Premium car film paint protection for cars that earn their keep
Protect Wraps installs premium paint protection film across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne, an invisible, self-healing shield that stops stone chips, scratches and road grime before they ever reach your paint.
What is paint protection film and how does it work?
Car film paint protection, usually shortened to PPF, is a clear, durable urethane layer applied directly to your vehicle's painted surfaces. It acts as a physical barrier between your paint and the everyday hazards of driving: gravel, road debris, bugs, tar, bird droppings and tree sap. The film takes the hit so your clear coat does not have to.
Quality film is around 200 microns thick, yet stays virtually invisible once installed. The top layer is self-healing, so light marks and swirls can fade with warmth from the sun or hot water. Your original colour and finish stay true, and you can choose a clear gloss for a factory look or a satin finish for a stealth matte look.
Because the film is removable, it can be professionally taken off later without harming the factory paint underneath, which makes it a smart choice for leased, prestige and high-value vehicles. Read more about paint protection film on Wikipedia.
Car film paint protection compared with coatings and wraps
Three products often discussed together do three different jobs. Knowing which one solves your problem saves paying for the wrong thing.
Paint protection film
A physical layer that takes the hit
Ceramic coating
A chemical layer that resists grime
Vinyl wrap
A cosmetic layer that changes colour
Most owners who want their paint to survive choose film on the panels that take impact, then a ceramic coating across the whole car for easier washing. If a colour change is the goal, our car wraps page is the place to start.
Four car film paint protection packages
Choose the level of protection that suits how and where you drive. Every package keeps the look of your paint while shielding the panels that take the most punishment. Available in clear or satin finish.
Partial Front
A great entry-level option for daily protection on key impact areas. Covers the front bumper, partial bonnet leading edge, partial guards and side mirrors. Ideal for highway commuters.
Full Front
Our most popular option for highway driving and daily peace of mind. Adds full bonnet, full guards, headlights and fog lights to the front bumper and mirrors. Popular on new and performance cars.
Track Pack
Extra high-impact coverage for performance cars and frequent freeway driving. Full front plus A-pillars, roof leading edge, side skirts and other high-wear zones.
Full Car
The ultimate wrap-around defence. Every exterior painted surface wrapped, including doors, roof, rear bumper and tailgate. Perfect for prestige and collector vehicles and a great partner for ceramic coating.
What determines the cost of car film paint protection
Film is quoted per vehicle rather than off a fixed list. These are the factors that decide where your car lands.
Coverage chosen
The single biggest lever. A partial front is a fraction of a full car, and most impact damage lands on the front anyway.
Size and shape
More panel area means more film and more hours. Deep recesses, spoilers and sculpted bumpers all take longer to wrap cleanly than flat panels.
Paint condition
Film is clear, so anything on the paint when it goes on is sealed in. Correction work needed beforehand adds hours.
Finish selected
Clear gloss keeps your colour true. Satin changes the look by design and is chosen for a stealth finish.
Disassembly required
Removing badges, handles and lights lets edges be wrapped out of sight, which looks better and adds labour at both ends.
Existing film or coatings
Anything already on the paint has to come off first, which is a job in itself before the new film can be fitted.
Key benefits of PPF
Real-world paint defence that pays you back in fewer chips, easier washing and stronger resale value.
Stone chip protection
Absorbs impact from gravel, road debris and small stones, ideal for highways, country roads and spirited driving.
Self-healing finish
The top layer can heal light swirls and marks with heat, keeping the surface looking smooth and freshly detailed.
UV and stain resistance
Helps defend against UV fading, bug splatter and road grime, and reduces staining from tar, bird droppings and tree sap.
Scratch resistance
Shields against light scratches, swirls and scuffs, protecting high-touch areas like door edges and handles.
Preserved resale value
Your original paint stays protected underneath, helping the vehicle keep a newer look and stand out at sale time.
Easier upkeep
A smoother, protected surface is easier to wash and maintain, so your vehicle stays cleaner with less effort.
Our paint protection film install process
Every install is completed indoors in our controlled studios by experienced installers, panel by panel, for a neat factory-style finish.
Consult and plan
We inspect your vehicle, discuss how and where you drive, then recommend coverage and a film finish, gloss or satin, to suit your goals and budget.
Decontaminate
A careful pre-rinse, snow foam and safe contact wash, followed by iron removal and clay bar treatment, leaves the paint clean and smooth for film.
Prepare the paint
We refine and prepare the paintwork where required, addressing light defects that would otherwise be locked in under the film.
Pattern and mask
Using film patterns and precise trimming, we plan each panel's coverage, remove hardware where appropriate and mask edges.
Apply panel by panel
Film is applied and squeegeed to remove air and solution, then wrapped around edges where suitable for a tidy result with reduced visible lines.
Cure and hand over
The vehicle stays indoors while the film settles. We complete a detailed inspection, then walk you through coverage, care and cure-period guidelines.
Looking after your film once it is on
Film does the hard work, but how you wash the car decides how good it looks in three years.
Wait before the first wash
Give the film a few days to fully adhere and any remaining installation solution to clear before washing the car.
Hand wash with pH-neutral products
A soft mitt and a gentle shampoo. Avoid abrasive cleaners and harsh degreasers, which can dull the film surface.
Skip automatic brush washes
Brushes catch edges and scuff the film. If you use a wash bay, stick to touchless and keep pressure away from seams.
Remove contaminants promptly
Bird droppings, sap and bug residue are acidic. They meet the film rather than your paint, but they still stain if left in the sun.
Let the film self-heal
Light swirls and marring fade with warmth from the sun or hot water. There is no need to polish the film to remove them.
Call us before you experiment
If an edge lifts or you are unsure about a product, ask first. Most problems are simple to fix early and costly to fix late.
Backed by a lifetime film warranty
Your installation is backed by a lifetime warranty on the film itself and a 2 year warranty on our installation workmanship. All work is completed in our controlled studios by installers with over 60 years of collective experience.
If you ever need aftercare support, maintenance tips or help with a concern, our team is only a phone call away. Many owners pair their film with Ceramic Coating over the top for easier cleaning and extra gloss.
Explore related protection services
Built on the same premium film and finish, tailored to your vehicle and where you drive.
Ceramic Coating
Add gloss and easier cleaning over your film or paint.
Explore Ceramic Coating4WD & Ute
Rugged film coverage for touring, gravel and the bush.
Explore 4WD & UteTesla & EV
Tailored film patterns for Tesla and electric vehicles.
Explore Tesla & EVMelbourne Studio
Paint protection film at our Bayswater Melbourne studio.
Visit MelbournePaint protection film FAQs
The questions we hear most often before an install.
CHOOSING AND COMPARING
What is car film paint protection?
It is a clear urethane film applied over your factory paint to absorb stone chips, scratches and staining before they reach the clear coat. It is sometimes called PPF or clear bra. The film is virtually invisible, self-healing and can be professionally removed later without harming the paint underneath.
Is film better than a ceramic coating?
They solve different problems. Film is a physical barrier that absorbs impact, while a coating is a chemical barrier that adds gloss and makes washing easier. A coating will not stop a stone chip. Many owners apply film to the high-impact panels and a coating across the whole vehicle.
Do I need to cover the whole car?
Not usually. Most impact damage lands on the front of the vehicle, so a partial or full front covers the panels that take the majority of the hits. Full car coverage suits prestige and collector vehicles where every panel matters.
Is the film visible on my car?
Our films are designed to be virtually invisible once installed. Your original colour and shape remain, with the option of a clear gloss or satin finish to suit your style.
INSTALLATION, CARE AND WARRANTY
How long does paint protection film last?
With proper care, quality film can protect your vehicle for years, absorbing everyday wear like stone chips, light scratches and staining. The exact lifespan depends on conditions, mileage and where the car is stored.
Can paint protection film self-heal?
Yes. Modern films feature self-healing top layers that can remove light swirls and marks with warmth from the sun or hot water, keeping the surface looking freshly detailed.
Can the film be removed later?
Film can be professionally removed without damaging the factory paint underneath, which makes it ideal for leased and high-value vehicles.
How should I wash a car with film on it?
Wait a few days after installation before the first wash, then hand wash with a soft mitt and a pH-neutral shampoo. Avoid automatic brush washes and abrasive cleaners, and remove bird droppings and sap promptly rather than letting them sit in the sun.
How long does an install take?
Timeframes depend on vehicle size and the coverage you choose, from a partial front through to a full car wrap. We confirm a clear install schedule before booking so you know exactly what to expect.
Get a free PPF quote
Tell us about your vehicle and we will send you a tailored quote, with no obligation.