Major car companies have begun to realize the benefits that paint replacement films can have for their bottom lines. If you’re an OEM supplier in search of a way to save OEMs thousands in costs, take a look at forgoing traditional paint jobs on your automotive parts in favor of robust, vibrant paint-replacement films.
These industrial automotive adhesives are crafted with high-performance fluoropolymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other synthetic materials to serve the same function as paint, with similar appearance and color variety, but with far superior durability. Even more important than their material merits are their advantages in your manufacturing process. Paint replacement films are much more efficient and cheaper to use than paints. Perhaps this is why the automotive film market is projected to reach $6.3 billion by 2022.
Here are a few ways that paint replacement films can increase the profit margin for your OEM partner:
Improve Design Flexibility
Automotive marking film can simplify the painting process for those hard-to-paint areas of the automobile. Awkward, small jobs like sashes, pillars, and body trim can benefit from the easy application of form-fitting films, while also allowing design differentiation. Matte black or metallic trim can contrast with glossy paint jobs, without requiring multiple stages in your painting process or equipment for tooling difficult-to-work trim materials like chrome and steel.
Films can be adapted to fit the custom needs of precise, unusually shaped parts, even with multiple colors and finishes, and go on just as quickly and efficiently as they would on a flat body panel with a single finish. This added flexibility can make more complex or creative designs cost-efficient and accessible.
Accelerate Production Time
Small parts and trim require much less paint, but the same laborious paint drying times as hoods, trunks, and door panels. If you didn’t have to wait for paint to dry, your lineup could speed up by as much as two days. Films are a fast way to get smaller elements to match the rest of the vehicle without resorting to slow-curing paint jobs.
It’s also possible to go a step further and use films to replace all paints in the process, including on large body panels. Many film suppliers offer 60-inch rolls that are large enough to cover hoods, roofs, and other large body panels without any seams. Today’s automotive films look just as good as a paint job, endure the elements better, and save you thousands in manufacturing efficiency.
Reduce Material Costs
Without chemicals in the air, your team won’t need to wear respirators and you won’t need to invest in air filtration systems. The simplicity and ease of application with paint replacement films can save you considerable sums of money on equipment and facilities that are required to deal with the fumes, chemicals, and curing process of the painting process.
Furthermore, attractive chrome elements on car trim and sashes may look sophisticated, but also incur incredible costs on the manufacturer for materials and tooling. Modern paint replacement films can give a matching metallic finish at a fraction of the cost of pricey steel and chrome trim.
Find a Supplier
The first step to achieving these savings is to connect with a reputable supplier who is a top competitor in the paint replacement film market. In consultation, you can discuss your unique needs and see for yourself exactly how the numbers might favor a switch to film for your automotive parts.
