New-Car PPF Checklist: What to Inspect Before Installation

Before fitting PPF to a new car, check the paint for delivery damage, transport marks and dealer repairs, decide on coverage and film, and confirm how the installer will prepare the paint and finish the edges. New paint is not always perfect, and PPF seals in whatever is underneath, so the inspection matters as much as the film. At Apex, full-body PPF starts from AED 12,000 for sedans and AED 13,500 for SUVs and trucks (colour PPF from AED 15,000), depending on options, before VAT.

The best time to fit paint protection film is before the car has done any real driving. One trip down Sheikh Zayed Road behind a gravel truck can put the first chips in a brand-new bonnet.

But new does not mean flawless. Cars are shipped, stored, washed at the dealer and sometimes touched up before delivery. PPF is clear, so anything on the paint when the film goes on stays visible under it. This checklist covers what to inspect, what to decide and what to check at collection.

What should I check on a new car before PPF goes on?

Look at the paint in good light before the film is fitted, ideally with the installer. A quick walk-round in a dark car park is not enough.

• Swirls and wash marks from dealer washes, especially on black and dark colours.
• Transport damage such as small scratches, scuffs on bumper corners or chips on the bonnet edge.
• Dealer paint repairs, which can show as slight colour or texture differences and may need extra care.
• Panel gaps and trim that sit unevenly, which you should raise with the dealer first.
• Glue residue from transport film on the roof, bonnet or bumpers.
• Accessories like number-plate brackets, parking sensors and roof bars that affect the film pattern.

Most of these are easy to fix before installation. Light swirls can be corrected with a polish, and residue removed during decontamination. Our guide to PPF on used cars covers deeper correction if the paint needs more work.

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How much of a new car should I cover?

It depends on how you drive and how long you keep the car. Stone chips concentrate at the front, but doors, sills and rear quarters take scuffs from car parks and sand.

Read our guides to full-front PPF, partial PPF packages and interior PPF for more detail on each option.

Which PPF film should I choose for a new car?

At Apex we install both STEK and XPEL. Both are top-tier films, and both get the same preparation and installation team.

• Full PPF starts from AED 12,000 for sedans and AED 13,500 for SUVs and trucks, and colour PPF from AED 15,000, depending on options, before 5% VAT. Strong value for complete coverage.
• Full PPF starts from AED 12,000 for sedans and AED 13,500 for SUVs and trucks, and colour PPF from AED 15,000, depending on options, before 5% VAT. The widest choice of finishes and a 10-year manufacturer warranty on ULTIMATE PLUS and STEALTH.

Our 2026 PPF price guide breaks down every package, and the XPEL PPF guide explains the film lines and warranty terms.

What should I ask the installer before booking?

Two quotes for full-body PPF can describe very different jobs. Ask each installer to confirm these points in writing.

1. Which exact film brand and line will be used.
2. Whether the price includes washing, decontamination and any paint correction.
3. Whether patterns are plotter-cut or cut by hand on the car.
4. Which edges will be wrapped, and where there will be seams or relief cuts.
5. How sensors, cameras and radar are handled.
6. How the warranty is registered, and what aftercare is included.

Our checklist for choosing the best PPF installer in Dubai goes deeper into each of these.

How does Apex Detail Studio prepare a new car?

New cars go through the same process as every PPF job at our Al Quoz studio, with extra attention to delivery marks.

1. Joint inspection. We walk round the car with you under studio lighting and note anything already on the paint.
2. Wash and decontamination. Transport residue, iron fallout and sand are removed.
3. Correction where needed. Light swirls are polished out so they are not sealed under the film.
4. Pattern preparation. Vehicle-specific digital patterns are adjusted in software and plotter-cut.
5. Installation. Film is laid panel by panel, with edges wrapped where safe.
6. Final inspection. Every panel, edge and corner is checked before release.

A standard full-body installation generally takes two to three days. Our installation process guide shows each stage in detail.

What should I check when I collect the car?

Do the final check in good light, not in a dark car park at night.

• Edges are tucked or neatly finished, with no lifting at corners.
• No large dust specks, hairs or air bubbles. Small moisture spots can be normal for a few days while the film settles.
• Seams and relief cuts sit where you agreed.
• Sensors, cameras and lights work as before.
• Coverage matches the quote, panel by panel.
• You have the aftercare instructions and warranty details.

Avoid washing the car for the first few days and do not pick at edges. After that, normal hand washing is fine.

Frequently asked questions

Should I put PPF on a brand-new car?

Yes, ideally as soon as possible after delivery and before regular highway driving. New paint is at its best on day one, and PPF keeps it that way by taking stone chips and light scratches instead of the clear coat.

Does a new car need paint correction before PPF?

Sometimes. New cars can arrive with dealer wash swirls, transport marks or small repairs. Light correction before installation stops those marks being sealed under the film. We inspect the paint with you before confirming.

How much does PPF cost on a new car in Dubai?

At Apex Detail Studio, full-body PPF starts from AED 12,000 for sedans and AED 13,500 for SUVs and trucks (colour PPF from AED 15,000), depending on options, all before 5% VAT. Front-end packages cost less and are quoted per car.

How long does PPF installation take?

A standard full-body installation is generally completed in two to three days. Paint correction or extra coverage such as interior film can add time.

Can I drive the car straight after PPF?

Yes. The film may show small moisture spots for a few days while it settles. Avoid washing for the first few days and do not pressure-wash the edges.

What should I inspect before I collect the car?

Check the edges, corners, seams, dust or bubbles, sensors and cameras, and confirm the coverage matches your quote. Do it in good light with the installer present.