Types of Paint Protection Film (PPF) in UAE - Clear, Matte, Black & More

You are already aware that in the UAE, the environment is a beautiful yet brutal place to paint cars, in case you own a car in the country. The desert sun and UV light, sandstorms, and road debris on the E11 all take their toll on the outside of your car. In a place where a car can be a considerable investment and an image to be shown off, maintaining that factory-new appearance is a priority. That is why Paint Protection Film (PPF) has become a necessity that is not to be compromised by both luxury and daily cars. 

However, when the market is oversaturated with different brands and chemical formulations, how do you decide? Here in this blog, on types of PPF in UAE , PPF technology, the available individual PPF finishes at Ultraguard, and how each of the functions will ensure your car remains clean in the Middle East. The Importance of the Correct Type of PPF to UAE Drivers. Types of PPF in UAE are not about the looks but about total conservation. The climate of the region poses a special set of problems that can ruin the finish of a car within a few seasons.

Extreme Thermal Stress

Summer temperatures in the Middle East tend to be well over 45°C, with surface metal temperatures even higher (up to 80°C on darker cars). Poor films, which are usually produced using PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or TPH (hybrid) films, lose their plasticizers at this heat. 

• The result is yellowing: UV radiation splits the chemical bonds and makes clear films appear unappealingly yellow. 
• Cracking: The film is cracking, and it is no longer able to stretch to the thermal expansion of the metal.
• Adhesive Failure: Glue may harden too hard under high heat, and may become a nightmare to remove in the future, stripping away the actual paint.
• Sandblasting: In a highway at 100kph on E11 or E311, desert sand is like sandpaper on the car paint. This continuous rubbing wears away the clear coat of unprotected cars, giving them a hazy or cloudy finish.

Types of PPF in UAE According to the Issues

Here are various types of PPF in UAE that will resolve most of your car's environmental issues:

High UV Index

Constant exposure to high solar radiation oxidises paint. Bright colors such as Ferrari Red or BMW Marina Bay Blue fade over time, and the clear protective coating peels off.

The TPU Solution: The only solution to the question is to use a high-quality TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) film. TPU is a polymer that is smart polymer. It has a kind of elastic memory that is able to take in the kinetic energy of a stone chip and then resume its original flattened form.

Clear Paint Protection Film Series 

The Clear Series is the gold medal among those who prefer having the maximum protection, and at the same time do not want to modify the original appearance of the car. It adds more depth to the paint and makes it appear to have a permanent wet-gloss finish. 

Full Breakdown of Clear PPF

• TPU Prime PPF

Function: This is intended to be a strong entry-level shield, suitable for urban drivers.

Mechanism: It makes use of a standard TPU base, which is extremely flexible. The best part here is the Ashland adhesive that is designed in such a manner that it does not form bubbles (silvering) during the humid months in Dubai Marina or Abu Dhabi. 

Advantages: Good price-performance and high transparency.

Read More: TPU Prime PPF

• TPU Proshield PPF

Role: This is designed to be used in the UAE, where the UV index is high. 

How it Works: This film is made with BASF Aliphatic TPU. Chemical Aliphatic structures are linear and are naturally UV yellowing resistant.

Advantages: Remains optically clear for more than 5 years, even when the car is parked outside in the bright sun.

Read More: TPU Proshield PPF

• TPU Supreme Shield PPF

Function: The maximum physical protection of highway commuters. 

How it Works: This is one of the thickest films available in the market at 216 microns. It is designed to have a more compact molecular structure to endure high carbon gravel hits by construction trucks on the E11. 

Advantages: Maximum impact strength and high elongation.

Read More: TPU Supreme Shield PPF

• TPU Zenith PPF

Role: Enduring peace of mind among luxury and exotic car owners.

How it works: This film is made with the use of the PCDL (Polycaprolactone Diol) technology, and it provides the best stain resistance. It averts bird droppings or tree sap from ruining the car paint. 

Advantages: Lifetime warranty and so-called instant self-healing properties.

Read More: TPU Zenith PPF

Matte Paint Protection Film

The finishes are to be used by people who desire to transform their car. The films do not require an expensive and irreversible respray to change the appearance (which even degrades your car's resale value), but rather a coating over the existing paint to give it a new look.

• TPU Clear Matte PPF

The Work: It doesn’t make the paint reflect light, but scatters it. It gives a frozen appearance. 

Use: It converts any regular gloss paint into a matte finish.

Advantages: It is also famously hard to keep real matte paint (you can not polish out a scratch). Matte PPF has self-healing properties, and owning a matte car becomes hassle-free.

Read More: TPU Clear Matte PPF

• TPU Clear Satin Infinity PPF

The Work: This PPF gives a true satin appearance. It has a semi-gloss, smooth look. 

Purpose: It is meant to emphasize the body lines and body shape of exotic cars. It enhances the car curves. 

Advantages: It has a 10-year warranty and is easier to clean than a pure matte finish.

Read More: TPU Clear Satin Infinity PPF

Black Paint Protection Film

They demonstrate all the microscopic marks of washing (swirl marks). Our Black Series is finished with color-impregnated TPU, which gives it a deeper finish than factory paint.

• TPU Phantom Matte Black

Use: Gives it a matte, Stealth Bomber appearance.

Pros: Phantom Matte offers 200-micron protection, unlike vinyl wraps that appear to be made of plastic.

Read More: TPU Phantom Matte Black

• TPU Phantom Gloss Black (Instant Healing) 

The Work: This is our highly advanced aesthetic film. 

Use: It offers a black mirror finish. The Instant Healing technology means that the polymer is soft enough at the surface, and even the smallest swirls can be erased at room temperature (25°C) without using the heat gun or hot water. 

Advantages: Makes the car appear freshly polished every day.

Read More: TPU Phantom Gloss Black 

Sunroof Protection

The UAE sun makes the inside of a car an oven. Although protecting the paint is crucial, protecting the glass is crucial for the comfort of the driver. 

• TPU SkyShield Sunroof PPF

Function: Bounces off 96% of Infrared (IR) radiation.

Advantages: You will not make the AC work as hard to block the heat, and you will not experience the burning sensation on your head on mid-day drives. It serves as Impact Armor against falling debris.

Read More: TPU SkyShield Sunroof PPF

Windshield PPF

The only thing that you have to look through on a car is the windshield. The sand pitting gives a sparkling effect during the night, which does not allow the driver to see.

Use: This is a shield made by Korean EPU technology to produce a hard and flexible shield.

Advantages: 100% self-healing from wiper-blade scratches and 95% UV rejection to keep your leather dashboard out of cracks.

Read More: Windshield PPF

Technical Performance

Below you will see a table that showcases the technical performance of TPU Sunroof PPF and Windshield PPF.

The most important metric to the UAE is the Elongation at Break, which is at least 280%. The metal panels are heated by the desert sun and swell. When a film becomes too stiff, it will tend to be pulled off (edge lifting). Our PPF TPU is engineered to breathe and move along with the metal, and will stay perfectly fit all year round. 

Structure of an 8-layer Protection Film

To see the reasons why Ultraguard is the industry leader, we have to consider a microscopic cross-section of our film. It is not only a piece of plastic, but it is also a technological sandwich of a complex system.

• PET Surface Protective Film: A type of protective layer that is removed when installing over the product so that the finish appears flawless.
• Useful Top Coat: The intelligence of the film. It deals with hydrophobicity (water beading) and self-curing.
• Nano Pigment Layers: (In Color PPF) Color layers in several layers that give deep color.
• Aliphatic TPU Base: This is the shock-absorber core that prevents the rocks from contacting the metal.
• Ashland Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA): High-performance glue that makes sure that there is no lifting at the edges.

Color & Texture Paint Protection Film 

Why do with factory colors? Our Color Series PPF has more than 230+ choices and is the protection shield that combines with the choices of a wrap.

TPU Chrome Series: Mirror-reflective finish that comes in Super Chrome or Matte Chrome.

Texture / Marble PPF: Would you like a Forged Carbon hood or interior trim Marble? These films offer a luxurious touch that you can feel. So give your car a texture or marble look with Ultraguard Texture/ Marble PPF.

Ultraguard Newly Launched Paint Protection Film

We are skilled not only on the road, but also in the luxurious lifestyle of the UAE.

• TPU Marine PPF: Marine and corrosion-resistant. It has an anti-fouling surface which discourages the growth of barnacles on yacht hulls.

• TPU Furniture PPF: Spill and heatproof. Guard your marble dining table against stains of lemon juice, or your wooden desk against coffee stains.

• Headlight PPF: Photochromic-based makes the headlight PPF dark in the sun (to shield the inner LEDs), and the film is crystal clear at night, to keep it safe.

How to Maintain PPF in UAE?

To make your film last as long as possible and be under warranty, follow these directions:

• 48-Hour Cure: For the first 2 days, you should not wash the car. The moisture applied in the installation should be able to evaporate in order to allow the adhesive to bond completely.
• pH-Neutral Only: Only use pH-neutral car shampoos. The hydrophobic top coat will be stripped by harsh (so-called) alkaline soaps used in numerous automatic car washes. 
• Etiquette of Pressure Washer: The nozzle should be at least 12 inches away from all edges. As this high pressure can put the water beneath the film. 
• Environmental Issues Warning: Tree sap and bird droppings are very acidic. Our films are stain-resistant, but when these contaminants are left on the film in the sun or under high temperatures, such as 50°C, the contaminants may ultimately start to etch the surface. So it is better to clean them up with a damp microfiber cloth.

Conclusion

Since the Phantom Gloss Black has the ability to heal instantly, and the extreme heat-repelling characteristics of the SkyShield Sunroof PPF, Ultraguard offers all-purpose protection to your investment with different types of PPF in UAE . The Zenith series offers lifetime protection that is not seen. The Satin Infinity or Color Series offers an entire makeover. In the case of the Commuter, the Supreme Shield and Windshield PPF offer the best protection against the E11 sand-blasting. 

Don’t allow the desert to determine the life of your car. Secure it using the latest technology of TPU and EPU in the world. Contact Ultraguard - +971509526680 today to see a full lineup of products, and can even book an installation in our centers.

FAQ's -  Types of PPF

Q1. Does the UAE need a PPF for a car?

Yes. The heat and sandstorms in the UAE are 50°C+ which result in rapid oxidation and pitting of paint. Types of PPF in UAE offer a durable physical coating that ceramic finishes cannot compete with, and help to retain the value of your car.

Q2. Will the sun cause the film to turn yellow?

Not with Ultraguard. We work with BASF Aliphatic TPU, which is a chemically engineered material that is crystal clear even after high UV radiation, as compared to cheap PVC or TPH.

Q3. What is the duration of different types of PPF in UAE this weather?

Our film has a durability of about 5 years to a lifetime, depending on the series. It would be best to maintain it regularly and use pH-neutral soaps to extend the lifespan of the film.

Q4. Will Ceramic Coating work on top of PPF?

Yes. We recommend it. Ceramic coating provides a hydrophobic coating that ensures that desert dust does not attach to the film; therefore, your car becomes much easier to clean.

Q5. Will the paint be harmed by removing PPF?

No. Our Ashland adhesive has no residue when removed by professionals and does not make the factory clear coat peel off, leaving your original paint in its showroom quality.

Q6. What is PPF vs Vinyl Wrap?

Vinyl is soft and only used to change colors. PPF is a self-healing (190+ micron) TPU thick armor that is self-healing of scratches and can absorb the impact of road debris.