Signs of theTimes

raps have become a major proﬁt puller for window ﬁlm

dealers, with some reporting their wraps and graphics

sector comprises a majority of their business. With limit-

less design options and a variety of available ﬁnishes, wrap trends

are continuously changing, bringing new and familiar customers

through the door.

WindoW Film magazine spoke with Jeremiah Bienko, installer at Auto

Safe & Sound in Tampa, Fla., to discuss the latest trends and where he

sees the industry is headed.

What’s Trending

W

in the Wraps

Industry

by Katherine Coig

2

WindoW Film

www.windowfilmmag.com

You’ve been in the graphics industry

WFgoing on ten years now. What’s been the

biggest change you’ve seen in the industry?

I’m seeing much more awareness in the public

JBjust regarding the word “wrap.” It’s becoming

more of a household term, so to say. It seems to be one

of the most common car modiﬁcations these days, at

least for this area.

It’s pretty clear people are interested in it and know

what it is. Customers are coming in and asking very

educated and very speciﬁc questions, like, “Hey, are

you using 3M or Avery Dennison?”

People are also aware of the general prices of a wrap,

and some have design ideas already prepared, which is

awesome. It shows they know what wraps are capable

of providing, and it also shows people are willing to pay

for it—they know what they’re getting is worth it.

What do you attribute this growth in

WFconsumer awareness to?

Honestly, I feel like it’s coming from wrappers

JBwho are self-promoting and getting very seri-

ous about self-promotions—hiring professional vid-

eographers and photographers. That to me is what is

growing this industry.

Instagram and Facebook are fantastic. As a wrapper,

you may want to get to know how to do photography

and ﬁlmography. I look at high-end car commercials,

and it’s a great way to get a basic idea on how to utilize

B-roll. A small amount of money can go a long way in a

local area.

With consumer awareness growing

WFand the economy in a better place than

it was ten years ago, have you seen more con-

sumers making the leap to higher priced films,

whether vinyl or tint?

Customers are deﬁnitely more aware of the

JBprice of ﬁlms, but they’re also more willing

to pay for it. A lot of people are more educated about

a chrome wrap costing $10,000. People see that and

understand why it costs so much. But that’s where we

as installers come in—educating the consumer on the

differences between each ﬁlm helps them understand

where that price tag is coming from.

Five or six years ago, people didn’t know what carbon

ﬁlm was. The majority of consumers now know what

it is. I have people coming in and asking, “What’s the

difference between carbon and ceramic?” They want

to know what they’re getting out of each, and it’s clear

they’re doing their research on the ﬁlms.

Jeremiah Bienko (left)

demonstrates how to install a

wrap to a group of attendees at

the 2017 InternationalWindow

TM

Film Conference andTint-Off .

continued on page 24

November/December 2017

WiNDoW Film

23

S_c_o_nig_t_i_nn_u_es_do_f_r_of_mt_ph_a_ge_eT₂₃imes

Now, a tint job can reach

up to a $1,000, and it’s accept-

able. So I think it’s safe to say

consumer awareness on the

different variations of ﬁlms is

deﬁnitely growing.

At the 2016

WFSEMA Show,

several vinyl manufacturers

reported that attendees

were highly interested in

color-shifting wraps. Have

you seen any reflection

of that at Auto Safe and

Sound over the past year?

We’ve actually had a lot more inquiries about

JBfull color change wraps. Now, I have every

shade of every color. To me, that shows that col-

or-changing is a lot more popular, at least in our area.

Chrome deleting is also a pretty common request,

usually with the vehicle’s chrome detailing getting

wrapped in gloss black. I buy more gloss black than

anything right now. It’s a really easy sell, and that’s

where the money comes in. It’s a little touchier than

some other ﬁlms, but chrome deleting is a very proﬁt-

able job; it’s great money.

VISIT US AT THE SEMA SHOW

I don’t shy away from those jobs. It’s all labor and

delicate cutting, but there are big proﬁt margins.

Connect With WINDOW FILM

Magazine Today!

Where do you see the vinyl industry

WFheaded in the next few years?

www.windowﬁlmmag.com

In the actual design aspect, we’re seeing a lot

JBof digital print mixed with chrome and color

ﬂow. A lot of the industry is printing on different mate-

rials, as well as overlapping materials.

On a wide spectrum, I would love to see car deal-

erships offering a three-year lease with three compli-

mentary color changes for each year. Think about it:

the consumer will get a new wrap at the end of every

year, and the customer would be ecstatic since it’s

essentially like getting a different car every year. And

the dealer would get a car that hasn’t seen a drop of

rain when the lease ends. Not to mention, it’s a small

fee and provides the leased-car customer with quite a

luxury product.

I think car dealerships, over the next decade, will

have wrapped cars in their shops. It’s eye candy, it’s

the way of the world. People will think it’s pretty, and

@

WindowFilmMag @WindowFilmMag

Window Film

Magazine

WindowFilmMag

they’ll want it.

WF

Follow us on Social Media, your link

to the latest WINDOW FILM news!

Katherine Coig is the editor of WINDOW FILM magazine.She may be

reached at kcoig@glass.com.

2

4

WINDOW FILM

www.windowfilmmag.com

f you’re reading this, it’s time for Las Vegas Convention Center, from 100,000 attendees and an expansive

the Specialty Equipment Market October 31–November 3. If the show ﬂoor—new products, trends

Association (SEMA) Show. It’s event is anything like last year’s, and networking opportunities are

a trade show that needs no expect to see some of the win- bound to be abundant. However,

introduction, having been held dow ﬁlm industry’s most notable to save you some time, here are

annually for more than 50 years, and innovative automotive ﬁlms, as some of the products relating to

I

bringing the latest in the automo- well as numerous product debuts.

the ﬁlm industry—including paint

tive aftermarket industry into one And if this is your ﬁrst time attend- protection ﬁlms, vehicle wraps and

place. This year, the SEMA Show is ing,braceyourself.Withnearly2,400 shop add-ons—set to stand-out on

headed back to its usual spot, the exhibiting manufacturers, at least the show ﬂoor.

Johnson Window Films’

InsulatIR Automotive Film

Booth #12431

3M Window Films’ PPF

and Attachment Tapes

Booth #12145

This year at SEMA, 3M

will feature several of its

products including its

window ﬁlms, wrap series

1

080, PPF and collision

repair and attachment

tapes. During the show, vis-

Johnson Window Films has itors will be able to see and

added a ﬁve-percent visible light experience the company’s

transmission (VLT) ﬁlm to its solar automotive window ﬁlms, includ-

Visitors to the company’s booth

control series InsulatIR, which ing the 3M automotive window ﬁlm can also experience an interactive

the company plans to highlight at Crystalline series, which rejects heat demo walkway, which encour-

SEMA. The ﬁlm is designed with more heat than many darker ﬁlms ages attendees to feel the difference

high-tech, nano-ceramic oxide without changing the appearance between windows with and without

particles that help stop infrared of the vehicle, according to the ﬁlm. Chip Foose, host of Velocity’s

(

IR) rays from penetrating a vehi- company. The ﬁlm also rejects up Overhaulin’ and 2016 SEMA Hall of

cle’s windows, according to the to 60 percent of solar energy and Fame inductee, is also set to make an

company. up to 97 percent of heat-producing appearance at the company’s booth.

yy➤ www.johnsonwindowﬁlms.com infrared rays. yy➤ www.3m.com

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6

WindoW Film

www.windowfilmmag.com

Maxpro’s Element

Booth #16225

Eastman Chemical

Company’s LLumar

Platinum PPF

Booth #12117

LLumar will highlight

its emphasis on the

consumer experience, as

well as new interactive

point-of-sale materials

and digital advertising

techniques.

Maxpro will unveil its latest

technological evolution in miner-

al-dyed ﬁlms, Maxpro Element and

ElementIR, at this year’s show. The

ﬁlms were engineered to provide

the perfect balance of color stabil-

ity, a true black appearance and

unmatched shrinkability, accord-

ing to the company.

In addition to revealing its latest

ﬁlms, the company will introduce

a new look for its installers’ lobby

display boards in an effort to help

dealers sell the new products.

yy➤ www.maxproﬁlms.com

The company will also feature its new LLumar Platinum paint

protection film, which is covered by a 10-year limited manufacturer’s

warranty.The film features Hydrogard technology that enables superior

stain resistance and enhanced durability, according to the company.

Eastman Chemical

Company’s SunTek PPF

Ultra and CeramicIR

Booth #12117

SunTek’s technology, high-quality

products and exceptional customer

service will be on display in addition to its

newest PPF, SunTek PPF Ultra. Backed by

a 10-year limited manufacturer’s warranty,

the product offers technologically

advanced protection and optical clarity.

In addition, a low surface energy top coat increases stain resistance and

longevity, according to the company.

SunTek will also feature CeramicIR (CIR), which is designed with the

latest in ceramic and non-metal, nano-hybrid Carbon technology. CIR

offers all the performance advantages of the company’s CarbonXP (CXP)

line with enhanced solar performance and infrared rejection.

Company representatives will also perform TruCut pattern cutting

software demonstrations, as well as window film and PPF installations

on a 2017 Aston Martin DB11.

Madico’s Black Pearl Nano-

Ceramic Automotive Film

Booth #12139

yy➤ www.eastman.com

Sharpline Converting’s

DuraShield Titan XT PPF

Booth #12631

Sharpline Converting Inc.

will promote DuraShield

Titan XT, the company’s

next-generation self-heal-

Black Pearl Nano-Ceramic is ing paint protection film.

Madico’s newest addition to its The product uses the company’s to the company. It blocks air-

Black Pearl automotive ﬁlm line. proprietary Flexcoat Crosslink borne and surface contaminants

The ceramic ﬁlm features prov- technology, which provides from discoloring the film and has

en infrared (IR) nanoparticle tech- resistance to rock chips and road self-healing properties to pro-

nology that offers 87-percent IR debris.

heat rejection and a non-reﬂective In addition, the film is proven scuffs.

rich, black color, according to the to deliver excellent protection yy➤ www.durashieldppfs.com

tect against minor scratches and

company.

yy➤ www.madico.com

against stains and harsh envi-

ronmental hazards, according

continued on page 28

WiNDoW Film 27

November/December 2017

Showtime

continued from page 27

NewVision Windshield

Protection Films

Booth #51509

NewVisionWindshieldProtection, Staying in Your Lane

which has been in the profession-

al motorsports industry for more

than 25 years, will bring its line

of windshield protection prod-

ucts to the 2017 SEMA Show. The

ﬁlms provide armor for a vehi-

cle’s windshield against rocks,

road debris and chips and dings.

With so much to see and experience at SEMA,it’s hard to navigate to plac-

es of business and industry interest without getting distracted.And although

you’ll probably want to see it all,a good place to start is the North Hall.Here,

you’ll find most of the booths that relate to the window film, PPF and vehicle

wrap industries.Check out the box on the previous page,“Making a Presence:

SEMA 2017 Exhibitor List,” for a list of companies specific to those industries.

KDX Window Film, a Shanghai- Solar Gard’s Clearshield Pro

The products are non-yellowing, based manufacturer, will intro- Booth #12669

optically clear and won’t peel, duce several of its latest prod-

according to the company.

Solar Gard will showcase its lat-

ucts, including a sample of its est product and tool innovations at

newest 80-inch-wide architectur- the 2017 SEMA Show. The company

al and safety films. will unveil its advancements to the

yy➤ www.newvisionﬁlms.com

KDX Window Film

and Self-Healing PPF

Booth #61020

Relating to the automotive sec- Clearshield Pro Paint Protection

tor, the company will showcase technology, as well as a revamped

its photochromic film; a smart Solar Gard Solutions app with proj-

polymer-dispersed liquid crystal ect estimate, ﬁlm-to-glass checklist,

(

PDLC) window film which turns and online warranty registration

from opaque to transparent with features. The company will also

an electrical charge; a 100-per- show off a custom vehicle designed

cent ultraviolet (UV) film, and an in partnership with builder Zero to

anti-glare film designed for rear- 60 Designs, as well as its spectrally

view mirrors.

selective LX Auto Series and the

The company will also bring all-new “Slip and Stick” Mounting

its self-healing paint protection Solution – designed by installers,

film (PPF), which cures at room for installers.

temperature, according to the yy➤ www.solargard.com

company.

yy➤ www.kdxwindowﬁlms.com

continued on page 30

Goff’s Curtain Walls

Booth #11068

Goff’s Enterprises, manufactur-

er of curtain walls for the auto-

motive industry, will showcase

its aluminum bay-style curtain

wall. The product is designed to

protect installations and other

body work from contamination.

The curtain top is wedge-welded

and pitched to reduce dirt and

dust entrapment and promote

self-cleaning, according to the

company.

It also features a “drive-

through” configuration for vehicle

entrance and exit.

yy➤ www.goffscurtainwalls.com

2

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WindoW Film

www.windowfilmmag.com

Showtime

continued from page 28

Making a Presence: SEMA 2017 Exhibitor List

Booth

Window Film

Booth

Wraps

3

M ........................................................................12145

Arlon....................................................................12877

Avery Dennison..................................................12173

Eagle Enterprises, Inc........................................12327

Guangzhou Yajiu Composite Co. Ltd...............13147

KPMF ...................................................................12875

Orafol Americas.................................................13008

Tape Technologies Inc. .....................................12715

Tubelite Co. ........................................................13027

American Standard Window Film (ASWF)......12131

Avery Dennison..................................................12173

Douglas Corp......................................................13127

Eastman (LLumar, SunTek, Huper Optik).......12117

Filink....................................................................12965

FM Co. Ltd. (Window Film) .............................13119

Jiangxi Kewei Film New Material Co. Ltd. .....12925

Johnson Window Films.....................................12431

KDX Window Film..............................................61020

Luxo Window Films ...........................................12367

Madico.................................................................12139

Maxpro ................................................................16225

NewVision Windshield Protection.................. 51509

Saint-Gobain Solar Gard....................................12669

Shanghai Ho Chi Technology Co. Ltd. ...........12547

Sican Window Films...........................................12911

SolarFree Window Film .....................................12185

Xsun Window Films...........................................12761

Zhejiang Shichuang Optics Film

Tools, Add-Ons and Others

Booth

CARIGHT Window Tint & Car Wrap Tools......13139

Goff’s Enterprises, Inc. .....................................11068

IVIC International/Trublu Film.........................13143

Mutoh America, Inc...........................................12139

Pressure on Demand.........................................12442

Restylers International......................................13145

The International Window Film

Conference and Tint-Off™ ...........................12624

WindoW Film magazine.......................................12624

INSIDE: Heading to SEMA? What to Expect at This Year’s Show

Manufacturing Co., Ltd.................................12803

Visit WindoW

Paint Protection Film

Booth

Film Magazine

CCL Design..........................................................12819

FlexiShield...........................................................12367

Matrix Films (PremiumShield).........................12831

Sharpline Converting Inc..................................12631

XPEL ....................................................................12339

WindoW Film magazine will be in

booth 12624, so be sure to stop by,

say hi and meet our staff! We hope

to meet you there.

WF

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WindoW Film

www.windowfilmmag.com