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Should I Get PPF Installed Before or After My First Winter in Calgary?

By Amro
Aug 30, 2023
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Winter vs Spring PPF installation timing

You bought a new car in October. Is it safe to wait until spring for PPF? The short answer: Absolutely not.

The "Gravel Season" Reality in Calgary

Calgary dumps millions of pounds of gravel (pickle mix) on the roads between November and March. Winter is the highest risk season for rock chips. Driving a naked bumper through a Calgary winter ensures it will need repainting or heavy correction by April.

Cost of Waiting

If you wait until spring, here is the likely scenario:

  1. You accumulate 10-20 rock chips over winter.
  2. Before we can install PPF in spring, we must touch up those chips.
  3. Touch-up paint is never perfect. The PPF will seal over the imperfections.
  4. You effectively paid for a new car but permanently locked in used-car damage.

Can PPF Be Installed in Calgary Winter?

Yes. Our studio is climate-controlled to 22°C year-round. We wash, warm, and install the film indoors. We then cure it under IR lamps.

Once cured (usually 24 hours), the film is ready to face -30°C. XPEL film does not crack in the cold; it remains the only barrier between your paint and the gravel truck ahead of you.

Paint Damage Probability by Month

Summer (July)20%
Fall (Oct)40%
Winter (Jan - Gravel Peak)95%

Winter PPF Recommendation for Calgarians

If you take delivery in winter, drive the car straight to PPF Pros. Do not pass go. Do not collect rock chips. If you must drive it for a few days, try to stay off Deerfoot Trail until it is protected.

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