3M™ Paint Protection Film Product Bulletin
Installation Guideline September 2023 (US)
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series 200
Installation Solutions
The slip solution must be prepared freshly every day. Do not store overnight!
Slip Solution
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series 200
DI Water or Filtered water 32 ounces DI Water or Filtered water 32 ounces
or or or
1000 ml 1000 ml
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
®
1.5–2 ml* or Dawn® dish soap 1 ml*
Slip Solution
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series
DI Water or Filtered water 32 ounces DI Water or Filtered water 32 ounces
or or or
1000 ml 1000 ml
Johnson’s® Baby Shampoo 2.5 ml* or Dawn® dish soap 1.25 ml*
*Suggested solution mix starting points. In hot environment, always keep the paint protection wet.
Alternatively, in hot environments:
• Add 0.5 – 1.0 ml more soap to the mix for Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film
Pro Series 200
• Add 2 – 3 ml more soap for Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series
3M™ Paint Protection Film Installation Gel
• Alternative slip foundation to water/shampoo solutions
• High viscosity water-based gel
• Ready to use
Tack Solution
Isopropyl alcohol (Isopropanol)99% 150 ml or Isopropyl alcohol (Isopropanol) 70% 250ml
DI Water or Filtered water 850 ml or DI Water or Filtered water 750ml
Hybrid Solution
Johnson’s® Baby Shampoo 2 ml or Johnson’s® Baby Shampoo 2 ml
Isopropyl alcohol (Isopropanol)99% 150 ml or Isopropyl alcohol (Isopropanol) 70% 250ml
DI Water or Filtered water 850 ml or DI Water or Filtered water 750ml
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3M™ Paint Protection Film Product Bulletin
Installation Guideline September 2023 (US)
Installation Tools
Tools to use for a proper paint protection film installation:
• Disposable Syringes 5 ml
• Scotch-Brite® Microfiber Cloth
• 3M™ Perfect-It™ Cleaner Clay or Meguiar’s® C2000 Pro Detailing Clay (Mild)
o Optimal: 3M™ Surface Preparation System (Available in EU)
• 3M™ Paint Protection Film Installation Gel
• Turbo Squeegees or Fusion Squeegees
• Cutting Knife 30-degree blades
Cap Sheet*
Cap sheet layer helps protect the film’s quality and is easily removed. Cap sheet pulls off by hand
on bulk installation and needs to be removed before plotter cutting. (*not all skus come with a
cap sheet)
IMPORTANT: To prevent possible tunneling or buckling, roll up the film firmly, ensuring no slack,
after cutting any film for bulk parts or plotter cutting and add tape within six inches of each roll
edge and in middle of the roll. Stand partial rolls straight up and down on rack or similar.
Installation Instructions
1) Make sure there is no ceramic coating applied to the vehicle paint. If there is, ceramic coating
can be removed by working with an authorized paint correction specialist/automotive detailer.
2) Use an adhesive remover solvent (3M recommends General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner) to
remove any surface residue not removed in the cleaning process (i.e. wax, tar, paint sealant).
3) Use a non-ammonia foaming glass cleaner to remove any solvent residue from the adhesive
cleaner. 3M recommends foaming glass cleaner.
4) Use a clay bar to remove surface contaminants on the painted surface. 3M recommends any
mild clay bar such as 3M™ Perfect-It™ Clay Bar or Meguiar’s® C2000 pro detailing clay.
5) Wipe down vehicle with non-abrasive cloth and do final inspection prior to installation.
3M recommends Scotch-Brite® Microfiber Cloth
6) After installation is complete, gently wipe down film, dry, and inspect. Allow 15 minutes for
adhesive to dry before putting pressure on film to avoid leaving marks.
Bulk Installation Note
1) For a bulk installation, dry areas that may have been exposed to excess slip when making anchor
points on an install. For example, when stretching four corners for a bulk hood install. Wipe off
any slip or flush out any slip and dry off in non-active area anchor points on bumper or fender as
you stretch the Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series 200 over the hood and lock it in
place. Hold for ten seconds to activate the firmer adhesive to stretch out any fingers and lock the
four anchor points in place with warm water or tack solution.
ONLY for Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series:
For additional working time, use Meguiar’s® Ultimate Quik Detailer™ (hydrophobic polymer wax) or
Meguiar’s® Final Inspection, if a paint body shop, to gain more adhesive working time on paint
protection films for larger automotive areas, such as hoods. DO NOT INSTALL ANY
HYDROPHOBIC POLYMER WAX ON EDGES OF ANY INSTALLATION AREA OR WRAPPED EDGE.
IF ANY GETS ON EDGES REMOVE BEFORE INSTALLING.
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3M™ Paint Protection Film Product Bulletin
Installation Guideline September 2023 (US)
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film Pro Series 200:
For application over complex curve: activate the adhesive with “Tack Solution” and hold the film in
place for at least 10 seconds. Warm water can be utilized in solutions to assist as needed with
installation.
Application Temperature:
Recommended application temperature: 60° – 85°F (16° – 30°C)
IMPORTANT: 3M recommends ease of application at +70°F to 79°F (+21°C to +26°C) for
optimum application for paint protection film and vehicle.
Maintenance, Cleaning and Removal
• Recommended to wait at least 72 hours before washing vehicle after paint protection film
application.
• Touchless car wash and hand washing are preferred methods.
• Loose paint protection film could tear away from a moving vehicle. After washing, check all the
paint protecting films carefully for edge lifting and repair, remove or replace damaged paint
protection films.
• If a pressure washer is to be used, then there are strict guidelines that need to be followed.
However, aggressive washing can damage the paint protection film. Excessive pressure during
power washing can damage the paint protection film by forcing water underneath the film and
weakening the adhesion strength to the paint surface, causing the film to lift or curl. These
problems are magnified by wind.
To avoid edge lifting or other damage to the paint protection film, follow these important steps:
• Use a spray nozzle with a minimum 40-degree wide spray pattern
• Be sure the spray nozzle includes a nozzle protector (tip guard).
• Use a maximum pressure of 80 bar
• If the system is heated, limit the water temperature to 140°F (60°C) or less
• Hold nozzle at least 30 cm away from and perpendicular (90 degrees +/- 10) to the paint
protection film or a minimum of 100 cm away from the graphic at a 30º angle, or higher.
• Do not direct the water stream between 0° – 60° to the edge of the paint protection film.
The surface of the paint protection film is coated with a clear coat. This protects the surface to a
high degree against environmental influences and mechanical stress. A commercial shampoo can be
used for regular cleaning.
Cleaning with strong alkaline, acidic, or alcoholic cleaning agents should be avoided, as permanent
damage to the film cannot be excluded.
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3M™ Paint Protection Film Product Bulletin
Installation Guideline September 2023 (US)
Maintenance, Cleaning and Removal (continued)
Recommended Waxing and Alternatives:
Regular treatment of the surface with a polish or wax is not necessary.
For all PPF waxing, do not use wax that contain dyes, abrasive polishes and/or rubbing compounds.
The abrasive particles will damage the film surface and result in a loss of surface quality.
• Scotchgard™ PPF Pro Series: Use 3M™ Ceramic Coating (PN39901) or
3M™ Ceramic Boost Spray (PN39905) to add a hydrophobic coating for easy clean features and
additional stain resistance.
• Scotchgard™ PPF Pro Series 200: Use 3M™ Ceramic Coating (PN39901) or 3M™ Ceramic Boost
Spray (PN39905) applied 3 – 6 months after PPF installation to improve hydrophobic properties
for easy clean features and additional stain resistance.
After waxing your car, you can remove any wax build-up along film edges with a lint-free cloth.
Visit www.3M.com/automotive to order 3M’s Car Wash Soap, Waxes, Polishes and
High-Performance Detailing Cloths.
Removal:
Recommended to use a steamer for removal. Correct angle of removal is 30 – 60 degrees from the
surface of the paint.
Factors that Affect Paint Protection Film Performance Life
The actual performance life of a paint protection film is affected by:
• Selection, condition, and preparation of the substrate
• Surface texture
• Application methods
• Environmental conditions
3M, Meguiars, Perfect-It, Scotch-Brite, Scotchgard and Ultimate Quik Detailer are trademarks of 3M. All other tradema rks are the
property of their respective owners.
3M Commercial Solutions
3M Center
Building 220 12E-04
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
Phone 1-800-328-1684
www.3m.com/ppf
© 3M 2023. All rights reserved.
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