Color change used to mean vinyl. At Enthusiast Auto Works in New Rochelle, it now means XPEL COLOR paint protection film — a self-healing urethane film that changes the color of your car and protects the paint underneath it at the same time. It is the same category of material we use for clear PPF, pigmented all the way through, and it carries a 10-year XPEL warranty.
We install color-change PPF on exotics, performance cars and luxury daily drivers across Westchester County, lower Fairfield County and the north Bronx. Your factory paint stays untouched and fully protected underneath, and the film comes off cleanly when you want the original color back.
What XPEL COLOR Paint Protection Film Actually Is
XPEL COLOR is a pigmented version of XPEL’s paint protection film. Structurally it is PPF: an 8 mil self-healing urethane with an elastomeric topcoat, the same construction that stops stone chips on the front end of a car. The difference is that the color lives inside the film rather than in a printed or cast vinyl layer, so the finish looks like paint rather than like a wrap.
Because it is film and not paint, the change is completely reversible. Nothing is sanded, nothing is sprayed, and your original factory finish — the finish your resale value depends on — is sealed underneath the whole time.
- 8 mil thick self-healing urethane — two to three times thicker than vinyl wrap
- 10-year XPEL warranty
- Heat-activated self-healing topcoat that closes light swirls and wash marks
- Stain and UV resistant, so the color does not go chalky the way vinyl does
- Removable without damaging factory paint
- Gloss and satin finishes in the same product line
Color-Change PPF vs. Vinyl Wrap
Vinyl wrap had a long run, and for a decorative, short-term change on an inexpensive car it still makes sense. On a six-figure car it increasingly does not. Vinyl is a decorative skin; color PPF is protective equipment that happens to be colored.
| XPEL COLOR PPF | Vinyl Wrap | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 8 mil | 3–4 mil |
| Typical service life | 10+ years | 2–3 years |
| Stone-chip protection | Yes — genuine paint protection film | Minimal |
| Self-healing | Yes, heat-activated topcoat | No |
| Fade / peel behavior | UV and stain resistant | Commonly fades, cracks or lifts at edges |
| Appearance | Reads as factory paint | Reads as a wrap up close |
| Warranty | 10 years from XPEL | Varies, usually far shorter |
| Reversibility | Removes cleanly, paint protected underneath | Removes, but offered no protection while on |
The practical argument is simple. If you were going to protect the car with clear PPF anyway, color PPF gives you the protection and the color for one installation rather than two. If you were going to wrap the car in vinyl, color PPF gives you a finish that looks better, lasts three to five times longer and actually defends the paint while it is on.
If you want the paint color you already have, see our clear XPEL paint protection film page. If you want a satin or matte look over factory paint without changing color, XPEL STEALTH PPF is the right product.
The 16 XPEL COLOR Finishes
XPEL launched the COLOR line with sixteen finishes, split between gloss and satin. We can order swatches and lay a sample panel against your car in the shop before you commit — color reads very differently under our lights, under daylight and against your own trim and wheels.
Gloss finishes
- Obsidian Black — deep, wet-looking black
- Pearl White
- Bond Silver
- Heritage Grey
- Grey Black
- Monza Red
- Molten Orange
- XPEL Yellow
- Moss Green
- South Beach Blue
- Ultra Plum
Satin finishes
- Satin Midnight Black
- Satin Tarmac
- Satin Abyss Blue
- Satin Battle Green
- Satin Thermal Beige
Satin color PPF is the finish most of our exotic clients ask about first. It gives the flat, low-sheen look that used to require a satin vinyl or a factory paint-to-sample option, with the self-healing topcoat and chip protection of real PPF behind it.
Full Color Change, or Just the Parts That Matter
Not every color change needs to be the whole car. A large share of the work we do is partial, and on many cars it reads better than a full change.
- Roof and pillars in Satin Midnight Black or Obsidian Black for a floating-roof look
- Mirror caps, splitters, diffusers and vents in satin to mimic exposed carbon or a factory sport package
- Hood and front fenders as a two-tone, which also puts real chip protection where the car takes the most damage
- Full color change including door jambs and under-edges where the car is disassembled far enough to allow it
- Accent stripes and liveries cut from color PPF rather than vinyl
How We Install Color-Change PPF in New Rochelle
A color change is a paint-shop job as much as a film job, and that is the reason we do it well. Enthusiast Auto Works is a collision facility first, so the panel prep, the disassembly and the edge work are things our technicians do every day.
- Inspection and paint correction. Color PPF is opaque, but it is not a repair. Dents, chips and failing clear coat are addressed first, because the film will telegraph anything sharp underneath it.
- Decontamination and wash. Chemical decontamination, clay, and a full panel wipe-down. Any contaminant left on the paint becomes a permanent bump under the film.
- Disassembly. Badges, handles, lights, trim and, where the design allows, bumpers and mirrors come off so the film can wrap edges rather than stop at them.
- Pattern and cut. Computer-cut patterns where a good one exists for your model, hand-cut on the car where it does not. Nothing is cut with a blade against your paint.
- Application. Wet application, squeegee, then heat to conform the film to body lines and complex curves.
- Wrapped edges and tuck. Edges are tucked rather than trimmed flush wherever the panel allows, which is what keeps a color change from looking like a wrap.
- Reassembly, cure and inspection. The car is reassembled, allowed to cure indoors, then inspected panel by panel under controlled light before delivery.
Turnaround depends on the car, the number of panels and how far it has to be disassembled. We will give you a realistic schedule when we see the vehicle rather than a number over the phone.
Cars We Do This On
We work on high-end and performance vehicles of all kinds. Our technicians hold manufacturer training and our body shop holds certifications from Jaguar, Land Rover and Rivian, plus Genesis, Infiniti, Nissan, Kia and Stellantis. Color-change PPF is not a certified-repair procedure, but that background is why the prep and the panel work behind the film are held to a collision-repair standard.
- Porsche — 911, 718, Taycan, Cayenne and Macan
- Lamborghini, Ferrari and McLaren
- Land Rover, Range Rover, Defender and Jaguar
- Rivian R1T and R1S
- Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, Audi RS and Porsche daily drivers
- Tesla, Lucid, and other EVs where soft factory paint makes film especially worthwhile
- Corvette, Mustang, Challenger and other American performance cars
Living With Color-Change PPF
Color PPF is low-maintenance, but it is not no-maintenance, and the rules are slightly different for gloss and satin.
- Wait about a week before the first wash so the adhesive can fully set.
- Hand wash with a pH-neutral soap and two buckets. Touchless automatic washes are acceptable; brush tunnels are not.
- Satin finishes: no wax, no gloss sealant, no polishing. Use a satin-specific detail spray. Polishing a satin film will put shiny patches in it permanently.
- Gloss finishes: a ceramic spray or sealant made for PPF is fine and makes the film easier to clean.
- Remove bird droppings, bug splatter and tree sap quickly. The film resists staining far better than vinyl, but nothing is immune to acid sitting in the sun.
- Light swirls self-heal with warm water, sun, or a heat gun used carefully.
- Pressure washing: keep the nozzle at a distance and never aim straight into an edge or seam.
Many clients add a ceramic coating over gloss color PPF. It does not change the color but it makes washing considerably easier and adds another sacrificial layer — see XPEL FUSION PLUS ceramic coating.
Warranty and Removal
XPEL COLOR carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty against defects such as cracking, bubbling, peeling and yellowing. The warranty is XPEL’s and follows the installation, and we register every job with XPEL so the coverage is on record.
When the film comes off — whether that is at the end of its life or because you want your original color back before selling the car — it is removed with controlled heat and comes away without taking factory paint with it. Paint that has been under film is typically in better condition than the paint that was exposed, not worse.
One honest caveat: film cannot rescue paint that is already failing. If a car arrives with delaminating clear coat or a previous repaint that is lifting, the film will come off with it later. We will tell you that at the inspection rather than after the job.
Color Change PPF in Westchester County, NY
Our shop is at 55B Plain Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801, a few minutes off I-95 and the Hutchinson River Parkway. Clients bring cars to us from across Westchester and beyond for film work because a color change is a multi-day, indoor job and it is worth going to a facility that does it properly.
- New Rochelle, Pelham and Larchmont
- Mamaroneck, Rye, Harrison and Purchase
- Scarsdale, Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe
- White Plains, Greenburgh and Hartsdale
- Yonkers, Mount Vernon and the north Bronx
- Greenwich, Old Greenwich and Stamford, CT
- Northern Westchester — Armonk, Chappaqua, Bedford and Katonah
We can arrange pickup and delivery within the area for full color-change projects.
Start a Color Change
Send us photos of the car and the color you have in mind, or bring it by the shop and we will lay samples against it. We will walk you through what is realistic for your model, which panels are worth including, and how long the car will be with us. Contact Enthusiast Auto Works to get started.
Related services: clear paint protection film · STEALTH satin PPF · XPEL window tint · ceramic coating · wheel powder coating · caliper painting · exotic car customization
Request an Estimate
Tell us about the car and what happened. We will call you back, usually the same business day.
Color-Change PPF: Frequently Asked Questions
Is color-change PPF better than a vinyl wrap?
For a high-end car, yes. XPEL COLOR is 8 mil self-healing urethane against vinyl’s 3–4 mil, it carries a 10-year warranty against vinyl’s typical 2–3 year service life, and it provides genuine stone-chip protection that vinyl does not. Vinyl still makes sense for short-term decorative changes on inexpensive vehicles.
Will color-change PPF damage my factory paint?
No. It is applied over healthy factory paint and removed with controlled heat, leaving the original finish intact. Paint that has spent years under film is usually in better condition than exposed paint. The exception is paint that is already failing — delaminating clear coat or a lifting previous repaint will come away with the film, and we flag that at inspection.
How many colors does XPEL COLOR come in?
Sixteen, in gloss and satin. Gloss options include Obsidian Black, Pearl White, Bond Silver, Heritage Grey, Grey Black, Monza Red, Molten Orange, XPEL Yellow, Moss Green, South Beach Blue and Ultra Plum. Satin options are Satin Midnight Black, Satin Tarmac, Satin Abyss Blue, Satin Battle Green and Satin Thermal Beige.
How long does color-change PPF last?
XPEL warranties COLOR film for 10 years against cracking, bubbling, peeling and yellowing. Real-world life depends on how the car is stored and washed, but 10-plus years is the design target — roughly four to five times a typical vinyl wrap.
Can I change only part of the car?
Yes, and it is very common. Roofs, mirror caps, hoods, splitters, diffusers and accent panels are all done individually. A satin black roof over a gloss body is one of the most requested combinations we do.
Do I have to tell my insurer or the DMV about a color change?
A color change to your vehicle is worth reporting to your insurer, and New York expects the color on record to match the vehicle. Because film is reversible, many owners handle this differently than a repaint — check with your own insurer and the DMV for your situation. We are not able to advise on your policy.
Can you put color PPF over an existing wrap or an older repaint?
Existing vinyl must be removed first and the paint underneath assessed. A quality repaint that is fully cured and adhering well is generally fine. A repaint that is lifting, thin or unknown in origin is not, and we will say so before taking the job.
Can I wash a car with satin color PPF normally?
Hand wash with pH-neutral soap, and use a satin-specific detail spray. Never wax, polish or use a gloss sealant on satin film — it will create permanent shiny patches. Touchless automatic washes are acceptable; brush tunnels are not.
Do you install color-change PPF for customers outside New Rochelle?
Yes. Clients come to our New Rochelle shop from across Westchester — Scarsdale, Rye, White Plains, Bronxville, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Armonk and Chappaqua — as well as from Greenwich and Stamford, CT and the north Bronx. We can arrange pickup and delivery in the area for full color-change projects.
Before you decide
Color change: warranty and what you are actually buying
We do color change in XPEL COLOR film, not vinyl, and the distinction is the whole point rather than marketing.
- Eight mil of self-healing urethane, against three to four mil for a typical color-change vinyl.
- Sixteen finishes in gloss and satin.
- Ten-year warranty against yellowing, cracking, blistering and delaminating. A color-change vinyl is realistically a two to three year product.
- It is paint protection film, so it protects the paint underneath rather than merely covering it.
- It comes off cleanly, leaving original paint — which a respray never does, and which matters on a lease and on a history report.
One important difference
XPEL COLOR is not transferable. ULTIMATE PLUS and STEALTH pass to a new owner with proof of the original installation date; COLOR does not, and the warranty ends with your ownership. The film is identical urethane with an identical ten-year term while you own the car, but it is worth knowing before you commit on something you intend to move on quickly.
Registration is required for the warranty to exist. We register every car and give you the confirmation.
Not covered: rock and debris impact, scratches and scuffs, water spots, collision and vandalism, improper installation or handling, failure to follow the care instructions, unauthorized wash techniques, and non-XPEL ceramic coatings over the film.
What the job involves
Door handles, mirror caps, badges, light surrounds and trim come off so the film wraps into the shut rather than stopping at a visible edge. A color change where opening the door reveals the original color is the tell that corners were cut. The paint is corrected first, because you will not see it again until the film comes off. A full color change occupies the car for several days; anyone quoting a day has not disassembled anything.
Partial work is often the better answer: a satin roof, a gloss black hood, mirror caps, or blacked-out chrome window surrounds. All reversible, all protecting the panel underneath. More in color change with film rather than vinyl.
Our warranty on the installation
XPEL warrants the film. We warrant the work, and that is the half most claims turn on, because improper installation is itself on XPEL’s exclusion list. We cover all labor on anything that comes from our installation — an edge that lifts, a mark, a corner that has let go. Bring the car back and we put it right.
Impact is not covered, for the same reason XPEL excludes it: a stone through the film is the film doing its job, and re-wrapping that panel is a chargeable repair.
The coverage travels with the car. Because we register every installation, if you move out of state you can take it to any XPEL certified installer in the country and have the work done there.
The two-week check-up
On every clear film job we ask you to bring the car back after about two weeks. It takes ten minutes. If film is going to lift, it lifts in the first two weeks, while the adhesive is still curing into the panel edges; after that it very rarely happens at all. That visit catches the one edge that wants attention before it becomes anything. Most shops do not ask you to come back.
Caring for it, and what voids the warranty
Hand wash with two buckets, a clean mitt and a pH-neutral shampoo. Touchless automatic washes are fine. Brush car washes are not — the brushes catch film edges and lift them, and a mechanically lifted edge is handling damage rather than a delamination defect, which puts it outside the warranty. Do not hold a pressure washer close to an edge. Leave the car unwashed for the first few days after fitting while the adhesive finishes curing.
XPEL also lists non-XPEL ceramic coatings applied over the film as an exclusion. Its own FUSION PLUS is explicitly fine. We fit both in-house using XPEL products on each side of that line, so the question never arises on your paperwork.
Enthusiast Auto Works, 55B Plain Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801. (914) 630-1668. XPEL Certified Installer and a full collision repair facility. See also paint protection film across Westchester, Fairfield and Bergen County.