How To Protect Your Car’s Paint From The Elements

Your car is a big investment, and you probably rely on it for many aspects of your life. That’s why it’s incredibly frustrating to discover paint damage on it, like fading from the sun, scratches, or even corrosion from wintertime road salt.

But if you frequently park outside, or often drive on highways where debris can hit your car at high speeds (which you probably do!), it might seem like there isn’t much you can do to protect your car’s paint.

At this point, you might have even resigned yourself to believing that paint damage and fading is simply normal wear and tear on your vehicle. 

Fortunately, we’re here to let you know that it’s not– it can be avoided!

What causes paint damage?

One of the major causes of paint damage on vehicles is pretty unavoidable: the sun.

You already know that the sun’s harmful UV rays can put people at increased risk of skin cancer and can cause sunburns and lots of other problems. But you might not realize that UV rays are bad for your car’s paint job, too!

In fact, if your car’s been exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, you might notice oxidation on your paint job.

This means that the clear coat that covers your car’s paint has been damaged, which can majorly fade the paint color and make your car look a lot older and more beat-up than it actually is.

The sun isn’t the only cause of potential paint damage, though. Things you might not expect can also really mess up your paint job!

For example, if you park under a tree, you might get tree sap on your vehicle– which, over time, can damage the clear coat and become nearly impossible to remove without causing further damage.

Other potentially damaging things include brake fluid and gasoline, insects, and bird droppings.

What can I do to protect my car’s paint?

Although it might be hard to avoid the sun, and things like tree sap and bird droppings, you don’t have to resign yourself to a faded or damaged paint job.

Fortunately, there is a solution that can protect your car from all of the above, keeping your car’s paint job looking as shiny and fresh as the day you got it.

DYNOshield paint protection film is a clear film that protects your car from the elements. 

You can choose to apply it over your entire vehicle, or simply choose the parts of your car that are the most likely to receive damage, like your bumpers.

Paint protection film is designed to stop UV rays from damaging the clear coat of your vehicle, keeping the color of your paint looking fresh and vibrant. It also provides an added layer of protection between your car and things like gravel, insects, tree sap, and bird droppings.

One of the best things about paint protection film is that you can’t see it! It functions a lot like a vinyl wrap, but doesn’t change your car’s appearance– simply providing protection and some added gloss.

Who can install paint protection film on my car?

When seeking out a professional to apply protective film to your car, you’ll want to find someone who’s highly experienced at installation. Improperly applied film with bumps or bubbles can leave your car susceptible to the elements or even trap moisture underneath!

At Autobahn, we’re experts at applying protective film to keep your car looking amazing. If you’re ready to protect your car’s paint today, just give us a call!

2022 BMW M8 Competition – XPEL STEALTH “Matte”

This brand new 2022 BMW m8 Competition has been transformed… Originally gloss it’s now MATTE, SunStop applied XPEL Stealth paint protection film to all surfaces of the vehicle.

Not only is the whole car completely protected against rock chips, and wind-blown debris, and has a self-healing top coat, but it changed the car into something truly different! Check out our Paint Protection film packages on our PPF Page.

STEALTHTM FEATURES:

TRANSFORMING: Don’t have a flat matte finish? No problem. Applying STEALTHTM Paint Protection Film over your gloss paint will transform your cars look into WOW.

EASY MAINTENANCE: Historically a Satin Matte finish paint job is hard to maintain. Not with STEALTHTM. Keep the look, lose the headache.

SELF HEALING: Getting a ding or scratch is no longer a big deal when you have STEALTHTM Paint Protection Film with self healing features.

Xpel Stealth “Matte” Paint Protection Film

2021 Tesla Model S Changes Its Look with XPEL STEALTH Matte PPF

Turning your Tesla from Gloss to Boss

This (originally gloss black) 2021 Tesla Model S is displaying a new look after being wrapped in STEALTH matte-finish PPF. The Tesla’s entire exterior now has a matte sheen that feels like satin to the touch. In addition, it still enjoys the same paint protection benefits as ULTIMATE PLUS PPF. XPEL STEALTH is an ideal solution if you want to change the appearance while protecting the paint.

Whether your vehicle is matte, frozen, or frosted, self-healing STEALTH ™ Paint Protection Film will keep it looking effortlessly pristine. Or, protect your gloss paint with a whole new look! STEALTH PPF helps match most factory flat paint jobs and virtually disappears on most surfaces. With a finish that’s uniformly smooth, you can add STEALTH PPF to your matte or gloss paint job for a unique satin finish. Flat finishes are notoriously difficult to maintain and even harder to repair. STEALTH matte-finish PPF enables you to easily wash and dry your car without damaging its sheen.


XPEL STEALTH paint protection film has the same qualities as XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS, to prevent rock chips, scratches, and road debris. It also comes with our comprehensive, 10-year warranty.

If you need help choosing what film is best for your vehicle feel free to send us a DM! We are experts when it comes to PPF, Wraps, and Ceramic Coating. We will give you suggestions based on your budget and needs. Book your appointment and your vehicle will be protected in no time!

Consider Paint Protection Film For Your Tesla

Paint Protection Film

Many Tesla owners acquire these cars knowing this will be a car they keep for the long term; who wouldn’t! The all-electric design lends itself to the perfect Daily Driver, so many Tesla owners all over the country seek Protection Services to ensure their vehicles stay looking new!


The goal for this client was Ultimate Protection for their new vehicle, and that’s precisely the package we designed, specifically tailored to their needs and planned use for the car. Our client decided on our Full Body XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS™ Paint Protection Film Wrap, a package designed to preserve the factory paint finish on your vehicle perfectly. This package is for the automobile enthusiast that wants the ultimate worry-free ownership experience of their prized possession.

Every project here at SunStop Window Tinting starts with a thorough prep wash, removing any contamination like iron fallout, tree sap, and rubber to ensure a clean slate for us to start our protection process. 

XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS™ is one of the most advanced paint protection films. Available in three different thicknesses to offer you the protection you need for exterior and interior surfaces. The entire ULTIMATE PLUS lineup is virtually invisible and protects from everyday damage, including scuffs, scratches, chips, etc.

In the hands of an XPEL Certified Installer, the patterns offered by the DAP provide the confidence we need to apply film efficiently, accurately, and without concern.

After our XPEL Paint Protection Film installation is complete, we go through many Quality Control procedures to ensure the quality meets our standards.

The final result of our Customized Installation technique combined with XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS™ Paint Protection Film is a Tesla that is very well protected from its daily driving endeavors, but YOU’D never know!

Paint Protection VS. Ceramic Coatings

Paint Protection film can resist rock chips

Paint Protection Film is thicker than Ceramic Coatings. Moreover, Paint Protection Film has a chemical composition that allows it to self-heal; that is, it returns to its original form after receiving an indentation or abrasion. These qualities make Paint Protection Film able to absorb rock chips, small scratches, swirl marks, and hard water spots without being permanently disfigured.

Ceramic coating cant resist rock chips

A Ceramic Coating does not have that ability. Despite the wild claims of some manufacturers and installers, a Ceramic Coating does not eliminate the risk of rock chips, scratches, swirl marks, and water spots.

They each have their strengths

However, Ceramic Coatings do have their strength, particularly in terms of the hydrophobic surface they create. Some Paint Protection Films are equipped with a hydrophobic clear coat, but they often do not perform at the same level as a full Ceramic Coating. Moreover, when you apply a Ceramic Coating to your vehicle you get the benefits of its hydrophobic properties on every surface without having to apply film to the whole vehicle.

What are the Benefits of a Ceramic Coating?

KEEPS VEHICLE CLEANER FOR LONGER

A quality Ceramic Coating, like Ceramic Pro, creates a permanent hydrophobic surface over your vehicle’s factory clear coat. This hydrophobic surface makes it more difficult for dirt, mud, and grime to bond with your car’s paint. As a result, your car stays cleaner for a longer amount of time.

MAKES VEHICLE EASIER TO WASH

The hydrophobic surface created by Ceramic Pro also means that when the time does come for a wash, your car will be easier to clean. Water will pick up dust or dirt and sheet off your paint.

PROTECTS FROM CHEMICAL STAINS AND ETCHING

Ceramic Pro is about 100 times thicker than traditional wax. That means it provides substantially more protection than a normal sealant. The chemically resistant surface helps mitigate stains and etching caused by environmental contaminants like bird-droppings or bug-splatter. After applying Ceramic Pro, it is still important to remove naturally acidic contaminants from your paint as quickly as possible. However,
your layer of Ceramic Coating will minimize damage and help protect the factory paint and clear coat underneath.

PROTECTS FROM UV DAMAGE

Another potential danger for your paint is oxidation caused by UV exposure. This results in a faded look to your paint. Ceramic Pro is UV resistant, meaning that your paint will be protected from fading.

ENHANCES GLOSS

The ultra-smooth surface that Ceramic Pro creates enhances the reflective properties of your car’s paint. The result is that your car will really pop with gloss and shine. Especially after a fresh wash, your car’s paint will have that beautiful just-been-waxed kind of look, without having to spend time applying wax!

A LONG-TERM SOLUTION

A Ceramic Coating does all of this with just one application! Unlike a traditional wax or sealant, Ceramic Pro does not wash away or break down and does not require repeated application every few months.

THANK

YOU

An XPEL Little Rock Representative will be in touch. For immediate assistance, give us a call!