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Hello, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Mike Burke, and I’m the owner of Sun Stoppers. Most people in Charlotte know Sun Stoppers for our 9 automotive window tinting shops and 3 residential/ commercial flat glass divisions, however we also provide paint protection services at 4 of our locations. I started installing paint protection film and clear bras back in 2001, but stopped offering it after a year or so as I wasn’t happy with the quality of the products that were available at the time. I started again in 2006 when better quality films became available, and since then I have added several skilled installers to my team.
Rob Ruska, who runs my Lake Norman store, Jason Donaldson in Matthews, and Charles Marshall in Concord have all been doing paint protection alongside window tinting since the mid-2000s, and Gordon Stegall, who runs my Uptown location at the intersection of Monroe Rd and Wendover has been my primary paint protection specialist, installing PPF full-time since around 2011. Among the five of us, we install PPF on an average of 50-60 cars a month. We’ve seen and done it all and when you come to us we can educate you on all of your options. Whether it is a simple front bumper and mirror guards to protect your nice SUV against rocks and bugs on the highway; a full body paint correction, wrap and ceramic coating on your exotic car; or anything in-between, we will answer any questions you may have and help you decide on the level of protection that’s right for you. We even offer loaner cars at all our PPF locations so that your daily schedule is impacted as little as possible while we are working on your vehicle.
We have installed films from all the major manufacturers – I was an authorized 3M dealer for many years and later switched primarily to SunTek for their superior products and price point. However, in the past year we have made another switch to offering exclusively XPEL paint protection film. We made this move because based on our extensive experience and knowledge of the industry we believe that XPEL’s products are hands-down the best available today.
XPEL Ultimate Plus and XPEL Stealth are truly the best films on the market. Both provide superior protection and self-healing properties, as well as superior adhesives. XPEL Ultimate Plus has a mirror-smooth clear coat while XPEL Stealth provides all the same benefits in a satin matte finish. For more information on both films, click HERE for Ultimate Plus and HERE for Stealth.
Finally, for the truly discerning client, in order to get the absolute best out of paint protection, there are some other elements to the equation, namely paint correction and coatings. For your PPF to look its absolute best, it’s important for the vehicle’s paint to be perfect before it’s applied. Swirls, scratches, etchings, holograms etc. can all detract from the finish even when covered with clear film. Finally, for the truly discriminating client, the final step to a top-notch paint protection job is a hydrophobic coating. These coatings repel water and dirt help to keep your car looking perfect by reducing water spots, keeping road grime and dust from adhering to the vehicle, and reducing or eliminating the small amount of yellowing that can occur in the film with age and sun. There are several brands of ceramic coatings on the market, but we recommend Ceramic Pro because we believe it provides the best UV protection, oxidation and corrosion resistance, stain and scratch resistance and durability compared to any other coating on the market.
Since I started Sun Stoppers, I’ve always maintained that the company would do one thing really well rather than trying to be a do-it-all shop offering rims, stereos, accessories etc. That one thing is film application, whether it’s window tint or PPF, and in that area there is no one who can touch our level of skill, quality and customer service. In order to maintain the same high standard for paint correction and coatings, we partner with Tim Thorpe of Ceramic Pro Charlotte, the Charlotte area’s premier Ceramic Pro dealer and paint-correction specialist. Tim’s work has to be seen to be believed. Once you see the mirror finish that can be achieved with the right tools and techniques, you’ll never look at factory paint the same way again. For more information on Ceramic Pro automotive coatings, click HERE
If you’re interested in protecting your vehicle’s paint or even just learning a little more about what’s available, please give me a call at 704-858-1608. I’d love to answer any questions you may have and look forward to doing business with you.
