Guide
How to look after paint protection film
Leave the car unwashed for the first week, bring it back for a check at two weeks, then hand wash it with a pH-neutral shampoo and keep pressure washer nozzles away from the film edges. On satin film, skip wax and polish. That is most of it; the details are below.
- From 115 Google reviews
- 5.0★
- Combined experience
- 30+ yrs
- Cars through the studio
- 1,000+
- Studio with 6 lit bays
- 800+ m²
In short
- Do not wash the car for the first week.
- Come back at two weeks for an edge check.
- Hand wash with a pH-neutral shampoo; no brush car washes.
- Keep pressure washer jets away from film edges.
- On satin film, no wax, polish or gloss enhancers.
The first week
Film is fitted wet, and the last of that moisture takes a few days to dry out from under it. Please do not wash the car for the first week.
You may see small water spots or a slight haze under the film in the first days. That is normal and clears as the film settles. If an edge looks raised, leave it alone rather than pressing or picking at it, and tell us; we will look at it at the check.
The two-week check
Two weeks after pick-up, bring the car back to the studio. We go over every edge and corner for lifting or peeling and fix anything there and then. We book the time with you.
Washing a car with PPF
After the first week, wash the car as you would good paint:
- Rinse first, to float off grit before anything touches the film.
- Hand wash with a clean microfibre mitt and a pH-neutral car shampoo, using two buckets so grit goes into the rinse bucket, not back onto the car.
- Keep pressure washer nozzles well back from the film and never aim the jet at an edge.
- Wash in the shade where you can, so water does not dry into spots on a hot panel.
- Dry with a clean microfibre towel or a blower.
- Skip brush car washes. The brushes can catch an edge and drag grit across the film.
Bird droppings, bugs and sap
The top coat on Defcon film is made to resist everyday contaminants, but anything acidic is best removed soon, especially in a Perth summer. Soften it with water or a quick detailer and lift it off with a soft microfibre; do not scrub it dry.
Light scratches and self-healing
Fine scratches and wash marks in the top coat close up with heat. Parking in the sun or rinsing with warm water is often enough.
A scratch that has cut through the top coat will not heal. The good news is that the paint underneath is still protected, and the film on that panel can be replaced on its own.
Looking after satin film
Satin film has a textured top coat that gives the low-sheen look. Waxes, polishes and gloss-enhancing products fill that texture and leave shiny patches, so do not use them.
Use a shampoo made for matte and satin finishes. If you want a coating on satin film, use one made for it: we use Labocosmetica Armorius Matt, which keeps the finish as it is.
A coating on the film
A coating made for film makes it slicker, so dirt washes off more easily and the car stays clean for longer. We apply Labocosmetica Armorius, in gloss on gloss film and matte on satin film. Ask about it when you book, or see our PPF vs ceramic coating guide.
What to avoid
A few things can damage film or lift its edges:
- Brush car washes.
- Pressure washer jets aimed at film edges.
- Cutting compounds and abrasive polishes, which wear the top coat. Ask us before polishing film.
- Harsh solvents and strong degreasers left to sit on the film.
- Picking at a lifted edge. Tell us instead.
Care and your warranty
We register every job on Defcon’s e-Warranty, and Glanz and Frozen carry a ten-year manufacturer warranty against defects in the film. Damage from impacts or the wrong care is not a defect, so looking after the film as above also keeps your warranty straightforward.
Reviews
What our customers say
★★★★★
Honestly can’t thank the whole team at MAS Project enough, they have completely changed the look of my troopy with every single little detail being accounted for. From the day dropping the car off to picking it up we stayed in touch with all updates and ideas giving the feeling of having complete trust it was in good hands. The quality of work they do is absolutely unreal, HIGHLY recommend!
Jayden R. · Toyota LandCruiser Troopy, colour PPF · Google review
★★★★★
I found MAS Project online and also a work mate told me he has done his car there and it was great. I decided to give it a go and went there to get to know more about their product options and outcome. [My first contact person] was nothing but amazing with her customer service, very patient and explain the details of everything, I also had [the owner] who took his time and put some samples in my car to help me with my decision. … So, bottom of story, these guys cared about me, treated me very special, even though they were fully booked. Couldn’t be happier enough and the final product is to die for!
Rhoger B. · Google review
★★★★★
Really nice experience. Professional PPF and window tint for my brand new Tesla. Various options on stunning colors. Cannot describe how surprised when seeing the special and perfect wrapping. Highly recommended to anyone looking for car warping and tint.
Ian L. · PPF and window tint, new Tesla · Google review
When can I wash my car after PPF?
Wait one week after fitting. After that, hand wash it with a pH-neutral shampoo.
Can I take a car with PPF through an automatic car wash?
We recommend hand washing. Brush car washes can catch film edges and drag grit across the surface.
Can I use a pressure washer on PPF?
Yes, from a sensible distance. Keep the nozzle well back from the film and never aim the jet at an edge.
Does PPF need wax?
No. Gloss film can be coated if you want it slicker; satin film should never be waxed or polished.
What if an edge starts to lift?
Leave it alone and call or text us. We check every edge at the two-week visit, and fix any lifting we find.
Why is there haze under my new film?
That is moisture from fitting, and it clears in the first days as the film settles. If it is still there at the two-week check, we will look at it.
Last reviewed 26 October 2026 by the MAS Project team.
Questions about your film? Ask us
Tell us the car and what you are after. We reply with a quote within 24–48 hours.
2/38 Sarich Court, Osborne Park
Mon–Fri 9:30am–5:30pm · Sat 9:30am–3:00pm