PAINT PROTECTION FILM (PPF)

A visibly transparent, clear film with the purpose to protect the surface it is applied to by building a sacrificial layer on top of the surface. Following this purpose, this film has to be optically clear and have a durable surface finish. High quality paint protection films like our XPEL films, are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a durable, UV stable and optically clear film. PPF varies in thickness by manufacturer ranging from 100 um to 300 um (4 to 12 mils). Paint protection film suitable should have at least a thickness of 200 um (8 mils) to offer sufficient protection for marine applications to help absorb more mechanical damage and protect the surface underneath. 

 

Most modern PPF offer some sort of coating that enhances gloss and offers self cleaning properties. More advanced films even have self healing properties and can repair minor damage through heat exposure.

 

VINYL WRAPPING

It is the process of applying a self adhesive film to any surface through various techniques. Almost all smooth exterior or interior surfaces can be wrapped. If done properly the process is easily reversible.

 

The term vinyl wrapping lends itself from the material most films are based on: PVC short for Polyvinylchlorid. All colored films used for color change applications, printable films and signage films are made of PVC. The properties of this material allows for a variety of application on exterior and interior surfaces. It is durable, colorstable, formable with heat (thermoplastic) is available in gloss or matt. Almost any color can be produced or printed. High quality films can reach application lifespans of up to 10 years.

 

GELCOAT PROTECTION FILM

another term for PAINT PROTECTION FILM

 

CERAMIC COATING

is a chemical polymer solution that is applied to a surface and forms a permanent, thin, solid, closed layer to protect it from environmental damage (chemical, mechanical).

Coatings are made of tiny ceramic particles (Si02, TiO2) in a liquid solution. The term ceramic refers to the silicone compounds of the formulation. These silicones are part of the group of ceramic materials in the elementary periodic system. Ceramics have favorable properties if applied to surfaces as they are very hard, resistant to wear offer high gloss and superior cleaning properties. Coatings are typically applied by hand and can be applied to any closed or porous surface like paint, gelcoat, glass, stainless steel, aluminum, leather, textiles and more. It blends with the substrate and creates an additional hydrophobic layer of protection that eases cleaning, improves UV resistance and conserves the surface underneath.

 

INTERIOR WRAPPING

Application of self adhesive materials to any surface on a yacht interior. Materials are mostly made of PVC (also see VINYL WRAPPING), but also other materials like fabrics or leathers are possible. 

 

GELCOAT

The outer most layer of a hull or super structure of a yacht. It is the top most layer of a fiber reinforced structure (GFRP, CFRP). Gelcoat consists of a color filled epoxy or polyester resin used to form the protective layer of the underlaying fiber/matrix material. It is generally white but can also be colored blue or red. The thickness ranges from 1-15 mm. Unlike paint it’s color is uniform through the entire cross section of the gelcoat layer.

 

MARINE PAINT

A colored layer on top of a surface, mostly hull and superstructure. Marine paints can be single or multi layer paint systems. They are based on a variety of different chemical materials depending on the type of substrate and the manufacturer. In comparison to gelcoat, paint is much thinner, but has generally superior surface properties to gelcoat surfaces.

 

SUBSTRATE

Substrate, in the context of surface technology, is the carrier surface whereon a material is to be applied on. In the case of wrapping it is the underlying surface that the film is applied on.

 

HYDROPHOBIC

The property of a surface to repell water. Sometimes also referred to as the “lotus effect” it is a measure of the tendency of a surface to form beads when in contact with water. The physical unit would be surface tension expressed in degrees. Hydrophobic properties are the fundamental cause of the self cleaning effect. 

 

SELF ADHESIVE MATERIAL

Any material that is coated with a layer of adhesive to allow the application to a surface. Most modern vinyl wrapping films, paint protection films and interior wrapping films come with an adhesive layer. These adhesives are highly advanced, pressure sensitive adhesives that allow the materials to securely adhere to the surfaces but also allow for ease of application and removability. 

 

SELF HEALING SURFACE

A surface that has the ability to automatically recover from a physical damage to its original state. Our XPEL Ultimate Plus paint protection film comes with a self healing surface coating that allows small scratches to heal itself and completely go away with heat.

 

PAINT/SURFACE CORRECTION

The process of removing surface imperfections (scratches, marks, yellowing, etc.) through abrasion by sanding and polishing. It is the initial step before any other surface treatment (wrapping, coating) can take place. 

 

GELCOAT REPAIR

The process of repairing damaged gelcoat by sanding and applying a fresh gelcoat over the damaged area.

 

ANTI FOULING

Describing the properties of a surface to act against ‘fouling’ in a way that prohibits or limits the buildup of biological matter on the surface (algae, crustaceous animals) by chemical means.

 

FOULING RELEASE

The property of a surface to limit the buildup of biological matter through physical means