Frequently Asked Questions
We are happy to share a ballpark pricing, but accurate pricing requires a visual inspection. We would hate to over-quote you on something you don't need. Pricing comes down to a few variables.
- Condition of car’s paint (yes, brand new cars too)
- Brand of film you select
- Amount of coverage you are looking to cover
- Complexity of the panels
- Pre-cut or custom trimming
All of these factors are going to determine the cost.
We are happy to share a ballpark pricing, but accurate pricing requires a visual inspection. We would hate to over-quote you on something you don't need. Pricing comes down to a few variables.
- Condition of car’s paint (yes, brand new cars too)
- Brand of ceramic coating
- Amount of coverage you are looking to cover
- Complexity of the panels
All of these factors are going to determine the cost.
Do not wash your vehicle for 2 weeks. Allow the PPF or Ceramic Coating to fully cure before washing your vehicle.
The warranty will cover any defects that may have occurred after installation. Covered defects include: discoloration, fading, bubbling, peeling, cracking, and delamination.
Paint Protect Film isn't exactly cheap, but the key to a great PPF installation is the prep work. In most cases, 9 out of 10 new vehicles can benefit from some sort of Polishing or Paint Correction.
We would like to invite you over for a visual inspection. We will give you quick tour of our facility and to check out our work up close, to see what you are paying for.
We focus 95% of our efforts on prep work (usually 1-2 days). We make sure the canvas of your car is absolutely perfect before installing Paint Protection Film - ensuring that your investment lasts as long as possible.
Prepping the vehicle before applying Paint Protection Film will greatly enhance the gloss and film will lock it in for years to come. It is also going to determine the quality of the results.
For example, here's a scenario:
Shop A charges $1,500 for a Full Front End Coverage and uses a reputable film brand. While it maybe a competitive price, Shop A takes half the time for the installation (rush job) and does little to no prepping of the paintwork before installing film.
Imagine picking up your car, only to find out that there are cut lines and bugs under your film. How would you feel? Here's what a rushed job looks like and what a less-expensive job gets you. You truly get what you paid for, especially for Paint Protection Film.
Ceramic Coating isn't exactly cheap, but the key to a great ceramic coating installation is the prep work. In most cases, 9 out of 10 new vehicles can benefit from some sort of Polishing or Paint Correction.
We would like to invite you over for a visual inspection. We will give you quick tour of our facility and to check out our work up close, to see what you are paying for.
We focus 95% of our efforts on prep work (usually 2-3 days). We make sure the canvas of your car is absolutely perfect before installing Ceramic Coating - ensuring that your investment lasts as long as possible.
Prepping the vehicle before applying Ceramic Coating will greatly enhance the gloss and Ceramic Coating will lock it in for years to come. It is also going to determine the quality of the results.
For example, here's a scenario:
Shop A charges $500 for a Ceramic Coating installation and uses a reputable brand. While it maybe a competitive price, Shop A takes half the time for the installation (rush job) and does little to no prepping of the paintwork before installation.
Imagine picking up your car, only to find out that there are still swirl marks, burned clear coat and crystalized, cured Ceramic Coating that requires a body shop to sand off the damage. How would you feel? Here's what a rushed job looks like and what a less-expensive job gets you. You truly get what you paid for, especially for Ceramic Coating.
Water contact and mineral deposits from sprinklers will create water spots, please wipe off immediately to avoid hard water spots.
Use a microfiber towel slightly dampened with water to clean your windows. Use non-ammonia glass cleaners such as Adam’s Glass Cleaner or AENSO Pureview may also be used. Avoid the use of abrasive materials such as scouring pads, to clean your tinted windows.
We use SunTek and S-TEK. These are the industry's best and works well with Houston weather. S-TEK is the clearest film in the market and exclusive to at our shop only. We have been installing and tested hundreds of PPF brands since 2007, including popular ones such as XPEL, 3M and Kavaca.
We use Modesta, Nanolex and Gtechniq. We are the only ceramic coating installers to carry the Modesta, Nanolex and Gtechniq line - the highest quality, most exclusive line of coatings not available anywhere else.
These products have been thoroughly tested and proven in Houston weather, and we have tons of happy customers to back it up. We have been installing and tested hundreds of Ceramic Coating brands since 2007, including popular ones such as Ceramic Pro, Feynlab, CQuartz, Kenzo, and Opti-Coat.
These highly acidic contaminants can stain the Ceramic Coating or PPF if left on the film for too long. Avoid allowing these contaminants to “bake” in the sun and clean the area as soon as possible with a Quick Detail Spray and a soft Microfiber Towel.
Your window tint may have a hazy appearance or moisture bubbles for up to 30 days after installation. These conditions will disappear once the moisture used to apply your tint dries up completely.
We have been installing PPF since 2007. We install on average 50-60 PPF installations per month and we offer several different Premium Paint Protection Film at different price points, as well as "color changing" film that will transform your paint to a Matte Finish, or even Carbon Fiber.
We have been installing Ceramic Coating since 2007. We install on average 80-100 Ceramic Coating installations per month and we offer several different Premium Ceramic Coatings at different price points.
We do not use over the counter (OTC) and consumer based Ceramic Coatings that can be purchased in an online store.
All of our ceramic coatings are Professional Grade that requires three times the amount of labor, effort to install and requires a professional Infrared Thermal Curing lamp to harden the coating.
During the curing process, it is safe to drive in the rain. If your vehicle is wet, you may dry the vehicle with a high-powered air blower, leaf blower or simply rinse it through a touch-less car wash found in most gas stations.
Do not wipe the vehicle unless necessary, as mentioned above. Your coating is still soft during the first week. If you notice your car has water spots, bird droppings, tree sap or bug splatter, immediately remove it using a Quick Detail Spray or Waterless Wash and a soft Microfiber Towel. Be gentle when wiping the surface. Do not wipe or drag the towel across the surface, it will create scratches.
Do not roll down your windows for 5 days while it’s drying.
We take the time to do things a certain and proprietary way that places a priority on quality over speed. We do things the right way instead of quick. We take a lot of pride in our work and our reputation matters most. We have over a decade of experience installing Ceramic Coatings, Paint Protection Film and paintwork.
There are cheaper shops out there. Our most precious commodity is time.
Leveraging our experience will condense your time frame in terms of research, worrying about a bad job, headaches and not having to deal with "fly by night" shops disappearing. We believe in the work we do, and if something’s wrong, we fix it.
We are fully certified by Modesta, Nanolex, Gtechniq and the International Detailer's Association (IDA). Our highly trained installers are the top in the industry - our vetting process is strict, and our requirements for ongoing education and skill development are high. All Vivë technicians are required to pass the Certified Detailer Test administered by the International Detailing Association. We require our technicians to train annually at Meguiar’s, PlusCon and SEMA.
Technology is always changing and we at Vivë constantly maintain a pulse on the latest products available in the automotive industry. Our network of knowledgeable technicians reaches all over the world. Our research into the latest products and methods gives us the advantage to provide your vehicle with the care it deserves.
We recommend Hand Washing only. Avoid automatic tunnel washes with brushes as these can cause the PPF to lift or cause scratches on the Ceramic Coating. Avoid washing in direct sunlight to minimize streaking and water spotting. Avoid using a pressure washer on the edges of the film. Use quality car care chemicals and tools.
If absolutely necessary, always go to a touch free wash. Using an automated car wash with brushes will void the warranty and dull the coating.
If you're not sure what coverage you're looking for, here is a link to a helpful chart. Here's a great video as well.
If your car has no Ceramic Coating, we recommend using a quality Spray Sealant such as AENSO Gleam or Nanolex SiSplash to maintain and condition the film. This will keep the Top Coat protected from contaminants and easier to clean.
We will gladly match the price on an identical service sold by our closest competitors. Show us the the estimate and we will match the price. Contact us for full details.
The manufacturer’s warranty covers cracking, yellowing and peeling. It does not cover wear and tear from everyday driving.
We are fully certified by SunTek, S-TEK and the International Detailer's Association (IDA). Our highly trained installers are the top in the industry - our vetting process is strict, and our requirements for ongoing education and skill development are high. All Vivë technicians are required to pass the Certified Detailer Test administered by the International Detailing Association. We require our technicians to train annually at Meguiar’s, PlusCon and SEMA.
Technology is always changing and we at Vivë constantly maintain a pulse on the latest products available in the automotive industry. Our network of knowledgeable technicians reaches all over the world. Our research into the latest products and methods gives us the advantage to provide your vehicle with the care it deserves.
During the next 30 days, PPF will shift and may cause some minor lifting. This is completely normal Any areas that may need trimming and/or readjusted will be addressed during your 30 day follow up.
The short answer is, yes. Wrapping edges will always be an art to PPF application. Even a properly wrapped edge can lift or peel due to the myriad of radiuses the film has to stick to. The film can hardly be noticed once it's locked into place, but remember it's called Paint PROTECTION Film, and not Paint PERFECTION Film.
PPF wrap is 4 times the thickness of vinyl thus making it impossible to contour to all edges like a vinyl wrap would. Some shops remove large components like bumpers to wrap between these areas, but over time the movement of the body panels will cause them to lift up anyways. Edges are unavoidable and any shop that says there will not be one exposed edge is not telling the truth.
There are two ways to install PPF on a vehicle:
- Custom or "Bulk" forming the PPF to the panel and then cut and roll the edges.
- Pre-Cut by a plotter to programmed sizes which allow the film to be 1/8th of an inch from all edges.
In most cases, installers state that Pre-Cut PPF is inferior because it leaves visible edges. While this used to be true, PPF Softwares have come a long way. This system eliminates the unnecessary damages of cutting PPF on the vehicle and accidentally cutting clear coat.
However, depending on the vehicle, we are able to wrap most edges by modifying the pattern and emblems can be removed prior to PPF installation. This eliminates the need to cut on a car and without removing body panels. Pre-Cut PPF stops 1/8th of an inch from the edge. This is not a bad way to install film and actually will prevent lifting or peeling up much better.
When you are doing your research, most of these installers will claim they are an "expert" at "Custom" PPF installations and promise they would never cut paint, stating that they install PPF on a daily basis. The film is 8-mils thick, and when doing custom installations, the installer has to score the film perfectly for 4-mils deep, hoping the razor blade doesn't scratch or knick your paint. Well, no matter how good someone is, there will always be a human errors. It only takes a millisecond of distraction for a panel to be potentially ruined. Is it worth the risk?
"Custom" installs will require headlights, taillights, side lamps, door handles, and panels to be removed so that the best install possible can be done. Imagine how many extra hours of work that would be, so there is a large cost associated with that. In fact, we would actually talk you out of it. They are simply sold to unassuming customers to pump up the PPF ticket price.
For the preservation of the vehicle, we believe it is preferable not to cut on any vehicle or remove panels when it isn’t necessary, ensuring the safety and integrity of all vehicle surfaces. Not only will your car's panels have misalignment compared to factory standards, but most newer cars have electrical components that will require a certified technician to remove and install. The film is a sacrificial layer that protects against paint damages and will eventually have to be replaced due to wear and tear.
Water bubbles will dry within the next 30 days, if they remain on your vehicle the bubbles will be addressed during your 30 day follow up.
Yes. Our PPF comes with 7-10 years manufacturer's warranty that covers cracking, yellowing and peeling. It does not cover wear and tear from daily usage.
All of our Paint Protection Film is warrantied for 10 years against a range of issues including yellowing.
The first thing to know is that the two products are not comparable and thus not a true comparison to one another. Paint protection film provides a urethane layer of protection against rock chips and scratches. Ceramic coatings, even when cured, are microns thick and not engineered to stop rock chips. That said, it is an excellent product for protection against environmental contaminates such as bird droppings, bug guts, and more. Not to mention that it makes cleaning off track rubber much easier. To further answer the question – ceramic coatings are for customers who want some basic protection along with increased shine, gloss, depth of color, and great hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. PPF are for the customers who want actual protection against rock chips and scratches.
This combo is extremely common. The car enthusiast is after that best-case scenario type of maintenance. Having PPF and ceramic coating will keep the vehicle protected from rock chips, road debris, and more while having all the benefits of a ceramic coated car. Those benefits being hydrophobic properties, self-cleaning, and an increased gloss and depth appearance.
Yes. All of our PPF has Self-Healing technology. The clear coat is the self-healing layer and is approximately 13 microns thick. If that layer is penetrated, the film will not heal.
In most cases, we recommend applying PPF over a panel that is defect free and you get the best protection money can buy on day one. There is nothing wrong with applying PPF over paint defects, however, you will see slight air pockets around the defects (this includes areas with touch-up paint applied) and PPF will magnify the imperfections. We offer various cosmetic repair options such as Paint Correction, Polishing, Touch Up Paint and can refer out to reputable body shops for any paint and body work. Think of applying screen protector on your cracked smart phone screen, that's how it would look like.
Paint Protection Film applied over a rock chip