Paint Protection Film Pricing Guide
Paint Protection Film (clear bra) prices for partial front, full front, and full-body coverage — plus what to know about combining PPF with ceramic coating.
PPF is a self-healing urethane film that sits on top of the clearcoat and absorbs rock chips, scratches, and road contamination. It's the strongest protection you can put on a car, and priced accordingly.
Labour is the biggest cost driver. A skilled installer spends 2–4 hours on a bonnet alone, shaping the film around curves and inside panel gaps. Full-vehicle installs are 2–3 days of studio work.
What paint protection film typically costs
$500–$1,200
What's included
Front bumper only. Uses 2–3m of film.
When this tier fits
Minimum coverage for a daily driver — protects the panel most exposed to rock chips.
$1,800–$3,500
What's included
Main rock-chip zones. Typically with matching 10-year film warranty.
When this tier fits
Highway commuters, new-car owners who want common-strike zones covered.
$2,800–$5,500
What's included
Adds full bonnet, headlights, A-pillars. Covers basically everything the road can flick up.
When this tier fits
Performance cars, long interstate driving, or when you want zero stone chips long-term.
$6,000–$12,000+
What's included
Every painted panel. Typically 2–3 days of install in a clean studio.
When this tier fits
Collector cars, track cars, or luxury vehicles where resale paint condition matters.
Prices are indicative AUD ranges based on typical Australian metropolitan pricing. Actual quotes depend on scope, access, and local market.
What affects the price
Coverage area
Film cost scales with surface area; bonnets and doors are the largest single panels.
Vehicle complexity
Curvy panels (modern coupes, wide fenders) take longer than flat panels. Badging and sensors add minutes per corner.
Film tier
Self-healing films (XPEL Ultimate Plus, SunTek Ultra, STEK Dynoshield) cost more than economy PPF, but come with 10-year manufacturer warranties.
Pre-install correction
Good installers machine-polish the paint first, since PPF preserves whatever's underneath it. Budget for a light correction detail.
Before you book — what to check
Correction before install
PPF locks in swirls and defects. On a new car it's fine as-is; on a car with 20,000+ km, budget a single-stage correction before film goes on.
Wrapped vs pre-cut
Bulk film wrapped around edges gives invisible lines but costs more labour. Pre-cut patterns are faster and cheaper but can leave a visible 1–2mm edge.
PPF + ceramic is a common combo
Installers often topcoat the film with a ceramic to add slickness, hydrophobic behaviour, and UV stability. Adds $400–$800 to the job.
Warranty
Premium film brands warrant yellowing, delamination, and cracking for 10 years — but only if installed by an authorised dealer.
Indoor install
Dust contamination shows up instantly under PPF. Film installers need a clean, climate-controlled studio — avoid anyone quoting a garage install.
Leading PPF brands
Brand and product names you're likely to see in quotes.
XPEL Ultimate Plus
The most-specified self-healing film in Australia. 10-year warranty.
SunTek Ultra
Strong self-healing and gloss, widely installed.
STEK Dynoshield / DYNOmatt
Popular for matte PPF over glossy paint.
3M Scotchgard Pro
Long-established; sometimes used by dealer-network installers.
KAVACA (Ceramic Pro)
Ceramic-infused PPF, bundled with the Ceramic Pro ecosystem.
Hexis Bodyfence
European OEM-grade film on some Euro luxury installs.
Frequently asked questions
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Related guides
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Ceramic coating prices, real durability claims, and why paint condition matters more than the brand on the bottle.
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What window tinting really costs across dyed, carbon, and ceramic films — plus what the Australian VLT rules mean for how dark you can actually go.
Vehicle Wraps
Colour-change wraps, commercial signage, and accent wraps — what each level typically costs in Australia and the film brands behind the quotes.