What does each package cover, panel by panel?
Both packages cover the full front bumper, the headlights and the side mirrors. The difference is the hood and the front fenders: Partial Front covers only their leading part, Full Front covers them completely.
| Panel or detail | Partial Front, from $850 | Full Front, from $1,550 |
|---|---|---|
| Front bumper | Full | Full |
| Headlights | Yes | Yes |
| Side mirrors | Yes | Yes |
| Hood | Leading part only | Whole panel |
| Front fenders | Leading part only | Whole panels |
| Film edge on hood and fenders | A line across each panel | None on the panel face; edges wrapped where the panel allows |
| Rocker panels, A-pillars, roof | No | No (Track Package, from $1,900) |
| Usual time in the shop | One day | One to two days |
| Film | LLumar Platinum | LLumar Platinum |
| Warranty | 10-year LLumar limited | 10-year LLumar limited |
Both prices are starting points; the quote for a given car moves with its size, how intricate its panels are, and the paint’s condition. That matches how LLumar describes PPF pricing: owners who protect only “areas that receive the most punishment” pay differently from those who cover more. Each package has its own page with the full detail: Partial Front PPF and Full Front PPF.
How visible is the film edge on a partial front?
On a partial front the film ends part way back on the hood and fenders, leaving an edge across the face of each panel. Full Front carries the film to the edges of the hood and fenders and wraps it around them where the panel allows, so there is no edge to see on the panel itself.
LLumar says its Platinum Gloss film blends in with the paint when it’s applied to part of a panel, and from a normal distance that holds. Blending isn’t the same as having no edge, though. Up close, at an angle, or in low sun, the line can be picked out, and dirt and wax can collect along it over time. How noticeable it is depends on the paint colour, the light and how clean the car is.
Behind that line, the hood and fenders are bare paint. Any stone that clears the film lands on the clear coat as if there were no PPF at all.
The bumper gets the same film in both packages, and so does one caveat: some bumper shapes need a relief cut, and you’ll be shown where it falls before work starts.
Which drivers should pay the extra $700 for full front?
Full Front pays off when the car spends a lot of time at highway speed, has dark paint, gets matte film on the front, or will be kept for years. In each case the bare paint behind a partial line is what you’d end up looking at.
Highway commuting
Speed multiplies the damage a stone can do. TranBC, the BC transportation ministry’s blog, notes that a stone striking at 110 km/h carries close to twice the energy it would at 80. On a partial front, every one of those harder hits on the rear of the hood or the fenders goes straight into the paint. If your week includes Highway 1 between Langley and Vancouver or out to Abbotsford, that uncovered area takes real punishment.
Dark paint
On black, dark grey or deep blue paint, a chip behind the film line stands out, and a clean front section next to a peppered rear section of the same hood draws the eye to the line.
Matte film on gloss paint
If you want the satin look from Platinum Matte, a partial front would leave a satin section and a gloss section on the same hood and fenders. Full Front keeps each of those panels to one finish, though the doors and the rest of the car stay gloss. A satin look all over needs film on every painted surface, which is the Full Vehicle package from $4,000.
Cars you’ll keep for years
Every winter adds chips to whatever paint isn’t covered. Over several years, the difference between a hood that’s entirely original under film and one that’s only partly protected is what a buyer sees.
When is partial front enough?
Partial Front is enough when most of your kilometres are in town, the car is leased or kept for a short time, or the budget is fixed. It covers the bumper, headlights and mirrors plus the leading edges of the hood and fenders, which are the surfaces facing the road ahead.
Mostly town driving
Lower speeds mean gentler strikes, so the bare paint behind the line is at less risk than on a highway commuter.
Leases and shorter ownership
If the car goes back at the end of a lease or will be sold in a couple of years, Partial Front protects the surfaces that face oncoming spray for $700 less at starting prices.
A fixed budget
Partial Front now beats Full Front someday. Film on the front-most surfaces from the first month does more than a bigger package booked after the first winter.
Can you upgrade from partial to full front later?
Yes, but it’s a second job, not a top-up. The hood and fenders need full-panel pieces, while the bumper, headlights and mirrors already have film. The upgrade is quoted per vehicle when you ask, so the $700 gap between starting prices is only a guide.
Two things are worth knowing before you plan on upgrading later:
- The paint behind the line has been exposed. Any chips it picked up in the meantime would be sealed under the new film unless they’re repaired first.
- It’s another visit. Plan for the car to be in the shop again, with the time confirmed when you book.
If you already know you’ll want the whole hood covered, doing it in one visit is the simpler path.
Which package should you book?
Match the package to how you drive. A quick guide:
| If this sounds like you | Book |
|---|---|
| Mostly town driving, leased car, or a fixed budget | Partial Front, from $850 |
| Daily highway driving, dark paint, or keeping the car for years | Full Front, from $1,550 |
| Gravel roads or track days | Track Package, from $1,900 |
Every package starts with decontamination, and with correction where the paint calls for it. After pickup, the first wash waits a week; from then on, hand or touchless washes only. If you’re still deciding whether film is right for the car at all, start with whether PPF is worth it; for every package price in one place, see PPF cost in Langley. To book, ask for a quote and say which package you’re leaning toward.
