Implemented menu:
- Wrapping plan
- Removal of Ceramic Coating
- Pattern Preparation – Llumar Precision Cut
- Matte PPF
- Headlight Tinting
- Interior Protection Wrapping and Window Tinting
- Finishing Touches
- Price Breakdown
Wrapping Plan
Audi SQ8, currently the only model in Finland of the more powerful sport version of the Audi Q8.
The customer contacted us, stating the need for the best possible protection for their car. Initially, the customer intended to wrap the entire car in transparent glossy PPF film, but during our discussion over a cup of coffee, the customer chose the matte version of the PPF film.
We always listen to the customer’s wishes and expectations and make adjustments to them if it’s justified and best for the car based on our experience.
This is a great choice because the car would transform more with a matte PPF film compared to a glossy one.
Contours and shapes are more visible in the matte finish than in the glossy finish.
Removal of Ceramic Coating
Initially, the car was thoroughly washed using all Cartec specialty chemicals, including inner wheel arches, wheel housings, engine bay, etc. The detailing wash took 4-5 hours, meticulously cleaning even the smallest crevices and seams with a small detailing brush. The goal was to achieve the cleanliness level of a surgeon’s operating table. All exterior surfaces were treated with TarRemover for spot removal and IronWash for iron removal. The car was also clayed all over.
The wash took place in our in-house washing facility, equipped with modern equipment and an ecological Cartec chemical inventory.
The car had a Korrek ceramic coating that was approximately 3 months old, meaning it was a freshly applied Finnish coating.
We decided with the customer to remove the ceramic coating they had applied earlier as a prerequisite for a successful PPF film installation. If the car has a ceramic coating, dirt and tape won’t adhere to it. https://restyling.fi/en/blog/before-applying-ceramic-coating/
Before the start of the project, we informed the customer that legally we cannot provide a warranty in such cases, but we can minimize the risks to the maximum and do everything possible for a durable wrapping, which was completely okay for him. According to our risk analysis and experience, this is the only correct option for starting the wrapping process.
Before removing the Korrek ceramic coating, we had to find the most effective solution to achieve maximum adhesion for the PPF film installation.
Ceramic coating can only be removed by polishing.
We tested four different combinations of various compounds and pads, along with matte-colored PPF film pieces, which were baked under an infrared lamp to trace the complete drying of the film. So, we did everything in a technically equivalent way as in the actual protective film installation.
We ended up with a combination of Rupes pad and Menzerna polishing compound. With this solution, we achieved maximum adhesive bonding, ensuring the minimization of risks and giving the green light for the project to start.
Machine polishing was done very precisely, meaning all edges and small details were worked on with the Rupes Ibrid Mini polishing machine. This was a very time-consuming process that required precision and carefulness.
In PPF installation, cleanliness is of surgical level, so after machine polishing, the car underwent another detailing wash. This removed even the smallest dust particles from the polishing process.
Pattern Preparation – Llumar Precision Cut
Over the course of a few hours in the Llumar Precision Cut program, we adjusted all patterns and details to match the standards set by Restyling Point. We are the only ones in Finland to use a licensed Llumar Precision Cut cutting program for maximum quality, which reflects in the end result. This is also the most ecological option in terms of waste generation and raw material use.
There’s a reason for modifying the original Llumar patterns. It’s critically important for our standards that the film is folded over as much as possible. In other words, we mimic the overwrap installation method.
Unlike vinyl tape, PPF takes into account the physical limitations and technical implementation of the film.
PPF film is different from traditional vinyl tape / overwrap tape. Crossing the edges gives the best-looking result and the longest-lasting product installation. This way, even the powerful pressure from a Kärcher pressure washer won’t expose the edges to detachment, and all the “cards are in the customer’s favor” if someone washes the car incorrectly.
Avoiding risks is a matter of conscious anticipation and caring about the durability of the service provided to the customer.
Thanks to our extensive experience, our standards have also evolved based on our customers’ car usage, allowing us to constantly develop methods and techniques. We regularly rethink our actions with an “outside the box” approach, which enables progression.
Matte PPF Revitalizes
During the installation of matte PPF, we were excited about the style change and how all the lines and contours came to life. The car was becoming even sexier.
All white surfaces were protected with transparent matte PPF, and the roof with solid black GlossBlack PPF film. Gloss Black PPF is a fresh novelty in our field, taking roof wrapping to the next level. Gloss Black PPF doesn’t differ much from the paint surface; it’s just as glossy without any orange peel texture, etc. Gorgeous! As a bonus, compared to traditional vinyl tape, PPF is much more durable against stone chips.
The side mirrors and all the glossy black parts of the car (such as the black horizontal parts on the lower body, all black parts of the front bumper, window trims, black accents on the sides of the rear window, etc.) were protected with glossy transparent PPF paint protection film to prevent scratching and preserve the original glossiness of the parts. They looked better when glossy, so their gloss level wasn’t altered with matte PPF, as was done for the white paint surface.
Of course, the lower diffuser of the rear bumper was also protected, and it took time because it was an aftermarket addition from the ABT Sportsline body kit, for which there were no ready-made templates in the cutting program.
Templates for this part were created entirely by hand and installed without the use of a knife.
Headlight Tinting with PPF Film
The taillights were tinted with a medium-dark PPF lamp film, as well as the lower reflectors and brake light. This balanced the appearance of the car when viewed from the rear, giving it a more sporty look. The material used was a modern and aesthetically pleasing tinted PPF. It’s a next-generation lamp film, without orange peel texture, without haziness, and maximally invisible to the inspector during inspections.
The customer originally wanted the area of the headlights to be as dark as the solid black lower section underneath. Several options were modeled to find the most stylish solution.
In the end, it was decided to go with a medium-dark version to ensure that the brightness of the headlights wouldn’t suffer too much. While appearance is important, safety comes first.
Edit: Now a new, third shade of darkness has come onto the market: the lightest. It’s even lighter than the medium-dark and has already overtaken the popularity of the previous medium-dark shade. An excellent choice for headlights, providing a suitably dark look while remaining maximally friendly to light output. This darkness shade is the most chosen by customers for headlights.
Interior Protection Wrapping and Window Tinting
All glossy parts inside were wrapped, from the center console to the displays, and as a meticulous detail, even the volume knob and the car’s engine start button were included. Too meticulous? Heh, we don’t think so.
All interior door sills were protected with glossy PPF because it’s a prone area for scratching. In a white car, scratches from, for example, sandy children’s shoes are highly visible, especially in a tall SUV where kids use the sills as steps.
The contrast between the factory-tinted rear doors and the clear front doors was aesthetically disturbing, so the front doors were tinted with 35% film to eliminate the contrast. This film is by far the most popular choice among our customers for front doors.
Although tinting the front door windows is illegal, our statistics show that 90% of customers opt for it. Front door window tinting is becoming increasingly common annually, which is also evident in the number of windshield tinting jobs we do weekly. The reason for this is people’s better understanding of the benefits of having window tinting installed.
The windshield was protected from chips and rock strikes with a new product in our field, the transparent Stek DynoFlex film. As a finishing touch, the entire car’s new surface, including the wheels, was coated with Cartec Ceramic Guard SiCarbon+ ceramic coating. This coating provides easy maintenance for the new surface, making it easier to keep the white car looking white.
Finishing Touches – License Plates
The old license plates were attached to original oversized license plate bases. This was because the original frame is made to fit all countries, including the width of German trucks.
The reason for this change is that the original frames were too dominant and drew attention away from the front or rear of the car. They were too imposing and were decided to be replaced with a more streamlined solution: 3M Dual Lock tape.
An excellent solution for license plate attachment. It doesn’t come off, doesn’t rattle, doesn’t damage the paintwork, can be easily removed during car washes, and sits about 3mm off the paint, making the plate look fantastic.
Changing the license plates allowed the front and rear to receive more attention, and the car now looks slightly wider because the excess objects that visually narrowed the object were removed from the middle.
To put it mildly, the cars became eye-catching. The photos show how the car became even more imposing, aggressive, and sporty. Every smallest detail is now showcased in a new light, and the car’s lines leave the vocabulary of aesthetic adjectives empty. Absolutely stunning!
The customer came to pick up the car with their next order, an Audi TTRS, which we also protected with PPF, this time with glossy PPF. They were super happy with this SQ8. The car evoked emotions and endorphins for the customer. The task was successful.
Price breakdown:
The price for this package is as follows:
- Preparation work / machine polishing / repair of old stone chips: 490€
- Protection wrapping of white paint with Matte PPF film: 5990€
- Protection wrapping of all black details with Gloss PPF film: 838€
- Interior protection with glossy protective tape: 800€
- Roof in glossy black PPF: 650€
- Tinting of taillights with shaded PPF film: 359€
- Tinting of front door windows: 149€
- Wrapping of rear diffuser: 540€
- Cartec Ceramic Guard SiCarbon+ application: 765€
- Tinting of front lights: 129€
- Door sills (4 pieces included)
- Front bumper glossy parts (included)
- Ceramic coating of wheels (included)
- Modification of license plates: 49€
The car was finally photographed using a challenging light painting technique. With light painting, all the contours, indentations, shapes, and the car’s curviest parts that the eye sees but a basic camera lens does not, are conveyed in the photograph. This allows the viewer to see through the photograph what the eye sees in real life.
This process is extremely time-consuming because the actual photography session lasts for hours, not to mention the editing work involving multiple layers. In editing, it’s important to make the photograph look natural and authentic without exaggeration. The light painting was performed by our talented collaborative photographer, Tapio Laaninen.
Thank you for this fantastic result to our invaluable team and partners and material suppliers.
Car brand – Audi
Do you want the work to be done responsibly, on schedule, and with the best value for your money? Ask for a quote from the professionals at Restyling Point, who do this with quality standards, values, and love.
On WhatsApp: +3580445050624
Phone: +3580445050624
By Email: [email protected]
Restyling Point Ltd – Leading in wrapping and protection treatments in the Nordic countries
