Calgary's highest-rated clear bra shop. Self-healing film that shrugs off gravel from Deerfoot and Stoney Trail, backed by a 10-year warranty and our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Tell us who you are — We'll text your quote in ~15 minutes during business hours.
Service overview
Paint protection film (PPF) is a clear, 8-mil thermoplastic urethane layer that goes over your paint and takes the hits so your finish doesn't — rock chips, road salt, bug acid, and light scratches all land on the film instead of the clear coat.
If you drive Deerfoot, Stoney Trail, or Highway 1 out to Banff, that matters: one gravel season plus chinook freeze-thaw and winter brine can chew up unprotected paint in a matter of months. It's the same thing people call "clear bra," and the modern self-healing versions reflow light scratches with nothing but heat from the sun. Good film lasts 7–10 years.
Here's how we do it at Obsidian Auto: premium film from STEK, 3M, SunTek, and GSWF, cut from a digital pattern (no blades anywhere near your paint) and wrapped around the edges so you can't see where the film ends. Every install carries a 10-year warranty and our lifetime workmanship guarantee. We cover all of Calgary — NE, NW, SE, SW, Downtown — plus Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks.
Stops rock chips
Heals scratches
10-year warranty
Higher resale value
UV & stain resistant
Invisible protection
At a glance
Coverage
Partial front through full body
Film
8-mil urethane — 3M, STEK, SunTek, GSWF
Warranty
10-year film + lifetime workmanship
Install time
3–5 hours (partial) to 5–7 days (full body)
Price from
$399 · full front from $1,499
Best for
New vehicles and daily highway drivers
Why our installs last
What separates a good install from a fast one
01
Impact resistance
Deflects the stones and gravel Deerfoot and Stoney Trail throw at your front end before they ever reach the clear coat.
02
Self-healing
Warmth reflows the elastomeric top coat, so swirl marks and light scratches disappear on their own — room temperature is the only baseline any film maker publishes.
03
Precision fit
Digitally plotted patterns, cut on a plotter before the film touches your car. No knife ever goes near your paint.
04
Invisible finish
Optically clear, wrapped around every edge. You have to hunt to find where the film ends.
The collection
Paint protection film packages
From essential daily defence to complete track-ready encapsulation. Every package carries the 10-year film warranty and our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Lighter coverage — same film, same warranty
The Signature — Full Front
Full front end
From$1,499
10-year warranty included
Full front-end coverage — the package most Calgary drivers land on. It wraps every panel the gravel on Deerfoot and Stoney actually hammers. If your car's new or you're on the highway daily, this is the one I'd tell you to get.
Everything in the Signature, plus the lower splash zones your own tires kick gravel into first. The pick for high-kilometre commuters and anyone who actually drives their sports car.
Every painted panel wrapped in self-healing film — no exposed paint anywhere, ceramic coating on top. Overkill for a commuter, exactly right for an exotic or a matte conversion you plan to keep.
Prices are starting points for a compact car. Vehicle size, body complexity and whether the paint needs correcting first move the final number — see the full PPF cost breakdown.
Bundle & Save
Combine Services. Save More.
These bundles are curated specifically for Calgary drivers. Protect against the threats you actually face — not generic upsells.
Most Popular
Book Ahead — Limited Availability
The Deerfoot Defense Package
Calgary Road Warrior
Calgary highways throw gravel, sun, and salt at your vehicle every day. This bundle covers the 3 biggest threats in one appointment — rock chips on the windshield, paint damage on the front end, and UV degradation everywhere.
Windshield Protection Film (ExoShield)
PPF Standard Package (Front End)
4-Year Ceramic Coating
Door Cups & Edge Guards
Bundle Price
From $2,200
Save $600+
Salt-Proof Your Investment
Winter Fortress
Calgary's road salt and liquid calcium chloride eat through frames, brake lines, AND paint. This package protects from above and below — rubberized undercoating underneath, PPF on the most chip-prone panels.
Complete Undercoating Package
PPF Rocker Panels & Door Edges
Wheel Well Protection
Cavity Wax Injection
Bundle Price
From $1,199
Save $350+
Book 2 Weeks Ahead
The Ultimate "I Don't Worry" Package
Total Calgary Defense
Every surface. Every threat. Covered. This is the most comprehensive protection package available in Calgary — PPF, ceramic coating, tint, and windshield film combined into one build.
PPF Signature Package (Full Front)
4-Year Ceramic Coating
Full Ceramic Window Tint
Windshield Protection Film
Door Cups, Edges & Luggage Strip
Bundle Price
From $3,500
Save $1,200+
No Credit Card Required
Free Consultation
Price Lock Guarantee
Protect Your Paint — Get a Custom Quote
PPF pricing depends on vehicle size and coverage level. Get an exact quote in 24 hours.
The top layer of our film is made of elastomeric polymers. When scratches occur, the molecular bonds are just stretched, not broken.
Apply heat (sunlight or hot water), and the polymers "remember" their original shape, flowing back together to erase the scratch instantly.
Drag slider to see healing
After (Healed)
Before (Scratched)
Self-Healing Top CoatHydrophobic & Scratch Resistant
0.5 mil
Impact UrethaneHigh-Energy Absorption Core
6.0 mil
Acrylic AdhesiveSecure, Removable Bonding
1.5 mil
Vehicle Paint Surface
Multi-Layer Defense
Engineered For Impact.
It's not just plastic. It's a complex, multi-layer engineered material designed to dissipate impact energy.
The thick 6.0 mil urethane core acts as a shock absorber, taking the hit from highway gravel so your paint doesn't have to. The "bounce back" effect reflects stones rather than allowing them to chip.
8 Mil
Total Thickness
100%
UV Protection
Digital Pattern Software
Pattern System
Plotting Pattern...0.1mm Precision
The "Knife" Danger
We Don't Cut On Your Paint.
Many shops cut the film after placing it on your car, risking razor cuts into your clear coat.
We use digital pattern software to digitally download the exact pattern for your make and model. Our plotter cuts the film with robotic precision before it ever touches your vehicle.
Precision Fit
Accurate to 0.1mm around sensors and badges.
Wrapped Edges
We extend patterns to wrap around hoods for invisibility.
Why Calgary Drivers Need PPF
Paint Protection Film for Calgary's Toughest Roads
There's a reason Calgary is one of the biggest PPF markets in North America — this city is genuinely rough on paint. Gravel-strewn highways, temperature swings from -40°C to +35°C, and salt brine and calcium chloride laid on winter roads all work against your finish at once. I drive here too, so I'll put it plainly: paint protection film in Calgary isn't a luxury add-on, it's the cheapest way to keep your paint off a body shop's estimate.
Why Spring Gravel Season Damages Paint Every Year
Every spring, gravel cleanup and pothole-patching season on Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail kicks loose aggregate onto the roadway. For 6–8 weeks, vehicles travelling at highway speed are pelted by rocks that can chip paint down to bare metal. It's the most damaging period of the year for Calgary paint, and it repeats annually. PPF installed before gravel season is the only practical defence — it absorbs the impacts and self-heals, leaving your paint untouched underneath. Mobile installers who work outdoors often cannot operate during this window; Obsidian Auto's climate-controlled facility installs year-round. Booking ahead of gravel season also lines up with our seasonal PPF specials.
Calgary Roads That Destroy Paint
Deerfoot Trail, Stoney Trail, and Highway 2 are notorious for loose gravel and rock chips — especially after winter sand and gravel operations. A single deep rock chip requiring panel repaint costs $500–$1,500 at a body shop. Our PPF packages starting from $399 protect against hundreds of impacts over a decade.
Self-Healing PPF vs Calgary Winters
Modern self-healing paint protection film is engineered to withstand Alberta's extreme cold. The urethane construction maintains flexibility at sub-zero temperatures, and the self-healing top coat reflows as the panel warms. No film maker publishes a temperature it must reach, and the only baseline any of them states is room temperature — which through a Calgary winter usually means a heated garage rather than the sun. We read six care documents to establish what the makers actually publish about healing temperature. Our films from STEK, 3M, and SunTek are specifically tested for -40°C performance, and every panel is wrapped by our installers.
Car Paint Protection: PPF vs Clear Bra vs Ceramic Coating
Many Calgary drivers confuse PPF, clear bra, and ceramic coating. Here's the simple truth: PPF and clear bra are the same product — "clear bra" is the older term for paint protection film. Ceramic coating, on the other hand, is a liquid nano-coating that adds gloss and hydrophobic properties but does NOT protect against rock chips — our side-by-side PPF vs ceramic comparison breaks down exactly when to choose each. For maximum protection, we recommend PPF + ceramic coating together — the film stops impacts while the coating on top repels water, dirt, and UV damage.
PPF vs Ceramic Coating in Calgary — What's the Difference?
Calgary drivers regularly ask whether they should choose PPF, ceramic coating, or both. The short answer: PPF is a physical 8 mil film that absorbs rock chips and scratches; ceramic coating is a 1–2 micron liquid layer that resists chemicals, beads water, and boosts gloss but offers no impact protection. The two are complementary — PPF for protection, ceramic for finish.
Feature
PPF
Ceramic Coating
Rock chip protection
Yes (8 mil film absorbs impact)
No (~1–2 micron coating)
Hydrophobicity / water beading
Moderate
Excellent
UV defense
Yes
Yes
Self-healing (heat-activated)
Yes (most premium films)
No
Gloss enhancement
Subtle
Significant
Lifespan
7–10 years
1–8 years (package-dependent)
Cost (Calgary, full front)
$1,499–$2,400
$899–$2,500
Install time
1–7 days (coverage-dependent)
1–2 days
Pricing reflects Calgary market rates as of May 2026. Ceramic coating tiers vary widely by brand and prep quality.
Calgary recommendation: For highway commuters and new vehicle owners, PPF on the full front + ceramic coating over the rest of the body is the long-term winner. The film stops Deerfoot rock chips; the ceramic coating makes winter washes effortless and protects against road salt and brine. See our full PPF vs ceramic guide or compare ceramic coating packages.
Obsidian Auto installs all four premium PPF brands below: 3M, STEK, SunTek, and GSWF. Every option ships as 8-mil self-healing thermoplastic urethane with a 10-year manufacturer warranty against yellowing, cracking, and delamination. The right film for your Calgary vehicle comes down to clarity priority, warranty terms, and budget — and because we back all four with the same 10-year warranty plus lifetime workmanship guarantee, you can't pick a wrong one. We'll walk you through the choice at consultation.
Brand
Thickness
Self-Heal
Warranty
Clarity
3M Pro Series
8 mil
Yes
10 yr
High
STEK DYNOshield
8 mil
Yes
10 yr
Premium
SunTek Reaction
8 mil
Yes
10 yr
High
GSWF
8 mil
Yes
10 yr
High
Specs reflect each manufacturer's flagship gloss line. Matte, coloured, and stealth variants may differ in thickness and warranty. Confirm exact SKU specs with your installer at booking. Care instructions differ too — see how satin and matte care instructions differ brand by brand.
The Calgary Standard
Volume Shops vs. Boutique Studio
Most shops are built for volume — get the car in, get it out, on to the next one. We're built the other way. Here's exactly what that difference gets you.
Typical "Volume" Shop
Visible Seams
Standard kits stop 1/8" from the edge. This line collects dirt and wax, creating an ugly outline.
Cutting on Paint
Hand-cutting film directly on your car risks razor marks in your clear coat.
Rushed "Same Day" Install
Film driven wet leads to lifting edges and water bubbles. 4-hour turnaround is a red flag.
Cuts Around Badges
Leaves an unsightly ring of exposed paint around emblems.
Obsidian Auto Standard
Obsidian Auto
Wrapped Edges
We modify patterns to wrap film around the panel edge — no film line to catch dirt, nothing to spot.
Precision Plotting
All kits are computer-cut before touching your car. Zero risk of knife damage.
Multi-Day Curing
We keep your car indoors overnight to ensure edges are heat-sealed and bond is permanent.
Badge Removal & Reinstall
We remove emblems to install film underneath, then reinstall them to factory spec.
Perfection Before Protection.
Applying film over swirls locks them in forever. That's why we recommend a professional Paint Correction before any installation. We treat the paint to ensure it's flawless before sealing it under our 10-year film.
Cars we've wrapped — protection you have to look hard to find.
Full body stealth · 2024
Toyota Supra GR
Track package · Collector spec
Honda S2000 CR
Matte conversion · 2023
BMW 8 Series
Full body · Masterpiece
Satin stealth finish
Detail · Every install
Wrapped edges
Install · In studio
Squeegee pass
Better Together
The Perfect Pairing.
PPF takes the rock chips and gravel. Ceramic coating handles water, road salt, and UV. Run them together and your paint's covered from both sides.
PPF
Impact Defense
Resists Rock Chips
Self-Healing Scratches
Prevents Swirl Marks
Ceramic
Chemical Defense
Extreme Gloss
Hydrophobic Cleaning
UV & Stain Protection
Bundle & Save 15%
Add ceramic coating to any Full Front or Full Car PPF package — more protection on top of the film, and a lot less scrubbing come winter.
Verified Reviews
What Calgary Drivers Say
Real, verified 5-star Google reviews from Obsidian Auto customers.
"Mustafa and his team PPF'ed, Ceramic Coated and detailed my 1992 Toyota Supra, and the car now looks stunning. He kept me informed of the job progress, corrected areas that had been poorly done by others and the results could not have been better. He also detailed inside and out a family member's 2020 Toyota Tacoma, and again the vehicle turned out brilliantly. It is his attention to detail, absolute commitment to satisfying the customer that stands out. He is honest, never hesitates to answer questions and I cannot recommend him and his business higher. He is definitely an exceptional provider in his industry."
JV
Jan V.
May 2024•1992 Toyota Supra
"These guys are professional, respectful and honest. I needed my paint protection film replaced because it was peeling on me, I gave them a call and they were able to get me in the next day. Mo took a look at my car and recommended that there was no need to remove all the paint protection film and just replace the bumper because all the other parts was perfectly fine. We also looked at some scratches that were really bothering me on my car's paint work and he recommended that I get my car paint corrected and ceramic coated. After they were done with my vehicle my car looked like it came out of the factory without a single scratch on it. I will definitely be recommending them to all my friends and family."
AA
Ahmed A.
Nov 2024
"I got my rav 4 detailed here amazing work I've been coming here ever since I got it. I did my paint protection film here as well they did a complementary check on the ppf that was previously done and gave me a great deal on protecting my headlights. I would recommend this place to anyone who would like to get their car cleaned or protected."
AA
Aya A.
Dec 2025•Toyota RAV4
"Amazing service. Mustafa was exceptional in getting this done with Protection Film and Restoration. Definitely worth the price and time."
JW
Jamaal W.
Jan 2025
"I had my mom's car detailed here in advance of listing it for sale. Booking online and knowing the full costs upfront were really helpful. The location near chinook is convenient. As an added bonus they were able to repair rock chips so it's like a one stop shop! If you want to wait while your car is in, there's coffee and couches for you to hang out on. I'll recommend to friends and book other vehicles in the future."
KC
Kristell C.
Jun 2024
"The people at Wash my Ride were very kind, professional and accommodating. They offer a large variety of services and even fixed a rock chip in my windshield so it wouldn't spread. They are close to chinook mall if you need to kill time but also have coffee and a TV. My car interior looked like it was brand new and I will be returning there in the future."
JB
Jamie B.
Oct 2024
"My 1 year old SUV had accumulated quite a lot of "orange" spots and they wouldn't come off with normal washing so we took it to Mo and team at Wash My Ride. Mo recognized the issue and exactly how to fix it for us. We couldn't be happier with the service, expertise and friendliness. My vehicle looks better now than the day I picked it up brand new! Highly recommend and we will be back!"
HJ
Heidi J.
Aug 2024•1-year-old SUV
"The team did a superb job restoring our 2018 GLS450 Mercedes to as close to showroom standard as possible — in addition to the superb work completed, I was sincerely grateful at how easy it was to book a same day service (I was lucky I suspect!)"
TC
Tim C.
Jul 2024•2018 Mercedes GLS450
"Wow. All those 5 star reviews are for real! First visit to Wash My Ride. Amazing job bringing my 2017 BMW color back to life with an exterior re-set. Also fixed 3 scratches N/C that Mo found and we discussed how to get some evil tree sap off in another visit. Excellent workmanship and communication. I'll be back!!"
MY
mike y.
Sep 2023•2017 BMW
"Wash my Ride detailed my 2015 S5 including the engine bay and the car looks showroom worthy. Check out the engine bay picture! Not the cheapest wash, but fairly priced for effort spent on car."
LC
Leonardo C.
Sep 2023•2015 Audi S5
"I just returned to Wash My Ride for my second or third time to get one of my specialty vehicles detailed before I put it away for the winter. As always, the service was friendly, properly scheduled and the detailing immaculate. I would strongly recommend this business owned by three personable brothers to anyone who likes to look after their vehicle! Great business guys!"
BE
Brian E.
Oct 2025
"I absolutely love the job these guys do on my S5 Audi! They take a lot of pride in every vehicle they clean, workmanship is top notch! You won't be disappointed. The only car wash for me."
HD
Heather D.
Dec 2024•Audi S5
Reviews from our verified Google profile (4.9★, 696+ reviews). Last names anonymized for customer privacy.
There's one Obsidian Auto studio, at #2, 239 61 Ave SE in SE Calgary near Chinook. Every film install is done there, in the shop. We don't offer mobile service or vehicle pickup, so plan on dropping the car off. Here's roughly how far that is from around the city.
Distance and typical drive time to the Obsidian Auto studio
From
Distance
Typical drive
Downtown & BeltlineBeltline, Mission, Eau Claire, East Village
5 km
10–15 min
SW CalgaryEvergreen
10 km
15–20 min
SW CalgaryAspen Woods
11 km
20–25 min
SE CalgaryAuburn Bay, Mahogany
13–15 km
15–20 min
NE CalgarySaddle Ridge
17 km
25–30 min
NW CalgaryCrowfoot
17 km
25–35 min
NW CalgaryTuscany
20 km
30–35 min
ChestermereEast of the city on 17 Ave SE
18 km
20–30 min
OkotoksSouth on Highway 2
31–36 km
25–35 min
AirdrieNorth on the QEII
31–36 km
30–40 min
CochraneWest on Highway 1A
31–36 km
40–50 min
Distances are straight-line from the studio. Drive times are typical off-peak estimates; allow more at rush hour.
From NE Calgary
Deerfoot, Stoney Trail and Métis Trail around the airport carry a lot of gravel-truck traffic, and at highway speed that gravel chips a hood fast. Most NE commuters start with full-front coverage.
From NW Calgary
Crowchild and Stoney Trail during the week, Highway 1 to the mountains on weekends: highway-speed gravel on the front end. Full front is the usual choice; add the rockers if you drive gravel roads.
From SW Calgary
Glenmore, the ring road and Highway 22X, plus mountain trips west. Same front-end story, and the lower doors take sand spray in winter, which is what rocker coverage is for.
Service Areas
Paint Protection Film Across Calgary & Area
One studio in SE Calgary, serving the whole city and the towns around it. If you're coming in from one of these areas, start here.
Common questions about PPF in Calgary — for everything else, see our full car-care FAQ.
"Best" is subjective, so here's how to judge us honestly: Obsidian Auto is Calgary's highest-rated PPF installer with 696+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars, and a Consumer Choice Award winner 2022–2025. We install 3M, STEK, SunTek, and GSWF films, and we wrap Calgary vehicles day in and day out using digitally cut patterns, wrapped edges, and no blades anywhere near your paint. Every install carries a 10-year warranty plus our lifetime workmanship guarantee. Read the reviews, then look at where the film wraps around an edge — that's where the good installers separate from the fast ones.
At Obsidian Auto, PPF starts at $399 for The Essential (partial hood and fenders) — enough for a low-mileage city car. The Standard (full bumper plus partial hood) starts at $699. Full front coverage with wrapped edges, The Signature, starts at $1,499, and full-vehicle coverage starts at $4,999. Every price includes our 10-year warranty and lifetime workmanship guarantee. Here's my honest take: if you're on Deerfoot or Stoney most days, or the car's new, the full front (The Signature and up) is the one worth paying for — that's where 90% of the chips actually land. If you barely leave the neighbourhood, don't let anyone talk you past The Essential.
We offer premium films from top manufacturers including 3M, STEK, SunTek, and GSWF. Each brand has unique strengths—we'll help you choose based on your priorities (clarity, self-healing, budget). The best part? Obsidian Auto backs ALL brands with our 10-year warranty and lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Absolutely. Calgary's Highway 2, Deerfoot Trail, and Stoney Trail are notorious for rock chips. A single paint repair costs $300-$800, while a deep chip requiring panel repaint can cost $1,500+. Our Full Front PPF package (from $1,499) typically pays for itself within 2-3 years of highway driving.
Premium PPF from brands like 3M, STEK, and SunTek lasts 10+ years in Alberta's extreme weather conditions (-40°C to +35°C). The film's urethane construction resists yellowing from UV exposure and maintains flexibility in cold temperatures. Our installation comes with a 10-year warranty and lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Tesla PPF at Obsidian Auto Calgary: Model 3 and Model Y Full Front start at $1,950, Model S at $2,100, and Model X at $2,300. Full vehicle coverage ranges from $5,500-$7,000. We have specific patterns for Tesla's unique body lines including the frunk, charge port, and door handles.
Modern paint protection film does not yellow. Older lacquer-based films from the 2000s yellowed under UV, but the premium 8-mil urethane films Obsidian Auto installs in Calgary (3M, STEK, SunTek, GSWF) use non-yellowing top coats with built-in UV inhibitors. They're backed by a 10-year manufacturer warranty against yellowing, cracking, and peeling, plus our own lifetime workmanship guarantee — important given Calgary's high-altitude, high-UV prairie sun.
Yes — premium self-healing PPF genuinely repairs light scratches and swirl marks. The film's elastomeric top coat is engineered so minor abrasions only stretch the molecular bonds rather than break them; warm the panel (sunlight, warm water, or a heat gun) and the polymers flow back to their original shape, erasing the mark. No film maker publishes a temperature the film must reach; the only baseline any of them states is room temperature, which in a Calgary winter usually means a heated garage rather than the sun. This works on fine surface scratches, not deep gouges through the film.
Never. At Obsidian Auto we use digital pattern software to plot a pattern specific to your exact make and model, then cut the film on a plotter before it ever touches your vehicle — so there are no knives near your clear coat. Many cheaper shops bulk-apply film and cut it freehand on the panel, which risks scoring the paint underneath. Our no-knife, wrapped-edge method is why our installs stay invisible and warranty-safe.
Obsidian Auto provides a comprehensive 10-year warranty against yellowing, cracking, peeling, and delamination on all premium film brands. This warranty is transferable if you sell your vehicle. We also guarantee our installation workmanship for the life of the film.
PPF (Paint Protection Film) and clear bra are the same thing! 'Clear bra' is simply the traditional term for this transparent urethane film. Whether you call it PPF, clear bra, or paint protection film, you're getting identical protection for your vehicle's paint. At Obsidian Auto, we use the terms interchangeably—modern PPF is essentially advanced clear bra technology with self-healing properties and superior clarity.
Obsidian Auto is Calgary's top destination for clear bra (PPF) installation. Located conveniently in Calgary, we install premium clear bra films from STEK, 3M, SunTek, and GSWF. With 696+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars and a Consumer Choice Award (2022–2025), we're the trusted choice for clear bra in Calgary. We serve all Calgary quadrants including NE, NW, SE, and SW.
Yes — PPF is completely legal in Alberta with no restrictions. Unlike window tinting, which is governed by Alberta's Vehicle Equipment Regulations, clear PPF has zero legal constraints. It's transparent, it doesn't affect visibility, and it carries no inspection risk. The only thing regulators care about is installer quality, not the film itself.
At Obsidian Auto, partial front packages (The Essential, The Standard) take 3–5 hours in a single appointment. Full front packages (The Signature, The Velocity) typically require 1 full day. Full vehicle coverage (The Masterpiece) takes 5–7 days. Our climate-controlled studio means we don't reschedule due to weather — your booking date is your installation date.
Yes — at Obsidian Auto it can. PPF requires a minimum application temperature of 15°C. Our heated, climate-controlled installation bays maintain the right temperature year-round. Most mobile PPF installers or shops without climate control cannot safely apply film between October and April. If you're getting quotes and wondering about availability, ask whether the facility is heated — that's the difference between a year-round shop and a seasonal one.
If protection from rock chips on Deerfoot Trail, Stoney Trail, or Highway 1 is your priority, PPF wins — it's an 8 mil thermoplastic urethane film that physically absorbs gravel impacts, whereas ceramic coating is a ~1–2 micron liquid layer that only resists chemical stains and adds gloss. Calgary drivers should choose PPF first for the front end (where 90% of rock damage occurs), then add ceramic coating on top for hydrophobic water beading and easier winter washing. If you only drive city streets and never see highway gravel, ceramic-only can be sufficient.
Yes — and at Obsidian Auto Calgary we recommend it for full protection. PPF goes on first as the impact layer (rock chips, scratches, road salt), then ceramic coating is applied directly over the film. The combination gives you rock chip protection PLUS hydrophobicity, deeper gloss, easier washing, and extended PPF top-coat life. Our Masterpiece package ($4,999+) includes ceramic coating bundled with full-body PPF. For lighter coverage, you can add ceramic over any PPF package — ask about the PPF + Ceramic combo at quote time.
PPF is more cost-effective over a 7–10 year window. A full-front PPF in Calgary ($1,499–$2,400) lasts 10 years and prevents 1–3 paint repairs that would otherwise cost $500–$1,500 each. Ceramic coating ($899–$2,500) lasts 1–8 years depending on package and offers zero rock chip protection, so you still face repaint costs. Per year of protection, PPF averages $150–$350/yr with chip prevention; ceramic averages $200–$500/yr with no chip prevention. If long-term resale value matters, PPF wins decisively for Calgary highway drivers.
Both. Clear PPF is the classic invisible-armour option, but pigmented and matte films now let you change the colour and protect the paint in one layer. Satin and colour-shift lines like STEK DYNOmatte give you a new finish plus real rock-chip protection (a few other brands, including XPEL, offer pigmented film too). At Obsidian Auto we install colour-change PPF as a full-body Masterpiece (from $4,999, ceramic coating included) or as partial accents (from about $1,200). The best part: because it's film, we can peel it off down the road and your factory paint is untouched underneath — which is exactly why it's a smarter move than a permanent respray if you might sell the car.
Warranty terms vary by film line. Most premium PPF — 3M Scotchgard Pro Series and STEK DYNOshield/DYNOmatte among them — carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty against yellowing, cracking, and delamination. SunTek Reaction currently leads the pack at 12 years, and it throws in a super-hydrophobic top coat that makes winter washes easier. Honestly, though, the manufacturer warranty is the easy part — it's the install warranty that tells you who to trust. Obsidian Auto backs every brand we install (3M, STEK, SunTek, GSWF) with the full manufacturer warranty plus our own lifetime workmanship guarantee, so both the film and the work are covered.
696+ Google reviewsConsumer Choice Award 2022–2025Lifetime workmanship guarantee
Visit The Studio
Come See The Work.
Swing by the studio in SE Calgary. You'll see the climate-controlled install bay, meet the installers who'll actually wrap your car, and look at the work up close before you book a thing.
