Your car's paint is under constant attack. Every kilometre on Ranchi's roads — the stone chips from highway gravel, the fine dust that acts as sandpaper during washes, the UV rays that fade and oxidise clearcoat over years — is slowly degrading your finish. Paint Protection Film exists to stop all of that.

It is, without question, the most physically robust protection available for automotive paint. And for cars where maintaining condition and resale value matters, it's not a luxury — it's a sound investment.

What PPF Actually Is

What is Paint Protection Film?

PPF is a thermoplastic urethane film, typically 150–200 microns thick, applied directly to your car's painted surfaces. It's optically clear — on most cars you genuinely cannot tell it's there — and it acts as a physical sacrificial layer that absorbs damage before it can reach the paint beneath.

The key property that sets modern PPF apart from basic vinyl or laminate films is self-healing. The outer layer of quality PPF contains a polymer coating that, when scratched or marked by light contact, reflows back to a smooth surface with the application of heat — either sunlight, warm water, or a heat gun.

✦ What PPF Protects Against
  • Stone chips — the primary enemy of front bumpers, bonnets and side sills on Indian roads
  • Fine scratches — swirl marks from improper washing, light key marks, brush contact
  • UV degradation — blocks UV rays that oxidise and fade paint over time
  • Bird droppings & tree sap — acidic contaminants that etch into clearcoat if left to dwell
  • Mineral deposits — hard water stains and environmental fallout
  • Light abrasion — everyday contact with clothing, bags, fingernails at door edges
"Ceramic coating protects your paint chemically. PPF protects it physically. One repels water and chemicals — the other stops a stone chip at 80kmh from reaching your paint at all."
Types of PPF

Types of PPF Film

Premium
Self-Healing PPF
Contains an elastomeric polymer top coat that reflows under heat to eliminate light scratches and swirl marks. Optically clear, gloss or matte finish options. The gold standard for paint protection.
Best for: New cars, high-value vehicles, maximum longevity
Standard
Non-Self-Healing PPF
Full physical protection against stone chips and abrasion without the self-healing top coat. Excellent value for high-impact areas like rocker panels and door edges where self-healing isn't the priority.
Best for: Budget-conscious protection, specific impact zones
Finish Option
Gloss PPF
Maintains and enhances the original glossy paint finish. Adds depth and a wet-look sheen. The most common choice for standard painted cars.
Best for: Gloss paint — all standard factory colours
Finish Option
Matte PPF
Creates a satin/matte finish on any car regardless of original paint. Can also protect a factory matte finish — which cannot be polished and is notoriously difficult to maintain without PPF.
Best for: Matte paint, satin wraps, colour-change builds
Coverage Options

Full Wrap vs Partial — What Coverage Do You Need?

PPF doesn't have to cover the entire car to be effective. The right coverage depends on your budget, how you use the car, and where you're most concerned about damage. Here's how we think about it:

◈
Impact Package
Front bumper, bonnet leading edge, wing mirrors, door handles. Covers the highest stone-chip risk zones.
Entry Level · Best Value
◉
Front End Full
Full bonnet, full front bumper, full front wings, wing mirrors, A-pillars, door cups.
Most Popular
⬡
Full Body Wrap
Every exterior painted panel. Maximum protection, maximum resale value preservation. The complete solution.
Total Protection

For most daily-driven cars in Ranchi — especially those used on highways — the Front End Full package delivers the best balance of protection and cost. The front of a car takes 80% of all stone chip damage. Protecting it comprehensively is the single highest-value decision in PPF.

XPEL vs Barricade

What We Use — XPEL & Barricade by Brotomotive

We stock and install two PPF brands at JH Performance Studio, chosen to cover different needs and budgets without compromising on quality at either level.

PropertyXPEL Ultimate PlusBarricade by Brotomotive
Self-HealingYes — elastomeric polymerYes
ClarityOptically clear, no yellowingHigh clarity
Warranty10 years manufacturer warranty5 years
Thickness200 microns150 microns
Best ForPremium & luxury vehicles, full wrapsPartial wraps, daily drivers, value builds
FinishGloss & Matte availableGloss

For new cars, high-value vehicles, or full-body wraps, we recommend XPEL Ultimate Plus — the benchmark product in the PPF industry with a 10-year warranty and optically perfect clarity. For partial coverage on daily drivers where budget is the priority, Barricade by Brotomotive delivers excellent protection at a more accessible price point.

Myths Debunked

PPF Myths — What People Get Wrong

✗ Myth
You can see PPF on the car — it looks like the car has a film on it.
✓ Fact
Quality PPF from XPEL is optically clear and virtually invisible when properly installed. The only place it may ever be noticeable is at the very edges where it wraps around a panel — and good installation hides these in natural body lines. On a fresh install, most people genuinely cannot tell the difference.
✗ Myth
PPF will turn yellow or peel off after a year.
✓ Fact
Budget films from unknown brands can yellow and peel. XPEL Ultimate Plus carries a 10-year anti-yellowing and anti-delamination warranty from the manufacturer. It is specifically formulated with UV stabilisers to maintain optical clarity through Ranchi's harsh summers without degradation.
✗ Myth
PPF damages the paint when it's removed.
✓ Fact
Quality PPF with a pressure-sensitive adhesive removes cleanly from factory paint in good condition without leaving residue or damaging the clearcoat. PPF is commonly removed and replaced at the end of its life, leaving the paint beneath in the exact condition it was protected in — years younger than it would otherwise be.
✗ Myth
PPF means you never need to wash or maintain your car's paint.
✓ Fact
PPF protects the paint underneath — it doesn't clean itself. The film's surface still needs regular washing to prevent contaminant buildup. A ceramic coating applied on top of the PPF makes maintenance significantly easier and adds an extra chemical protection layer on top of the physical one.
✗ Myth
Any workshop can apply PPF — it's just a sticker.
✓ Fact
PPF installation is one of the most technically demanding detailing services. Pattern cutting must be precise to cover panels without visible edges. Application requires controlled environment, proper slip solution, squeegee technique, and edge wrapping skill. A poor install creates bubbles, lifting edges, and contamination under the film — all of which are worse than no PPF at all.
PPF + Ceramic

PPF & Ceramic Coating — Better Together

The most comprehensive paint protection setup combines both technologies, applied in order:

✦ The Complete Protection Stack
  • Step 1 — Paint Correction — Remove any existing swirls, scratches, and defects before protection is applied. You protect what's there, so it needs to be perfect first.
  • Step 2 — PPF — Physical barrier goes on first, directly on the corrected paint. Absorbs stone chips, abrasion, and impact.
  • Step 3 — Ceramic Coating on top of PPF — Adds hydrophobic properties, chemical resistance, and enhanced gloss to the film's surface. Makes the PPF easier to maintain and self-clean.

This layered approach is what we recommend for new cars or freshly corrected paint. The ceramic on top of PPF extends the film's surface life, makes washing effortless, and gives a depth of gloss that neither product alone achieves.

Protect Your Paint Before the Damage Happens

PPF is most cost-effective on new or freshly corrected paint — before stone chips and scratches accumulate. Book a consultation and we'll recommend the right coverage for your car and budget.

Book a Consultation → Ceramic Coating Guide →
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