Please watch the video for details. The main this to remember is to clean the sills first, and don't be shy using the slip solution, if the PPF sticks as soon as you lay it on, then you do not have enough.
Installing the PPF Sill Protectors
The film comes in two finishes. The satin (stealth) film matches the satin black sill and softens the "Model 3"/"Model Y" lettering. The gloss film gives a mirror finish and makes the lettering stand out more. Pick whichever look you prefer – the install process is identical.
Tip: Install PPF in temperate conditions, between 60°F and 80°F (16°C and 27°C).
Slip solution
You can use the optional XPEL installation gel, or mix your own in a spray bottle: about 90% water (distilled if you can get it) and 10% baby shampoo or other cheap shampoo. Don't use anything containing moisturizer.
Install
- Clean the door sill. Any dust or grit left under the film will show up as a bubble.
- Spray the sill and soak it with slip solution.
- Peel the backing off the film, keeping your fingers off the adhesive side. Spray the adhesive side generously with slip solution as you go.
- Float the film onto the sill. It should slide around freely – if it grabs and sticks straight away, you don't have enough solution. Peel it off, add more, and lay it back down.
- Slide the film into position and get the alignment exactly where you want it.
- Take a first gentle pass with the squeegee to push out some of the trapped liquid. Too much pressure at this stage will move the film.
- Make a second pass with more pressure to work the rest of the liquid out. Work all the way to the edges.
- Wipe off the excess gel with a towel.
- Go back over the film with the squeegee and look for bubbles or gentle waves where solution is still trapped. Squeegee the top edge and the bottom edge separately – solution tends to collect there.
- Dry the sill off with a clean rag.
With the gloss film you may see what look like watermarks under the film. These are trapped solution and will disappear over a day or two. A few small bubbles may also appear over the next day or two and will vanish on their own.
To remove the film, spray the sill and peel the film off. Film that has been on the car a while takes more effort, but the process is the same.
