PPF INSTALLATION STANDARDS

Paint Protection Film Quality Standards

J9’s Paint Protection Film Quality & Inspection Standards
Based on Industry Standards & Manufacturer Best Practices

At J9’s, every installation is performed with precision and pride. We adhere to professional guidelines inspired by industry leaders such as XPEL, SUNTEK, and 3M to ensure that your vehicle receives exceptional protection and an impeccable finish. These standards outline what’s considered acceptable for professionally installed paint protection film (PPF), recognizing that certain minor conditions are inherent to the process and the surface being protected.

Paint Protection Film (PPF) Customer Expectation Sheet

Thank you for choosing J9’s Luxury Auto Detailing for your Paint Protection Film (PPF) needs. To ensure clarity and satisfaction, we’ve outlined important details and expectations regarding your PPF installation.

Please review the following information carefully:

1. Inspection Standards

• PPF is designed to protect your vehicle from physical damage, such as rock chips, scratches, and minor abrasions. While it also enhances the gloss of your vehicle (Or depth of the paint if getting matte), its primary purpose is protection, not perfection. Paint Protection Film is applied in multiple sections. Seams and relief cuts are necessary for proper fitment and long-term adhesion. J9’s does not guarantee completely invisible seams or edges.

  • After installation, the film should be inspected from a distance of 5 feet, under standard lighting conditions. Inspecting the film at closer distances (e.g., 5 inches) may reveal minor imperfections, such as:

    • Slight surface texture (commonly referred to as “orange peel”) within the film itself.

    • Small particles or micro-debris trapped beneath the film.

    • Imperfect cut lines

    • Minor imperfections in the film itself

    • Small air bubbles or moisture pockets

    • Slight silvering at edges

    • Micro stretch or tool marks

    • Edge lift under seals or around extreme curves

    • Standard edge gap range: 1/32 - 1/4", depending on panel shape and panel alignment.

• These minor imperfections are normal and do not affect the performance or longevity of the film.

2. Contamination Considerations

• No shop, including ours, operates in a completely sterile “clean room” environment. While we take extensive precautions to minimize contamination during installation, the possibility of tiny particles or debris being present under the film is inherent to the process.

• Our priority is to install a protective film that effectively shields your vehicle’s paint from damage for years, not to achieve a flawless cosmetic finish.

3. Care and Maintenance Guidelines

   To maintain the integrity and appearance of your PPF, please follow these care instructions. After installation, film adhesion and curing can be affected by temperature, humidity, or exposure to weather before the full curing period. Vehicles stored outdoors or washed too soon may experience minor adhesion changes not covered under warranty:

4. Washing:

   • Hand-wash your vehicle whenever possible. We offer this service for $60. We also offer a wash club if you’d like to sign up for added discounts, please inquire. Make sure to go with the direction of the film, going against it at the edges may cause it to lift. Touchless carwashes are typically acceptable.

   • Use a pH-balanced car shampoo and soft microfiber wash mitt, we recommend Americana Ceramic Soap or NanoSkin Crystal, as it adds a boost to the hydrophobics of your PPF, is Si02 safe, and unclogs the pores in your ceramic coating. (If Matte, a matte specific care product.)

   • Avoid the automatic car washes unless it’s touchless. Swirls in the film cause excessive wear and diminish its self-healing ability. This will reduce the longevity of the film overall and diminish its crystal-clear gloss. Many chain car washes allow you to request to have the brushes turned off, whenever possible please do so.

5. Pressure Washing:

   • Avoid using a pressure washer closer than 3 feet from the film.

   • Never aim the pressure washer nozzle directly at the edges of the film, especially when curing in the first 2 weeks. Water that becomes trapped underneath the film due to poor wash techniques is not part of our craftsmanship guarantee.

6. Drying:

   • Use a clean microfiber drying towel or an air blower to dry the vehicle.

7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals:

   • Do not use abrasive polishes, harsh cleaners, or waxes containing petroleum distillates on the PPF.

4. Curing Period

• After installation, the film requires a curing period of 14-21 days, depending on temperature and humidity. During this time:

  • DO NOT WASH your vehicle. WE REQUIRE all installs to come back for their first wash (free) and final inspection to be done at this time.

  • Small bubbles or haze under the film may appear but will dissipate as the adhesive cures.

  • Remember that some tiny particles may be trapped under the film after this time, which is normal and does not impact the films’ ability to protect the paint.

5. Warranty Information

• The PPF we install comes with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty covering defects in material and workmanship. Warranty will only be approved if proper follow up is done. Manufacture warranty will be void for failure of improper follow up with us or failure to follow these guidelines.

• The warranty does not cover:

• Damage caused by improper care, accidents, rock chips or neglect.

  • Lifting edges caused by improper wash techniques (indicated by copious amounts of water under the film, a stretch in the film that indicates it was forced back, lifting edges after the initial 30 days. (pressure wash at 3’ or more away.)

  • Issues resulting from normal wear and tear (e.g., scratches, chips that penetrate the film, PPF acts as a sacrificial layer and its job is to reduce damage, not prevent it entirely.)

  • Loss of hydrophobic top layer.

• The warranty does cover:

  • Yellowing, bubbling, cracking, delamination.

• The craftsmanship guarantee covers:

  • Lifting edges within the first 30 days, (not caused by poor wash techniques.)

  • Large bubbling (pea sized+) that do not dissipate within the first 30 days.

  • An installation up to industry standards.

• The craftsmanship guarantee DOES NOT covers:

  • Expectations of a flawless install

  • Minor imperfections that do not affect its ability to do its primary job – protecting the paint.

  • Replacement costs associated with damage caused after the fact. (Ie. physical damage to the ppf itself not caused by our installers.)

  • Failure to show up for your 2 week follow up there will be NO warranty. Imperfections and refining the install are industry standard and to be expected.

  • Panel replacement requests for aesthetic purposes.

6. Limitations of PPF

While PPF is highly effective at shielding your vehicle from physical damage, it is not impervious to all impacts. Excessive force, such as a severe rock strike, can still penetrate the film and damage the paint underneath.

• PPF is a sacrificial layer designed to protect your paint. Over time, the film may accumulate minor blemishes or scratches, which can often be remedied by replacement of the film or allowing the sun to activate the self-healing properties.

7. Pre-Existing Damage / Paint Imperfections

PPF cannot conceal paint defects and may highlight imperfections

• Paint Protection Film will not correct or conceal pre-existing defects such as chips, scratches, repainted panels, or uneven surfaces. In fact, the film may make such defects more visible once applied. J9’s is not responsible for the appearance of pre-existing damage

• Variations in factory paint thickness, orange peel texture, or color tone may affect the final appearance of the film and are outside the installer’s control.

7. Follow-up with us

After a two-week curing period, we require bringing your vehicle back for a free follow-up visit. During this appointment, we will perform a thorough wash and inspect the paint protection film to ensure it has properly adhered to the paint and meets the industry standards of craftsmanship. This process typically takes about one hour. If either you or our team identify any issues during the inspection, we will schedule a time to address them, whether that involves adjustments or replacement. If an issue is identified but does not affect the products ability for longevity, this is then considered an aesthetic request and at the owner's expense. You must see us within 30 days of install in order to be covered under our craftsmanship guarantee. Issues arising after this period will be at vehicle owner's expense. Our craftsmanship guarantee is to ensure this product was installed to industry standards and is expected to stand up to its manufacture 10-year warranty. Minor alteration is to be expected such as trimming back excessive film in tight areas, wrapped edges, tight panels. This is the service provided by our Craftsmanship guarantee.

8. PPF Removal Considerations

Even when done correctly, film removal can pull paint or clear coat if the paint wasn’t properly bonded to the substrate. J9's Luxury Auto Detailing is not liable for any damages resulting from removal of the film at any point. Brand new vehicles can be repainted without the dealership's knowledge especially with imports, these areas are especially susceptible to but not limited to;

• Weak or repainted surfaces can peel off

• Old or failing clear coat to be exposed

• Paint edges or touch-ups that weren’t OEM

• Excess adhesive residue

• Clear coat embedded lines after removal

• Paint Protection Film is designed for long-term adhesion. When it’s removed—whether by J9’s or another installer—the process involves heat, chemical adhesive release, and mechanical peeling.

  Because every vehicle’s paint condition and history are unique, J9’s Luxury Auto Detailing cannot guarantee paint will remain intact during film removal. Factors that may cause paint damage include:

• Non-OEM or aftermarket paint jobs

• Repainted or blended panels

• Rock chips, scratches, or previous damage beneath the film

• Aged or oxidized clear coat

• Extended exposure to UV and heat beyond film lifespan

During professional removal, we always:

• Use controlled heat and safe removal chemicals

• Remove film in small sections to minimize tension

• Inspect paint integrity throughout the process

• By accepting service, the customer acknowledges these risks and releases J9’s Luxury Auto Detailing from liability for paint damage resulting from film removal, whether performed by J9’s or another party.

9. Important to Note:

• Contamination is an inherent possibility in every PPF installation, as no shop operates in a completely sterile environment. While we take every precaution to minimize imperfections, small particles or blemishes may still be present.

• If necessary, we can replace sections of the film to address major concerns. However, replacements may still present minor imperfections or new issues. (Major concerns being its ability to protect the paint, perfection is not possible, nor should it be expected.)

• Our craftsmanship guarantee ensures that the edges are sealed properly and that the film can perform its duty to protect your paint for the duration of its manufacture warranty.

• Not all edges will have been perfectly cut. While we use a plotter machine to cut the majority of our install, nothing is perfect and some customization is to be expected. Although our installers have 10+ experience, they are not surgeons.

• Factory paint is not perfect. Paint nips, rock chips, swirls and scratches or pitting becomes highlighted with PPF especially matte finish. If you want your paint perfected without repainting, prior to install please notify our team so we can price accordingly for paint correction, chip repair etc.

• Our goal is always to strive for excellence, but true perfection is rarely achievable. Rest assured, your PPF is designed to effectively protect your vehicle and maintain its appearance.

• The customer is responsible for following J9’s aftercare instructions. Damage caused by improper washing, waxing, or use of abrasive chemicals voids any service warranty.

• J9’s reserves the right to refuse or terminate service if a vehicle’s condition, previous film, or aftermarket modifications prevent proper installation or pose safety concerns.

• “Customer understands that J9’s is not responsible for paint or clear coat damage that may occur during removal of Paint Protection Film, due to factors beyond installer control.”

  10. Final payments made

Customer Acceptance & Final Payment Acknowledgment
By submitting final payment, the customer acknowledges that the services performed by J9’s Luxury Auto Detailing have been completed to professional standards and accepted as satisfactory based on the current stage of the process.

If the service includes a required follow-up visit (such as a PPF or tint re-inspection, trim, or post-cure check), the customer agrees to return at the scheduled time to allow J9’s to perform that inspection or adjustment.

Final payment constitutes acknowledgment that the work has been performed as agreed, and that any remaining items—such as post-cure inspection or trimming—do not affect payment terms or acceptance of the initial installation.

Once payment has been made, any additional requests outside the scheduled follow-up will be treated as new service orders and may be subject to additional charges.

This acknowledgment ensures both J9’s and the customer share a clear understanding that the work has met professional standards while allowing for any follow-up visits required for optimal results.