Paint Protection Film (PPF) has traditionally been glossy, offering a clear, protective layer to vehicles to shield them from everyday damage like rock chips and scratches. While gloss PPF set the foundation, matte options quickly followed, providing a stylish flat finish. Recently, innovation has given rise to colored PPF—a trend quickly gaining popularity among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Brands such as STEK, Ultrafit, and Ivios are pioneering colored PPF, with noticeable improvements in the past few years, especially regarding ease of installation. This evolution has allowed even DIY enthusiasts to achieve professional-grade results at home.
Installation: Deep Ocean Blue PPF on the Tesla Model Y
For our demonstration, we installed Deep Ocean Blue colored PPF from our Boring PPF line on the rear quarter panel of a 2026 Tesla Model Y Launch Edition. Here’s an overview of the installation process and key considerations:
Understanding PPF
PPF is typically made of polyurethane (TPU) and is approximately 8 mil thick—significantly thicker and more protective than vinyl wraps. Unlike vinyl, which primarily focuses on aesthetics and affordability, PPF provides robust defense against road debris, keeping your vehicle’s paint pristine.
Preparation and Application
- Surface Preparation: Start by thoroughly hydrating and cleaning the surface. A generous amount of slip solution (typically a water-soap mixture) ensures the film is easily adjustable.
- Positioning the Film: Colored PPF is flexible and maneuverable, making precise alignment achievable. Once aligned, a tack solution (usually 20% alcohol, 80% water) secures the film in place, enabling accurate placement without premature sticking.
- Squeegeeing and Securing: Begin by securing top edges and key corners first. Squeegee gently from these anchor points outward, pushing moisture and air pockets away to ensure smooth adhesion.
Tackling Common Challenges
- Stretch and Coverage: Templates used for gloss PPF may not cover all edges fully. Colored PPF installations often require adjustments to templates to improve coverage and reduce tension on edges.
- Removing Moisture: A “double take” method helps ensure all layers of slip solution are thoroughly removed, preventing future bubbling or lifting.
Finalizing Edges
Proper edge finishing is crucial:
- Spray tack solution and gently fold edges inward without stretching, ensuring tension-free adhesion to prevent pullback.
- Allowing edges to dry slightly before folding over can enhance adhesion and minimize future issues.
The Appeal of Colored PPF
Colored PPF offers numerous advantages, notably minimal (if any) orange peel texture, creating an appearance remarkably similar to paint. Innovations like plastic liners have further reduced texture, enhancing the glossy finish quality and overall aesthetic.
DIY Accessibility: A Game Changer?
Traditionally, PPF installations required professional skill and equipment. However, the ease and versatility of modern colored PPF have raised an exciting question: can high-quality colored PPF installations become accessible DIY projects?
At TESBROS, we’re actively exploring this possibility, creating templates and DIY kits designed to simplify the installation process. The goal is to empower vehicle owners to protect and customize their cars affordably and efficiently, combining customization with protection.
Right now we offer clear gloss and matte DIY PPF kits for Teslas.
What’s Next?
We’re actively developing and refining our colored PPF kits, aiming to make this innovative technology accessible to everyone. Your feedback and enthusiasm fuel our progress, so share your thoughts and encourage us to accelerate our efforts.
Stay tuned for more updates from TESBROS on YouTube—we have an exciting series planned around colored PPF, designed to bring protection and customization right to your garage.