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Winter Car Protection: Why PPF is Essential for Calgary

By Ahmed
Jan 18, 2025
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Car covered in snow and ice, protected by PPF

Calgary winters are brutal. It's not just the -30°C temps; it's what they put on the roads.
Since Calgary uses a gravel/sand mixture for traction (pickle mix), driving on Deerfoot in January is essentially being sandblasted for 20 minutes a day.

The Triple Threat of Calgary Winters

1. The "Pickle" (Gravel)

Thousands of tiny rocks are hitting your bumper. Each one chips the paint, opening the door for moisture.

2. Liquid Brine (Salt)

Magnesium Chloride is corrosive. It eats into bare metal chips and accelerates rust formation instantly.

3. Thermal Shock

Going from -30°C outside to a +20°C garage causes materials to expand and contract, causing brittle paint to crack.

Why PPF is the Only Winter Solution in Calgary

Ceramic coating is great for summer dust, but in winter, it's useless against physical gravel bombardment.

The Pros

  • PPF is elastic; it bounces rocks off even in cold temps
  • Seals the paint away from salt intrusion
  • Thick physical barrier (8 mil) vs chemical barrier

The Cons

  • You must clear snow carefully (don't use hard plastic scrapers on PPF)

Calgary Winter Maintenance Guide

1

Touchless Washes Only

Weekly

Do NOT use the foam brush at coin ops. It is full of gravel from the guy before you. Use high pressure rinse only.

2

Avoid Scrapers

Daily

Use a foam snow brush or soft bristle brush. Never use the scraping edge on your hood or protected areas.

3

Spring De-Con

April

Bring it to us for a professional decontamination wash to unclog the salt from the coating's pores.

Prepare for the Freeze

Don't let one winter age your car by 5 years. Get a protective film installed before the first snowfall.

Get Winter Ready

Frequently Asked Questions

Award Winning Service

Experience The Best.

Don't let another commute compromise your vehicle. Get a quote from Calgary's Consumer Choice Award winner today.

Calgary's Premier PPF Studio Location

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Difference.

Our climate-controlled facility is purpose-built for precision application. Stop by, meet the team, and inspect our work in person.

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#2 - 239 61 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2H 0R4

Serving Calgary & Area:

Airdrie | Cochrane | Okotoks | Chestermere | High River

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Direct Line

Speak directly to an installer, not a receptionist.

(403) 830-3311

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Mon - Fri9am - 5pm
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"I was hesitant about who to trust with my new Corvette. The team at PPF Pros explained everything, showed me their shop, and the result was absolutely flawless."
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