Paint protection film (PPF) is an investment meant to protect your car’s paint for years. Two jobs sold under the same name can differ greatly in film, workmanship and warranty, and the difference often shows only years later, when the film yellows or lifts, or when you need to make a warranty claim. In this guide we list, without naming any company, what to check when choosing a PPF installer in Izmir, as questions you can verify.
Short answer: 8 checks
- Is the film brand and series stated in writing?
- Can you verify that the film is genuine on the car?
- Who backs the warranty, are its length and coverage documented, and can it be checked online?
- Is the warranty transferable when you sell the car?
- What is the cutting method: machine-cut with a model template, or cut by hand on the car?
- Is there a workmanship record of who wrapped which panel and when?
- Can you test and compare samples side by side?
- Are the scope and turnaround time confirmed in writing after an inspection?
Below we explain why each matters and how to check it.
1. The film brand and series should be in writing
“Clear PPF” on its own is not a product description. The same brand can offer series with different thicknesses and properties. Ask for the brand and series to be written on the quote and the invoice. Film thickness (microns), finish (gloss or matte) and self-healing (small scratches closing with heat) are listed in the series’ technical documents; do not settle for verbal claims.
At Royal Class Garage we use Throne Gard films for PPF: At RoyalClass Garage, we use only original, licensed Throne Gard products. We explain the differences between the series in our Throne Gard PPF Features article.
2. How to verify that the film is genuine
Once applied, clear films cannot be told apart with the naked eye. So “we use this brand” is not enough; the film must be verifiable on the car. Ask the installer: “After the wrap, how can I see that this film is genuine?”
With Throne Gard PPF, the originality licence becomes visible in the film when UV light is shone on the car. You can see this yourself by asking for a UV light check at delivery.
3. Warranty: who backs it, how long, and how is it tracked?
Who issues the warranty and how it is tracked matter as much as its length. An unwritten promise from the installer alone may lapse if the business closes or moves. A manufacturer warranty, by contrast, is held in the manufacturer’s records.
- Length and source: All Throne Gard products are covered by a 7-year manufacturer’s warranty. Your warranty is tracked directly with the manufacturer.
- Card and online check: The Throne Gard warranty card comes with your car’s film installation record and the warranty lookup process. It gives you a record you can turn to after handover, too. Using your warranty card number, you can view your product and warranty details on the online lookup screen. On the digital record screen you can see the product applied, the warranty start and end dates, the parts treated and the branch that carried out the work.
- Coverage: A warranty does not cover everything; what is and is not covered should be written in the document. Covered in your warranty document: material defects arising from manufacturing; corner bubbles and corner lifting caused by installation errors; UV-related colour fading in normal use, under the terms of the document. Listed as not covered: physical damage caused by accidents, impacts, scratches and external factors; damage caused by abrasive chemicals, solvents and the wrong cleaning products; damage arising from not following the care instructions.
You can find the details on our Warranty page.
4. Warranty transfer: what happens when you sell the car?
PPF is there to protect the paint and help the car hold its value. Being able to pass the warranty to the next owner is part of that value. Ask whether the warranty can be transferred and how the transfer works. When the car is sold, the warranty is passed to the new owner through a transfer. We call the new buyer, let them know their warranty continues and invite them in for support.
5. Cutting method: machine-cut with a template, or cut by hand on the car?
PPF can be cut in two ways: taken from the roll and trimmed with a blade on the car, or pre-cut by machine using a digital template for the car’s model. Cutting on the car carries the risk of blade marks on the paint. Ask how the film is cut and whether there is a template for your model.
At Royal Class Garage we cut with a digital template specific to the car’s model: With Throne Gard PRECUT we use the car’s panel patterns and cut the film on a machine before installation. We install without removing parts from the car. We do not cut freehand with a blade on the car.
6. Workmanship record: who wrapped which panel?
A good job should be traceable if a problem appears later. A record of which panel was wrapped by which technician, and when, also helps in a warranty claim. We record which of our installers covered which part and what time they started and finished, with their full name and signature. This information is archived in our database.
7. Testing and comparing samples
If you are getting quotes from several installers, comparing films side by side is more reliable than comparing them on paper. Ask the installers you are talking to for a small PPF sample and try to have these tests done:
- Impact test: How well does the film protect the paint from a stone-chip-like impact?
- Scratch test: Does a mark remain, and does it close with heat?
- Gloss measurement: Does the film change the paint’s gloss or colour?
At Royal Class Garage we have test devices for impact, scratch and gloss tests. If you bring a sample from another installer, we test the films side by side with you, so you can see for yourself what you are paying for.
8. Turnaround time and scope
How long a PPF job takes depends on the size of the car, the coverage (front end, selected panels or the full car), the condition of the paint and the surface preparation needed before installation. On a car that has been wrapped before, removing the old film also adds time. That is why an exact time should not be quoted without seeing the car; time and scope should be confirmed after an inspection.
Before installation the paint is inspected: stone chips, scratches and previously repainted areas can affect the choice of coverage. For brand-new cars we collect the car from the dealer with a free tow truck, so it is protected before it hits the road. We explain what drives the price in our What Determines the Price of PPF? article.
Questions to ask an installer
Ask these questions when getting a quote, and ask for the answers in writing:
- Which brand and series of film will be applied? Will it be on the invoice?
- How can I see on the car that the film is genuine?
- Who backs the warranty, how long is it, and is there a warranty card and an online check?
- What does the warranty cover and what does it not cover?
- If I sell the car, does the warranty pass to the new owner?
- Is the film machine-cut with a model template? Are any parts removed from the car?
- Is there a record of who wrapped which panel?
- Will the scope and turnaround time be confirmed in writing after an inspection?
Conclusion
When choosing a PPF installer in Izmir, the lowest price or the fastest turnaround is not the right measure on its own. Being able to verify the film on the car, a manufacturer warranty that is registered and transferable, machine cutting with a template, a workmanship record and the chance to test films side by side are what make the difference years later.
Contact us to learn more about our PPF service or to book an inspection for your car. At our workshop in Bornova we can compare films together using our test devices.
