PPF Aftercare
Your STEK DynoShield kit is designed to look after itself, but a little care in the first few weeks — and the right habits after that — go a long way. Here's how to keep it performing at its best, and how to stay within the manufacturer's warranty terms.
The First 48 Hours
Don't wash the vehicle for at least 48 hours after installation — the film needs this time to fully cure. It's completely normal to see some condensation or small bubbles under the film during the first 30 days; these settle out on their own as curing finishes.
Washing
Hand washing is best. A rinseless wash is also fine. Use a pH-neutral, ceramic-coating-friendly shampoo — avoid anything containing wax, sealants or silicone, as these can interfere with the film's hydrophobic top coat.
If you use a pressure washer, keep the nozzle at least 36 inches away from the surface and never spray directly at the edges of the film. We'd also steer clear of automated car washes with brushes — they raise the risk of scratches deep enough to break through the top coat.
Drying
Dry with a clean microfiber towel or chamois. The top coat is hydrophobic, so water beads and mostly runs off on its own — but on warm or sunny days it's worth drying it off promptly after rain or a wash to avoid water spotting.
Removing Contamination
Bird droppings, tree sap, bugs and tar should be removed as soon as you can, before they get the chance to stain the film. Isopropyl alcohol will usually shift stubborn marks — just avoid using it in direct sunlight or while the film is warm to the touch.
We'd recommend avoiding clay bars on the film; they can mar the finish, catch on the edges and discolour the surface. For road tar or brake dust, a dedicated decontamination product does the job without that risk.
Polishing & Sealants
The film doesn't need waxing or polishing day to day. If gloss or hydrophobicity ever fades, a compatible sealant can bring it back — but always test any wax or sealant on a small area first, since some products don't get along with a strongly hydrophobic top coat. Avoid pigmented or abrasive waxes, and anything containing naphtha or kerosene.
Never use abrasive pads, powered polishing equipment, or harsh or corrosive chemicals on the film.
Self-Healing Scratches
Light surface scratches that haven't broken through the top coat can often be smoothed out with heat — warm water or a heat gun held over the area. This is best left to a professional installer rather than attempted at home. If a scratch has cut through the top coat itself, it won't self-heal; that's true of any top-coated PPF, not just STEK's.
Still Have Questions?
We email aftercare guidance to every customer once their kit ships, but if anything here isn't clear or something looks unusual on your film, get in touch and we'll help you work out what's going on — or point you toward STEK directly where needed.