Color PPF Vs Clear PPF? Who Deserves It More

In the luxury vehicle maintenance market, paint protection film is gradually evolving into a "standard" item. With segmentation of the market and technological advancement, the PPF era is no longer a "clear bra" era now, color ppf wrap is growing very rapidly with its visual tension and functional integration, and has become a new sweetheart of numerous car owners.
But there is also the question of which one is worth installing, Color PPF or Clear PPF. Who is the mainstream trend for the future?

Basic Definition and Material Construction Differences:

Clear car film
Clear car ppf is the first popular protection film, which has been mainly used to protect against gravel splash, scratches, UV aging, chemical corrosion, etc. It is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) + coating structure, and has high transparency and strong elasticity and resilience.
Colour paint film protection for cars
Color auto paint protection film, on the contrary, produces color, texture or special effect (e.g. frosted, pearlescent, chameleon effect) to the substrate by way of TPU with the dyeing layer/spraying layer/light-change layer technology, which not only plays a certain role of a color change film, but also retains the original protective property.
Technically speaking, the color auto paint protection film is an "advanced fusion" of the Clear car protection film, but the multistory construction is more advanced and more costly to manufacture and demanding to construct.

Exterior Expression: Low-profile Stealth vs. Style Flare:

Conclusion:
- Clear PPF is more advantageous for car owners who want to protect the original paint and maintain the value of their vehicle.
- Color car protection film offers greater visual freedom for those who seek a differentiated look and individual expression.

Technical Differences in Performance: Who is stronger and more realistic?

Though Clear Paint Protection Film (Clear PPF) and Color Paint Protection Film (Color PPF) possess basic protection functions, there are still some technical system and actual performance differences between the two:
1. Anti-yellowing capability
Clear PPF: Generally adopts the mature anti-yellowing coating system for several years, with better UV ray shielding effect and more stable long-term anti-yellowing property.
Color PPF: Since anti-yellowing technology cannot be used, due to the complexity in structure of color layer, anti-yellowing property of some products is not so excellent, especially in harsh climate.
2. Self-healing ability
Clear PPF: Most of them select TPU+high performance coating, with extremely good self-repairing ability by heat, and tiny scratches will be auto-repaired by heat.
Color PPF: Since the color layer barrier partly, the self-repair property is not so obvious as Clear film, but the high-end one is almost as close as the performance.
3. Thickness & Flexibility
Both of them are usually around 7.5mil thick, but:
Clear PPF places more emphasis on adaptability and flexibility, and is easier to install.
Due to its multi-layer structure, the colored PPF is slightly thicker, and the curved surface flexibility of some models is slightly poorer. Therefore, it has higher requirements for construction specifications.
4. Summary of real-world durability
If you need the best protection and long-term resilience, Clear PPF offers more "real-world" advantages;
If you take personalization and visual effects into consideration, you can choose Color PPF, but it's better to choose a mature technology brand to guarantee the service life.

Construction and maintenance: can not paste is also key:

Apart from performance, installation simplicity and how it is installed are the determinants of its effectiveness and reputation!
1. Ease of Installation Comparison
Clear PPF: The film is thinner, heavier, more elastic, and more tolerable for construction workers. Even new ones can handle it with ease.
Color PPF: complicated structure and part of the color film thicker, package edge, the more technical part, suggest to hire experienced construction team.
2. Maintenance mode is basically the same
Daily keep clean, not to use strong acid and alkali cleaner;
The periodic using special maintenance spray to enhance the brightness and hydrophobicity of the film surface;
Avoid sunlight exposure or tree resin, bird droppings and other long-term attachment.

Price vs. value for money: expensive is not always the best, fit is key!

Price comparison
Clear PPF: more affordable, mainstream products in the 200 ~ 300 U.S. dollars / volume, cost-effective, suitable for most car owners long-term use.
Color PPF: The price is generally 20~50% higher or even higher due to more complicated production process and more color layers stacked.
1. Comparison of service life
Clear PPF: Mature technology, strong weather resistance, long-lasting anti-yellowing, service life is generally up to 5~7 years or even longer.
Color PPF: strong visual impact, but some of the color film due to the stability of the material is slightly weak, the life expectancy is mostly about 3~5 years.
2. Cost-effective conclusion
If you are concerned about protection performance, stability and long-term return on investment, Clear PPF is undoubtedly more cost-effective;
If you pursue personalized color change and short-cycle appearance upgrade, Color ppf film can bring a different visual experience.

End of Article:

Color PPF v. Clear PPF is neither one nor the other, but a differentiated product based on customer needs, appearance, price and maintenance habits.
If you do love original paint and desire invisible protection and longer life, Clear PPF is still the most appropriate choice;
If you do have a good idea of a personalized look, but also want overall protection, Color PPF will meet your needs.
Call Leonardo now to begin selecting!