Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1482193
G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 2 • G R A P H I C S P R O 3 1 "Instead of seeing rock chips, scratches, and degradation over time, they get peace of mind by fossilizing the paint job in per- fect condition," says John Lilley, owner of South Jersey Automotive Coatings in Paulsboro, New Jersey. "We're seeing large, exponential growth in PPF sales. It's huge." THE DIFFERENCE IN PPF ere are many PPF products on the market, but the quality of those products can vary significantly. Premium PPF can be stretched without permanently com- promising the integrity of the film, is more malleable to enable faster, cleaner instal- lation, lasts longer – 10 years or more in most cases – and maintains pristine opti- cal clarity even in extreme climates. Non- premium PPF makes for tougher installa- tions, can tear and sag when stretched, and may have a tendency to yellow as it ages – a process accelerated by exposure to the sun's UV rays. Non-premium prod- ucts often need to be removed or replaced by the vehicle's initial owner. To understand the differences in PPF – and more to the point, the differences in how various products perform – we need to understand how it's made. ere are four components, which together are roughly 10mm thick (0.25mm): 1) e surface layer consists of a thin coating, usually acrylic or urethane-based and is designed to provide stain resistance or self-healing properties. 2) e next layer is considered the core, and is made of thermoplastic polyurethane ( TPU). is TPU influences how stretch- able, long-lasting, and durable the PPF is. 3) Below the TPU is a thin adhesive layer, most commonly acr ylic-based, designed to bond the TPU layer to the surface of the vehicle. While chip protection has been the primary reason for using PPF, advancing technology has changed the PPF value proposition to include scratch resistance, self-healing, and stain resistance. A comparison stretch test illustrates the difference between premium and non-premium TPU. PPF Made with ESTANE TPU withstands the puncture attempt.