Professional PPF Installers in Kansas City. Paint Protection Film Done Right!
The ultimate choice of paint protection from rock chips, scratches, and more.
Paint Protection Film Experts in Kansas City
The streets of Kansas City can be tough on your vehicle—potholes, road debris, bird droppings, and Midwest weather all take a toll on your paint. Add in parking lot scratches and construction dust, and your car’s finish is constantly under attack.
The best way to protect it? Paint Protection Film (PPF)—also known as a clear bra. This transparent, durable film shields your vehicle’s paint from rock chips, scratches, and UV damage, keeping it looking brand new for years.
For complete protection, pair PPF with professional window tinting to reduce heat, glare, and sun damage. At Empire Customs Car Detailing in Kansas City, we help you preserve your investment with top-tier paint protection and detailing services.
The Benefits of Paint Protection Film
Durable, Self-Healing Protection: Our paint protection film (PPF) shields your vehicle’s paint from rock chips, scratches, and daily wear. Thanks to its self-healing technology, light swirls and surface marks vanish with gentle heat exposure.
Hydrophobic Surface: Rain, dirt, and road grime slide right off. The hydrophobic properties make washing easier and prevent contaminants from bonding to your paint.
High-Gloss Finish: PPF not only defends your paint it amplifies it. Enjoy a deep, ultra-gloss shine that keeps your car looking freshly detailed while staying protected.
The Empire Customs Paint Protection Film Installation Process
Installing paint protection film takes precision, experience, and proper preparation. We follow a meticulous process to ensure your PPF looks flawless and performs at its best.
1. Clean Wheels & Tires: We start with a full cleaning of your wheels, tires, and fender wells to remove brake dust, grime, and debris.
2. Detailed Hand Wash: Next, we hand-wash your vehicle to strip away dirt, tar, and road film paying special attention to emblems, vents, and grilles.
3. Iron Decontamination: We apply an iron remover to eliminate embedded metal particles (fallout) that can cause corrosion beneath the film.
4. Clay Bar Treatment: A clay bar is used to lift bonded contaminants from the surface, leaving the paint silky-smooth and ready for film.
5. Drying Process: We carefully dry every crevice using compressed air and microfiber towels to ensure a spotless surface.
6. Paint Polishing: Depending on your paint’s condition, we cut and polish the surface to remove oxidation and swirl marks—enhancing clarity before film installation.
7. PPF Installation: Using professional plotter software, precision tools, and slip solutions, we apply your paint protection film to the selected panels. Whether it’s a hood, full front, or entire vehicle, every inch is handled with care.
8. Final Inspection: Before delivery, we perform a detailed inspection of all panels and edges to ensure a perfect, seamless finish that meets our quality standards.
Paint Protection Film Pricing
Price is based on size, condition, and the type of coverage you’d like on your vehicle. We can work with what you specifically want!
Front End Coverage
Starting: $1500
will vary by customer
☑️ Full hood
☑️ Front bumper
☑️ Headlights
Full Front Coverage
Starting: $3500
will vary by customer
☑️ Full hood
☑️ Front bumper
☑️ Headlights
☑️ Front Fenders
☑️ Side Mirrors
Full Vehicle Coverage
Starting: $6,000
will vary by customer
☑️ All doors
☑️ All fenders
☑️ Front bumper
☑️ Rear bumper
☑️ Hood & roof
☑️ Side Mirrors
Paint Protection Film Removal Process
If your vehicle already has existing PPF, we can safely remove it. When the film is only a few years old, removal is typically straightforward. However, older or heavily worn film, especially on paint with existing rock chips, can increase the risk of paint lifting during the process.
When PPF is ten years old or more, showing signs of cracking, yellowing, or brittleness, removal becomes more complex. We often don’t know how or by whom the film was installed, what brand was used, or whether the paint was already damaged beforehand, all of which can affect the outcome.
During removal, if the film passes over pre-existing rock chips or thin paint areas, the paint may peel with the film. This is common with aged or low quality PPF, which is why we take a slow, methodical approach to minimize damage.
In most cases, paint chipping is limited to small areas, but depending on the condition of your vehicle and film, larger sections may be affected. Before starting, we’ll inspect your vehicle and give you an honest assessment of what to expect.
Because PPF removal is labor intensive and time consuming, pricing ranges from $500 to $3,500 depending on film condition and vehicle size. In some cases, removal can take up to 16 hours for severely aged or neglected film.
When to Get Paint Protection Film (PPF) Installed
The best time to install paint protection film is right after purchasing your new vehicle, especially if it has low mileage. At this point, the paint is still in pristine condition with little to no rock chips, making it ideal for a flawless PPF installation.
The sooner you protect your paint, the better. It only takes a short drive around Kansas City or a parking lot mishap for scratches, chips, or scuffs to appear. Even something as small as road debris or someone brushing against your car can cause damage. Do not wait until after the paint is already harmed. Install PPF early to keep your car looking new.
What Areas Should You Protect
This depends on your goals and how you use your vehicle. The most common protection area is the front end, since it takes the most impact. This includes the hood, bumper, headlights, front fenders, fog lights, and side mirrors.
For track cars or performance vehicles, it is smart to protect high impact areas such as the rocker panels, rear quarter panels, and roof to prevent damage from road debris or rubber buildup.
If you drive a work truck or job site vehicle, protecting the doors and bed panels can help reduce wear from frequent contact and debris.
For the ultimate protection, you can cover your entire vehicle with PPF. This is the best option if you plan to keep your car long term and want to maintain its showroom condition.
We tailor our PPF installations to your goals and budget. Whether you want to protect just the most vulnerable panels or the entire vehicle, we will help you choose the right level of protection for your needs.
Difference Between Ceramic Coating and Paint Protection Film
Ceramic coating is a popular form of paint protection. It creates a durable, long lasting barrier that repels water, dirt, bugs, and road grime while adding deep gloss and shine. However, a ceramic coating does not stop rock chips, scratches, or physical impact. This is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about coatings.
If you are driving around Kansas City and road debris hits your car, a ceramic coating will not prevent a rock chip. With paint protection film (PPF), that same debris would only damage the film while your paint underneath stays untouched.
A ceramic coating can last several years with proper maintenance, but over time it will develop micro swirls from washes and daily use. A light polish may be needed to restore clarity.
PPF keeps your paint in near perfect condition because nothing actually touches the paint. If the film gets light swirls, it has self healing properties. Heat from the sun or warm water can make those marks disappear.
If your main goal is to protect your vehicle from rock chips, scratches, and bug etching, PPF is the best option. For customers who want maximum shine and maximum protection, we can install PPF first and apply a ceramic coating on top for the best of both worlds.
How Long Does PPF Take To Install
A paint protection film installation can take anywhere from half a day to a full week. The timeline depends on how much coverage you choose, the complexity of your panels, and whether old film needs to be removed first.
Simple panels like a smooth hood are quick. Panels with curves, vents, or emblems take longer because they require more precision.
PPF is one of the most detailed services we offer, and we take our time to ensure a clean, long lasting finish with no lifting edges or bubbles. We use a plotter to cut precise kits for your vehicle and tuck edges for a seamless, factory style look.
Visit Our 2,100SF Detail Shop
Empire Customs Car Detailing started off as a mobile-detailing company in 2014. Over the years, as we expanded our services, we moved into our new shop in 2025.
Our detail shop is located at 5100 Ararat Dr. (behind the Bellicose church off of 435 highway). Feel free to pass by the shop so we can inspect your vehicle, talk about what you’re looking to get done, and go over your options.
Paint Protection Film FAQs
How much does PPF cost
Pricing depends on the condition of your vehicle, the brand of film, and how much coverage you want. PPF can range from about $250 for small areas to $2,500 or more for larger coverage. Protecting only the hood is very different from protecting the hood, bumper, fenders, and roof, so the price varies based on your goals.
Do I need PPF on my car
It depends on your preference. If you want the best protection against rock chips, scratches, and road debris, PPF is the most effective option. When you are driving on the highway and rocks hit your vehicle, PPF is the only product that prevents that damage from reaching your paint. If you value keeping your paint looking new, PPF is the right choice.
How long does PPF installation take
The installation can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. The timeline depends on the size of your vehicle, the panels you want wrapped, and the prep work required. A single hood can be done in a few hours, while a full vehicle wrap can take close to a full week.
Do you offer detailing services
Yes, we do. We have been detailing vehicles since 2014 and offer a full range of services including interior deep cleaning, smoke odor removal, wash and wax, and more.
