How long does PPF installation take?
Short answer
Partial + Front and Full Front are done in one day. Full body takes three to five days depending on the vehicle. Adding a ceramic coating package adds a day to the PPF appointment, so a one-day Full Front becomes about two days.
Quick facts
| Partial + Front | One day |
|---|---|
| Full Front | One day |
| Full body | Three to five days, depending on the vehicle |
| Film plus ceramic coating | Adds a day to the PPF appointment; a one-day Full Front becomes about two days |
| Headlight or taillight set of two | About an hour |
| Windshield film | Starts at about two hours |
Why does full body take longer?
Every painted panel gets its own piece of film, and each one is fitted and edged with care. Bigger vehicles and more complex body lines take more time, which is why the range is three to five days.
What happens after I pick up the car?
You can drive it home, and rain is fine. Hold off on washing until the free wash and inspection at the 10-day mark. See When can I wash my car after PPF?
How APC Auto Spa does it
APC schedules front packages as one-day appointments. Book through APC's scheduling page or compare packages on APC's paint protection film page.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I wait while it's done?
- Front packages take a full day, so most people drop the car off.
- Does adding a ceramic coating add much time?
- Adding a ceramic coating package to a PPF package adds a day to the appointment. For example, a one-day Full Front becomes about two days. Applying the coating over the film itself takes about an hour.
- How long do small add-ons take?
- A set of two headlight or taillight films takes about an hour.
Reviewed by Heather Humphrey, co-owner of APC Auto Spa ยท Last updated October 2026
Heather leads customer education and training at APC's Tukwila and Monroe shops.