Color PPF and stealth (matte) PPF

Color PPF vs vinyl wrap

Both change the color and both come off. Vinyl is thinner, offers more colors and finishes and costs less. Color PPF is thicker, heals light scratches with heat and stops rock chips the way clear PPF does. If the car is new and you plan to keep the color for years, color PPF is usually the better spend.

Matte without matte paint

Real matte paint is hard to live with: it cannot be polished and it marks easily. Stealth PPF gives you the matte look over gloss paint, with protection, and you can go back to gloss by removing it.

Color PPF cost: what changes the price

Color PPF is usually done on the full body, because a color change has to cover every visible panel. So the size of the car is the first factor, then how complex the bumpers, vents and mirrors are. Door jambs add film and time if you want the old color gone when the doors are open. The color line matters too: metallic and specialty finishes can cost more than solid colors. Paint that needs correction first, or an old film or wrap to remove, adds work. We price by photo, so send the year, make and model with a few shots of the car.

How color PPF is installed

Color PPF is thicker than vinyl and does not stretch as far, so the install is planned panel by panel. The car is washed, clayed and checked for chips and dents, because thick film still shows what is under it. Edges are wrapped around the panel where it allows. On deep recesses and complex bumpers, a seam or relief cut is sometimes needed. We tell you where those go before we start and put them where they are hardest to see. The film is then post-heated and inspected under shop lights. Most jobs take 1–2 days; we confirm timing when we book you.

Living with stealth and matte PPF

Matte and satin film need slightly different care from gloss. Hand wash with a pH-neutral soap made for matte finishes. Do not wax, polish or use glossy quick detailers, which fill the texture and leave shiny patches. Bird droppings and bug splatter should come off within a day, before they can stain the topcoat. Keep a pressure washer well back from the edges. A coating made for film keeps matte PPF easier to clean without adding gloss. And unlike matte paint, a badly scuffed panel can simply get new film.

Choosing a color PPF color

Look at real samples outside, not just on a screen. Colors change between shop lights, shade and full sun, and metallics change the most. Hold the sample against the car next to the trim and the wheels. Gloss color PPF reads close to fresh paint, while satin softens reflections and hides fine dust. Inozetek's color PPF range includes gloss, satin and metallic options. Think about the door jambs too: if you keep the old color there, a big color jump shows every time the doors open.

Color PPF vs vinyl wrap: which should you choose

What's included

• Color and finish samples in hand before you decide
• Full decontamination and paint check
• Edges wrapped where the panel allows
• Inspection under shop lights
• Manufacturer warranty registered for you