We get this question more often than not.. let’s dig in!
Confess it. You love polishing your car before driving down the street, as you get to bask in the glow of all the attention that comes your way. However, despite your best efforts. You cannot protect your car’s beautiful paint job against damage from rock chips, gravel, insect splatter, etc. The best way to keep your car looking as good as the day you drove it off the lot is to get paint protection film installed. This article will explore the benefits of 3M or XPEL Clear Bra and see which PPF offers better protection for your car’s expensive paintwork.
Installing car paint protection film is a great way to shield your car’s exterior paint from external contaminants, including accidental oil and chemical spills.
However, most people get confused about which paint protection film to install, especially when choosing between the 2 top PPF manufacturers in the industry, i.e., 3M or XPEL?
Let’s learn a bit more about these products before we reach a verdict on which paint protection film offer the best defense against roadway debris and external contaminants.
XPEL PAINT PROTECTION
XPEL may be a comparatively new player in the automotive industry. Yet it’s already become an industry leader due to its concentrated focus on developing specialized paint protection films.
The company’s technological innovations and hyper-focus on developing cutting-edge PPFs have enabled it to get far ahead of its competitors in the industry. Moreover, This pioneering spirit makes XPEL Clear Bra one of the best paint protection films.
Applying XPEL PPF / XPEL Clear Bra paint protection film acts as an invisible shield to protect your vehicle and comes with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. It even has a self-healing top coat that repairs light scratches with simple heat application.
In fact, XPEL launched the world’s first healing film in 2010 with the release of XPEL Ultimate. That kind of innovation is hard to beat, right?
3M PAINT PROTECTION
3M Paint Protection Films
3M Scotchgard paint protection films, on the other hand, are manufactured by the 3M Corporation, one of the oldest companies and earliest innovators in the paint protection film industry.
As one of the most established PPF brands in the market. 3M is known for filing the first patent for paint protection film and offering quality protection for automobile paintwork.
So, 3M or XPEL, which PPF offers superior protection for your car? Let’s uncover the truth below.
3M Or XPEL: Which One Is It Gonna Be?
In the end, everything boils down to this: Which paint protection film does a better job of protecting your car’s exterior paint against everyday threats like rock chips, road debris, minor scratches, bug splatter, UV rays, etc.?
Both XPEL and 3M are the most trusted names in the industry and offer high-class performance. We’ve listed their similarities and differences to see which factors tip the scales in favor of 3M or XPEL.
3M Or XPEL: What Do They Have in Common?
While examining the features of 3M and XPEL Paint Protection Films. We found some striking commonalities between the 2 and have outlined them for you below:
Both 3M and XPEL Offer Good Scratch and Stain Resistance:
The main reason for investing in paint protection film in the first place is to protect your vehicle’s exterior paint from any scratches or damage caused by flying gravel, road debris, rock chips, bird droppings, minor bumps, acid rain, etc.
We can confidently say that 3M PPF and XPEL Clear Bra are top-of-the-line paint protection products and are highly scratch- and stain-resistant. Both products offer excellent defense against external contaminants threatening your car’s costly custom paint work.
3M and XPEL Clear Bra are Long-Lasting Protection:
With XPEL Clear Bra or 3M Scotchgard, you won’t need to worry about changing your paint protection film frequently. These car paint protection solutions have a lifespan of between 7- 10 years. So your car can preserve its stunning exteriors for a long time.
They Act as Invisible Barriers to Protect Your Car’s Paint:
3M and XPEL protective films are transparent, so they don’t obscure your car’s distinctive color or custom paint jobs. Other paint protection films quickly oxidize or discolor when exposed to sunshine and destroy your new or newly-painted car’s fine finish or factory gloss.
Cheaper or less dependable PPFs also start cracking or peeling off sooner. However, Creating an orange peel effect or making your car look worn-down.
After establishing the superiority of 3M and XPEL paint protection films, let’s review their differences below.
3M Or XPEL: Key Differences
XPEL Clear Bra vs 3M Scotchgard
| XPEL has a clear advantage over 3M regarding self-healing properties, as light scratches or swirls formed in the PPF can be ironed out quickly with simple heat application. | While 3M Scotchgard has self-healing properties for minor scratches, XPEL’s self-repairing abilities are far superior. |
| XPEL’s PPF comes with a manufacturer’s warranty of 10 years and a lifetime installation guarantee. | However, 3M offers only a 7-year warranty. |
| XPEL Clear Bra paint protection film provides an extremely clear finish and superior UV protection. The film will never stain or discolor. | Old 3M paint installation films are known to yellow and crack due to UV exposure after a few years or even a year. |
| XPEL Clear Bra costs more than 3M, but it’s worth it as it offers better protection against dents, scratches, and other contaminants. | 3M PPF costs less in the short term. But its low cost is offset by XPEL’s protection films that offer longer-lasting protection. |
Our Final Say
In all honesty, both 3M and XPEL Clear Bra are excellent products, and you can go with either of them to protect your car’s exterior surfaces.
However, since a decision needs to be made. XPEL Clear Bra is the obvious winner as it offers superior protection for your automobile’s exterior paintwork in every possible way.
3M Or XPEL: Key Differences
Looking for the Best Paint Protection Film Installation in the Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex? Contact Tritek Window Tint and Paint Protection, Today!
Are you looking for the best paint protection film installation for your car? Look no further than Tritek Window Tint and Paint Protection.
As one of the top PPF installation companies in the Southwest. We are the go-to name for automobile paint protection installation in the Dallas Metroplex!
Our team comes with years of experience in PPF installation across the Dallas Metroplex area. We install XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS Clear Bra that adds depth and gloss while preserving your car’s original color. We further use XPEL software designed kits to offer a flawless installation.
You can select from a series of XPEL films to get the level of coverage you need.
Our competitive prices provide an affordable way to give your vehicle superior XPEL-backed protection.
You can check out our XPEL films on our website or contact us for an estimate today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Paint Protection
How long does paint protection film last?
XPEL paint protection carries a 10-year warranty against yellowing, cracking, peeling, staining, and hazing, covering both film and labor.
Can paint protection film be removed?
Yes, it can! Tritek can do this for you, or you can try doing it yourself by heating the film with a heat gun and scraping it off.
How is clear bra PPF different from ceramic coating?
The paint protection film is thicker than a ceramic coating and has a chemical composition that allows it to self-heal.
Is paint protection on a car worth it?
Yes! It keeps your car looking newer for a longer period of time. That means less paint maintenance and a higher resale value on your vehicle.
Do modern cars need paint protection?
If you are offered paint protection at a dealership, it’s probably best to turn it down. This paint protection isn’t high-quality and doesn’t last long. While there’s no reason you MUST apply a high-quality paint protection film to your vehicle after purchase, it does allow you to retain the value of your vehicle
Can I wash my car after the paint protection film is applied?
Yes – but it’s best to wait at least 48 hours to wash your car after the film is applied. This allows the protective film to dry completely.
What do car dealers use for paint protection?
Different dealerships offer various paint protections, but the most common is some kind of synthetic paint sealants. While these sealants do help to protect your vehicle they are less effective than ceramic of glass coatings (which are less effective than protective films).
Can you wax a car with paint protection film?
You can apply wax to a vehicle that has a paint protection film. Just make sure the wax doesn’t contain Kerosene or Naptha in over 5% concentration. Also, avoid waxes that come with dyes.
What is the abbreviation PPF?
It simply means “Paint Protection Film.”
Is clear bra for my car the same as paint protection?
Yes, putting clear bra on your car and PPF are essentially the same thing – just different ways to talk about it.
