Paint protection and window film products are part of a mix of aftermarket accessories that contribute to value, performance and/or vehicle aesthetics. Manufacturing and installation technologies are changing as the use of automotive films increases.

• Film markets are expanding and interconnected: window films are a natural progression from paint protection films; paint protection films are a natural progression from window films.

• Films are not limited by variations in consumer tastes or by genres of vehicles. Tint demand varies by region but is consistent.

• Paint protection film is used most frequently to protect vulnerable painted areas on vehicles from rocks, bugs and road debris that causes chipping:

• Bumpers and leading edges of hoods and fenders, mirror backs, air dams, body kits, door handle grab areas, keyholes, doorsills and edges, and wings

• Developing markets for paint protection films:

• Recreational vehicles

• Trailers, off-road vehicles, ATVs

• Personal watercraft

• Racetracks

• Commercial and fleet

• Emergency vehicles

• Window film benefits:

• UV screening

• Improve driver and passenger comfort

• Reduce glare

• Shield passengers

• Reduce heat build-up

• Consumer needs:

• Color/shade/tint

• Warranty

• Heat reduction

• Safety

• Security

• Window film types/characteristics:

• Dyed, non-metalized: economical; protects from glare and UV damage; subject to color change; does not interfere with GPS or cell phone signals.

• High-Performance hybrid: dyed polyester and metal; offers better heat rejection than metal-free films.

• All-metal: strong heat rejection; protection from glare and UV light; reflective appearance; may disrupt some radio signals.

• Spectrally selective: allow most light into the car, but reject infrared; generally do not interfere with GPS/cell signal.

• Ceramic: contain metal oxides; heat rejection properties similar to hybrids; no signal disruption.

• Nanotechnology; nanoparticles selectively transmit visible light and block infrared.

• Film Material Supply Chain:

• Pre-cut paint protection and window film kits for specific models from various vendors

• Custom plotter cut templates from bulk film stock

• Custom hand cut from bulk film stock

• Pre-cut kit suppliers:

• Solar Gard / Bekaert Specialty Films

Solar Gard Clearshield

• 3M

Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film

• Husky Liners

Husky Shield

• Performance Tools Distributing

• Lamin-x Protective Films

• Marklyn Group Inc.

Moonraker Professional Installer film

• Topline USA

LEADINGEdge

• Star Shield Armor

• Plotter/cutter manufacturers:

• Roland DGA

• Mimaki USA

• Mutoh America

• Graphtec America

• GCC

• Gerber Scientific Products

• Summa

• Film Pattern Software:

• 3M Digital Designs

(Designed for 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film & includes patterns for VentureShield Paint Protection Film)

• Roland DGA

Film Designs Pro

• Tint Tek 20/20

Window FilmCutting Software

• Solar Gard

ComputerCut

• Xpel

Design Access Program

• Venture Tape

Invisible Pattern 

• Mimaki USA

The Bad Wrap

• Solutia/CP Film

PrecisionCut