Ceramic Coating and Paint Protection Film for Hillsboro Commuters

Ceramic coating installation and PPF for Hillsboro, OR

Custom Details is an in-house auto detailing, paint protection film, ceramic coating and window tinting shop at 3433 SW Multnomah Blvd in Multnomah Village, on the southwest side of Portland. Hillsboro is the farthest west of the communities we serve, about 25 to 35 minutes outside rush hour depending on whether you start in Tanasbourne or downtown, and we see a lot of Hillsboro vehicles for one reason: the Sunset Highway.

Below we explain what US-26 does to a front end, which paint protection film coverage makes sense for a Hillsboro commute, how a Feynlab ceramic coating handles the Silicon Forest parking lot, and how to make the drive work with a drop-off or our pick-up service.

The Sunset Highway problem

If you commute from Orenco, AmberGlen, Rock Creek or the Intel campuses toward Portland, you spend your mornings on US-26 between Cornelius Pass Road and the Vista Ridge Tunnel. It is the highest-volume road in Washington County and, in winter, the section over Sylvan is sanded whenever it ices. The gravel that trucks and SUVs kick up in the weeks after a sanding is what pits hoods and bumpers. Chips collect on the front bumper first, then the leading edge of the hood, the mirrors and the front of the roof.

Hillsboro's other roads add their own wear. Tualatin Valley Highway and Cornelius Pass carry a lot of truck traffic. The farm and nursery roads west and south of town, out toward Helvetia, Reedville and Jackson Bottom, have gravel shoulders and mud that stick to the lower body through the wet months. Long highway miles at speed are the recipe for a front end that looks ten years old after three.

PPF coverage for a Hillsboro commuter

We install Global Films paint protection film, a self-healing TPU backed by a 10 year manufacturer warranty against bubbling, cracking and yellowing. Coverage is the decision that matters, so here is how we advise Hillsboro drivers:

• Partial front: front bumper, partial hood, partial fenders and mirrors. The minimum that makes sense for a US-26 commute.
• Full front: bumper, full hood, full fenders, headlights, mirrors, door cups and door edges. Takes one to two days. This is what most Hillsboro commuters choose on a new vehicle.
• Full body: every painted panel, plus rocker panels, trunk and fog lights. Takes four to five days. Chosen for high-value vehicles and anyone who plans to keep the car a long time.

Pricing depends on the vehicle, so ask us for a quote. Matte film starts at $2,599 for a full front on the matte PPF page. For a deeper look at the tradeoffs, read partial versus full front versus full body coverage, and if you are planning a summer drive to the coast or the mountain, our post on preparing a car for a US-26 road trip is written for exactly that route.

Feynlab ceramic coating for the Silicon Forest parking lot

Cars in Hillsboro spend eight to ten hours a day in large, open lots at Ronler Acres, Jones Farm, Tanasbourne and the rest of the campus corridor. That is a full day of UV and, in summer, a full day of heat on the paint. A Feynlab ceramic coating shields the clear coat from UV and chemical etching, keeps bugs and bird droppings from bonding, and lets the winter road film rinse off with a hand wash. It does not stop rocks, which is why we pair it with film on the front end for US-26 drivers.

We install four Feynlab tiers: the 1 year coating, Ceramic V3 with a 3 year warranty, Ceramic Plus with a double application and a 5 year warranty, and a Matte coating rated for about 3 years. Every package begins with paint correction. Turnaround is one day for the 1 year coating, one to two days for V3 and Plus, and two to three days for Matte. Ask for a quote based on your vehicle size and paint condition.

Window tinting and detailing for Hillsboro vehicles

Our Global window tinting starts at $99 for a windshield strip, $159 for the front two windows, $229 for a full windshield and $279 for a full surround, with ceramic IR film at $159, $259, $325 and $599. Every install meets Oregon's 35 percent light transmittance rule. For detailing, the exterior and interior detailing page lists a hand wash from $89, exterior detail with polish from $499, engine bay from $50, basic interior from $139 and interior detail from $259. Full detailing packages run $199, $399 and $599.

Making the drive from Hillsboro work

From downtown Hillsboro, Tualatin Valley Highway (OR-8) east to Farmington Road and Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway (OR-10), then OR-217 south to Allen Boulevard, Garden Home Road and SW Multnomah Boulevard. From Tanasbourne, Orenco or Rock Creek, take US-26 east to OR-217 south and follow the same exit. Plan on 25 to 35 minutes outside rush hour. Between 7 and 9 am eastbound, US-26 can double that, which is why most Hillsboro customers drop the car on a weekend or the evening before.

Film and coating work takes one to five days, so the practical approach is a drop-off with a ride home, or our pick-up and drop-off service. We collect the vehicle in Hillsboro, complete the work at the shop and return it. Keeping multiple vehicles, an exotic, or a special car that rarely leaves the garage? Select high-end vehicles, exotics, and collector cars may qualify for white glove service at your location.

We also serve drivers from Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Gresham and Vancouver, WA.

Hillsboro frequently asked questions

Is full front PPF enough for a daily US-26 commute from Hillsboro?

For most vehicles, yes. Full front coverage protects the bumper, hood, fenders, headlights, mirrors and door cups, which is where nearly all of the gravel damage from the Sunset Highway lands. Drivers who want the rocker panels and rear of the car covered as well choose full body coverage.

How long does paint protection film take, and can I leave the car with you?

Full front coverage takes one to two days and full body takes four to five days. You can drop the vehicle at our shop in Multnomah Village, or we can pick it up in Hillsboro and return it when the install is complete.

How far is Custom Details from Hillsboro?

About 25 to 35 minutes outside rush hour. From downtown Hillsboro use Tualatin Valley Highway to Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and OR-217; from Tanasbourne or Orenco use US-26 to OR-217. Exit at Allen Boulevard and follow Garden Home Road to SW Multnomah Boulevard.

Does a ceramic coating stop rock chips?

No. A ceramic coating is a thin, hard layer that protects against UV, chemical etching and water spotting and makes washing easier. Rock chips are stopped by paint protection film, which is a thick urethane layer that absorbs the impact. For a Hillsboro commuter we usually recommend both: film on the front end and a coating over the whole vehicle.

To get a PPF or ceramic coating quote from Hillsboro, call (971) 400-1406 or send the quick quote form with your vehicle and the coverage you are considering. We will reply with pricing, turnaround and pick-up options.