PPF pricing can be a bit confusing at time for those that may not understand what goes into it. Ask around or look online and you’ll find tons of folks asking “what does it cost to get my car protected with PPF?” You’ll get a wide range of answers, and a common theme of “it depends.” And that’s because it does.
This article is going to cover what determines the cost of paint protection film, what we charge at 5 Star Design (by coverage level), and how to think about the investment before reaching out for a quote.
There’s a few variables that really drive the price of a PPF installation.
Coverage area is arguably the biggest factor. Paint protection film can go on a few high-impact zones like the front part of the hood, mirror caps, or front bumper. It can also cover every painted surface on the vehicle for 100% coverage. The more surface area covered = more material used, more prep time, and more labor hours on installation. Coverage is fully customizable and if your goal is to protect the entire car, you don’t have to do it all at once.
Vehicle size and complexity also affect cost because larger vehicles require more film. Vehicles with complex body lines require more precise cutting and fitting during installation. A full-size four-door truck takes much more time and material to protect than a coupe or sedan.
Film type is another variable. SunTek offers multiple PPF products with different feature sets and warranty coverage. The entry-level and premium options start from a similar baseline, but the film you select affects the total cost and what you get in return over the life of the install.
Paint condition is another factor most do not think of. In order to produce the best result possible (which is all we strive for), the exterior paint needs to be in the best condition. This means a complete exterior paint decontamination, and oftentimes, multi-step paint correction.
The Basics: from $499 – Entry-level coverage that includes wear and tear protection on high-contact areas, plus partial hood, partial fender, and mirror caps. A practical clear bra starting point for drivers who want the most vulnerable areas covered without committing to a full front-end install.
The Basics Plus: from $999 – Everything in The Basics with the addition of full bumper coverage. The front bumper is the highest single-impact area on most vehicles. This package ensures it’s fully covered alongside the other exposed zones from the entry package.
Full Front: from $1,499 – Full hood, full fenders, mirror caps, and full bumper. This is the complete front-end impact zone, and it’s the most common starting point for drivers who want serious protection on a vehicle they plan to keep. If you’re doing PPF for the first time and want coverage that accounts for real highway driving conditions, this is typically where that conversation begins.
Full Front Plus: from $1,799 – Everything in the Full Front package with the addition of wear and tear coverage on high-contact areas like door handles and edges — the spots that accumulate scuffs and scratches through regular daily use rather than road debris.
Track Package: from $2,499 – Full hood, full fenders, mirror caps, side skirts, and front windshield surround. Designed for performance-oriented vehicles or drivers who log significant miles in conditions that expose more of the vehicle to road debris and impact. This package addresses the additional exposure points that a standard front-end package doesn’t reach.
Full Vehicle: from $5,499 – Complete paint protection across every exterior painted surface. Full vehicle PPF is the highest level of coverage available and the most common choice for high-end, luxury, and exotic vehicles where protecting the finish from day one matters. Once installed, the entire car is shielded — not just the front end. This package is most commonly paired with a complete ceramic coating.
To learn more about our Raleigh PPF packages, click here.
Yes, though the film choice is still second to coverage area as a cost driver. At 5 Star Design, we carry a wide variety of clear and color PPF choices including Reaction, Ultra, Ultra Matte, Ultra Defense, and Altered Black from SunTek. All of our films come with manufacturer warranties of 10-12 years and a one-year labor warranty from our shop.
The differences in these films come down to features and use case. Reaction is SunTek’s most advanced film, featuring Tetrashield™ technology and built-in hydrophobic properties that function similarly to a ceramic coating. Ultra and Ultra Defense both incorporate SunTek’s HydroResist™ technology for stain resistance and long-term gloss retention — Ultra Defense being the thicker option for vehicles driven in more aggressive conditions. Ultra Matte and Altered Black carry the same protective qualities with distinct finish options for drivers who want a specific look alongside their protection.
Our team is always happy to walk through each film with you to select the right choice for your specific needs.
You wouldn’t buy a brand new iPhone for well over $1,000 without immediately putting a screen protector on it would you? So why would you drive around your car you paid $60,000-100,000+ for, unprotected?
We know that PPF isn’t cheap, but the most grounded way to think about the PPF cost is to compare it against the cost of repairing paint that was never protected.
Professional paint repair generally starts around $500 and the sky is the limit from there depending on how much was damaged or otherwise affected.
Our self-healing clear bra films keep your paint protected for life at a fraction of that cost. Raleigh drivers who start with a partial package frequently return for more coverage. However, not because the first install wasn’t worth it, but because they saw what it did and wanted the same protection for more of their vehicle.
Schedule a free PPF estimate at 5 Star Design in Raleigh using the form below. We’ll walk you through the right package and film for your vehicle and how you drive it.
You can also call us at (919) 228-8096.
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