Test of yellowing of PPF - 3M, Avery, KPMF, ORAFOL, DuraShield+

[savecars]

Greetings.

The current test is related to film yellowing (blooming) in a natural environment. Virtually all manufacturers warrant that this will not happen for at least one year. We tested products of 5 manufacturers, unfortunately, without XPEL this time.

1. 3М VentureShield
   
2. Avery Dennison Nano Fusion
   
3. KPMF PPF 82205-UV
   
4. Orafol Oraguard 280
   
5. Sharpline DuraShield+
   

So we decided to do a pilot test of the film in the harsh climate of St. Petersburg. The test was conducted during winter, complete with dirt and chemical reagents...

As test cars we chose 2 white cars – an Opel Astra and a Mazda 6.

The films were applied to them the previous autumn, to be more accurate – in October and November respectively:

1. VentureShield – Opel Astra (fenders)

2. NanoFusion – Opel Astra (hood)

3. KPMF 82205UV - Mazda 6 (hood)

4. Oraguard 280 - Mazda 6 (fenders)

5. DuraShield+ - Mazda 6 (mirrors)

After application no protective wax etc. was applied to the film. After degreasing and washing with active foam, a half-year later for the Opel Astra and nine months later for the Mazda 6 the cars stood in judgment before us. Here are the results we received so far.

In order to determine the intensity of yellowing (blooming), we decided to determine the yellowing ratio of the film. For that purpose we used the Eyedropper tool of Adobe Photoshop. When you move the cursor bar on the image, this tool will show in the info bar the color samples in numerical rating. In other words we measured the color in both places – where it was covered with film and where it was not.

1. 3M Venture Shield

In the photos you can see 2 samples of the color – one is covered with film, and the other is not. The photo was taken at a right angle. In order to avoid inaccuracy, we took our samples in relative proximity to each other.

2. Avery Dennison Nano Fusion

In the photos you can see 2 samples of the color – one is covered with film, and the other is not. The photo was taken at a right angle. In order to avoid inaccuracy, we took our samples in relative proximity to each other.

3. KPMF PPF 82205-UV

In the photos you can see 2 samples of the color – one is covered with film, and the other is not. The photo was taken at a right angle. In order to avoid inaccuracy, we took our samples in relative proximity to each other.

4. Orafol Oraguard 280

In the photos you can see 2 samples of the color – one is covered with film, and the other is not. The photo was taken at a right angle. In order to avoid inaccuracy, we took our samples in relative proximity to each other.

5. Sharpline DuraShield+

In the photos you can see 2 samples of the color – one is covered with film, and the other is not. The photo was taken at a right angle. In order to avoid inaccuracy, we took our samples in relative proximity to each other.

The ratio is calculated as the difference between the numerical values of the color samples divided by the number of months of application:

3M Venture Shield = 12 (difference between color samples) divided by 6 (months) = ratio equals 2

Avery Nano Fusion = 3 (difference between color samples) divided by 6 (months) = ratio is equals 0,5

KPMF PPF 82205-UV = 5 (difference between color samples) divided by 9 (months) = ratio is equals 0.55

Orafol Oraguard 280 = 10 (difference between color samples) divided by 9 (months) = ratio is equals 1.11

Sharpline DuraShield+ = 25 (difference between color samples) divided by 9 (months) = ratio is equals 2.77

As shown by this test, not all films are resistant to yellowing (blooming). Of course, by using a protective car polish once every 1.5-2 months, you can considerably slow the blooming process. According to this test we can conclude that films with higher ratios are more capricious and need special care. You can see the final results in the table below.

[Tintguy1980]

Nicely done; however, I believe the photos are very telling more than the photoshop eyedropper.

[Guest Tint Activists]

This is an amazing thread, especially useful for someone like me who intends to venture into PPF.

I have a newbie question:

Is it true that non-coated PPF turns yellow faster?

If yes, is non-coated PPF designed for single-time or short-time use?

Thanks!

[Guest Tint Activists]

This is an amazing thread, especially useful for someone like me who intends to venture into PPF.

I have a newbie question:

Is it true that non-coated PPF turns yellow faster?

If yes, is non-coated PPF designed for single-time or short-term use?

Thanks!

hi, anyone knows?

[XPEL Jeff]

Yellowing is caused by contaminants getting into the urethane. There are many types of coatings for films, the best of which have a low surface energy that help keep the contaminants out. Essentially, you could have 5 different "coated" films, that all look the same when install, theat perform very differently when it comes to stain resistance and discoloration.