Matte film on Matte paint?

tintcracker · October 8, 2014

So none of you guys are concerned with the removal process? I sometimes have to use strong stuff to get all the bits of adhesive off of a car after a normal removal process. If you ruin a matte finish paint job, can any body shop just re-spray, or is it a specialist type of application?

I'm trying to look past the initial installation here.

Jeff, does Xpel recommend applying any type of film to Matte paint jobs?

Ive heard you have to respray the whole car, because its impossible to match the spray pattern, humidity, temperature, etc of the factory spray. Matte paint is very finnicky. Or so ive heard (im no painter though)

Capital PPF_Norm · October 8, 2014

If you pull the film off cold then your asking for trouble but as long as the films warmed whether that be sunlight or a warm unit and you take your time in removing I don't think your have any problem or leave any adhesive residue..

pro3, I've been applying paint protection film since it came out about 20 years or so ago. I wish I lived in a perfect world where you could count on never leaving adhesive when removing, but I'd say 1 out of 4 or 5 removal's leaves adhesive no matter what you do, whether warming it up, steam, room temp, sunlight, etc.

timinoz · October 9, 2014

Any decent painter will tell you it's easier to match a matt finsh than a gloss one.

tintcracker · October 9, 2014

Any decent painter will tell you it's easier to match a matt finsh than a gloss one.

Really? Ill have to do some research then

pro-tect mobile · October 9, 2014

That's funny. I so a lot of work for a BMW dealership and they only have a couple of places in the country where the paint can be redone. This is coming from the dealership itself. So if its that easy why cant just anyone do it?????? Why is it a $15,000 paint job if its that easy to do?

Anyway Norm I know where you are coming from. matte film is VERY sensitive and if it has to be removed it could damage the paint. But really its their only option if they want to drive the car and keep it looking good.

tintcracker · October 9, 2014

That's funny. I so a lot of work for a BMW dealership and they only have a couple of places in the country where the paint can be redone. This is coming from the dealership itself. So if its that easy why cant just anyone do it?????? Why is it a $15,000 paint job if its that easy to do?

Anyway Norm I know where you are coming from. matte film is VERY sensitive and if it has to be removed it could damage the paint. But really its their only option if they want to drive the car and keep it looking good.

I thought I had read something about this.

Its almost impossible to duplicate the finish, as far as repairs go. Pretty sure it was something bout the frost m3.

Jean-Claude · October 9, 2014

I've turned down matte/satin finish ppf jobs because I know that if/when it is removed there is a good enough chance that it will leave adhesive that I don't want my name on it. When you start using harsh cleaners on satin paint you will ruin it and you will have a livid client. Just because it's money in the pocket now does not mean it's good for our industry. Install responsibly gentlemen.

Capital PPF_Norm · October 9, 2014

That's funny. I so a lot of work for a BMW dealership and they only have a couple of places in the country where the paint can be redone. This is coming from the dealership itself. So if its that easy why cant just anyone do it?????? Why is it a $15,000 paint job if its that easy to do?

Anyway Norm I know where you are coming from. matte film is VERY sensitive and if it has to be removed it could damage the paint. But really its their only option if they want to drive the car and keep it looking good.

Option 2: buy shiny paint car, THEN get matte ppf put on it. Makes the matte install free for them, since they didn't pay the upcharge for the paint job, and if it needs to be removed, it won't damage the paint.

XPEL Jeff · October 9, 2014

So none of you guys are concerned with the removal process? I sometimes have to use strong stuff to get all the bits of adhesive off of a car after a normal removal process. If you ruin a matte finish paint job, can any body shop just re-spray, or is it a specialist type of application?

I'm trying to look past the initial installation here.

Jeff, does Xpel recommend applying any type of film to Matte paint jobs?

We've never had an issue removing matte films from matte paint jobs, and this thread is the first time I've ever heard of it happening, but that's not to say it isn't a possibility. From the sound of it, though, we haven't encountered as much leftover adhesive as you are referring to (generally only in areas where adhesive promotors are used).

These customers usually have to sign waivers from the auto manufacturer, saying that the manufacturer isn't liable for any paint issues, so they understand that the paint is unique and may be hard to repairin the event that the paint is damaged. As with any job, gloss or matte, it is a good idsea to have a customer sign a waiver that lets them know that you aren't liable for any paint issues. This is especially important when working on unique jobs, like matte paint, custom paint jobs, or cars with known paint issues like Ferrari.

Capital PPF_Norm · October 9, 2014

Thanks Jeff,

So basically, I'd tell a customer that the risk is all on them, and that there is a possibility (Probability if using adhesive promotors) that their paint could get jacked up if matte paint.

I'll take that as an official 'I don't apply film to matte paint jobs' on into the future, as you can still get bad feedback from a customer or even sued, even with a disclaimer signed, and I don't need that additional hassle or the money from the rare 1 or 2 times a year it might come up.