Biggie vs Tupac, Nas vs Jay-Z, & Drake vs Kendrick are just a few examples of the greatest battles of the modern era, some with a clear winner others left to be determined by the fans but none as controversial as the battle between Colored PPF vs. Vinyl Wrap for your Tesla. Which is the right choice for you? Well just sit back while we compare the two “back to back”.
Let’s start with the OG, Vinyl Wrap. The vinyl “takeover” of the automotive industry for personal vehicles started gaining popularity in the Mid-2000s as it became more accessible. Previously seen primarily on commercial vehicles or fully printed motorsport liveries, what was once far too expensive for the average car enthusiast was now becoming more and more affordable. Over the years more colors, new technologies, and installation techniques were developed, a potential “kill shot” to the paint industry triggering the hashtag #PaintIsDead across social media to this day. Not only was wrapping your vehicle cheaper than paint but reverting back to your OEM look for lease returns or to sell your car as if it had never been modified was easier than ever. Vinyl’s biggest advantage is its offering of almost unlimited colors like Mustaaaaaaaard Yellow, as well as having the ability to literally print anything you want on it from your business’ logo to your favorite anime waifu (IYKYK). And “Like That” wasn’t enough, vinyl wrap is offered in finishes like matte, satin, gloss, and even reflective “chrome”.
While vinyl wrap may have laid down “the blueprint” there was a new “renegade” in town by the name of PPF. Paint Protection Film started off as more of a collaboration with factory paint like Future on a Drake track providing a new and unique perspective and covering topics hotter than “ether”. Coming up in the wrap game PPF was commonly referred to as Clear Bra. This unknowingly put it in a box, limiting people’s perspective on its true potential and many uses. Instead of just covering a front bumper, quarter hood, and your occasional rocker panel or mirror cap cover, Paint Protection Film wanted it all. Reinventing itself, taking on the new moniker of Paint Protection Film like Marshal Mathers taking on the Eminem persona, PPF was ready to change the mind of all Vinyl Wrap “Stans”. Paint Protection Film was now being used to cover entire cars from bumper to bumper, protecting your paint from scratches, UV fading, and contaminates like bird droppings, eggs, and tree sap that can bond to and even eat away at your paint. With advancements in material technology, scratches in your transparent protective film could heal and smooth themselves out with “no Vaseline”, just a bit of heat, furthering its lead in the battle against reasons to get PPF over the more cosmetically focused vinyl wrap. But sometimes “idols become rivals”, PPF is now offered in satin transparent, allowing you to turn your Gloss Black vehicle to Matte Black while maintain all the protection benefits of PPF not provided by vinyl. Of course, this limited you to the paint color your Tesla came from the factory as. But this is where Paint Protection Film “hit em’ up” with “two birds, one stone” introducing Color PPF now giving Tesla owners the ability to completely change the color of their cars at the same time as preserving their paint from the elements. While colors at the time are limited, making vinyl still a viable option for those that favor looks over function, it’s only a matter of time before an expansion of offerings come to market. PPF has proven its worth so much that some insurance companies are now offering discounts on your premium due to the less likelihood of paint damage in minor accidents or vandalism. OEM manufactures like Tesla and Rivian now work with certified installers for example, Unplugged Performance & Bulletproof Auto Spa in the Los Angeles area, to provide their customers brand new vehicles with Paint Protection Film that can be included in the purchase of the car and the payment can be spread over the lifetime of the car loan or lease. Why would you PPF a lease, you may ask? Well, if you’ve ever returned a lease, you know that the dealer will do a walk around and could potentially charge you for any exterior damage like paint chips done to the car. With PPF you have a literal line of defense preventing you from enduring unforeseen penalty fees at lease return when it comes to paint condition.
We’ve all seen the outcome of what a bad “wrap beef” could lead to. Everyone loves a happy ending and there’s no better way to squash a beef than with a collab. What happens when you take the unlimited colors and custom graphic options from vinyl and combine them with the unmatched protection of paint protection film? You get the final “Checkmate” “Kiss of Death” to paint. These two “Real G’s” together are the best of both worlds offering “made ya look” visuals and “all out” defense from cosmetic surface damage. Vinyl wrap on its own is subject to damage even from gently daily driving conditions. Rock chips are inevitable so covering a custom wrap with PPF will make the longevity of your wrap span much further.
If you’re “charged up” on your new Tesla and you’re interested in vinyl wrap, PPF or both we suggest doing it sooner than later. From the moment your vehicle leaves the paint booth, it’s exposed to not only the sun which can lead to fading over time but dirt, grim, and other elements that need to be expertly removed before a wrap can be applied in order to ensure a proper adhesion leading to years of coverage without peeling with proper aftercare. Pricing for vinyl wraps and PPF can vary based on which model Tesla you own and the materials being used. For a quote from the leading Tesla Wrapping and PPF installers in the world please follow this link and fill out the contact form or call us at +1 (213) 493-6323.
