What each material is designed to do

PET wrap is primarily about color, texture, and visual transformation at a competitive price. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is used within the wrap construction for rigidity and handling stability, making installation controlled and print quality high—especially for bold colorways and finishes. ALUKO’s PET vinyl wrap category explains that the vinyl face layer is laminated to a PET backing, improving stability and reducing distortion during installation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

TPU PPF (thermoplastic polyurethane) is formulated for protection first. Modern TPU films feature an elastomeric clear coat that can self-heal light scratches with heat and resist staining and environmental damage—capabilities highlighted in technical literature from leading brands like 3M, Avery Dennison, and XPEL. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Performance: self-healing, UV resistance & clarity

Self-healing is the headline difference: TPU PPF’s elastomeric top coats re-flow to remove micro-marring under heat (sunlight or warm water/air), something PET color wraps do not inherently provide. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

On outdoor longevity and yellowing, premium TPU PPFs are engineered to resist UV discoloration and maintain clarity for years, while low-cost PET wraps—optimized for looks—tend to have shorter lifespans and can become brittle or discolored faster under prolonged UV exposure. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Thickness & protection level

Protection correlates strongly with film construction and thickness. Benchmark TPU clear PPFs from major brands typically sit around ~8 mil total film thickness (e.g., XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS ~8 mil; 3M Scotchgard Pro Series 200 Gloss ~7.8 mil), providing robust chip and scratch mitigation while remaining optically clear. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

ALUKO’s clear gloss PPF is specified at 8.5 mil total thickness with features such as hydrophobicity, stain/scratch resistance, and a TPU base material (Covestro). That places it right within the protective class expected of premium TPU films. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Use cases & value

• When PET wrap is the better value: You want vivid aesthetics, color/texture changes, logos or printed graphics at lower cost—e.g., fleet branding or seasonal looks. ALUKO’s PET vinyl wrap range emphasizes handling stability and print clarity due to the PET-backed construction. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• When TPU PPF is the smarter investment: You need impact absorption, chip resistance, and self-healing clarity to preserve OEM paint—especially on high-exposure panels. Leading brands and technical data confirm TPU’s superiority here. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Brand benchmarks (with ALUKO as the primary reference)

Data points for ALUKO are drawn from ALUKO product pages; 3M and Avery Dennison specifications are drawn from their technical data sheets and product pages. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Bottom line: Which should you choose?

If your priority is finish variety and budget, PET-based wraps shine—especially for branded graphics and frequent style refreshes. Start with ALUKO’s PET catalog and overall vinyl wrap selection for colors, textures, and special effects. For paint preservation and ownership value, a TPU PPF such as ALUKO’s clear gloss ppf or matte black ppf provides the self-healing, impact resistance, and optical stability validated across the industry. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

References

• ALUKO – 8.5mil Gloss PPF Ultra: specs (TPU base, thickness, features). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• ALUKO – PET Vinyl Wrap category: PET-backed construction and handling points. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• 3M – Scotchgard PPF Pro Series 200 Gloss: self-healing, thickness & warranty. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Avery Dennison – Supreme Protection Film (SPF series): self-healing top coat. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
• XPEL – ULTIMATE PLUS specs: elastomeric clear coat & performance characteristics. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• General PET vs TPU roundups: performance differences (self-healing, yellowing, rigidity). :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}