If you drive in San Jose, your front end is under attack. Highway 101 through the interchange stack, 280 and 680 at commute speed, 87 down to the airport — they all share the same problem: gravel, kicked-up construction debris and tire-thrown rocks that sandblast a hood and bumper one chip at a time. It is worst on the cars that commute daily, and you usually do not see the damage until the paint is already pocked.
Paint protection film is the physical fix. It is a clear, thick urethane film installed over your paint that absorbs the hits — rock chips, light scratches, bug acid, bird droppings — so the factory paint underneath stays new. It is not a spray, not a coating and not something you reapply. It is a barrier, and it is the only product that actually stops a rock chip.
One thing makes us different from most San Jose area shops: we publish our prices. You should not have to hand over your phone number just to learn what a full front costs. Our sedan prices are below, in writing, out the door with tax included. Our shop is at 51 Minnis Cir in Milpitas, about 10 minutes from North San Jose, so most of our San Jose customers are closer than they think.
What paint protection film covers
Coverage comes in three levels, and the right one depends on how and where you drive:
- Partial front: the leading edge of the hood and fenders, the front bumper and the mirror caps — the areas that take the most direct hits. A sensible start for a car that mostly sees city streets.
- Full front: the full hood, full front fenders, front bumper, headlights and mirror caps, with edges wrapped where possible so the film lines disappear. This is what most of our customers choose, because chips do not stop at a partial hood line — and on a dark car, that line shows.
- Full body: every painted panel on the car. Worth it on a new car you plan to keep, a matte or specialty finish you cannot easily repair, or a car you want to keep looking freshly detailed for years.
Every install starts with a hand wash, decontamination and clay bar, plus a 1-stage paint enhancement polish of the panels being wrapped, so the film goes over paint that is already corrected. From there the film guards against chips, swirl marks and light scratches, and shrugs off bird droppings, bug acids and tree sap that would etch bare paint.
What PPF costs in San Jose
These are our published sedan prices. Every figure is out the door — tax is included and there is nothing to add at the counter:
- Full front, gloss: from $1,999
- Full body, gloss: $6,999
- Full front, matte: $2,299
- Full body, matte or color: $7,999
Tesla owners: a Model Y runs $1,999 for a full front and $6,499 for a full body in clear, or $7,499 in matte or color. A Model 3 is priced like a sedan, using the figures above. Our Tesla paint protection film page has the model-by-model details.
SUVs, trucks, vans and other vehicles are quoted by vehicle — panel size and complexity change the job, and we would rather price your actual car than pad a published number. Text us the year, make and model and we will quote it. The full breakdown lives on our paint protection film page, and San Jose drivers can see local details on our San Jose page.
The film we install: LLumar Valor
We install LLumar Valor. Two things set it apart. First, surface scratches in the film self-heal with sun or engine heat, so the light swirls and scuffs that build up on a daily driver fade instead of accumulating. Second, its Tetrashield topcoat is super hydrophobic, so dirt and water slide off — the car washes easier and stays cleaner between washes.
Valor is backed by a manufacturer's limited 12-year warranty covering cracking, bubbling and yellowing. If you have also seen the term “clear bra” while researching, it is the same product category — our clear bra vs paint protection film guide explains where the name came from and how modern film differs from the old partial kits.
Matte and color PPF
Clear is not the only option. Matte PPF turns a gloss finish satin, or protects a factory matte finish that cannot be polished or easily repainted. Color PPF changes the car's color while protecting the original paint underneath — unlike a vinyl wrap, it is a true protection film, so you get the new look and the chip protection in one install. On a sedan, matte runs $2,299 for a full front and $7,999 for a full body, and a color full body is also $7,999.
How long it takes, and how to book
A full front takes 2 days. A full body takes 4 to 5 days. The deposit for PPF is $200 — it comes off your total and is fully refundable up to 24 hours before your appointment.
You will find us at 51 Minnis Cir, Milpitas, CA 95035, roughly 10 minutes from North San Jose via I-880 or the Montague Expressway. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on weekends. Drop-off starts at 9:30 AM and we will text you when your car is ready. Questions first? Call or text (510) 657-6868.
Questions
How much does paint protection film cost in San Jose?
On a sedan, our published prices are $1,999 for a full front in gloss, $6,999 for a full body in gloss, $2,299 for a matte full front, and $7,999 for a matte or color full body — all out the door, tax included. A Tesla Model Y runs $1,999 for a full front and $6,499 for a full body in clear ($7,499 in matte or color), and a Model 3 is priced like a sedan. SUVs, trucks and other vehicles are quoted by vehicle — text us yours and we will price it.
How long does PPF installation take?
A full front takes 2 days and a full body takes 4 to 5 days. The PPF deposit is $200, it comes off your total, and it is fully refundable up to 24 hours before your appointment.
Is PPF worth it for a freeway commuter?
Yes — commuters get the most out of it. Highways 101, 280, 680 and 87 throw gravel and construction debris at the same panels every day, and one repainted hood costs more than protecting it. The film takes the chips instead of your paint, and light surface scratches in it self-heal with sun or engine heat.
What does the 12-year warranty cover?
LLumar Valor is backed by a manufacturer's limited 12-year warranty that covers cracking, bubbling and yellowing.
Do you install matte or color PPF?
Yes. Matte PPF keeps your paint's color but changes the finish to a satin look, and color PPF changes the color entirely while protecting the paint underneath. On a sedan, a matte full front is $2,299 and a matte or color full body is $7,999, out the door.
Ready when you are. Text us your car and the coverage you want and we will confirm your price and a drop-off day — or start on our paint protection film page.