Types of PPF: Gloss, Matte, Colour and Coverage Options in Dubai

The main types of PPF are gloss film, satin or matte film and colour PPF, and each can be fitted as front-end, partial or full-body coverage. At Apex Detail Studio in Al Quoz, Dubai, we fit XPEL Ultimate Plus for gloss and XPEL Stealth for satin, using DAP precut patterns. 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 5% VAT.

How many types of paint protection film are there?

There are three main types of paint protection film by finish: gloss, satin or matte, and colour. Every type is made from clear or tinted thermoplastic urethane, and premium versions of each have a self-healing topcoat.

All PPF does the same core job. It is a flexible urethane layer, sometimes called a clear bra, that sits over the paint and absorbs stone chips, light scratches, door dings and stains. What changes between types is how the car looks once the film is on, and how the topcoat behaves. On top of the finish, you also choose how much of the car to cover.

So when owners ask about types of PPF, they are really choosing two things: the finish, and the coverage. We explain both below.

How do gloss, satin and colour PPF compare?

Gloss PPF keeps the factory look, satin PPF changes the sheen, and colour PPF changes the colour; all three protect the paint from chips and light scratches.

What is gloss PPF?

Gloss PPF is a clear film with a high-gloss topcoat that keeps the factory shine and often adds depth to the paint. It is the most common type and suits almost any car and colour.

The film we fit for gloss is XPEL Ultimate Plus. It is optically clear, self-healing and resists staining, discolouration and yellowing. On dark colours it can make the paint look deeper and wetter. On metallic and pearl paints it keeps the flake visible. Because the film is clear, it works on any colour, which is why it is the default choice for new cars, luxury saloons, sports cars and family SUVs alike.

XPEL also makes Ultimate Fusion, a gloss film with a hydrophobic topcoat built in, so water and dirt bead off and the car is easier to wash.

What is self-healing PPF?

Self-healing PPF has an elastic topcoat that flows back into shape when warmed, so light scratches and swirl marks disappear on their own. The heat can come from the sun, warm water or a heat gun.

Self-healing is not a separate finish but a property of premium film, and both XPEL Ultimate Plus and XPEL Stealth have it. In Dubai it is especially useful: the sun heals light wash marks and parking scuffs quickly, so a daily-driven car keeps a clean finish without repeated polishing. A deep cut that goes through the film will not heal, and that section of film is replaced instead.

Many premium films also resist discolouration, staining and cracking, which matters when cars sit in heat above 45C for months each year.

What is matte or satin PPF?

Matte or satin PPF is a film with a low-reflection topcoat that either protects factory matte paint or turns gloss paint into a satin finish, without a respray. The colour stays the same; the sheen changes.

We fit XPEL Stealth for this. On a car with factory matte or frozen paint, it is the right film because gloss film would make matte paint shiny. On a gloss car, it gives a soft, stealth look that many owners prefer, especially on white, grey and black cars. Two recent examples are our BMW X6 M Competition in XPEL Stealth and the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato in the video below.

Satin film protects in the same way as gloss film: it absorbs chips, heals light scratches with heat and resists stains. Because it changes the look, it is almost always fitted as full-body coverage so the finish is consistent across every panel. If you are weighing the two finishes on a Tesla, our Tesla matte vs gloss PPF guide covers it in detail.

What is colour PPF?

Colour PPF is a tinted urethane film that changes the colour of the car while giving the same impact and scratch protection as clear film. It is the protective alternative to a vinyl colour wrap.

A vinyl wrap changes the colour but offers little protection against stone chips. Colour PPF is thicker, self-healing urethane, so the car gets a new colour and a protective layer at the same time. Like any colour change, it covers the full body, and the edges and door shuts need careful planning so the original colour does not show. We recently turned a white Range Rover gloss black with colour PPF, which shows what the finish looks like in practice.

The original paint stays untouched underneath, so the car can return to its factory colour when the film is removed by a trained installer.

Which PPF coverage level do you need?

Front-end coverage protects the areas that take most stone chips, partial coverage adds high-wear spots like door edges and A-pillars, and full-body coverage protects every painted panel. Satin and colour films need full-body coverage.

• Front end: bonnet, front bumper, headlights, front wings and mirrors. This is the most popular starting point.
• Extended front or partial: the front end plus A-pillars, roof edge, door edges, door cups and sometimes sills and rear arches.
• Full body: every painted panel, so the whole car is protected and looks uniform.

On Dubai highways the front end takes most of the damage, but sand, parking and washing wear the rest of the car too. Owners who keep cars for several years, or who drive long distances, usually choose full body.

How do you choose the right type of PPF for your car?

Choose the type of PPF by answering three questions: do you want to keep the factory look or change it, how much of the car takes damage in your daily driving, and how long you plan to keep the car. The answers point to a finish and a coverage level.

• Keep the factory look: gloss film. If you want easier washing too, a hydrophobic gloss film.
• Factory matte paint: satin film, full body, to keep the matte finish true.
• Change the look without a colour change: satin film over gloss paint, full body.
• Change the colour: colour PPF, full body.
• Mostly city driving, short ownership: front-end gloss coverage protects the most exposed areas.
• Long highway runs, long ownership or a high-value car: full-body coverage.

Older cars benefit too. We correct the paint first, then fit the film, so the car looks refreshed and stays that way. When in doubt, send us your car details and how you drive, and our team will talk you through the options for that car.

How do we fit each type of PPF at Apex?

Every type of film is fitted the same careful way: decontamination wash and paint inspection, paint correction where needed, precut patterns from XPEL’s DAP software, then installation in controlled bays with edges wrapped and tucked.

Precut patterns mean no blade touches the paint. Satin and colour films need extra care at panel edges and door shuts so the finish looks consistent from every angle. Our in-house team works in the controlled bays of our 20,000 sq ft Al Quoz studio. If you plan to add ceramic coating, the film goes on first and the coating goes over it.

How much does each type of PPF cost?

Full-body PPF at Apex 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 5% VAT. Satin and colour films are different products from standard gloss film, and coverage, car size and paint preparation all change the final figure.

Front-end coverage costs less than full body. Larger cars need more film and time. Cars that need paint correction first take longer. For a full breakdown of what moves the price, read our guide to PPF cost in Dubai, or see our paint protection film service. Send your car details on WhatsApp for an exact quote.

Watch gloss and satin PPF on real cars

These videos show satin XPEL Stealth film on a 2024 BMW X5 and a Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato in our studio.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gloss and matte PPF?

Gloss PPF keeps or adds shine, while matte or satin PPF gives a low-reflection finish. Both protect the paint in the same way.

Can you put gloss PPF on a matte car?

It is not recommended, because gloss film would make matte paint look shiny. Satin film such as XPEL Stealth is made for matte paint.

Does PPF work on any car colour?

Clear gloss and satin films work on any colour. Colour PPF changes the colour completely.

Is colour PPF better than a vinyl wrap?

Colour PPF is thicker, self-healing urethane, so it protects against chips and light scratches as well as changing the colour.

Can I fit PPF only on certain areas?

Yes. Gloss film can be fitted to the front end or high-wear areas only. Satin and colour films are usually fitted to the full body.

Can ceramic coating go over any type of PPF?

Yes. The film goes on first and the coating goes over it for easier cleaning and water beading.

Which type of PPF is most popular in Dubai?

Gloss film is the most common choice, with satin film popular on white, grey and black cars and on cars with matte paint.