I'm trying to get my father's new car wrapped with a protective film. I'm pretty picky, so I suggested a seamless style - where the entire hood is protective. My dad contacted the company I found and wanted to learn a bit more. The company quoted about 40% more for the entire hood vs the regular strip. The representative also recommended the partial hood coverage since it wil be cheaper to replace if the film gets damaged from bugs and stuff. But I've never heard of protective film getting pitting. And I still find it hard to believe that covering the entire hood justifies the massive price difference and labor. I'm also curious what proper care of the material is and how do you guys prep the paint before install? Unfortunately, the car will have to be driven to their shop as this company cannot do mobile. I was told they will prep the surface with IPA and remove wax, but I was under the impression that wax is fine underneath the wrap. Since IPA will remove any wax I'm planning on using a spray wax (Hydro) after a final polish.
It cost more for a full panel as it custom-cut and edge-wrapped on the vehicle versus template plotter-cut. The film is expensive too. Film is an expendable, and will need replacing based on several wear and tear factors. Film not only gets pitted, it can also be torn by an object's impact. You can still get a paint chip from sharp or large objects, it will just be less of one than you would receive without the film. Full-panel wraps take into consideration objects that come from on-high, such as rock that bounds high into the air and then down onto a panel. Review the links I mention below for proper prep work prior to film installation. I use Plexus, but you will receive many different answers on this one. NO WAX, the film has to bond to the paint surface. The depth of clarity and the shine will now be dependent upon the top surface of the film. If you want to see the best way to achieve a proper film installation, review these: DD Clear Film Installation <> UCC Clear Film Install P.S. A product like Iron X or Iron Cut, should absolutely be used as I took my wife's tri-coat white automobile in for film and slowly, over months, a rust colored dot appeared—behind the film—that grew at the very front of the bumper. Problem: rail dust that they did not remove even though they did prep work.
