New-Car Protection plan — Delivery to Day 30 (Part 5)
Window Sticker → Protection Plan: 1-Page Worksheet
Paperwork’s done. Keys in hand. Now give your new car a fighting chance in the first 30 days. This one-page worksheet turns “dealer options” into a plan that actually fits how you drive in Northern Virginia.
Part 1: Dealer bundle vs independent plan •
Part 2: The perfect order — PPF → Tint → Ceramic •
Part 3: Lease vs purchase •
Part 4: Color-specific advice.
Now, let’s turn that into action you can print and bring to delivery.
Download the worksheet
Print it, jot quick notes at delivery, and bring it to your 10-minute consult so we can map coverage and timing.
How to use it (takes 10 minutes)
- Scan your window sticker. Note trim, wheels, driver aids, and paint color. Those change coverage choices.
- Circle your commute & parking. Garage vs street, Beltway miles, construction zones. NoVA roads love rock chips.
- Pick your ownership path. Lease → protect for turn-in. Purchase → protect for the long haul.
- Choose coverage by the perfect order: PPF first (impact zones), Tint second (VA-legal VLTs), Ceramic last (after correction, over paint + PPF).
- Bring it to APS. We’ll confirm brands, map panels, schedule in the right order, and give you week-one care rules.
Worksheet preview
| Section | What you’ll mark | APS tip |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Profile | Commute miles, highway vs city, kids/pets, rideshare/commercial | Highway + winter = add rocker PPF |
| Parking & Environment | Garage/driveway/street; sun exposure; construction routes | Street + construction dust → prioritize full-front PPF |
| Ownership Plan | Lease return date & mileage cap, or keep ~5–7+ years | Lease: keep it removable; Purchase: go wider on coverage |
| PPF Zones | Bumper, hood/fenders (partial/full), mirrors, rockers, door edges/cups | Wrapped edges where patterns allow for cleaner seams |
| Tint | Front/Rear VLTs (VA legal), windshield strip, series (CXP/CIR/Evolve) | Balance heat cut + visibility; document VLT for inspection |
| Ceramic | IGL Kenzo (5-yr) or Eco Coat Quartz (2-yr); add wheels/glass/trim | Correct first; coat paint and film as one system |
| Budget Lane | Essential • Balanced • Premium • Ultimate | Allocate $$ to the panels that actually get hit |
Delivery-to-Day-30: your easy timeline
- Day 0–3: PPF on impact zones (front bumper, hood/fenders, mirrors; add rockers for NoVA).
- Day 3–5: Ceramic tint (VA-legal VLTs). Don’t roll windows for 48 hours.
- Day 5–10: Inspection & correction → ceramic coating over paint + PPF. Keep dry 24 hours; no wash 7 days.
- Day 10–30: First wash with coating-safe shampoo; avoid brush tunnels; book the quick QC check.
Quick FAQ
Do I have to decide everything at delivery?
No. Use the worksheet to set priorities; we’ll stage installs in the correct order.
What if the dealer already tinted or “coated” the car?
No problem—tint and PPF are independent. We’ll verify legality and add coverage where it counts; we also correct paint before any pro-grade ceramic.
Lease vs purchase—what changes most?
Lease: front-end + edges/cups, legal tint, lighter coating. Purchase: full-front + rockers, premium ceramic, optional wheels/glass/interior.
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