This 2022 Toyota Tundra project involved two types of paint protection film.

Each paint protection film (PPF) project is unique and requires various installation techniques and strategies. For that reason, WINDOW FILM and PPF magazines present a new series detailing jobs involving the latest cars on the market—and the master installers behind them.

Two-in-One

A 2022 Toyota Tundra received a full-body PPF wrap courtesy of Cool Dreams Window Tinting in Sierra Vista, Ariz. Owner/installer Philip White and installer Mike Stansbury applied STEK’s Dynoshield and Dynocamo-black to the vehicle.

“We could apply two different styles of PPF side by side to make it look and feel as if it were one piece,” White says. “The Dynocamo-black has a reflection in the camo pattern, which makes it appear to move as you walk by the vehicle.”

The entire installation lasted four days and took place in mid-November. White, who hand-cut film for the truck, bulk-installs every PPF job. The installation required 38 pieces of film and incorporated two different types of PPF.

“Create a vision of what the customer’s car would look like with them. Many customers want something different from the rest, and they’re looking for your expertise. I always keep the vehicles an extra day or two for drying. Use this time to market your work to others in your community. Invite them to see your newest project. One job always sells the following two to three jobs—be excited.” – Philip White, owner/installer of Cool Dreams Window Tinting in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

The installers used various tools throughout the labor-intensive job.

“The most challenging aspect of the installation was precision cutting the two different PPFs, so when the installation was complete, it looks like it’s only one film,” White explains. “We achieved this by applying the Dynocamo-black PPF first. Let the film set up for about 45 minutes to an hour before laying out the fine-line tape and making your pattern.”

White adds, “Remove the excess film and post-heat the edge. Then apply the Dynoshield PPF to the rest of the body panel, overlapping the camo PPF an inch or two. Allow the film to set up another hour or so. This is the critical part of the installation. You need to cut the Dynoshield exactly on the edge of the Dynocamo-black. If your hand isn’t steady or your blade walks off track, it will be noticeable. After its cut, remove the excess film. Re-squeegee the seam and post-heat. When this is done correctly, it will look and feel as if it was one piece of PPF. If you’re off, you will feel the transition bump or dip between the films.”

Disassembly Required

“We disassembled everything needed to provide the customer with the highest quality installation possible,” White says. “We started with bed cap rails, followed by all fender flares and mud flaps. I removed all emblems and taillights. Next came the exterior door handles and window moldings. To remove the door handles, you need to remove the door panels as well. In order to remove the exterior door handle, there is a white wishbone clip on the back side of the handle (inside the door cavity).”

The 2022 Toyota Tundra was disassembled at several points to ensure an optimal installation.

White continues, “That wishbone clip needs to be flipped forward to release the handle (first time I’ve seen this design but easy once you understand it). Then come the mirrors, three nuts and they are off. We then tackled the tailgate handle. At this point, the truck was ready for a hand wash and clay bar prepping.”

White and his partner’s tools included: snap-on plastic trim pullers, screwdrivers, a torx screwdriver, a 10-mm socket and a ratchet. He and his teammate also used a STEK pink squeegee custom cut for tight curves and small areas, STEK’s edge tools to roll edges and tuck film in seals and a STEK emblem removal tool.

The team always starts with the roof first on a full-body install. The duo then tackled the truck’s sides from the front to the back. White says this was one of the easier trucks to wrap, but there are ways to ensure an optimal installation.

“What makes the installation much easier on hoods with deep valleys is to have a bucket of scorching hot water and a rag,” he says. “You can add some baby shampoo as well for better slip. Once the entire panel is tacked down on all four corners, use the soaking hot water rag and saturate the PPF surface where you need to push the film in the valley. This will soften up the film, allowing easy stretch. I start at the bottom of the valley and forcefully push the rag into the shape of the valley, moving it to the other end. With the other hand, use your squeegee of choice and push out any water toward the towel.”

Please contact editor Chris Collier at ccollier@glass.com if you’d like to participate in this new series.