Developed by Defcon Films Australia
PPF INSTALLATION GUIDE
The stages of a professional install, and why each exists.
Five Stages, Each With
A Reason
A professional PPF install is five disciplines in sequence: preparation, patterns, placement, heat work and registration. Each stage exists because skipping it shows up later as a claim.
Preparation first, because it is a warranty condition: cover requires a clean, contaminant-free surface, which is what DFA Surface Cleaner in the prep stage is for.
Patterns And
Placement
Patterns cut on the DFA plotter from OEMC software keep blades off paint entirely. Placement runs on slip solution (Installation Gel), with the easy-tack adhesive sliding during positioning and gripping once placed.
The film stretches over curves and contours without lifting, which is where hand skills earn their keep.
Heat, Finish And
Registration
Heat sets edges and demonstrates the 13-micron self-healing coat pulling out handling marks. The finish check runs panel by panel before handover.
Registration through the e-Warranty system within 7 days of invoice is the final stage: it is what turns an installation into a warranted product.
Film Construction
& Testing
The film you are laying in these stages is aliphatic TPU at 190 microns ±10% with a 13-micron self-healing top coat; heat work in stage four is what activates that coat.
The Glanz film these stages assume was UV tested by ARPANSA (99.0% of UV blocked, reference UVR_25-0370-1). In stage three the adhesive is what you feel: it slides during positioning and grips once placed, which is why placement comes before heat.
Training &
Installer Support
PPF installation training and support come through the same team that supplies the film: training sessions, cutting software setup and tooling advice are part of the trade relationship, not a separate vendor.
New installers can start with the Starter Pack, practice on the Practice Pack, then move to full rolls once confident. Technical questions are answered through our contact page, in English or Chinese.
Consumables In
The Same Order
Installation consumables ship with the film: DFA Surface Cleaner in 24-can cartons and Installation Gel in 16-litre drums sit in the same catalogue, so one order covers film, prep and slip solution.
Surface preparation is also a warranty condition: cover requires a clean, contaminant-free surface at installation, so running approved prep products protects both the job and the claim.
FAQ
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Can film go over dealer-applied waxes or sealants?
Remove waxes and sealants before applying PPF because they interfere with adhesion, and surface preparation is a warranty condition. If the customer wants them, apply after installation.
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Can the film go over paint touch-ups?
Yes, but touch-up areas should be smooth and professionally buffed before application for the best finish, so inspect repair spots at quoting time.
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How deep a scratch will the film self-heal?
The self-healing clear coat is about 13 microns thick. Scratches contained in that layer repair with heat from sunlight or warm water. Anything that cuts through the clear coat is permanent, and that section should be replaced.
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Are precut kits available?
Defcon film is supplied in full rolls and cut in-house with OEMC pattern software; precut kits are not part of the range. On complex curved panels we still recommend certified installation.
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Can PPF be applied over vinyl wraps or racing stripes?
Yes, PPF can be applied over vinyl or graphics. Watch hard edges, which can trap air underneath the film, and set customer expectations before quoting.
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How do I open a trade account?
Stock for every stage is ordered on a trade login opened through the contact page, shipped from the online shop.
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What maintenance should end customers follow?
No special maintenance is needed beyond regular cleaning. The self-healing top coat handles minor wash marks with heat, and full care terms sit alongside the warranty conditions on the warranty page.
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Can customers apply ceramic coating over the film?
Yes. Ceramic coatings do not interfere with the self-healing layer, though some coatings change the gloss level of the finish. Advise customers to use coatings designed for PPF.
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.
