Color in the film
Changes the look and protects the paint.
Satin
Changes only the finish.
Edges
Ask how jambs and edges are done.
In this guide 4 sections
Swipe to see the whole table
| Film | Finish | Warranty (maker) |
|---|---|---|
| XPEL COLOR PPF | Colored gloss or satin | 10 years, not transferable |
| XPEL STEALTH | Clear satin | 10 years |
| STEK DYNOprism and colored films | Metal-flake, black, carbon and colors | 10 years |
| SunTek Altered Black | Gloss black | 10 years |
| LLumar Select Black | Black, “the look of vinyl” | See LLumar |
How it compares with vinyl wrap
XPEL says its COLOR PPF is about 60% thicker than vinyl, self-healing and more protective. SunTek says ordinary black vinyl is thinner, less protective and has an orange-peel texture compared with its black film.
Those are the makers’ comparisons. A color film is a urethane film, the same family as clear PPF, while a vinyl wrap is made for color and not mainly for stopping chips.
Satin film on a gloss car
Clear satin films such as XPEL STEALTH and STEK DYNOmatte change gloss paint to a satin look without changing the color. They’re also used on factory matte paint, to protect it without adding shine.
What to ask before you change color with film
Color film covers the whole car or whole panels, so it costs more than a clear partial front. Ask how door jambs and edges are handled, since the old color can show where film stops.
- Which film, and which colors are in stock.
- Whether jambs and edges are covered.
- What happens to the warranty if you sell the car. XPEL’s COLOR PPF warranty isn’t transferable.
- How the film comes off later, and who does it.
Price
Shops post a median of $1,999 for paint protection film, with half of posted prices between $1,199 and $3,800 (127 shops). By coverage, shops post a median of $1,195 for partial front, $2,000 for full front, $6,000 for full body.
Color and satin work is usually full-car coverage, so compare it with full-body prices, not partial fronts.
Professional installation
Ask shops what’s in the price
Find installers near you, then ask about the exact product, the prep and which surfaces get coated.
Sources
Product claims come from the manufacturers’ own instructions, linked below. Prices come from shops’ published price lists.
- XPEL: frequently asked questionsCoating over film, removal and color film.
- XPEL: warranty informationWarranty terms for each XPEL film.
- STEK: colored filmsDYNOprism, DYNOblack and colored films.
- STEK: DYNOmatteSatin-matte film and warranty.
- SunTek: Altered BlackGloss black film compared with vinyl.
