Films & Wraps

Films and wraps change or protect a surface without paint, and most can be removed again later. The range covers clear and black paint protection film, window sun film and tint film for lamps and plastic. Decor foils for interior trim and peelable spray film complete it.

The sheet films are all thin plastic layers with an adhesive back, but they behave differently. Paint protection film is thicker and tough enough to absorb grit and stone chips that would mark the paint, and it is renewed when worn. Decor vinyl is thinner and can be warmed to stretch over curves, but it remembers its flat shape, so stretched areas need reheating or the edges creep back.

Window film is rated by the share of visible light it lets through, so the lower the figure, the darker the film. How dark each window may be depends on the country, with the screen and front door windows usually the most restricted, so check local rules first. Coloured or smoked film on headlights and rear lamps alters their light, which is generally not accepted on public roads.

Match the film to the job:

• Paint protection: clear or black film in sheets such as 12 × 45, 17 × 165 and 30 × 165 cm. A door grip set guards the paint behind the handles.
• Window film: sun film in 51 × 230 cm and 76 × 300 cm rolls, the larger one a 35% film.
• Lamp film: universal light films in clear, traffic red, sky blue, yellow, light black and matt black. Smoke and yellow tint film for plastic comes in 30 × 100 cm sheets.
• Interior decor: carbon-look foil in black or white, a black hexagon pattern, a matt silver brushed-aluminium look and a suede-look wrap.
• Spray film: white gloss, silver metallic and gold metallic cans and sets for wheels, emblems and trim too complex to wrap.

Clean the surface with a degreaser or isopropyl alcohol, and work in a dust-free room at a mild temperature. Paint protection and window films usually go on wet: a slip solution lets you slide them into place before the squeegee pushes the water out. Decor vinyl usually goes on dry, is warmed into shape and is trimmed with a sharp blade that must never cut into the paint.

Give the adhesive the curing time in the film’s instructions before the first wash. After that, keep pressure-washer jets away from film edges and use soft cloths and mild cleaners rather than solvents.