Film warranty exclusions

Two warranties, not one

When a shop says a film “comes with a warranty,” it usually means two separate things, and the difference matters when something goes wrong.

The product warranty comes from the film manufacturer. It covers the film itself: the polyurethane yellowing, cracking, bubbling or the adhesive letting go when the film was installed and cared for correctly. Offshore installs ProLayers clear, matte and black paint protection film and ProLayers automotive window film, so for those products the manufacturer’s written terms apply.

The workmanship terms come from the installer. They cover the application: an edge that lifts because it was not properly bonded, contamination trapped under the film, a seam in the wrong place. A manufacturer will not cover a bad install, and an installer cannot change what the manufacturer covers.

At Offshore both are reviewed with you before installation. The duration, exclusions, transfer rules and claim requirements are taken from the written terms for your selected product and project, not from a sales sheet. The warranty page explains how that works.

What exclusions usually cover

Every film warranty is different, and the written terms for your product are the only ones that count. Most exclusions, though, fall into a few groups, and knowing them helps you read any warranty quickly.

Damage from outside the film

Accidents, collision repairs, vandalism, a deep or sharp impact, a key scratch through the film, or fire. PPF absorbs most everyday rock chips on the panels it covers, but it is not impact-proof. When something hits hard enough to cut the film or reach the paint, that is impact damage, not a product defect.

Care and chemicals

Brush car washes, abrasive polishes, harsh solvents, a pressure-washer nozzle held against an edge, or chemicals the terms tell you not to use. The usual guidance is simple: hand wash with a pH-neutral soap, keep pressure washers back from edges, and skip brush washes.

What was under the film

A film warranty covers the film, not the paint. Pre-existing chips, failing clear coat, poor repaints and aftermarket paint with weak adhesion are commonly excluded, because film can lift or pull paint where the paint itself was not bonded. This is why paint is inspected before install and why some cars need paint correction or a conversation about a repainted panel first.

Removal and reinstallation by others

If film is removed, trimmed or repaired by someone else, or if a panel is replaced and refilmed elsewhere, coverage for that area is usually affected.

Normal wear

Light surface marks that heal or wash out, gradual change in gloss over many years, and stone chips that dent the film without breaking it are generally treated as normal wear rather than a defect.

Window tint is similar, with its own details

Window film follows the same split between product and workmanship terms. Common exclusions include scratches from rings, seat belts or cargo, damage from cleaning with ammonia or abrasive pads, and film on glass that is later replaced. Fresh tint also needs time to cure; leaving the windows up for the first days and not cleaning the inside of the glass until the film has set is part of the care instructions. The window tint page covers the care steps.

Transfer and registration

Some film warranties stay with the car when it is sold, some stay with the original owner, and some require registration after install. If you plan to sell, read this part before you buy, and keep the paperwork with the car’s records.

How a claim works at Offshore

If something looks wrong, contact the shop with the vehicle and project details. The car is inspected in person at the shop in Wailuku, the condition is compared with the written terms for that install, and you are told the next step based on what caused it and which coverage applies. Do not pick at a lifting edge or try to fix it at home first; that can turn a covered issue into an excluded one.

Questions to ask before you book

• Which product is going on the car, and where are its written terms?
• What does the workmanship coverage include, and for how long?
• What care steps are required to keep coverage in place?
• Is the coverage transferable if the car is sold?
• What happens if a covered panel is later repaired or replaced?