We’ve all experienced the joy of driving a brand new car for the first time. There’s something about the way the paintwork shines and how a new car smells that make it really satisfying even if you’re just slowly cruising down the street. And that’s probably why we bring our cars to detailers to get it polished and waxed from time to time, to keep it looking just like new. There’s no point driving a nice car with all the horsepower in the world if it lacks that finesse to turn heads. Think about it, a beater car modified with aftermarket parts may have the same amount of horsepower as a supercar, but does it really stir the same emotions when you see one coming down the street?
Darren Chang, Founder of Autodetailer. Photo by Jason Lee.
Unlike most teenagers that grew up with a love of fast cars, Darren Chang, the Technical Director of Autodetailer in Petaling Jaya, was obsessed with keeping cars spick and span. When he was a young boy, Chang learned how to wash, polish and wax his car from his father. In college, he got a yellow 1972 VW Beetle and spent most of his free time learning how to work with old paint, clean the interiors and restore the shine to chrome. Today, Chang has been running Autodetailer for 14 years and his clients’ cars range from classic vintage automobiles to the latest sportscars. Each of them trusts Chang with bringing out the best in their vehicles, making him the right person to talk to for this month’s The Peak Expert.
03 FILM SCHOOL
The essential questions about the new film coatings that are trending in today’s automotive market.
ANYTHING TO KNOW BEFORE USING A PROTECTION FILM?
It’s best to ensure that your paintwork is absolutely perfect before applying the film, as shoddy work may cause problems with the paint in the future. Of course, different grades of protection films have different quality levels. But, at the end of the day, the material is only as good as the person who is applying it; so, do ensure you enlist someone who knows what they are doing.
WHAT ABOUT PAINT REPLACEMENT FILMS?
Paint replacement films are a great way to change the appearance of your car without needing to go through an intensive paintwork process. The best part is, it comes in all sorts of finishes, including a matte texture, metallic and even mirror, making it a great and more cost-effective way of personalising your car.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROTECTION FILM AND A PAINT COATING?
The main difference is that the protection film is a Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) coating that is about 200 to 400 per cent thicker than the original clear coat. Once applied, it becomes a robust and almost permanent form of protection against dust, debris, oxidisation and stone chips, and will last anywhere from five to 10 years. Protection films don’t require polishing and waxing, and, instead, will shine after every car wash.
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