How much does PPF cost? Shop prices vs. doing it yourself
What paint protection film costs at a shop for partial front, full front and full body coverage, why the quotes vary so much, and what you save installing a pre-cut kit.
AP Motor Co · Updated October 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Paint protection film is one of those purchases where the quote surprises almost everyone. A front-end package at a reputable shop commonly costs more than a set of good tires, and full-body coverage on a large SUV can approach the price of a used car.
Here is where that money goes, and what changes when you install it yourself.
Typical shop prices
These are typical installed prices at US shops for a mid-size car. Trucks, large SUVs and exotics run higher; small hatchbacks run lower. Prices vary a lot by region and by the film brand the shop uses.
| Coverage | What it includes | Typical shop price |
|---|---|---|
| Partial front | Bumper, headlights, first 18–24 in. of hood and fenders, mirrors | $600–$1,100 |
| Full front | Bumper, full hood, full fenders, mirrors, headlights | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Full body | Every painted panel | $5,000–$8,000+ |
Why shop quotes vary so much
Labor is most of the price. A full front install takes an experienced installer most of a working day once you include prep, and full body jobs run several days. That time is the biggest line item on the invoice.
Patterning and cutting cost something too. Shops either buy pattern software subscriptions and cut film on a plotter, or they lay bulk film on the car and trim it by hand. Both take time and skill.
Wrapped edges add hours. Some shops tuck film around panel edges and remove badges, lights or bumpers to do it. It looks cleaner and costs more.
Film brand and warranty. Premium films from well-known brands cost the shop more per foot and come with longer warranties.
Your car. A bumper with lots of vents, sensors and sharp creases takes far longer than a smooth one.
What a pre-cut kit costs instead
When you buy a pre-cut kit, you are paying for the film and the patterning and cutting, but not the install labor. Our partial front kit is the same price for every vehicle: $299.
Against a typical shop quote of $600 to $1,100 for the same coverage, that's several hundred dollars kept in exchange for an afternoon of your time.
The real cost of DIY: your time and some tools
Be honest with yourself about the time. A first partial front install usually takes an afternoon, and most of that is the bumper.
You'll also need a few inexpensive tools: two spray bottles, a squeegee or two, microfiber towels, a clay bar, baby shampoo and isopropyl alcohol. Our install guide lists everything.
When a shop is worth it
Paying a shop makes sense if:
- You want edges wrapped with trim or badges removed
- You're protecting a car with very complex bodywork and you've never installed film
- Your time is worth more to you than the savings
There is also a middle path: buy a pre-cut kit and pay a local installer by the hour to put it on. Many detailers will do this for a fraction of a full-package price, because the patterning and cutting are already done.
Bottom line
A shop charges you for patterning, cutting and installing. With a pre-cut kit, the film arrives already cut to your car, so you only pay for the install in your own time. If you're patient and willing to read the instructions, it's very doable, and that's where most of the savings come from.