Caring for Your Car Paint Protection Film

If you're like most car owners, you want to keep your car looking as good as new for as long as possible, and this includes keeping your car paint protection film in tip-top condition. While it aims to keep your vehicle safe from the harsh elements, it doesn't make your ride's exteriors bulletproof, so it can still be subject to wear and tear from things like rock chips, bug splatters, and brake dust, and other everyday contaminants on the road.
With a little bit of regular care and maintenance, you can help keep your paint protection film looking great for years to come. But how do you properly give your car paint protection film the TLC it deserves? The list below explores some tips on how to best take care of your car paint protection film:
A Simple Guide on How to Take Care of Your Car Paint Protection Film
Tip #1: If You See Tree Sap, Bug Splatter, Bird Droppings, and Other Acidic Contaminants, Remove Them Immediately
One of the most important things you can do to take care of your paint protection film is to remove any acidic contaminants as soon as possible. Tree sap, bug splatter, bird droppings, and other pollutants can damage the film if left on for too long. Make sure to keep a soft cloth or microfiber towel in your car so you can clean up any messes right away.
Tip #2: Always Use pH-Neutral Car Care Products
If you're looking for the best way to keep your car's finish looking good, it's important to use pH-neutral car care products. Acidic car care products can damage your vehicle's paint job, while alkaline products can strip away wax and leave your car looking dull. pH-neutral products will neither harm nor improve your car's finish, so they're the safest option for keeping it looking its best.
Tip #3: Take Your Car Paint Protection Film's Performance to the Next Level by Applying a Ceramic Coating
If you want to take your car's paint protection film to the next level, consider applying a ceramic coating. Ceramic coatings are highly durable and can provide a significant increase in paint protection. In addition, they can also make it easier to clean your car's paintwork and help keep it looking new for longer.
Tip #4: Remove Tough Stains on Your Car by Getting a Clay Bar Treatment
If you have a tough stain on your car that you just can't seem to get rid of, a clay bar treatment may be the solution. Clay bars are specially designed to remove dirt, dust, and other debris from the surface of your car. They work by grabbing onto the contaminants and removing them from the surface, so it's worth bringing your car periodically to your detailer to freshen up your ride's paint job.
The Bottom Line: Staying on Top of Your Car Paint Protection Film's Upkeek to Ensure its Long-Lasting Performance
Regular upkeep is essential to keeping your car paint protection film performing at its best. Make sure to clean it regularly with a non-abrasive cleaner and water, and inspect it for any damage or wear and tear. If you notice any problems, address them as soon as possible to prevent the film from deteriorating further. By taking care of your paint protection film, you can ensure that it lasts for years to come.
Are You Looking for an Auto Restyling Shop in Fresno?
Here at Cen Cal Tinting, we pride ourselves on being one of the most trusted and reliable auto restyling shops in Fresno. We offer a wide range of services, from window tinting, and commercial vehicle signage installation, to ceramic coating, and more, and we always aim to provide our customers with the highest quality workmanship possible.
We understand that when it comes to your vehicle, you want only the best, which is why we take great care in ensuring that all of our work is up to par.
Take a look at our results.
What our customers think

Had our 2025 Tesla Model 3 tinted by Cen Cal Tinting and the whole experience was top notch. The quality of the work speaks for itself — super clean install, no bubbles, and the heat rejection is noticeable right away. What really made it stand out though was the customer service. You can tell they really care about their work and their customers. Highly recommend Cen Cal Tinting if you want it done right.

Took my Camry in for a i3 ceramic all around plus the air ceramic for the front windshield. Very pleased how it turned out. Highly recommend them. They are very professional and scheduling with them was very easy. And plus, they give you a lifetime warranty on their films.

This is my 4th car along with several referrals I have brought to this company to work on my vehicles. They have done a fantastic job on each one of them. On this particular one they did 15% tint over the factory tinted glass and 35% on the sides with a 5% windshield strip. Looking forward to all my future cars to this company. They typically complete the job in a few hours and are very connected via text message.
We Are Here To Help
We specialize in window tinting, paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coating, paint correction, and vehicle wraps. Whether you’re looking for heat rejection, gloss enhancement, or full protection, we’ve got you covered.
Absolutely. Many customers drop off their cars before work or leave them overnight. Just let us know what works best for your schedule and we’ll accommodate.
We’re located in Clovis, CA, and proudly serve Fresno and the surrounding Central Valley. Our shop is easy to find, and we’re just minutes away from most parts of Fresno.
You can call, text, or request a quote online in under a minute. We’ll just need your vehicle year, make, model, and what service you’re interested in to get you an accurate estimate.
We recommend booking an appointment to avoid wait times, but walk-ins are welcome when we have availability. Feel free to call or text us to check for same-day openings.
Yes — we recommend giving your car a basic exterior wash before your appointment. This helps us avoid rubbing dry dirt or dust into the paint when working on your vehicle, which can cause scratching. It also makes it easier for us to get great photos of your car when it’s all done!
Yes! We offer buy now, pay later options through providers like Affirm, Afterpay, and others — so you can split your purchase into easy payments. Just ask us for more details when booking.
We work on nearly all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, Teslas, luxury, and exotic cars. It’s rare that we come across something we can’t work on — but if you have a unique vehicle, feel free to reach out and we’ll be happy to confirm.