Industry glossary

Tint, PPF, ceramic coating, detail, wrap & flat glass glossary.

The terms shop owners, technicians, and customers actually use — defined plainly. 54 entries across 7 categories. Pulled from SalesThumb's customer + operator language guide.

Window tint10 Paint protection film (PPF)8 Ceramic coating8 Auto detailing6 Vehicle wrap7 Flat glass (architectural & commercial film)7 Shop operations8

Window tint

VLT (Visible Light Transmission)aka VLT · Visible Light Transmission: The percentage of visible light that passes through a tinted window. A 35% VLT film lets through 35% of visible light — the lower the number, the darker the tint. State laws specify minimum VLT per window (front side, rear side, back glass) and most states require a top-strip-only treatment on the windshield above the AS-1 line.
AS-1 line: A horizontal mark on the windshield from the factory, located roughly 5-6 inches below the top of the windshield. Most US state tint laws permit film above the AS-1 line on the windshield (the 'top strip') but prohibit film below it. The exact distance is set by federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Ceramic filmaka Ceramic tint: A window tint film type that uses ceramic nanoparticles instead of dye or carbon to block heat and UV. Premium category — typically blocks 50-90% of infrared heat at the same VLT as a basic dyed film. Cooler interior, no signal interference (unlike metallic films), and longer color stability.
Carbon film: A window tint film type that uses carbon particles to block heat. Mid-tier category — better heat rejection than dyed film, cheaper than ceramic. No signal interference. Common choice for budget-conscious customers who still want better-than-dyed performance.
Dyed film: The entry-level window tint film type. Uses pigments dyed into the film to absorb light. Cheaper than carbon or ceramic but lower heat rejection and prone to fading over time (typically 2-5 years). Common in budget installs and rear glass where heat rejection matters less.
Roll length: The linear measurement of a film roll (in feet or meters). Tint shops buy film by the roll — typically 100ft or 60ft rolls — and track inventory by linear length consumed per install. Inventory software like SalesThumb gives you a one-screen preview-then-apply deduction after each job.
Metallic filmaka Metalized film: A window tint film type embedded with microscopic metal particles that reflect heat rather than absorb it. Strong heat rejection and a shine/mirror-like finish, but the metal layer can interfere with GPS, radio, and cell signal reception — a tradeoff ceramic and carbon films don't have. Less common today as ceramic film prices have come down.
Nano-ceramic filmaka Nano ceramic: A marketing term for ceramic window film manufactured with smaller (nano-scale) ceramic particles, sold as a premium tier above standard ceramic film. Like '9H hardness' in coatings, particle-size claims vary by brand and aren't independently standardized — treat it as a product-line name rather than a verified spec.
Wet installaka Slip application: The standard professional tint installation method: spraying a mild soap-and-water 'slip solution' on the glass and film adhesive so the installer can slide the film into position before squeegeeing out the water and air. Distinct from a dry/static-cling install, which skips the adhesive and slip solution and isn't used for professional automotive tint.
Tint meteraka VLT meter: A handheld, typically photodiode-based device that measures the percentage of visible light passing through installed tinted glass. Used by law enforcement for compliance checks and by shops for install quality control. A calibrated tint-meter reading is different from a phone-camera VLT estimate, which approximates rather than directly measures light transmission.

Paint protection film (PPF)

PPF (Paint Protection Film)aka PPF · Paint Protection Film · Clear bra: A thermoplastic urethane film applied to a vehicle's painted surface to protect against rock chips, scratches, and minor abrasion damage. Self-healing variants use heat to recover from minor scratches. Brands include XPEL, SunTek, STEK, and 3M.
XPEL DAP: XPEL's Design Access Program — a software + cutting plotter that gives installers pre-cut vehicle-specific kit patterns for thousands of vehicle make/models. DAP-driven cutting eliminates hand-cutting waste and produces consistent installs. SalesThumb's PPF inventory tracking gives you a one-screen preview-then-apply deduction after each job, and fires a low-stock alert before you run out mid-install.
Full frontaka Full-front PPF: A PPF kit that covers the front bumper, hood, fenders, headlights, mirrors, and (often) A-pillars. The most common premium PPF install. Typically 2-3 day install for a single tech.
Track packaka Track package: A larger PPF kit that adds rocker panels, door cups, B-pillars, and rear-quarter splash zones to the standard full-front. Common for track-driven cars and luxury daily drivers in salt-belt climates.
Self-healing PPF: A PPF film property where minor scratches and swirl marks disappear when the film is heated (sun, warm water, or hair dryer). The film's elastomeric polymer reflows to fill micro-damage. Standard on most premium PPF brands as of 2026.
Hand-cut PPF: PPF cut to fit a panel during install using only a blade and the technician's eye, rather than a pre-cut DAP kit. Higher skill ceiling but higher material waste and more variable seams. Common for custom panels and one-off jobs.
Knifeless tape: A thin cord embedded inside a strip of adhesive tape, used to cut a clean line in PPF or wrap vinyl without a blade touching the painted surface underneath. The installer pulls the embedded cord to slice the film, then peels away the tape — reducing the risk of scoring the clear coat compared to cutting near the paint with a blade.
Orange peel: A bumpy, dimpled texture on a painted (or filmed) surface that resembles the skin of an orange, caused by uneven paint flow during factory or refinish painting. Relevant to PPF and wrap installers because film conforms to existing orange peel rather than hiding it.

Ceramic coating

Ceramic coatingaka Nano coating · SiO2 coating: A liquid polymer (typically SiO2-based) applied to vehicle paint that chemically bonds to the clear coat. Creates a hydrophobic, gloss-enhancing, scratch-resistant layer that lasts 1-10 years depending on product and prep quality.
Coating tier: A pricing tier based on coating product longevity and number of layers. Common tiers: 1yr (entry consumer-grade), 3yr (prosumer), 5yr (professional standard), 10yr (top professional), lifetime (limited warranty class). Each tier requires increasing prep stages and product layers.
Paint correction: The process of polishing a vehicle's clear coat to remove swirl marks, scratches, water spots, and oxidation BEFORE applying ceramic coating. Without correction, the coating locks in existing imperfections. Sold as 1-stage (light), 2-stage (medium), or 3-stage (heavy).
Decon (decontamination): The pre-correction wash + clay-bar + iron-fallout-remover process that strips embedded contaminants from paint. Required before any meaningful polishing. Usually 60-90 minutes of work on a sedan.
IPA wipe: Isopropyl alcohol panel wipe — the final pre-coating step that removes polishing oils and ensures the ceramic coating bonds directly to the clear coat. Skipping the IPA wipe is the #1 cause of failed ceramic installs.
9H hardness: A marketing term used by ceramic coating brands. Refers to the pencil-hardness scale, the highest of which is 9H. In practice, the actual scratch resistance varies widely between coatings; '9H' is more brand positioning than a verifiable spec.
Graphene coating: A newer category of ceramic coating that adds graphene (a carbon-based material) to the standard SiO2 formula, marketed as improved heat resistance and slicker hydrophobic performance than standard ceramic coatings. As with hardness claims, graphene-specific performance gains vary by brand and aren't independently standardized across the industry.
Hydrophobic: A surface property where water beads up and rolls off rather than sheeting or soaking in — the visible effect of a ceramic coating or paint sealant. Hydrophobicity fades over a coating's lifespan before its protective bonding fully wears off, so 'water still beads' isn't on its own proof a coating is still fully intact.

Auto detailing

Two-bucket wash: A wash method using two buckets — one with soapy water, one with rinse water — to prevent dirt picked up by the wash mitt from being re-deposited on the paint. Standard for professional details and ceramic-prep washes.
Engine bay detail: A full clean + dressing of the engine compartment. Typical workflow: cover sensitive electronics, degrease, agitate with brushes, rinse, dry, dress plastic/rubber. Sold as a $50-200 upsell on full details.
Interior shampoo: Deep cleaning of upholstery, carpets, and headliner using a wet-vac extractor and dedicated cleaning solutions. Removes embedded stains, odors, and biological residue. Typically 90-180 minutes on a midsize vehicle.
Headlight restoration: The process of removing UV-yellowed oxidation from polycarbonate headlight lenses. Wet-sand → polish → UV-protectant coat. Restores light output significantly; results last 1-3 years before the lens yellows again.
Clay bar: A synthetic resin bar rubbed across painted surfaces with a lubricant to pull embedded contaminants — brake dust, rail dust, tree sap, overspray — out of the clear coat that washing alone can't remove. Standard step in the decontamination process before polishing or coating application.
Ozone treatment: An odor-removal process that runs an ozone generator inside a closed vehicle for a set period, using the reactive O3 molecule to break down odor-causing compounds (smoke, mildew, pet odor) rather than masking them with fragrance. The vehicle must be empty of people and pets during treatment and aired out afterward.

Vehicle wrap

Cast vinyl: A premium vinyl film produced by casting liquid PVC onto a release liner. Conforms to compound curves, doesn't shrink, lasts 5-8+ years outdoors. Brands include 3M 2080, Avery SW900, KPMF, Inozetek, Hexis. The standard for color-change wraps and high-end commercial.
Calendared vinyl: An entry-level vinyl produced by rolling PVC through heated calendars. Cheaper than cast vinyl but stiffer, prone to shrinkage, and typically lasts 2-5 years. Common for short-term promotional wraps and flat-panel commercial graphics.
Yardage: Total linear vinyl required for a wrap quote, calculated from the vinyl area you enter for the job plus a waste factor, before it's converted to feet off the roll. Most wrap shops use 1.3-1.5x waste factor on color-change wraps and 1.1-1.2x on commercial fleet to account for misalignment + miscuts.
Color changeaka Full color change wrap: A wrap install that changes a vehicle's apparent color by applying vinyl over the entire painted surface. Typically 3-5 days install for a sedan, longer for SUVs/trucks. Pricing ranges $2,500-$8,000+ depending on vinyl grade and vehicle complexity.
Fleet wrap: Commercial graphics applied to a company's vehicle fleet — logos, contact info, branding. Lower vinyl grade than color-change wraps, optimized for high-volume install + readable-at-distance design. Per-vehicle pricing typically $500-$2,500.
Chrome delete: A wrap job that covers a vehicle's chrome trim — window surrounds, grille, badges — in black or another color vinyl, giving a blacked-out look without removing or replacing the trim itself. A common add-on to color-change and commercial wraps, priced separately from the main wrap.
Laminateaka Wrap laminate · Overlaminate: A clear protective vinyl layer applied over printed wrap graphics to guard the ink against UV fading, abrasion, and chemical exposure from washing. Printed wraps (vehicle graphics, fleet branding) need lamination; solid-color cast or calendared vinyl typically doesn't.

Flat glass (architectural & commercial film)

Flat glassaka Architectural window film · Flat glass vertical: In shop-management software, 'flat glass' refers to window film work on the flat panes of glass in homes and commercial buildings — not automotive glass. It's a separate discipline from car tinting: work is typically measured and priced by square footage of glass rather than per vehicle. Not to be confused with auto glass repair or replacement (windshields), which is a different industry entirely.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)aka COI: A document from an insurance carrier confirming a contractor's active liability and workers' comp coverage, commonly required before a property manager or general contractor awards a commercial flat-glass bid. COIs carry expiration dates and typically need to be renewed and re-submitted for ongoing or repeat commercial work.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)aka SHGC: A rating from 0 to 1 describing how much solar heat passes through a window or window film — the lower the number, the less heat gets through. Used alongside VLT to describe a film's energy performance on architectural and commercial glass; a film can have a low SHGC (good heat rejection) at a range of different VLT levels.
U-factor: A measure of how well a window assembly (glass, frame, and any film) resists heat flow, expressed as heat loss per square foot per degree of temperature difference — lower is better insulation. Used in architectural window film energy calculations alongside SHGC and VLT, and referenced in building energy codes like IECC.
Security film: A thick, often multi-layer window film applied to hold shattered glass together on impact — for forced-entry resistance, storm/debris protection, or blast mitigation, depending on the product's rated thickness and anchoring system. A distinct commercial flat-glass product category from solar/heat-control film, though the two are sometimes combined in one product.
Anti-graffiti film: A sacrificial film layer applied over glass (or sometimes other surfaces) so that etching, scratching, or paint vandalism damages the disposable film instead of the glass underneath. Replaced rather than repaired when damaged — a recurring-revenue commercial flat-glass service for storefronts and transit properties.
Decorative filmaka Privacy film: Frosted, patterned, or privacy window film applied to architectural or commercial glass for aesthetics or visual privacy rather than heat/UV rejection — common on interior office glass, conference rooms, and storefront windows. Distinct from solar control film, though some products combine a decorative pattern with UV/heat-rejecting properties.

Shop operations

Close rate: The percentage of quotes that become paid jobs over a given window (typically 30/60/90 days). There's no verified industry-wide benchmark we can cite here — it varies too much by shop, market, and lead quality to be a trustworthy number. Track your own close rate and watch the trend rather than comparing to an outside figure.
COGS (Cost of Goods Sold): The direct materials cost for a job — film, vinyl, ceramic product, polish compound, etc. Tracking COGS per job is critical for margin analysis. Shop-management software like SalesThumb auto-calculates COGS from inventory consumption on job completion.
10DLC: Ten-Digit Long Code — the US carrier registration program required for businesses to send SMS marketing or transactional messages from a standard 10-digit phone number. Without 10DLC registration, messages are heavily rate-limited or blocked. Twilio handles the registration; typical approval time is 5-10 business days.
Bay: A physical work station in a shop where a vehicle is parked during install. Most tint/PPF/ceramic shops have 2-6 bays. Scheduling software lets operators block bays for the duration of a job (which may span multiple days for full-front PPF or color-change wraps).
AS-2 glazing: The federal classification for windshield laminated glass that has not been altered with after-market tint film. Most state tint laws prohibit any aftermarket darkening of AS-2 glazing below the AS-1 line.
ARO (Average Repair Order)aka Average ticket: A metric borrowed from the broader auto-service industry: total revenue divided by number of tickets over a period, giving the average dollar value per job. Tint, PPF, ceramic, and detail shops more often call the same metric 'average ticket.' As with close rate, there's no reliable cross-industry benchmark to compare against — track your own trend over time.
SDS (Safety Data Sheet)aka SDS · MSDS: A standardized document (formerly called an MSDS) that a chemical manufacturer must provide describing a product's hazards, handling, and first-aid measures. OSHA requires employers to keep SDS sheets accessible for every hazardous chemical on-site — relevant to shops using ceramic coating solvents, adhesion promoters, and detailing chemicals.
Chargeback: A forced reversal of a card payment, initiated by the customer's bank rather than the shop — typically after a customer disputes a charge with their card issuer instead of contacting the shop directly. Different from a refund, which the shop itself initiates; a chargeback usually carries a bank-imposed fee regardless of how the dispute is resolved.

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