Developed by Defcon Films Australia
PPF BUSINESS STARTUP GUIDE AUSTRALIA
What a new PPF shop needs in the first ninety days, in order.
Starting a PPF business in Australia goes better in a set order, and this guide lays out what a new shop needs in its first ninety days. It starts with learning on film you can afford to waste, using the Defcon Practice Pack, then moves to cutting patterns off the paint, warranty registration and ordering rolls. Hand trimming on paint is where most film damage claims begin, so the cutting workflow comes early. Each step links to the product or page that covers it, so a startup can plan the spend before the first paid job.
Step One:
Learn On Film You Can Waste
Nobody starts on a customer's bonnet. The Defcon Practice Pack pairs a roll of Glanz with practice film, installation gel, surface cleaner, tack reducer, squeegees, a heat gun, knives and a tool bag, so the first hundred panels cost practice film rather than reputation.
The become a PPF installer page sets out the skills that gate paid work: surface prep, pattern literacy, heat handling and edge finishing.
Step Two:
The Cutting Workflow
Hand trimming on paint is where most film damage claims begin. A startup should cut off the car from day one: the DFA Plotter with OEMC pattern software cuts vehicle patterns in-house from a library refined for Australian models.
The Starter Pack bundles the plotter, a one-year OEMC subscription, three rolls of Glanz, one roll of Frozen, installation gel, surface cleaner, tack reducer, a heat gun and tools: the whole first workshop setup in one order.
Step Three:
Film Lines To Stock
Start with gloss, because bonnets, bumpers and mirror caps are the volume work. Add Frozen satin when matte enquiries become regular, then Spectra colour for restyling and CoolVue tint once the workshop is busy. Every line sits in the same online shop, listed ex. GST, no account needed.
Step Four:
Warranty As A Product
A registered installation is what the customer is buying. Every roll is serialised and every job is registered through e-Warranty within 7 days of invoice, on OEM paint, by an authorised installer, so the record transfers with the car.
Film warranties run from 12 years on Defcon ONE and 10 on Glanz and Frozen to 7 on Spectra and 3 on Crystal Shield and FleetArmour, under normal use and proper installation. The warranty guide explains which faults are installation related, which is where a new shop's risk sits.
Step Five:
Prep, Consumables, Water
Surface preparation is a warranty condition. DFA Surface Cleaner ships in 24-can cartons and Installation Gel in 4-litre bottles and 16-litre drums, in the same order as the film. The installation guide sets out the stages.
Water matters more than new shops expect: hard water leaves residue under the film. The slip solution and water quality article covers what to check before the first install.
Film yield is the other quiet cost. The roll sizes guide explains how 1.52 m x 15 m rolls translate into jobs and offcuts.
Step Six:
Ordering And Freight
Rolls and consumables dispatch from Melbourne by CouriersPlease or TNT Road Express, with local pickup available. Orders over $1000 ex. GST ship free Australia-wide, so a startup order of film plus consumables usually travels free.
Before committing, a free sample roll lets the shop test the film on its own panels.
Training And
Support
PPF training comes through the same team that supplies the film: the 3-Day PPF Installation Training, cutting software setup and tooling advice come from the same supplier. Support is available in English and Chinese.
The gloss film trainees learn on is the one they will sell: aliphatic TPU at 190 microns ±10%, a 13-micron self-healing coat, and ARPANSA-tested UV protection (99.0% of UV blocked, reference UVR_25-0370-1).
FAQ
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What does a PPF startup kit need to contain?
A plotter, pattern software, film, installation gel, surface cleaner, tack reducer, a heat gun, knives and squeegees. The Starter Pack bundles all of these with three rolls of Glanz and one of Frozen.
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How do I learn PPF installation before taking paid work?
Train on practice film first. The Practice Pack pairs real Glanz with practice film and tools, and Defcon runs hands-on training for installers through the team that supplies the film.
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Do I need a trade account to buy film?
No. Prices are listed ex. GST in the online shop and no account is needed to order. Orders over $1000 ex. GST ship free Australia-wide.
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Which film should a new shop stock first?
Gloss, because bonnets and bumpers are the volume work. Add satin, colour and window tint as enquiries build. All lines sit in the same shop.
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How does the warranty work for a new installer?
Each roll is serialised and each job is registered through e-Warranty within 7 days of invoice by an authorised installer. The warranty guide explains coverage and installation-related faults.
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Can I cut patterns without a plotter at first?
Hand trimming on paint is where most damage claims start. Cutting off the car with the DFA Plotter and OEMC software from day one avoids building that habit.
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Do you offer support in Chinese?
Yes. Bilingual consultation in English and Chinese is available through our WeChat channel, covering product selection, ordering and technical questions. 我们提供中英双语咨询。
Developed by Defcon Films Australia
Every Defcon film is built for Australian conditions: materials selected globally, proven on local roads, and made to install well.
