The color of a vehicle can affect its resale value by up to thousands of dollars.
Paint condition resale value rises when the paint looks clean and protected. Rock chips and scratches lower the used car condition and increase depreciation. At Ghost Shield Film, we protect car paint with the right solutions and help you hold better value at trade-in.
How Paint Condition Resale Value Works
A ding or dent may not seem like a big deal to you, but appraisers are picky. If your car has significant chips or pitting, the next owner is going to have to respray it anyway. Appraisers usually grade used vehicles on a four-point scale, with cars graded as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor.
More than 80% of vehicles fall into the “Fair” category, while a select few, usually newer used cars that have been driven very lightly and have been garaged for most of their life, are deemed “Excellent.”
Just one or two minor dents, dings, paint scratches, or chips can be the difference between “Fair” or even “Good” or “Poor.’
It’s best to park in a garage out of the elements whenever possible, but if not, dings and dents happen. It’s part of owning a vehicle.
Before trading in your vehicle, have it professionally detailed and take care of all dings and dents, as well as any other exterior deficiencies that can diminish resale value. If you’re serious about maintaining your resale value, investing in paint protection film or, at a minimum, a ceramic coating is worthwhile to keep the vehicle in factory condition.
How Much of a Difference in Resale Value Does it Make?
This can depend on the vehicle’s paint color, finish, make, and model. According to a study by iSeeCars.com, the average car loses 10% of its value in the first year of ownership. However, cars with poor paint conditions can lose even more value. For example, a car with faded paint can lose up to 20% of its value, and one with major scratches or dents can lose up to 30%.
Lower miles, frozen paint, and special-edition paint jobs on a vehicle would mean a respray probably hurts this sale, as a buyer looking for this car prioritizes condition. PPF resale value can increase buyer interest when specialty paint exists on performance models.
Poorly matched paint and poor application will result in devaluation, no matter what.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Car’s Paint?
Paint protection film, also known as PPF or clear bra, is a flexible yet durable polyurethane film applied to a vehicle’s painted surfaces.
We use the XPEL Ultimate Plus line of PPF, which includes a 10-year warranty against cracking, peeling, fading, and yellowing. This film also features self-healing properties that remove minor swirl marks from the surface. Clear bra provides outstanding protection from rock chips and other impact-related damage that can occur during everyday driving, making it one of the most effective ways to safeguard your vehicle’s paint.
Whether you commute daily, navigate construction zones, want to avoid rock chips, or prioritize keeping your vehicle looking new and maintaining its resale value, paint protection film offers the protection you need.
Clear Bra Finish Options: Satin or Gloss
There are generally two finish options when it comes to clear bra: satin and gloss. The gloss clear bra will not affect the look of the factory paint. A satin clear bra will turn the color of the vehicle to a satin or semi-gloss finish. So if the car is a gloss pearl white, then wrapping it in a satin clear bra will make it satin pearl white.
Pros:
- Protects against light scratches and scuffs
- Protects against the majority of paint chips from road debris
- Can save you from costly paint repairs
- Protects against UV damage and oxidation
- Protects the surface of the vehicle from chemical etching
- The hydrophobic top coat offers easier cleaning
Cons:
- Can be an expensive option
- If removed incorrectly, it can peel paint off the vehicle
- Depending on how much of the car is getting PPF, it can require days of installation time
Get a Paint Protection Film Quote
Adams Gold Advanced Graphene Ceramic Coating
