The majority of vehicles equipped with Paint Protection Film are only protected in certain areas: The front bumper, hood, fenders, rocker panels, etc. These areas are the ones that are particularly prone to rock chips and damage from other road debris.
However, some vehicle owners want peace of mind not only about the particularly vulnerable parts of their vehicle but about the vehicle as a whole. They want peace of mind that every inch of the exterior is fortified against preventable damage. These vehicle owners choose to have Paint Protection Film applied to their entire vehicle.
1. Rock chips can happen nearly anywhere on your vehicle
It is certainly the case that most rock chips appear on the front of a vehicle, the rocker panels, or in the rear wheel arch. However, small rocks and road debris can also strike other parts of your vehicle. For example, a car passing you may kick up a small rock that strikes the rear door or rear quarter panels. Unless the door is protected by Paint Protection Film, that rock is likely to leave an unsightly mark.
2. Bird’s don’t only target the front end
Bird droppings are a hazard for your vehicle’s paint. When not removed right away, they can quickly etch into the clear coat of your car’s finish, leaving significant chemical stains. Especially on hot days where the sun is beating down baking the bird bomb into your clear coat.
While a rock chip is unlikely to appear on the roof of your vehicle, chemical stains from bird droppings are more likely to appear on the roof than anywhere else.
3. Tree sap can land anywhere on your vehicle
People also underestimate the damage tree sap can cause on a vehicle. Tree sap, like a bird dropping, is acidic, and can similarly etch into your vehicle’s clear coat if not removed. When your car is parked under a tree, every surface is susceptible to damage from tree sap.
You will want to remove it properly with a sap remover and follow up with a quick detail spray to make sure that the vehicle is completely clean and no acidic residue is left behind.
4. Acid rain
Acid rain caused by air pollutants can also damage your vehicle’s paint. Especially in Southern California. If rainwater is allowed to air dry on a car’s surface, acidic deposits left behind can start etching into the clear coat. Any part of your vehicle’s paint that can get wet from rainfall, or basically every part of your vehicle’s paint, is susceptible to damage from acid rain. And if you live near the ocean, the salt in the dew and rain can also cause damage to your vehicle’s paint.
5. Your car is exposed to UV rays
When the rain stops and the sun comes out, the situation doesn’t necessarily get better for your car. Direct sunlight can damage a vehicle’s paint, just as it can damage your skin. Prolonged exposure to UV rays will cause a car’s paint to oxidize, producing a dull or faded look. Any and every part of the vehicle that is exposed to the sun is at risk for oxidation.
6. Careless people in parking lots
When your vehicle is parked, dings and scratches are as likely to occur on the rear bumper or side doors as anywhere else. How often have you seen someone open their car door and slightly nick the vehicle next to them? If the vehicle is not protected by Paint Protection Film, those small dings and scratches can become unsightly eyesores.
7. Added value of flawless paint when selling the vehicle
The added benefit of a full car wrap is that in 7 or 10 years when you go to sell your vehicle it will have a flawless paint job underneath the film. Perfect paint can help you get a better price for your vehicle, as it will be in amazing condition.
It is also beneficial if you plan on keeping the vehicle. If you plan on holding onto the car forever, then a full car wrap will keep the paint in top condition. Protected from road debris, swirls, UV damage, and etching.
8. Keeping the vehicle clean is easier than ever
The hydrophobic quality of the paint protection film means that the film sheds dirt and water easier than just the paint would. It will also help in cleaning off bird droppings, bugs, and tree sap. The top coat on the film makes washing the car easier. You won’t have to worry about swirl marks or scratches. And you don’t have to worry about waxing the vehicle. A spray detailer or a silica spray will help keep the film maintained and hydrophobic.
Conclusion: Get a full car wrap for complete peace of mind
While Paint Protection Film made a name for itself because of its ability to protect your vehicle from rock chips, the reality is that a good film does so much more. Paint Protection Film provides a layer of protection from all of the environmental hazards outlined above. Chemical stains from bird droppings or tree sap are less likely to occur on a quality film. Acidic deposits from rainwater will not be able to reach your car’s clear coat when a Paint Protection Film is present. Paint Protection Film decreases the threat of UV damage. Small dings and scratches from careless parking lot drivers can be prevented by Paint Protection Film. These are hazards that affect every painted surface on your vehicle, not just your hood, front bumper, and rocker panels. For these reasons, a full wrap of a quality Paint Protection Film by a skilled installer adds significant value to a vehicle.
So if you are purchasing a new or new-to-you vehicle and you are concerned about the potential damage that could occur anywhere on your beautiful automobile, consider requesting a Full Wrap of premium Paint Protection Film. You will be purchasing the peace of mind that every painted surface of your vehicle will have the best protection you’ll never see.