You just got your new Model Y Juniper, you drive home, and you already see signs of wear – a rock chip here, a scratch there. Not good. The good news is that there is a way to protect your ride from damage: Paint Protection Film. Here’s the complete guide to installing PPF on a Model Y Juniper.
What is PPF?
PPF is a durable 8-10mil thick TPU film, made to withstand UV rays, rock chips, scratches, bugs, and bird droppings. This is the ultimate wrap-it-and-leave-it protection that lasts 7-10 years.
High quality film has a 10 year warranty and is reversible. Done with it? No problem. Use heat to soften the adhesive and pull it off with lots of elbow grease. Your paint will look as pristine as the day you wrapped it.
Clear PPF comes in gloss that keeps the OEM shine to your ride, while matte film turns the paint more flat and stealthy.
Now that you have a good idea of what PPF is, let’s talk about how to install PPF as a DIYer.
Step 1: Decide between DIY or a Pro Shop
PPF material costs are dropping as the market gets flooded, but the labor is still expensive. Expect anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 depending on coverage you get, region you’re located in, and what type of film is used.
If that’s in your budget and you want the best possible work as well as the convenience of having someone else do it, that’s for you.
DIY kits typically start around $2,000 or a little under for a full body kit. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely rewarding and you can save thousands. You might spend an entire weekend on this. Maybe longer. However, you get to keep your car in your own garage. No rentals necessary for the time it takes for a shop to wrap it. And you actually understand the work that went into protecting your vehicle.
If you decide to go DIY, keep reading.
Step 2: Find a company that offers DIY PPF kits
DIY Wrap Club was the first to release DIY PPF kits for all Model Y Juniper trims. When you’re researching, look for these things:
- Film Quality: Are they using cheap material that could damage your paint? Or high quality film with a solid reputation? DIY Wrap Club uses high quality Avery Dennison Supreme Defense with a 10 year warranty against yellowing or cracking.
- Expert Support: A lot of companies use foreign based support. But if something goes wrong, you want real, local support from people that actually designed the kit. That’s the model DIY Wrap Club uses.
- All Materials Included: PPF installation is already intimidating. You don’t want to hunt down all your tools or guess what supplies you need. Find a kit that includes everything you need, and DIY Wrap Club does just that.
- Course Quality: This is the most important thing. The kit matters, but the course is what actually gets you through it. Make sure you can reach out and ask questions if you need to. Email us whether you’re a customer yet or not, and we’ll take care of you.
- Custom Patterns: Many companies download templates from software designed for professionals. Pros can adjust on the fly, but DIYers can’t. Make sure the company actually designs their own patterns with beginners in mind.
Step 3: Prep your Model Y Juniper
This is one of the most important steps. Don’t skip it. There should a detailed guide in the course videos that you receive with the kit you buy.
Start with a full wash. Rinse the car down, then wash from top to bottom to ensure you’re not bring up debris from the bottom of the car to the top.
Use the two bucket method. We have a guide on this.
Next, prep wash. This removes oils and remaining contaminants from the surface.
Then, clay bar. This gets your paint back to its OEM state, the way it was when it left the factory. The cleaner the surface, the better the PPF will stick to the clear coat.
Finally, edge prep. Grab 70% alcohol and a microfiber. Go around every single edge that the film will wrap around. Edge prep is critical for the film to stick and not pull back.
Ideally, you can let it dry overnight. If not, grab a clean, plush drying towel and go to work. You can also use a blower to get in tight crevices.
Step 4: Install each panel as you follow the course outline
Everyone learns differently. Some people like to watch one module at a time, install that panel, then move on. Others want to watch the whole thing first and then go back as a reference. Either way works. We designed our courses to support both.
If you have a TV in your garage, that helps a lot. Otherwise, an iPad or phone works. You’ll want to pause and rewind constantly.
Here’s the process for each panel:
- Wipe it down with tack solution.
- Spray a lot of slip solution and squeegee off any remaining contaminants.
- Spray again with slip solution.
- Peel the liner off the film while spraying a lot of slip solution on it. The more, the merrier.
- Place the film on the surface.
- Align it.
- Squeegee all the water and solution out with tack points detailed throughout the process.
- Do a double take. Go back over the entire panel and check for bubbles you might have missed.
- Wipe it down and inspect it.
- Edge seal by applying tack solution along all the edges. This pushes out any remaining moisture and locks everything down.
- Let the edges dry. This can take 2-3 hours, sometimes longer.
- Once dry, roll the edges over with your fingers. If needed, use a quick dab from a torch to burn the memory into the film so it doesn’t lift back up.
Step 5: Inspect after two weeks
Most failures happen within the first two weeks. That’s when edges lift and bubbles appear if they are going to.
Go around the entire car. Use green tape to mark anything that needs fixing. Then go back and address everything at once.
Edges that lifted? Push them back down with heat. Bubbles? Use a syringe to pull the air out.
After that, you’re good to go.
We also have a guide on how to install color PPF if you’re interested in that route.
Final Thoughts
This is not an easy project. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to learn. But honestly, it’s a lot of fun, it’s rewarding, and it’s cost effective. Save thousands with DIY PPF kits made for beginners at diywrapclub.com.
