Car Wrap, PPF, Tint & Ceramic Coating FAQs

Everything is installed in-house at 7633 Carroll Rd., San Diego, CA 92121, near Miramar and Sorrento Valley. Customers come to us from all over San Diego County, including La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Poway, Escondido, Chula Vista and Downtown.

Yes. The vehicle needs to be free of dust, mud, pollen and other contaminants so film and coatings bond properly. A clean car also keeps the install on schedule. We do a final surface prep in the shop either way.

It depends on the service. Window tint and most partial chrome deletes are done in a day. Paint protection film and ceramic coating usually take one to three days, and a full color-change wrap is typically three to five days. We give you a time frame with your estimate.

Yes, and it is the most efficient way to do it. Popular combinations are a color-change wrap with PPF on the front end, ceramic coating over PPF, and window tint with a chrome delete. Check our current specials for package pricing.

Our paint protection film is backed by a lifetime warranty, and wraps, tint and coatings are covered by the film and product manufacturers. Coverage depends on the product you choose, so we go over the terms for your install with your estimate.

Yes. Browse recent builds in our gallery and read what customers say on our testimonials page. You are also welcome to stop by the shop and see vehicles in progress.

Because we use premium cast films, a wrap typically lasts five to seven years. Garage-kept cars that are hand washed regularly last the longest. Daily drivers parked in full San Diego sun sit at the shorter end of that range.

Of course. The wrap is applied and removed using heat. Removal is quick and does not damage the factory paint underneath when the wrap was installed and removed correctly, which is why lease and resale-minded owners choose a wrap over a respray.

Give the film about a week to fully set, then wash it just like before. Touchless or brushless car washes are fine. Skip brush-style automatic washes, and do not use wax on the wrap.

Hand washing with a pH-neutral soap is best. Keep a pressure washer well back from the edges and seams, never use an ice scraper or abrasive pads on the film, and wipe off bird droppings and tree sap quickly.

Gloss, satin, matte, color-shift, carbon fiber, brushed metal and more. Beyond full wraps we do roof and hood wraps, racing stripes, decals and custom graphics, and we can pair any wrap with a chrome delete.

Yes. We handle design, print and installation in-house. Send us your logo, colors and the message you want on the vehicle, and we lay it out to fit your exact make and model.

Price depends on the size of the vehicle and the coverage: a full wrap, a partial wrap or lettering and decals. Fleet pricing depends on the number of vehicles. Send us your list and we will quote it, or request a free estimate.

A wrapped work vehicle advertises your business every time it is driven or parked, for years, for a one-time cost. It also protects the paint underneath, which helps resale value when the vehicle is replaced.

Yes. Wraps come off cleanly, so you can update a phone number, add a service or completely rebrand without repainting. Small changes can often be done as a partial update instead of a full rewrap.

Many businesses treat vehicle graphics as an advertising expense. Tax treatment depends on your situation, so confirm with your accountant.

Yes. Light swirls and fine scratches in the top coat disappear with heat from the sun or warm water. Deep gouges that cut through the film will not heal, but the film takes that damage instead of your paint.

The most popular option is a full front: full hood, front bumper, fenders, mirrors and headlights. A partial front covers the bumper, the leading edge of the hood and mirrors for less. Rocker panels, door edges and door cups are common add-ons, and full-body coverage is available.

Quality film typically lasts 7 to 10 years, and our paint protection film is backed by a lifetime warranty. We go over the warranty terms for your film with your estimate.

PPF is a physical barrier that absorbs impacts. Ceramic coating is a chemical layer that adds gloss and makes the car easier to clean, but it will not stop rock chips. Many owners do both: PPF on the front end and ceramic coating over the whole car.

Yes. Matte and satin PPF protects a matte finish without adding shine. Satin film can also be used on gloss paint to give the car a satin look while it protects.

Modern films use UV inhibitors and resist yellowing far better than older generations. Regular washing and keeping the film clean help it stay optically clear for its full life.

A professional coating lasts for years, not months like wax or sealant. How long exactly depends on the coating you choose and how the car is washed and stored. We match the coating to how you use the vehicle.

No. It resists light marring and makes the paint easier to keep swirl-free, but it will not stop rock chips or deep scratches. For impact protection you need paint protection film, and a coating can go right on top of it.

Yes. We use coatings made for film, which add gloss, make wraps and PPF much easier to clean and help keep the film looking new.

Wait about a week before the first wash so the coating can fully cure. After that, hand wash with a pH-neutral soap and a clean microfiber mitt. Skip brush-style automatic washes and do not apply wax over the coating.

Year-round sun, salty coastal air, bird droppings and pollen are hard on paint. A coating shields against all of them and makes washing faster, which is why it is one of our most requested services for daily drivers and new cars.

Under California Vehicle Code 26708, front side windows must let in at least 70 percent of light, and only the top 4 inches of the windshield can be tinted with non-reflective film. Rear side windows and the back glass can be any darkness if the car has dual side mirrors. Medical exemptions exist. We will walk you through the legal options for your vehicle.

Tint improves eye comfort by cutting glare, blocks up to 99 percent of UV rays, adds privacy, keeps the cabin cooler and helps hold glass together if a window breaks. It also protects your interior from fading.

Dyed film is the budget option and can fade over time. Carbon film holds its color and rejects more heat. Ceramic film rejects the most heat without having to go darker, and it does not interfere with phone, GPS or radio signals.

Most vehicles are done within a day. Keep the windows rolled up for three to five days while the film cures. A little haze or small water pockets in the first few days is normal and clears as the film dries.

Bubbling and purple fading are signs of cheap dyed film or poor installation. Quality carbon and ceramic films installed in a clean shop are made to hold their color and stay clear for years.

It depends on how much chrome your vehicle has and which pieces you want covered. Most packages land between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars. Send us your year, make and model for an exact quote.

Yes. Because the chrome is wrapped rather than painted, the vinyl can be heated and peeled off later with no damage to the original trim, which makes it a great choice for leased vehicles.

Window trim, grilles, badges and emblems, mirror caps, door handles, roof rails, bumper accents, exhaust tips and wheels. You can mix finishes too, like satin window trim with gloss black badges.

Most partial chrome deletes are finished in one day. A full de-chrome on a vehicle with a lot of trim usually takes two to three days.

Yes, and the sooner the better. Tesla owners regularly report rock chips on the front bumper and hood within the first months of driving. Getting PPF and ceramic coating done right after delivery protects the paint while it is still perfect.

Yes. A color-change wrap in gloss, satin or matte is one of the most popular Tesla upgrades. It protects the factory paint and can be removed before you sell or trade in.

Yes. Tesla chrome delete is one of our most requested jobs, especially on Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X versions with chrome window trim. See our chrome delete page for finish options.

Yes. A heat-rejecting ceramic film on the glass roof and rear glass noticeably cuts cabin heat and glare in San Diego sun. Learn more on our window tinting page.