Greetings from STEK-USA – providers of SHIELD paint protection films (PPF). As one of the Tesla Forum’s newest sponsors, we are excited to be a resource to members looking for straightforward advice, informed opinions, or just simple information about paint protection film and the industry. As one of the largest, yet least well-known brands in the market we’d like to provide a brief introduction.
STEK started in 1977 making screen protection films. Our reputation for quality let to an inquiry from a major Korean auto manufacturer interested in replacing an existing supplier. We invested 1+ years in test processes and equipment and passed leading to other factory-applied PPF customers. Several years ago, we realized there was a consumer market for automotive films and turned our R&D and marketing efforts to those products and the private label market. 2016 was the year we began selling under our own brand – one of the results was a partnership leading to STEK-USA. Based in the Pacific Northwest our branch reflects the experience of our owners who build a very successful detail and PPF business. Those experiences guide how we relate to our dealers and to their customers.
Today’s films can be categorized into three (or maybe four) types of film. The first and least expensive is a non-top-coated film like our ANTIshield®. These films provide excellent protection from rock chips, etc. but being uncoated they can discolor or stain over time. You definitely would want a film like this coated with one of the new ceramic coatings. The second category of films is self-healing top-coated films. These premium products, like our PROshield, provide protection not only from mechanical damage, but increased resistance to stains, yellowing, and minor scratches. Additionally, PROshield provides optical clarity and extreme gloss. You might coat some of the material in this category; however, products like PROshield do not require an additional top coat or wax. The last category is an emerging one – extremely hydrophobic top-coated films like DYNOshield®. These products hold the potential for extreme stain resistance, clarity, puncture resistance, etc. DYNOshield has been available for over a year; however, as an STEK-branded product we only brought it to the US in late 2016.
There is an emerging fourth category in which we are taking a lead – FashionFilm®. DYNOmatt is a satin-finished film with all the performance characteristics of DYNOshield. DYNOprism is a high-gloss film with color-shifting prismatic flakes embedded in the product during manufacturing. Later in 2017 we will release other films in the “Fashion Film” category – wait until you see what we have in store for the market!
STEK R&D innovates within the industry. We create our products in our own plant with the OEM experience to drive top quality. We protect your vehicles like no other products can. So although STEK may not be the most recognized brand within the paint protection industry, we’re not the newest – we’re just different. Contact us or find a dealer through www.stek-usa.com or see our products on our YouTube channel.
STEK started in 1977 making screen protection films. Our reputation for quality let to an inquiry from a major Korean auto manufacturer interested in replacing an existing supplier. We invested 1+ years in test processes and equipment and passed leading to other factory-applied PPF customers. Several years ago, we realized there was a consumer market for automotive films and turned our R&D and marketing efforts to those products and the private label market. 2016 was the year we began selling under our own brand – one of the results was a partnership leading to STEK-USA. Based in the Pacific Northwest our branch reflects the experience of our owners who build a very successful detail and PPF business. Those experiences guide how we relate to our dealers and to their customers.
Today’s films can be categorized into three (or maybe four) types of film. The first and least expensive is a non-top-coated film like our ANTIshield®. These films provide excellent protection from rock chips, etc. but being uncoated they can discolor or stain over time. You definitely would want a film like this coated with one of the new ceramic coatings. The second category of films is self-healing top-coated films. These premium products, like our PROshield, provide protection not only from mechanical damage, but increased resistance to stains, yellowing, and minor scratches. Additionally, PROshield provides optical clarity and extreme gloss. You might coat some of the material in this category; however, products like PROshield do not require an additional top coat or wax. The last category is an emerging one – extremely hydrophobic top-coated films like DYNOshield®. These products hold the potential for extreme stain resistance, clarity, puncture resistance, etc. DYNOshield has been available for over a year; however, as an STEK-branded product we only brought it to the US in late 2016.
There is an emerging fourth category in which we are taking a lead – FashionFilm®. DYNOmatt is a satin-finished film with all the performance characteristics of DYNOshield. DYNOprism is a high-gloss film with color-shifting prismatic flakes embedded in the product during manufacturing. Later in 2017 we will release other films in the “Fashion Film” category – wait until you see what we have in store for the market!
STEK R&D innovates within the industry. We create our products in our own plant with the OEM experience to drive top quality. We protect your vehicles like no other products can. So although STEK may not be the most recognized brand within the paint protection industry, we’re not the newest – we’re just different. Contact us or find a dealer through www.stek-usa.com or see our products on our YouTube channel.
