PPF protective film - definition
PPF stands for Paint Protection Film. PPF film is usually a polyurethane clear film with self-healing properties. Once applied, it forms an almost invisible coating with very high resistance to abrasion, stone impact and chemicals. The element protected by PPF film is isolated from the action of any negative external conditions.
PPF films are equipped with a high-quality acrylic adhesive, which does not react with varnish and, like the film, is completely transparent.
History of PPF film
The story begins, as it often does, in the military industry, more specifically during the Vietnam War where the U.S. Army was facing the problem of damaged rotor blades and other sensitive parts of helicopters that were being damaged by rocks and debris. The Army decided to commission 3M to solve this problem, and the company proposed using a protective film. The advantages of this solution were very quickly recognized, and it made it possible to significantly reduce the cost of operating military helicopters.
3M continued to work on protective films for the aerospace industry, but over time, with the development of the automotive market, new potential was seen in this product.
PPF films in the automotive market and beyond
Initially, PPF films were applied to the paint by the manufacturers of some car brands in order to protect the most vulnerable areas (the original films can most often be found on the rear fenders of most Toyotas from the 1990s, Porsche and also, for example, in the VW Passat B5). As of today, almost every brand already uses safety films appreciating their effectiveness.
The number of their applications is constantly growing. It is becoming common to protect such parts of the body as headlights, bumpers, door rims, hood, sills, decorative overlays, and even entire cars.
In recent years, the popularity of protective films is constantly growing due to their versatility, aesthetics - they are almost unnoticeable on the protected element, and, above all, resistance to damage. It's not only airplanes and cars that are protected with PPF films anymore, also motorcycles, bicycles, electronic devices (telephones, computers) and even furniture.
What does it mean that PPF film is self-healing
Under the influence of high temperature (heating with a heat gun or hair dryer, or simply sunlight on summer days), micro-damages - such as, most often, shallow scratches located on the surface of PPF film - heal and disappear. Similar scratches located on the lacquer in large numbers would cause a tarnished lacquer effect requiring polishing - lacquer correction.