachment and dedicated Foam Solution, this would be done prior to the initial pre-rinse to aid in breaking down loose dirt for an easier pre-rinse.
STEP TWO:
Use a two bucket method, Bucket 1 (Wash Bucket) with warm water and your choice of pH-neutral shampoo, and Bucket 2 (Rinse Bucket) with plain warm water to rinse. Grab a fresh Wash Mitt full of soapy water to wash the panel work. The Rinse Bucket is used between each mitt of soapy water to expel any dirt and debris. This stops dirt from re-circulating back onto the panel work.
STEP THREE:
Wash the vehicle section by section, starting at the top with the roof and windows, working your way down the bodywork. It is recommended to work in a Top to Bottom, Front to Back, as 90% of vehicle dirt is concentrated towards the bottom rear of the vehicle.
STEP FOUR:
Once all the bodywork and glass have been washed down, focus on the underlying areas commonly missed. This includes under the side skirts, edge of the wheel arches, and any aftermarket bar work installed on the vehicle.
STEP FIVE:
Now that the vehicle is thoroughly washed and dirt removed, a Final Rinse is needed to rid the paint and panel gaps from any loose dirt and suds that have been slowly dripping into the crevasses.
STEP SIX:
Finally, with your choice of Microfibre Drying Towel, Dry the vehicle down in the same order of washing, in a Top to Bottom, Front to Back.
If you own a blow dryer for your vehicle, such as the Bogboi BloR Car Dryer, you can use this to aid in drying down all the grilles and paintwork for a more consistent finish. DO NOT use any Car Dryer directly at the edge of your PPF as this will lift the film's edges. Keep 0.5m away from any PPF Edge Lines when drying.
STEP SEVEN:
Use the time post-wash to check over your PPF for any dust lines or minor damage. If you find yourself with a line that is presenting itself to be a little more stubborn, dust can be cleaned out using 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and a Microfibre towel to run across the edge and clean out any harsh debris.
WHAT IF STAINS DO NOT WASH OFF?
Suppose a stain does not wash off with a regular car wash. In that case, you can apply 99% Isopropyl Alcohol to a microfiber towel and clean the stain. If the discolouration remains, we recommend using a mild-abrasive polish to restore the original appearance. However, we advise consulting an industry professional to avoid damage caused to the PPF. This process should be limited to as-needed and not part of a regular maintenance regimen.
If you have questions or concerns about how to properly maintain and care for your Rugged Wrap or PPF Installation, don't hesitate to give the team at Drive Creative a call or email, and we can guide you in the right direction.