While driving on roads, a car’s body is exposed to various foreign objects that fly out from under the wheels of their cars or what is moving in front. There is always a huge risk of damaging the body when driving along country roads or suburban highways. A lot of damage to cars that have a fairly low landing and a massive front bumper.
There are many ways to protect the body from this. One of them is an anti-gravel film on a car. What is this coating?
This is an
innovative product that can reliably protect the car
paintwork from the influence of various negative factors on it.
The protective film on the car is practically invisible on the body and can perform not only protective, but also decorative functions. Many manufacturers offer these products in various colors and patterns. However, transparent film is very popular with car owners.
Application Benefits
For any car, pasting with anti-gravel film has several rather significant advantages:
- The body is reliably protected from minor mechanical damage.
- Modern film is almost invisible.
- The adhesive composition with its special formula makes it easy to apply the film and then also remove it easily.
- Does not affect the coating of the body at the chemical level.
- Does not need special care.
- Easy to apply on any body shape.
- It has a long service life.
All manufacturers who manufacture these products give a guarantee for a sufficiently long period - this is an important plus. This is a guarantee that during operation the anti-gravel film on the car does not turn yellow and does not delaminate.
Another major advantage is the free passage of ultraviolet rays through the protective coating. What does this mean for a car body? Thus, the color of the paintwork under the film will not have any difference with the color of the coating in those places where it was not pasted.
It is also worth knowing that the protective film on the car does not protect against shock as such. Its main function is to soften them. The force of impact spreads over the entire surface, thereby the body parts will not be damaged. These products are applied to where the risk of damage is most - wings, optics, mirrors, bumpers, as well as the hood.
The application of this film guarantees maximum protection against chips, various scratches, exposure to gravel and a wide variety of mechanical damage. These advantages have already been appreciated by car owners.
Types of films
To date, two types of products have received special distribution among motorists. This is a polyurethane protective film on cars and vinyl. Carbon and special protective products are also distinguished.
Vinyl films: advantages and disadvantages
This coating is used when it is necessary to protect the entire body. Pebbles can fall everywhere - on the side doors, the rear and on the roof. Cerdy advantages of this type of protection can highlight some points.
So, a vinyl anti-gravel film on a car, which is made by cast technology, has high flexibility characteristics. Therefore, there is no difficulty in wrapping it around even the steepest bends.
An additional property is maximum surface protection against ultraviolet radiation.
After some time, it leads to the fading of color. Another advantage is the cost, which is significantly lower than for products made of polyurethane.
Among the shortcomings can be identified:
- small thickness (therefore, the strength is insufficient);
- in winter, during periods of severe cold weather, elasticity characteristics are lost;
- these products are more suitable for application on the sides.
In this case, protection is provided from gravel and stones that fall on the sidewalls at sharp angles.
Strictly speaking, the function of vinyl is more decorative. Installed vinyl anti-gravel film on the car can effectively protect only from ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, do not rely on anything more. Vinyl, unlike polyurethane, tears more easily where polyurethane only stretches. This, unfortunately, is also one of its characteristics.
Polyurethane Products
The protective film on a car made of polyurethane came from military technology that was used in the United States. The product was tested in the military companies of this country in Iraq. It was supposed to protect the blades of helicopters from sand. In principle, this is not even a film, but light armor, as experts call it. Ultraviolet passes completely through the material, which allows the body to burn out more evenly.
This protection is glued to bumpers, mirrors, as well as to the front of the hood. High viscosity of the material and thickness is a huge advantage that allows you to provide complete protection for surfaces. But this is also considered a disadvantage, since there is no way to cover it with spherical body shapes or surfaces with large bends.
Such an anti-gravel film on a car is not suitable for a bumper. The reviews of those who glued it to such surfaces indicate that indeed, it cannot be completely coated with it. In any case, there will be a space that will not be protected.
Compared to vinyl, a polyurethane product retains its shape very poorly. Where the film bends, strong tension and cellulite pattern are observed. Its service life is comparable to vinyl. Among the shortcomings, there is another - the film turns yellow with time.
Carbon
Unlike vinyl, carbon has a voluminous texture.
This will, in addition to protection, give the car a certain personality. Carbon is manufactured using special technologies and imitates carbon fiber as much as possible.
In addition to aesthetics, this protective film on a car perfectly performs its functions. The thickness of the material can vary from 180 microns to 200. This allows you to completely protect the surface from any influences.
Where to glue?
Car pasting with anti-gravel film is carried out in those areas that are most susceptible to mechanical impact of fine gravel. These are the front parts of the hood. A tape is often pasted there, the width of which is from 20 to 90 cm. Also, the film is glued on the wings at the back and front.
The bumper needs to be pasted over completely. The back should be protected on top. The lower edge protects from the sandblasting effect. They also cover door openings, thresholds, an area in the area of door handles, the rear side of the mirror, subframes and headlights.
Order and application technology
So, a suitable anti-gravel film has already been bought for the car.
Installing it is a rather complicated process. All work must be done very carefully and as carefully as possible. The technology includes several mandatory steps.
Training
To get a high-quality result, it is necessary to prepare the body surface well. If the machine is fresh and has just left the assembly line, then it will be enough to just wash it well and then degrease it.
If there are shallow scratches on the body, a cloudy coating, chips, then all these defects should be carefully cleaned and polished. All this can be done at the service station, or independently.
Cut
The safest and most recognized way for car enthusiasts around the world is cutting using car patterns. But, often at most service stations, the film is cut along the body. This method has some disadvantages.
So, such a pattern may be inaccurate. Only high professionalism saves from possible mistakes. Cover the material with a certain margin. Therefore, if the film was purchased without allowance, then it may simply not be enough.
A knife on the back of a car can leave scratches that can cause condensation. And scratches crack over time. Even experienced craftsmen do not guarantee no damage.
Mounting
There is already an anti-gravel film ready for gluing. Its price depends on the material and the manufacturer (per bumper from 1000 rubles). It is important to remember that you need to work very carefully, otherwise this process can cost you additional costs.
The finished pattern is glued to the appropriate elements.
This must be done with a building hair dryer, or steam. Heating makes the material softer and more elastic. This allows you to stretch and firmly stick the product without air bubbles. Larger sheets may require prolonged heating and longer. But if you purchased a high-quality anti-gravel film on a car, reviews indicate that the better the sticking, the more reliable the protection will be.