Gloss FORCESHIELD Carbon

STEK Gloss FORCESHIELD Carbon is a gloss carbon fiber film from STEK's F range.

This is clear paint protection film from STEK's F line. It does not change your color — it protects the paint you already have from rock chips, road debris and the swirls that come with washing. The film is optically clear once installed and self-heals light marks with heat.

The gloss finish

The gloss finish reads as deep wet paint and is the closest of any wrap finish to a factory respray. It is also the most forgiving to own: it washes like paint, tolerates sealants, and light marring can be worked out rather than lived with. Gloss does show swirls under direct sun the way dark paint does, so a two-bucket wash and a soft mitt matter more than any product you put on top.

Living with carbon fiber in the Pacific Northwest

Carbon film is normally used as contrast against a solid color rather than over a whole car, so the practical question is which panels it goes on. Dark colors show water spots, dust and wash marks sooner than light ones, and our rain leaves spots the moment it dries on a panel. Drying the car after a wash rather than letting it air dry is most of the battle.

Care: washes like paint. A two-bucket hand wash and a wrap-safe sealant keep gloss looking new; skip automatic washes with brushes.