Detailing & Car Wash
Paint protection film near you
Paint protection film fitted to the front end and other high-wear panels: clear, self-healing urethane that absorbs stone chips, scratches and bug etching.
- Time at the shop
- 8 h (a full day)
- about
- Mobile service
- At the shop
- drop-off
- Shops in Canada
- 1
- doing this work
- Your price
- You set it
- shops bid on it
You set the budget
Shops near you send their bids
1 shop in Canada does this
Detailing & Car Wash
What paint protection film is
Paint protection film, or PPF, is a clear urethane film applied to painted panels to take the damage that a coating cannot: stone chips, road grit, bug acids and light scratches. Better films self-heal, so fine marks close up when the film is warmed by the sun or warm water. Installed well, it is close to invisible, and satin or matte versions change the look of the paint.
In a clean, dust-free bay the installer washes and decontaminates each panel, corrects the paint if it needs it, then lays down film cut to the vehicle’s shape, from a plotted pattern or trimmed by hand. It is positioned with a soap solution, squeegeed flat, heated to follow curves and wrapped around edges where possible. Allow a day for a few panels, one to two days for a front end and several for a whole vehicle.
- For cars, EVs, vans and trucks
- Takes about 8 h (a full day)
What does paint protection film cost?
It depends on your vehicle and the shop. Post a job with your budget and compare the bids shops near you send.
Get bids
Name your budget. Shops near you bid.
1 shop across Canada does paint protection film.
What to expect
Paint protection film, step by step
What the job normally covers, what to mention in your request, and the signs that it is time. Every shop says what its bid includes.
The job
What’s included
- Paint inspected for chips, swirls and thin spots, with any defects noted with you before work starts
- Panels washed, clay-treated and wiped down with isopropyl alcohol so the film bonds cleanly
- Paint correction where the finish needs it, priced with the job or as an add-on
- Film cut from a vehicle-specific pattern, or trimmed by hand on the panel, to the coverage you chose
- Film positioned with a slip solution, squeegeed flat and heated to follow curves and edges
- Edges wrapped around the panel where possible, so no lines show at the seams
- Final inspection under bright light for lifted edges, bubbles and trapped debris
- Care instructions and the film and labour warranties given in writing
Checklist
Before you post
- 01Ask exactly which panels are covered, and how far the film wraps around edges and into door jambs
- 02Ask which film is used, its thickness and finish, and what the manufacturer and the installer each warrant
- 03Ask whether the pattern is computer-cut or hand-trimmed, and how blades are kept off the paint
- 04Tell the shop about repainted panels, existing chips and peeling clear coat; film hides none of them and can lift weak paint when removed
- 05Book at least a day without the vehicle, and keep it dry and out of car washes for about a week afterwards
- 06Ask whether paint correction is included, and whether a coating made for film can go over it
Signs
When you need it
- A new vehicle or a fresh repaint that you want to keep free of stone chips
- A long commute on the 400-series highways, where gravel and salt spray hit the front end
- Bug splatter and tar that etch the paint on the front end every summer
- Door edges, rocker panels and the trunk ledge scuffed by daily use
- A new lease you want to return without paint chips or scratches
Sound familiar?Tell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.
Get bidsHow it works
Get paint protection film done in four steps
You set the budget and choose the shop. Posting is free, and you pay the shop you hire once the work is 100% done.
- 01
Post your job
Choose the service, describe the job and your vehicle, and set your budget. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.
- 02
Shops compete
Nearby shops that do the work see your request and send their best offer: price, when they can start, what is included.
- 03
Accept the best offer
Compare bids, ratings and distance, then hire one shop. The others are told, politely.
- 04
Talk and get it done
Your conversation with the shop opens right away to agree on the day. You pay only after the job is complete.
Keep exploring
Related services
Ceramic coating
A liquid ceramic coating cured onto polished paint to form a hard, glossy, water-repelling layer that helps salt, sap and grime rinse off.
Paint correction
Paint correction that machine-polishes swirl marks, light scratches, water spots and oxidation out of the clear coat, then seals the finish.
Collision & Body Work
Window tinting
Window tinting with dyed, carbon or ceramic film on side and rear glass for privacy, heat and glare control, with old tint removed if needed.
Car detailing
Car detailing with hand wash, clay bar and wax or sealant outside and a deep vacuum and surface clean inside, for cars, SUVs, vans and trailers.
Collision & Body Work
Vehicle wrap
A vehicle wrap in vinyl film over your paint: full colour change, partial wrap, chrome delete or business graphics, removable later.
Questions
Questions about paint protection film
General answers for drivers in Canada. The shop you hire confirms the details for your vehicle.
Is paint protection film worth it?
It is worth it when stone chips are your main worry: a new vehicle you plan to keep, a lease you want to return clean, or a daily highway commute. The film takes the impacts instead of your paint. Cost is highest on large, curved bumpers and full coverage, so many drivers protect only the front end and the spots that wear.
What is the difference between paint protection film and ceramic coating?
Film is a physical layer thick enough to absorb small stone chips and scratches. A ceramic coating is a hard chemical layer only microns thick that adds gloss, repels water and resists chemicals, but does little against impacts. They work together: many owners have film on the front end and a film-safe coating over the whole vehicle.
How long does paint protection film last?
Films sold through installers often carry a manufacturer warranty of five to ten years against yellowing, cracking and peeling, and the installer warrants the labour on its own terms. Actual life depends on the film, your washing habits and how much sun and salt the vehicle sees. Read what the warranty excludes, such as damage from pressure washers or neglect.
Can paint protection film be removed?
Yes. The installer warms the film, peels it away and removes any adhesive residue. Over healthy factory paint, the finish underneath comes out unmarked. Over a repaint or paint with weak adhesion, some paint can lift with the film, which is why the shop checks first. Do not try stripping it at home with a blade or heat gun.
How do I wash a car with paint protection film?
Wait about a week for the film to settle, then hand wash with a pH-neutral shampoo. Keep a pressure washer at least 30 cm from panel edges and away from the seams, or the edges may lift. Avoid automatic brush washes and abrasive polishes. Matte and satin films need matte-safe products, so follow your installer’s instructions.
Something else to ask? Once you hire a shop, you talk to it directly in your request’s conversation.
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