Both of our Calgary shops install 3M paint protection film. It’s a clear film that goes over your paint and takes the hit from rock chips, so the paint underneath doesn’t. Packages start at $499 for a partial front end and go up to full-vehicle wraps.
What paint protection film is
Paint protection film, usually called PPF, is a clear thermoplastic polyurethane film. It goes on the painted panels that take the most hits, like the hood, bumper and fenders. When a stone hits the car, the film absorbs the impact instead of the paint.
The film also guards against bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap and road salt. Modern PPF has a self-healing top coat. Light scratches and swirl marks fade when the film is warmed by the sun or warm water.
PPF is different from a ceramic coating. A coating makes paint easier to wash and helps it resist chemicals, but it doesn’t stop a rock chip. PPF is a physical layer that does.
Why it helps in Calgary
Highways like Deerfoot Trail, Stoney Trail and Highway 2 carry a lot of loose gravel, especially after winter. Most chips land on the front of the vehicle, which is why our packages start there. In winter, the brine and salt on the roads are hard on clear coat, and the film keeps them off the paint it covers.
The film we use
We install 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series. According to 3M’s technical data sheet:
- It’s 8 mil (203 microns) thick, including the adhesive.
- It’s made of aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane with a urethane clear coat.
- It has a tensile strength of 1,600 PSI and stretches 290% before it breaks.
- It comes in gloss and matte finishes.
- It has a self-healing top coat.
The matte version suits vehicles with factory matte paint.
How 3M compares with other PPF brands
Every major PPF is made from thermoplastic polyurethane. The differences are in the top coat, the thickness and the finishes on offer. These figures come from each maker’s technical data sheets.
| Film | Thickness | Self-healing | Finishes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M Scotchgard Pro Series | 8 mil | Yes | Gloss, matte | Urethane clear coat |
| XPEL Ultimate Plus | 8 mil (10 mil version available) | Yes | Gloss | Elastomeric polyurethane top coat |
| XPEL Stealth | 8 mil | Yes | Satin | Made for matte and satin paint |
| SunTek Ultra | 8.5 mil | Yes | Gloss, matte | Hydrophobic top coat |
| SunTek Reaction | 6 to 8 mil | Yes | Gloss | Eastman Tetrashield resin |
| LLumar Valor | 8.7 mil | Yes | Gloss | Tetrashield with a ceramic top coat |
| Avery Dennison Supreme Defense | 6.5 mil | Yes | Gloss, matte | Thin film for tight curves |
SunTek and LLumar are both made by Eastman. A thinner film like Avery Dennison’s bends more easily around sharp body lines. A thicker film adds a bit more impact protection. In practice, a careful install matters as much as the brand.
PPF packages
All packages use 3M Scotchgard Pro Series. Prices are for standard vehicle sizes, and some models cost more. Send us your vehicle for an exact price.
Bronze, $499
Partial front end. Covers part of the hood, part of the fenders and the edges of the bumper.
Silver, $849
Full front end. Covers the full hood, full fenders and full front bumper.
Gold, $1,599
Full front end plus the rocker panels, door edges and A-pillars.
Radium, $1,599
A track pack. Full front end plus the rocker panels, mirrors, door cups and luggage strip.
Uranium, $1,999
Our largest partial package, with extended panel coverage short of a full wrap.
Full-vehicle wraps
| Wrap | Small vehicle | Large vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Clear wrap, no roof | $4,199 | $5,199 |
| Clear wrap, with roof | $4,699 | $5,899 |
| Matte wrap | $4,999 | $6,899 |
| 3M colour wrap | $7,999 | $9,999 |
Colour PPF and vinyl wraps
Our colour wrap uses 3M’s colour vinyl wrap film. Vinyl wrap changes the colour of the vehicle, but it’s much thinner than PPF and doesn’t have a self-healing top coat, so it offers less chip protection.
Some brands now make coloured PPF, which changes the colour and protects like clear PPF. XPEL, Inozetek and STEK all sell coloured PPF in a range of colours and finishes. It costs more than vinyl wrap. 3M’s Scotchgard Pro Series line is clear or matte.
Common questions
Can PPF go over a ceramic coating?
No. PPF should go on clean, bare paint. A ceramic coating makes it harder for the film’s adhesive to bond, which can make the film lift. The right order is PPF first, then a coating on top of the film if you want one.
Will PPF come off without damaging the paint?
Yes, when it’s removed properly. The film is designed to come off factory paint cleanly.
Which package should I choose?
For most daily drivers, the front end takes most of the chips. Bronze covers the edges that get hit first. Silver covers the whole hood, fenders and bumper. Gold, Radium and Uranium add the rockers, doors and other panels that get hit on gravel roads and highways.
Do you also do window tint?
Yes. Window tinting is our main service. See our window tint prices or read about the 3M Ceramic IR film.
Want a PPF price for your vehicle? Send us a quote request.