Even in premium cars and powerful trucks, despite their durability, there is a weak spot that quickly loses its appearance, and this happens through the fault of the driver, no matter how careful he was. To protect these vulnerable areas, an anti-gravel film for car thresholds was invented – a transparent coating that protects against scuffs, scratches, chips, cracks, fading and loss of gloss. This polyurethane film prevents damage to the paintwork in those areas that are particularly susceptible to mechanical impact.
And the thresholds of a car are just one of the parts of the bodywork that are most exposed to negative influences. Dirt, gravel, stones, road reagents and shoe friction inevitably lead to wear and tear of the coating, scratches and chips. An effective solution to protect the thresholds is to cover them with a special protective film.
Why do I need to armour thresholds with polyurethane film?
Anti-gravel polyurethane film for car thresholds is used to protect car thresholds due to its high elasticity, which allows it to precisely follow the shape and contours of the parts. Polyurethane has a number of advantages that make it the best choice for threshold protection:
Advantages of polyurethane film:
- Colour retention. The transparent film does not affect the colour of the paintwork and remains invisible.
- Safe removal. The film does not damage lacquer and paint when removed.
- Self-repair. Small scratches on the film can disappear when exposed to heat from sunlight or a hairdryer.
Car anti-gravel threshold protection effectively protects thresholds from:
- Chips, cracks and scratches caused by contact with stones, gravel, asphalt chips and even glass.
- Aggressive chemicals such as road chemicals and bitumen.
- Dirt and moisture that contribute to rust and corrosion.
- Minor damage caused by light impacts on obstacles and road irregularities.
It is important to note that, despite its durability, anti-gravel film does not protect against dents, but helps to keep the paintwork in excellent condition.
What is polyurethane anti-gravel film?
First of all, the protective film for car thresholds is thin (150-200 microns), remarkably elastic (it elongates by 450-600% of its original size) and has a multi-layer structure. A quality film consists of at least two layers:
Adhesive layer — responsible for the secure attachment of the film to the surface.
Base layer — made of pure polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride with additives to increase durability.
Today’s advanced variants include third layer — a top protective layer, often made of acrylic lacquer or special patented compounds. This layer creates a waterproof and environmentally resistant surface, providing additional durability and protection for the thresholds.
How the thresholds of the car are «armoured» with film
The process of «armouring» the thresholds of a car by professionals is a sequential chain of six stages:
- Calculation of material consumption — the amount of film needed to cover the thresholds is determined.
- Making an accurate cut — the film is cut to the shape and size of the thresholds for a perfect fit.
- Surface preparation — thoroughly clean, degrease and dry the surface of the thresholds to ensure reliable adhesion.
- Dismantling of the sealing rubbers — removal of the rubbers to facilitate film installation and prevent damage to them.
- Film installation — the film is applied using the wet or dry method depending on the preference of the craftsman and the type of film.
- The final work is heating with a construction hairdryer and levelling the surface to eliminate irregularities and bubbles.
If all the steps are performed correctly, the film becomes a reliable shield protecting the thresholds from UV rays, aggressive chemicals and mechanical wear. It can cope with such loads as:
- The friction of the rough sole of a heavy man.
- Sharp women’s heels.
- Blows with hard and heavy objects.
It does not matter whether the film is installed on plastic or steel thresholds. In both cases, the film, thanks to its elasticity and strength, absorbs impacts and contacts with rough surfaces, remaining intact and protecting the paintwork.
Prices for polyurethane film protection of car thresholds in Riga
The cost of anti-gravel film varies depending on the chosen material and the volume and condition of the treated surface, but in any case it is cheaper than repainting or replacing damaged parts. To find out the exact price for your car, call us or leave a request on this page.
