Have you been to a new car dealership lately? Automakers and dealerships are using adhesive coated films to protect both the insides and outsides of automobiles. Rejects and rework due to scratches, stains, or dirt are significantly reduced by the application of protective masking films either before or after it gets to the dealership and Surface Guard provides many protective solutions for both interior and exterior surfaces.

Masking TapesValue Added Capabilities

  • Strip Coating in the Machine Direction
  • Custom Formulated Adhesive Systems
  • Custom Sizes (Widths & Lengths) Available
  • Perforating in the Machine and Cross-Machine Directions
  • Die-Cutting for Specific Part Protection
  • Custom Requirements

Surface Guard continues to work with OEMs, as well as injection molders, to test and approve masking grades to the required automotive specification. Their Product Development group is fully qualified to develop new products for new resins or resin combinations that are starting to be utilized in the automotive market. The protective film has a wide range of environmental testing capabilities including UV exposure and can replicate most, if not all, testing parameters required for particular automotive specifications.

Electrical industrial tapeKey Automotive Services

Automotive Carpeting

At both the OEM level and at dealerships, you'll see a 2 or 3mil high tack protective film that applies and stays down on automotive carpets. Typically, at the OEM level, protective masking is applied to thermoformed carpets by hand. At the dealerships, protective masking is either applied by a company contracted to detail and refurbish their used cars, or by the dealerships themselves. Since most manufacturers ship their cars with carpet masking applied, reapplying it in used cars maintains that “new car” feel, not to mention it keeps the carpet clean from stains and dirt. This film features a water-based acrylic adhesive system to ensure the film removes cleanly and is typically printed “DEALER MUST REMOVE” for easy identification and perforated to
allow easy application.

Injection Molded Parts

There are many masking products that adhere to a wide range of finished injection molded parts, such as; appliqués, chromed plastics, textured and smooth painted plastic parts and so on. Masking your interior automotive parts will help ensure increased productivity on the assembly line. Protective films can eliminate excessive rejected or reworked parts, in turn easing product inspections and improving final customer satisfaction.

Interior Door Panels

Interior door panels are usually a mix of surfaces, creating a masking challenge to find one grade to work on all surfaces. We have developed products to work on injection molded door panels that are made of PP, PVC and ABS resins. Historically, PVC parts have been problematic due to plasticizer migration. However, we have developed a product that is plasticizer resistant and has worked very well on PVC door panels. (As always, proper testing is needed to assure compatibility) Our finished products can be perforated to almost any length, as well as die cut into particular shapes allowing the end user to protect only what needs protecting.

Exterior - Vertical Surfaces

Taillight, headlight, and other assemblies are common applications protective films. Use of protective film for this application is either at the injection molder, where the light assemblies are made, or on the auto-assembly line itself.