When it comes to protecting your car, many of us forget about one glaring piece - the windshield. Arguably one of the most important, and most expensive, replacement parts that we all eventually have to deal with. If you’re considering windshield protection film and have been asking around, chances are you’ve heard a lot of things - some good some bad - that make it tough to decide what is true and what is just a myth.

The good news is that we’re here to help. We’re not here to sell you on ExoShield - you can make that choice for yourself! But we did want to clear up some of the general myths we hear about windshield protection film that need to be debunked. 

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Myth #1: Windshield protection film doesn’t actually stop rock chips

This is one you may hear from people who have been burned by “impact resistant” coatings. First of all, be wary of anyone selling you a coating that adds impact resistance. The only way you’re really going to get any real shock absorption is by using a film that is softer and less brittle than the windshield. 

There’s also a bit of a misconception that either windshield protection is bulletproof (which is false) or it’s completely ineffective (also false). The truth is that windshield protection film is designed to reduce the chances of damage from the average rock that is flying at your windshield.

That being said, any self-respecting windshield protection film product out there will absolutely increase the impact resistance of your windshield.

How Windshield Protection Film Works:

Windshield protection film is made of multiple layers laminated together to give you high impact protection for glass. The polymer layer (sometimes called the substrate) is usually made of something like PET or TPU, and acts as a shock absorbing layer to distribute the force of impact and prevent the windshield from being damaged. 

Testing Impact Resistance:

As you may be able to imagine, testing windshield protection film for impact resistance is one of the more fun tests we get to do. People joke that we should take a windshield and throw rocks at it, and believe it or not - that’s pretty much what we do, just in a much more controlled, scientific way. We test objects hitting the film at highway speeds and higher to compare the probability of damage to a windshield protected by ExoShield vs an unprotected windshield. Based on these tests, our flagship product, ExoShield GT3 is at least 6X less likely to break under normal highway rock conditions compared to bare glass. 

It may not be bulletproof, but for most of us, that’s enough to prevent most replacements or damage that would occur if we drive as usual.

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“Took a massive hit to my windshield at 70mph today on the highway. Not even a blemish on the film. ExoShield is legit 💪”

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Myth #2: Windshield protection film is only for supercars and exotic vehicles

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Windshield protection film may not be for everyone, but it’s certainly not just for the Lamborghinis and Ferraris of the world. The cost to replace the average windshield has increased by 5X or more over the last 7 years - so your $150 glass replacement has turned into a $1000 replacement. And unfortunately, this isn’t because the glass is getting better. While the glass has mainly stayed the same, the added cost comes from rising production costs and supply chain disruptions and more importantly, the cost to recalibrate all the sensors and cameras behind almost every windshield these days. 

The cost to protect your windshield can range anywhere from $199 if you have a DIY option available for your vehicle, to $1200 for a rare, labor-intensive professional installation. But the reality is that most average windshields will cost between $500-800 including labor. Whether or not this is right for you will depend on how often your windshield breaks, how expensive it is to replace, and how long you plan on driving your vehicle for. There are plenty of daily drivers who choose to protect their windshield because their roads are terrible and they know their windshield will cost them $1300 to replace every time. 

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“I was driving when a rock hit my windshield. My friend and I both totally freaked out, then I remembered that my partner had ExoShield installed a few weeks earlier. Without ExoShield that rock would have definitely chipped, if not cracked, our windshield!” - 2017 Corolla Owner

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Myth #3: Windshield protection film doesn’t even last 3 months

Unfortunately, this one may be true depending on the brand of windshield protection. We often say that like any other automotive aftermarket product, not all windshield protection films are created equal. There are products on the market that are meant to be short-term solutions, for example for a single track day or a 3 day rally. But the truth is that there are products out there that will last you 18-24 months or more depending on where you live, how often you drive, and how you take care of your vehicle.

If you’re looking for long-lasting protection here are two things to watch out for when comparing product options:

1. The warranty coverage. A very short term warranty should be a sign that even the manufacturer doesn’t expect the product to last very long! While most warranties won’t cover typical wear and tear of the film, a 3-6 month warranty probably indicates something about the product’s expected lifespan.
2. The technology. Look for a PET-based film with a nanoceramic hardcoat layer. This is inherently more durable than other plastics on the market like TPU or self-healing coatings that are naturally more soft and therefore more prone to damage from wiper blades. 

While your windshield protection film won’t last forever, it should definitely last more than a few months. In this case, choosing the right product will make all the difference.

We’re sure there are more, but these are the top myths we hear about windshield protection film that we thought we’d clear up! 

Whether or not windshield protection film is right for you depends on several factors, but being armed with all the facts is an important step in making that decision!