Category: Car Protection

Savannah’s Climate and the Importance of Car Protection: A Local’s Guide to Keeping Your Vehicle Safe and Looking Great

“There’s no place like home.” 

Savannah’s warm and humid climate presents unique challenges for car owners. From UV rays dulling your paint to salty air accelerating rust, it’s a real battle to keep vehicles pristine. It’s not just aesthetics; it’s about maintaining your car’s value. A mix of regular cleaning, quality paint protection film, and ceramic coating can be a game-changer.  Let’s dive in!

Understanding Savannah’s Climate

Savannah, Georgia, is blessed with a beautiful and diverse climate that adds to its charm and allure. 

Humid Subtropical Climate

Savannah, Georgia, enjoys a beautiful and diverse humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters. The city’s climate sets the stage for both breathtaking natural beauty and potential challenges for vehicles.

Scorching Summers and Mild Winters

During the summer months, Savannah experiences soaring temperatures that can easily surpass 90°F (32°C). The heat, combined with high humidity levels, can create an uncomfortable and sometimes stifling environment.

Coastal Breezes and Ocean Influence

Savannah’s location near the Atlantic Ocean means that coastal breezes often sweep through the city, providing a refreshing and pleasant atmosphere.

Potential for Severe Weather

As with any region, Savannah is not immune to occasional severe weather events. Hurricanes and tropical storms can affect the area during the Atlantic hurricane season, which typically runs from June to November. Residents must remain vigilant and prepared for such occurrences.

5 Common Vehicle Damages in Savannah, Georgia

Savannah’s climate can cause various damages to your vehicle’s exterior. Some of the most common issues include:

  • Relentless UV Fading and Oxidation

Savannah’s sunny climate means you get to enjoy long days of sunshine. However, this also exposes your vehicle to relentless UV rays. Over time, the sun’s UV radiation breaks down the chemical bonds in your car’s paint, leading to fading and oxidation. The once-vibrant colors can become dull and lifeless. 

  • Corrosion from Coastal Salty Air

Being located near the Atlantic Ocean means that Savannah is blessed with refreshing sea breezes. However, salty air can be harsh on your car’s metal surfaces. The salt particles in the air settle on your vehicle’s exterior, accelerating corrosion and rust formation, especially on exposed metal areas. 

  • Road Debris and Gravel Damage

Savannah’s scenic roads are perfect for road trips and exploring nearby destinations. However, these adventures expose your vehicle to road debris, gravel, and loose stones. As you venture out, your car’s paint may suffer from scratches and chips caused by these objects. 

  • Insects, Bird Droppings, and Tree Sap

Savannah’s lush greenery and thriving wildlife attract a variety of insects and birds. Unfortunately, insect residues, acidic bird droppings, and sticky tree sap can wreak havoc on your car’s paint if left unattended. These contaminants can etch into the paint’s surface, causing permanent damage. 

  • Humidity-Related Issues

Savannah’s high humidity levels can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew, especially in neglected areas of your vehicle. Moisture trapped in upholstery, carpets, and air conditioning systems can lead to unpleasant odors and potentially cause long-term damage.

7 Reasons To Protect Your Vehicle

Protecting your vehicle is essential for several compelling reasons. Whether you live in a region with harsh weather conditions or simply want to maintain your car’s value and appearance, car protection offers numerous benefits:

1. Preserving Your Investment

Your vehicle is a significant financial investment. By protecting it with measures such as paint protection film (PPF) and ceramic coating, you safeguard the value of your car. Additionally,  a well-maintained vehicle retains its resale value, making it more appealing to potential buyers when you decide to sell or trade it in.

2. Enhancing Appearance

A well-protected car maintains its showroom-like appearance, free from scratches, fading, and other damages. Paint protection film acts as an invisible shield, preserving the paint’s brilliance and preventing unsightly marks from road debris and environmental hazards.

3. Shielding from Environmental Hazards

Depending on where you live, your vehicle may be exposed to various environmental hazards. These elements can cause irreversible damage to your car’s paint and surfaces. Car protection solutions, like PPF and ceramic coating, act as a barrier against these hazards, ensuring your vehicle remains unscathed.

4. Reducing Maintenance Efforts

Car protection solutions, particularly ceramic coating, offer a hydrophobic surface that repels water, dirt, and contaminants. This makes cleaning your car easier and less time-consuming. With less grime sticking to the surface, you’ll spend less time on maintenance and more time enjoying your vehicle.

5. Improving Longevity

Cars that are adequately protected tend to have longer lifespans. Paint protection film and ceramic coating shield your vehicle from wear and tear, keeping it in excellent condition for years. With proper care and maintenance, your car can look and perform like new for an extended period.

6. Weatherproofing and Seasonal Protection

In regions with extreme weather conditions, car protection becomes even more critical. PPF protects against UV rays and oxidation, while ceramic coatings offer a layer of defense against salt, snow, and road salt during winter months. Protecting your vehicle year-round ensures it is prepared for whatever the weather throws its way.

7. Peace of Mind

Knowing that your vehicle is protected allows you to drive with confidence. You can enjoy your journeys without worrying about small scratches or damage, knowing that your car’s appearance is shielded against common threats.

4 Tips for Keeping Your Vehicle Safe and Looking Great

To keep your vehicle protected and looking great in Savannah, consider the following tips:

  1. Regular Washing and Cleaning: Frequent washing is essential to remove dirt, debris, and contaminants from your car’s surface. Use a mild car shampoo and microfiber towels to avoid scratches.
  2. Paint Protection Film (PPF): Invest in PPF to shield your vehicle from UV rays, scratches, and road debris. Self-healing PPF can repair minor scratches automatically.
  3. Ceramic Coating Applications: Apply ceramic coating to add an extra layer of protection to your vehicle. Ceramic coatings create a hydrophobic surface, making it easier to maintain a clean and glossy appearance.
  4. Window Tint: Window film that blocks harmful UV rays from fading your vehicle’s interior.
  5. Seasonal Maintenance Tips: During summer, protect your car from UV rays and bugs with regular washing and the application of PPF. In winter, be proactive in removing salt and road debris to prevent corrosion.

Preserve Your Vehicle in Savannah’s Challenging Climate With G-Force Films

Savannah’s climate can pose significant challenges to your vehicle’s appearance and longevity. Protecting your car with paint protection film and ceramic coating are vital solutions to ensure it remains in excellent condition for years to come. As the leader in paint protection in Savannah, G-Force Films is your trusted partner in preserving your vehicle’s beauty and value. Remember these tips and make informed decisions to keep your car safe and looking great throughout the seasons. Contact G-Force Films today and let us help you protect your investment!

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Protection Film: Benefits, Options, and Installation

With over 20 years of experience and a specialization in paint protection film (PPF), G-Force Films has established itself as the go-to destination for car owners looking to preserve the pristine condition of their vehicles.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the benefits of paint protection film, the available options, and the installation process, with a particular focus on the exclusive XPEL PPF types offered by G-Force Films.

The Importance of Paint Protection Film

Your vehicle’s paint is constantly exposed to various threats on the road, such as rocks, pebbles, road debris, bugs, and sand. These elements can cause unsightly scratches, chips, and damage to the paintwork. Paint protection film acts as a barrier, shielding your vehicle’s most vulnerable areas, including the hood, bumpers, door edges, side-view mirrors, and more. By investing in paint protection film, you can effectively protect your vehicle from these hazards and maintain its pristine appearance.

Benefits of Paint Protection Film

Paint protection film offers a range of benefits beyond just protection. Let’s explore some of the key advantages:

1. Preserves Factory Paint

Paint protection film helps maintain the original factory paint, preventing it from fading or losing its luster over time. By acting as a sacrificial layer, it takes the brunt of environmental and road damage, keeping your vehicle looking new.

2. Virtually Invisible

Modern paint protection films are designed to be nearly invisible, ensuring that the film does not affect the aesthetics of your vehicle. It seamlessly blends with the paint, allowing the original color and shine to take center stage.

3. Protection Against Abrasions

The film provides an additional layer of protection against miscellaneous abrasions, such as key scratches, parking lot dings, and minor impacts. It acts as a shield, preserving the integrity of your vehicle’s paintwork.

4. UV Inhibitors and Clarity

Paint protection film incorporates UV inhibitors, preventing yellowing and maintaining clarity for years to come. It acts as a barrier against harmful UV rays, which can cause fading and discoloration of the paint.

5. Self-Healing and Durability

One of the remarkable features of paint protection film is its self-healing properties. Minor scratches and swirl marks disappear when exposed to heat, thanks to the film’s elastomeric properties. Additionally, it is highly durable, with excellent resistance to cracking, staining, and impact.

6. Warranty Coverage

G-Force Films offers a manufacturer’s warranty for their paint protection film, providing peace of mind for customers in case of any manufacturer or material-related defects. This warranty ensures that you receive a high-quality product and reliable protection for your vehicle.

Available XPEL PPF Types

As an exclusive dealer, G-Force Films partners with XPEL, the industry leader in paint protection films, to offer a range of high-quality options. Let’s take a closer look at the XPEL PPF types available:

1. ULTIMATE FUSION™

ULTIMATE FUSION™ is a high-gloss, optically clear topcoat that provides outstanding protection while enhancing the appearance of your vehicle. This advanced PPF is not only hydrophobic, allowing water to bead up and roll off, but it also features self-healing properties. Fine scratches and swirl marks magically disappear when exposed to heat, ensuring a flawless finish. The film is designed with individualized patterns, providing a customized look for your vehicle.

2. ULTIMATE PLUS™

ULTIMATE PLUS™ offers virtually invisible protection for your vehicle’s finish. It provides a transparent layer of urethane that safeguards against everyday damage such as scuffs, scratches, and chips. With ULTIMATE PLUS™, you can have peace of mind knowing that your paint is protected from various hazards on the road.

3. ULTIMATE PLUS 7™

Building upon the success of ULTIMATE PLUS™, ULTIMATE PLUS 7™ offers slightly thinner construction while retaining the same self-healing technology. This versatile film can be used on both interior and exterior surfaces, providing superior protection and maintaining the aesthetics of your vehicle. It is heat-activated, non-yellowing, and stain-resistant, ensuring long-lasting durability.

4. ULTIMATE PLUS 10™

Designed for off-road enthusiasts and adventurous vehicles, ULTIMATE PLUS 10™ is XPEL’s thickest paint protection film. It combines the self-healing, heat-activated topcoat of the ULTIMATE PLUS™ line with maximum durability. This film offers exceptional protection against the harshest elements, making it ideal for those who enjoy off-road excursions without compromising the appearance of their vehicle.

5. ULTIMATE PLUS BLACK™

ULTIMATE PLUS BLACK™ is a unique paint protection film that features a completely opaque, gloss black finish. While retaining the key features of the ULTIMATE PLUS™ line, it offers a stylish and distinct appearance. This film is perfect for car enthusiasts who want to add a touch of elegance and protection to their vehicle’s paintwork.

6. STEALTH™

STEALTH™ paint protection film is specifically formulated to preserve and protect flat factory finishes. Whether you have chosen a matte, magno, frozen, or frosted finish, STEALTH™ ensures your vehicle maintains its desired appearance while offering superior protection. It can also be used to transform a glossy paint job into a unique matte finish, providing endless customization possibilities.

Installation Process

The installation process of paint protection film involves several key steps:

1. Surface Preparation

The vehicle’s surface is thoroughly cleaned and prepared to ensure proper adhesion of the paint protection film. Any existing imperfections are addressed to create a smooth surface.

2. Film Customization

The paint protection film is precisely cut and shaped to fit each panel of the vehicle. G-Force Films’ technicians meticulously work to match the film to the unique curves and contours of your vehicle, ensuring a seamless and invisible installation.

3. Application

The film is carefully applied to the designated areas, such as the hood, bumpers, door edges, side-view mirrors, and more. G-Force Films’ technicians use specialized tools and techniques to achieve a bubble-free, smooth application.

4. Finishing Touches

Once the film is applied, it is trimmed, edges are sealed, and any remaining bubbles or imperfections are smoothed out. The result is a flawless, invisible finish that seamlessly integrates with the vehicle’s paintwork.

Maintenance and Care

After the paint protection film is installed, it is essential to follow proper maintenance practices to ensure its longevity and effectiveness. G-Force Films recommends regular washing using standard car wash techniques. The film is designed to be low-maintenance, and there is no need for waxing or buffing. For enhanced maintenance, G-Force Films offers their PRO-TECT Polish, a simple spray-on and wipe-off polish that can be used to keep your vehicle looking like the day of installation.

Warranty Coverage

G-Force Films stands behind the quality and performance of their paint protection film installations. They provide a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty that covers any cracks, bubbling, or yellowing caused solely by manufacturer or material-related defects. 

G-Force Films: Your Source for Ultimate Paint Protection

Paint protection film is a game-changer when it comes to preserving the appearance and value of your vehicle. With its exceptional protection against various hazards, self-healing properties, and virtually invisible finish, paint protection film is a must-have for car owners who want to keep their vehicles looking new. By partnering with XPEL, G-Force Films ensures that their customers have access to the highest quality and most advanced paint protection film options available. 

Contact G-Force Films today and experience the ultimate protection for your vehicle’s paintwork.

5 Reasons You Should Use XPEL Paint Protection Film

Close to a decade ago, XPEL revolutionized the paint protection industry with the world’s first-ever self-healing film. Once again, XPEL has raised the bar with its newest film with an unparalleled high gloss finish and improved impact protection.

This paint protection film technology will give you peace of mind when cruising along the highway, and brushing against vegetation because it provides an efficient protective layer to your car’s paint. You will never have to worry about birds’ droppings on the surface of your car or oils, and bug acids damaging your car’s paintwork.

Here are reasons you should use XPEL:

1.      Heat-activated self-healing topcoat

A light heat application is all the XPEL paint protection film needs to self-heal any light scratches, and swirl marks to the film surface. You will appreciate this technology because it isn’t humanly possible to avoid light scratches or swirls as you drive your car, regardless of how careful you may be.

This innovative paint protection film makes for a quick solution to the constant troubles of scratches gathering on your vehicle on your day-to-day travels. If you were to patch the paintwork every time the surface of your car gets a scratch, you would have a hard time doing it.

If you are a stickler for gleaming cars, this paint protection film makes things easier for you. You can keep your car shiny throughout the year, courtesy of its quick self-healing technology. It will also keep the surface of your car sparkling new for years to come.

2.      Doesn’t yellow

One problem you may have experienced with common paint protection films is yellowing. Yellowing occurs when UV exposure wears out the surface of your car due to over-exposure. You may want to avoid ever-exposing your vehicle to UV, or any other harmful rays, but the nature of your daily routine may not allow you.

With XPEL, the hideous yellowing effect would be a thing of the past. This is because this paint protection film forms a shield over your car paintwork, protecting it from the penetrative UV and other harmful rays from the sun.

If you have been wondering how you will ever deal with the yellowing spots on your automobile, you’ve got a reliable solution now. Make the sacrifice for the XPEL self-healing paint protection to keep your vehicle sparkling for as long as possible. You will also appreciate its protective properties for your car.

3.      It prevents wear and tear

What should worry you most isn’t the cost of applying the XPEL paint protection film: it’s the cost of the constant wear and tear of the surface of your automobile. As you drive through the city, along winding highways, and sometimes through the country, you expose your vehicle to various agents of friction and collision.

These agents include gravel, pebbles, sand, vegetation, and direct sunlight. You can’t really prevent your car from brushing against them and gathering scratches and swirls. They cause the constant wear and tear of the surface of your vehicle, and you have to spend considerably to keep the surface gleaming.

Thanks to XPEL, you won’t have to worry so much about the depreciation of your car’s exterior if you install this innovative paint protection film. The film throws a protective layer over the surface of your vehicle, preventing it from catching minor scratches when it comes into contact with various abrasive elements.

4.      It’s resistant to stains and discoloration

Just like you can’t prevent your automobile from coming into contact with the various elements of abrasion, there is very little you can do to stop it from coming into contact with stain and discoloration agents. For instance, you park your vehicle under a tree shade, and bird droppings immediately land on its bonnet.

You drive through a puddle of water, and it splashes onto your car’s exterior surface. The same thing happens when another vehicle passes through a pool of water and splashes it onto you. This means that there are many elements out there to stain your car’s exterior surface.

If you get XPEL paint protection film installed on your new vehicle, you will have a lasting solution to the constant splashes that stain or decolorizes your vehicle. The film ensures that o chemicals or liquids get through to the paintwork of your vehicle, causing it to change its color through the chemical reaction that will take place.

Even if your car was to gather stains, it would be easier to get rid of them if it has this paint protection film. This is because you would only need to wipe it clean, and your car will be gleaming again. XPEL layer makes it easy to remove any smudges on the surface due to its smooth shiny nature.

5.      Provides edge seal technology

With the innovative XPEL, lifting and delamination will never be necessary for your car’s life, thanks to the impressive edge seal technology. This technology ensures that the paint protection film stays put in place, protecting your car surfaces from any contaminants.

The technology provides complete sealing of the edges of the film, so they don’t peel off with time and allow contaminants to seep through. Other paint protection films may not excel in this area, meaning you would have about lifting and the possibility of delamination. But with XPEL, this would be a thing of the past.

The efficient edge seal technology ensures your paint protection film lasts longer and protects your car even longer. The perfect fit along the edges of your car completes the new look of your equally new car, creating a complete picture of perfection. It adds to the allure of your vehicle, hence, a worthwhile investment to make.

These reasons — and a few more — explain why we at G-Force have chosen to provide the XPEL paint protection film installation to our clients. When we combine this technology with our experience of many years and the professionalism of our technicians, the end result is a high-quality service that will keep your car protected for a long time.

Need more information about XPEL paint protection film? Please contact us today.

The Differences Between Ceramic Coating and Paint Protection Film

If you’re trying to choose between paint protection film and ceramic coating, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here’s some information about each approach including details that should help you choose.

Overview of Paint Protection

Although there are others, ceramic coating and PPF are two of the major options you can use to protect your paint. It’s important to protect the paint on your car since this is one of the major ways the body of your car is itself protected from other kinds of damage.

That’s why it’s of significant importance to make sure you consider the differences between these two major options carefully to make sure that you feel confident in getting the kind of protection that you want for your vehicle. Good protection will mean that the condition of your vehicle will be maintained at the level that you want for a much longer period of time.

Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coating is made up of a liquid polymer. You pour this polymer on the outside of a vehicle, and after it’s been added, the coating bonds chemically with the vehicle’s factory paint job. This adds a layer of protection that repels water.

As a result, it can help keep the care cleaner for longer because now other materials will have a hard time getting inside your vehicle’s paint. What this means practically is that the car will often stay cleaner for longer.

It also means that the car is often easier to clean than it would be otherwise. On top of that, it’s less likely that the car will take damage from-

  1. Stains
  2. Oxidation
  3. Etch marks

Both stains and etch marks can be caused by anything acidic that gets into the paint. That faded paint job look from oxidation often happens due to an overabundance of exposure to UV. Ceramic coating can help reduce this as well.

Paint Protection Film

Paint Protection Film, or PPF, is a transparent film made of urethane that you put on the exterior of your car. The film then helps to protect the paint by making it harder to damage. Types of damage that PPF resists include the common chips and scratches that come due to rocks or random things in the road impacting the paint part of your car.

It also includes damage like-

  1. Washing marks
  2. Acidic stains
  3. Oxidation fading
  4. Etch marks
  5. Hard water spotting

When washing your car, it’s common for swirl marks to show up on the surface of a paint job. The PPF makes it so that this is avoided completely. It also resists the usual chemical marks and stains due to anything acidic reaching the paint, as well as resisting the usual fading from UV. On top of that, you also avoid the spots that can happen if you use hard water to wash your car by accident due to the mineral deposits it has.

Main Differences

One of the primary ways that PPF differs from a ceramic coating is that the PPF tends to be more resistant to chips due to errant rocks and debris. This happens frequently on highway driving especially. Any little hard thing on the road can be kicked up by your vehicle’s wheel or by another vehicle’s wheel to cause damage to the factory paint job. This damage can cause more contaminants to get in from a chip, so it’s ideal to have an approach that prevents it from happening in the first place.

Self-healing

Some PPF can actually heal itself to some degree using something called thermoplastic polyurethane or something similar. This means that small amounts of damage will seal up automatically up to a point without the need to go in there and manually repair every chip or other small bits of damage.

Scratch Protection

PPF is also known for being highly effective at preventing scratches of all kinds. When the hard edge of any object, such as a key or a rock, moves across the surface of a car’s paint, the object will tend to scratch the film itself instead of the actual paint of the vehicle, which helps to extend the vehicle’s paint life considerably.

Other Differences

PPF has more thickness than ceramic coating does. Ceramic coating has their hydrophobic surface that repels water, which is another difference, although sometimes a PPF can have a hydrophobic coating as well. The hydrophobic coating in PPF is often not as thick as the ceramic coating, however.

Ceramic coating technically has 9h hardness, which means it can sometimes be more resistant to scratches, though PPF is effective at this as well. Pro coatings for ceramic can have better resistance to chemical changes, although again, both options have this. Ceramic coatings can have more of a shine, can be polished for greater aesthetics, and also ceramic is permanent whereas PPF needs to be reinstalled sometimes.

In other words, while both options cover preventing similar types of damage, there are definitely specialties to take into account.

Making the Choice

It will all depend on what your preferences are. If you’re considerably worried about rocks causing chips in your paint, then PPF is often the better choice, for example. If instead, you’re more worried about something that you only have to install once and then not worry about, it might be a better option to go a different way.

This will certainly all depend on what sort of company you use to install everything, of course. It’s important to make sure that you use a company that will give you a free quote, for example, so that you can get the best information possible. It will also help to check reviews to find the company that best matches your expectations and the specific company that most matches your situation and your car.

That way, you can be confident when asking about their process for paint protection and choosing what exactly you want to make sure that your car will be usable the way you want it for the long-term.

At G-Force Films, we have extensive experience installing top-notch paint protection film and ceramic coating on all types of vehicles. If you’ve made a decision on which is best for your car, don’t hesitate to contact us at any convenient time.

Love Cars? Here’s What You Should Know About Paint Protection Film

Keeping the vehicle in top shape is on every car owner’s agenda. While staying on top of oil change schedule is a big deal, what’s on the outside counts just as much. Protecting your car’s paint is a simple way to keep it looking stellar for years to come while minimizing maintenance efforts.

The key to year-round beautiful appearance is paint protection film. Let’s dig a little deeper into what it’s all about and why your car may need it today.

What is Paint Protection Film?

Paint protection film or Clear Bra is a layer of urethane material. This strong polymer constructed from carbamate is transparent and lightweight. When applied to your vehicle, it turns into an invisible layer of protection against dirt, chemicals, UV rays, and scratches.

Damage and Corrosion Protection

In short, a paint protection film allows your car to look better longer. This shield protects the paint from bugs, pebbles, scratches, chips, and other small damage your car faces on the road.

The best part about urethane is that it resists corrosion and chemicals, saving your paint from bird droppings, mineral deposits, acid rain, and more. It can also keep the paint from fading due to long exposure to harsh UV rays.

Self-Healing Protection

Did you know that high-quality paint protection film heals itself? When the film suffers damage, it maintains the integrity and continues offering protection for your vehicle.

Clear bra comes with several layers made up of polyurethane, adhesives, and polyesters, which are arranged using the microreplication process. These layers manage to dissipate any damage inflicted on the film while keeping the paint untouched.

How Does Paint Protection Film Work?

Clear bra offers a physical barrier between the elements and the paint while improving the appearance in the process.

  • The adhesive helps the film stick to the paint without damaging the surface. It’s easily removable at any time.
  • The polyurethane layer creates a thick yet virtually invisible coating that prevents dirt, debris, and pebbles from damaging your vehicle.
  • The clear coat layer keeps the film itself from fading, staining, and yellowing (which is often an issue with low-quality paint protection options).

The self-healing part is a little trickier. Once the film suffers damage, it requires heat to heal itself. Heat allows the film to rearrange particles in the layers. From the outside, it looks like the damage is disappearing.

Unless the car is damaged in the same spot over and over again, the self-healing continues working effectively throughout the film’s lifespan.

Does Paint Protection Film Require Maintenance?

While you can’t just install and forget about the paint protection film, the maintenance process is minimal.

  • Avoid touching the film for several days (from 48 hours to seven days, depending on the installer’s instructions) after installation so it cures properly.
  • Avoid washing and waxing the car several days after installation.
  • Avoid washing the vehicle in direct sunlight or while the surface is hot.
  • Clean and dust the surface regularly while paying special attention to the edges of the film.
  • Take advantage of high-quality cleaning products with lubrication additives.
  • Use high-quality mitt and microfiber cloth to clean the film.
  • Remove bug splatter, bird droppings, and any other chemical stains as soon as they appear.
  • Dry the vehicle with a cloth or a towel. Don’t leave it to air dry.
  • Apply light wax once a month to keep the film looking its best while making cleaning easier.

In short, taking care of the paint protection film is just as easy as caring for the paint without it.

How Long Does Paint Protection Film Last?

One of the top advantages of the paint protection film is its longevity. Generally, the film lasts between 5 and 10 years. High-quality clear bra like Xpel comes with a 10-year warranty, which means it’s likely to last even longer.

Besides the quality of the film, the life expectancy of your paint protection materials depends on several factors:

  • Surface preparation — the quality of the surface underneath the film dictates the longevity of the protection. So the prep work must be excellent and done by experts.
  • Installation quality — the paint protection film installation comes with numerous nuances. It should be handled by a trustworthy professional.
  • Environmental issues — continuous exposure to direct sunlight may decrease the film’s lifespan. Meanwhile, regular damages, especially to the same spot, can also wear the protection down.
  • Maintenance — cleaning the film regularly (especially, removing chemical stains timely) is essential to helping it last longer.

In most cases, people decide to buy a new car before the paint protection film gives out.

If you’ve purchased a used vehicle with the protection film installed, make sure to ask when it was done. Remember, removing the old protection layer doesn’t damage the paint. So if the film doesn’t look its best, opt for removing the old one and installing new protection.

Pros and Cons of Paint Protection Film

To make the final decision about installing paint protection film, let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • High-level of paint protection
  • Quick installation
  • Impressive longevity
  • Better vehicle appearance
  • Self-healing properties
  • Easy maintenance
  • Peace of mind

Cons:

  • Non-DIY solution
  • Can be costly

Is Paint Protection Film the Right Solution for My Car?

If you want your car looking perfect for many years to come, consider protecting its paint. With time, minor damages to the surface could lead to serious problems like body corrosion. Meanwhile, a small scratch or chip could be mood-killers.

While other paint protection options exist, the film is the most durable and long-lasting solution. If you are on a tight budget, you can consider partial film protection for your vehicle.

Taking Full Advantage of Paint Protection Film Today

Installing paint protection film is an excellent way to protect your vehicle, keep it looking new longer, and enjoying peace of mind about its integrity.

At G-Force Films, we have extensive experience installing top-notch paint protection film on all types of vehicles. If you’ve made a decision to take full advantage of this solution, don’t hesitate to contact us at any convenient time.

How To Safely Clean Your Car During The Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has devastated all countries across the world. While many details about stopping the virus are still uncertain, health officials have established that maintaining hygiene can control coronavirus. Since the outbreak began, cleaning hands, and all areas around us have become essential. Cleaning your car is a great way to prevent COVID-19 infection and also protect your loved ones.

While travel restrictions are in place, you may need to run errands and grab some groceries at the store. During these drives, your car may pick up coronavirus and possibly contaminate other areas of your home. Anyone sneezing and touching different surfaces in your car also increases your risk of contracting a COVID-19 infection. As a car operator, the best way to stay safe is to clean all the interior surfaces of your vehicle and disinfect them regularly.

Identify Frequently Touched Surfaces

The first step in cleaning the interior of your car is to identify the surfaces that you touch frequently. Some of the parts that require regular disinfection include:

  • Door handles
  • Steering wheel
  • Car keys
  • Storage compartments
  • Radio knobs
  • Dashboard
  • Air vents
  • Seat belts
  • Gear shift
  • Cupholder
  • Window control buttons
  • Rearview and side mirrors

Disinfect The Surfaces

The CDC recommends using sprays with at least 70% of alcohol content to kill coronavirus. Before stocking up on an alcohol-based cleaner, check the alcohol content first. Any solution without enough alcohol content doesn’t kill the coronavirus and increases your chances of infection.

However, remember to check all the ingredients of the disinfectants, and confirm if they’re safe for your interior car surfaces. If you wipe down the surfaces regularly with disinfectants, also remember to apply leather conditioner to leather seats to keep the material healthy.

Use Soap and Water

Soap and water is also a suitable option for cleaning leather car interiors. The solution is mild and protects your leather seats. To clean the surfaces, add a few drops of dish soap to water in a spray bottle, shake, and spray it on a towel, then wipe the target surfaces. While bleach solutions are excellent disinfectants, avoid using them in your car due to discoloration. It’s always best to reach for your car manual for guidance on the best car cleaners.

Use a Microfiber Towel

When wiping the surfaces, use a microfiber towel. The fabric is soft to the touch and requires little product to clean. You can also use these towels on your screens, radio, and windows because they do not scratch the surfaces. Microfiber towels are also ideal for leather surfaces.

It’s always best to find white towels because they don’t bleed color. However, if you don’t have access to white microfiber towels, confirm that your towels don’t bleed color. You can wash the towels under running water in your sink and observe the color of the water.

Launder Items

You can launder fabric seat covers to ensure that you kill coronavirus. However, it’s wise to check with the manufacturer and confirm if it’s possible to launder your fabric seats. If laundering is impossible, look for a recommended car cleaner for your car seats.

Clean Your Floor Mats

While you may not touch your floor mats, they’re one of the dirtiest parts of your vehicle. Remove all the floor mats and shake off all visible dirt. If a shake isn’t enough, use a brush to remove the dirt stuck between the grooves. Alternatively, you can use the bare hose nozzle on your vacuum cleaner to remove all the dirt. Once done, use water and soap to scrub the floor mats and spray them down with a hose to remove all the soap and dirt. Lastly, allow the mats to air dry thoroughly to prevent slipping on wet mats.

Clean The Carpet

Vacuum the carpet inside the car to remove any loose dirt. Because the car floor isn’t flat and has several corners and bends, change the nozzles and use smaller handheld vacuums where necessary. To get rid of all the germs, you should find a steam cleaner. However, if you don’t have a steam cleaner, you can find carpet cleaning products to finish the job.

Foam carpet cleaners clean your carpet, remove stains and odors and leave your carpet smelling fresh. With most foam cleaners, you spray the product on the carpet, use a soft brush to scrub and vacuum with a standard vacuum. However, you should avoid making the carpet too wet because it could encourage mold growth.

If you have gum on the carpet, take several ice cubes inside a zip lock bag and place them directly above the gum. Once the gum is brittle, use a scraping tool to remove it. Alternatively, you can spray WD-40 directly on the gum and let it settle for a few minutes. Use a gentle fingernail brush to scrub the gum and repeat as many times as necessary. Once done, clean the area with some detergent.

Clean The Windows And Mirrors

Many people, both at home and the store can touch your windows and mirrors. First, find some glass cleaner and microfiber towels. Ensure that you spray the glass cleaner only on glass surfaces and wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth. If you have tinted car windows, be careful. Avoid products with ammonia because they can damage your tint. It’s also better to spray the product on the cloth instead of spraying the window directly.

As you clean the windows, remember to roll them down and clean the entire window, both on the outside and the inside. It’s easy to forget the few inches at the top, especially if your windows are closed. Clean the interior on your windows in a regular vertical motion to prevent streaks. After wiping, buff the window with a dry microfiber towel.

Clean The Trunk

If you store all your shopping inside your car trunk, cleaning it regularly is essential. Remove all loose dirt on the area by vacuuming the carpet. You can either use a steamer or foam carpet cleaner to clean the carpet. Once done, allow the area to dry adequately to prevent moisture build-up. You can wipe down plastic surfaces with a soap and water solution.

Keeping Your Car Clean

Cleaning and disinfecting the interior parts of your car is just as important as cleaning the exterior body. For more tips on car maintenance, contact G-Force Films today.

How To Turn Your Car Into A Sanitizing Station

COVID-19 is changing the way that we look at things. Your car is your transportation. But, could it be more? With a little bit of cleaning and innovation, you can turn it into a sanitizing station. This way, wherever you go, you can rely on your car as a sanitary safe haven to protect you from the pandemic.

Why a sanitizer station?

Imagine you are leaving work and headed home. You have no idea what you could have come into contact with at work, especially in today’s world. Now, you are going to get inside of your car, drive home, and interact with your family.

Your car has to be a sanitizer station when you think about it. Otherwise, how are you going to get rid of germs after leaving work? You can’t simply wash your hands when you get home and expect all to be forgiven. You must sanitize every step of the way.

Even if you’re not an essential employee, there may be the need to go places. You may have to fight the crowds at a grocery store, pick up food from a local restaurant, or check on an elderly parent.

Your car has to be a way for you to sanitize so you’re not allowing germs to sit on your skin any longer than absolutely necessary. You have to do your part to flatten the curve and prevent getting coronavirus. With a bit of sanitization, you can make it easier to protect yourself.

How to Clean Your Car

If you are going to turn your car effectively into a sanitizing station, every surface needs to be cleaned properly. This includes not only the steering wheel but also every other surface that you could potentially touch.

Not all cleaners are going to get the job done. According to the CDC, alcohol solutions consisting of at least 70% alcohol will be effective in killing the coronavirus. This means that you will want to use an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner throughout the different surfaces of your car.

Some of the hotspots you will want to include are:

  • Door handles inside and out
  • Steering wheel
  • Shift knob
  • Window control buttons
  • Turn signal and windshield wiper stalks
  • Armrests
  • Seat adjusters
  • Grab handles
  • Radio controls

If your vehicle does have a touchscreen, be sure you don’t use ammonia on it. Otherwise, you can accidentally strip the anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coating that is in place.

Additionally, if you cannot find products that contain at least 70% alcohol, you can also use soap and water. The CDC is also updating its website of products that have proven to be effective in killing the coronavirus. It can make it easier to know what to use so that you can use quality products inside your car.

If you have fabric upholstery, avoid using too much water. Otherwise, you could inadvertently start growing mold within the cushions or experience a musty smell.

Additionally, if you have leather anywhere, white gently as opposed to rubbing vigorously. Otherwise, you could end up removing the color from the dye inside of the leather.

Adding the Necessary Level of Sanitation

As you work to turn your vehicle into a sanitizing station, use gloves. Otherwise, you could be accidentally cross-contaminating areas that have already been cleaned. As you move to a different area, change your gloves.

Once you are sure that your car has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, you are ready to take it to the next level.

Each and every time you get into your car, you will want to sanitize yourself from anything that you have touched. Be sure that you have sufficient sanitizing products inside. This can include liquid or gel sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes.

The method used to get the sanitizer out can be tricky as you may have to touch it with unsanitized hands. This can lead to a vicious circle of not being as sanitized as you think you are. Look at exploring a sanitizer solution that will dispense the sanitizer in a touch-freeway. There are various dispensers that use motion sensors. If all else fails, you can use your elbow or wrist as a way to work the pump so that you aren’t using unsanitized fingers in the process.

Take it to the Next Level

Whether you simply want to keep a sanitized vehicle or you plan to spend a lot of time inside, sanitizing yourself from the outside world, you have to be comfortable. Various things can be done to ensure that you’re not only comfortable but well protected.

Add auto film to the windows. The UV rays can add a significant amount of heat to the interior of your car. With premium auto film, you can block most of the rays. It reduces the interior temperature considerably. It also protects the interior materials from being destroyed by extreme heat over time.

Protect other components. From your smartphone to your car’s touchscreen, you’re doing a lot of touching. During the pandemic, anything you touch could mean the spread of the virus. With RX antimicrobial film can be added to various computer screens and monitors to help establish a protective barrier.

Implement seat covers. If you have fabric seat covers, it’s hard to keep them clean. You don’t know what kinds of germs they’ve absorbed in the months or years since you bought the car. By adding seat covers – leather, vinyl, or otherwise, it makes it easier for you to wipe down seats and eliminate germs.

With a little bit of work on your part, your car can be the safest place for you to spend time. Your sanitizing station can keep you safe from the germs passed to you by others, various objects that you touch, and more. It could be what keeps your sanity until the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed once and for all.

Discover more about protecting you and your car at G-Force Automotive Films today. We’ll provide advice and talk to you about our services.