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Automotive application guide

Surface protection during production, handling and transport

Surface protection is essential in the automotive industry because parts can be exposed to scratches, splashes, dust, friction, handling marks or light impacts during manufacturing, assembly, storage or internal transport.

This use case concerns painted parts, glazed surfaces, profiles, plastic elements, varnished parts, glazing, panels or flat materials requiring temporary protection before assembly, quality control or final delivery.

  • Protect painted or varnished parts
  • Preserve smooth surfaces during handling
  • Limit scratches during storage or internal transport
  • Protect glazing, windows or flat materials
  • Preserve PVC or lacquered aluminium profiles
  • Remove the film or tape without residue depending on the substrate used
  • Maintain good visual quality until final delivery
Automotive surface protection during production, handling and transport
Application example: temporary protection of a sensitive automotive surface.

Choose protection according to the surface and production stage

Each automotive surface requires suitable protection: blue film for quick identification, transparent film for visible surfaces, paper tape for localised holding or masking rolls to protect a larger area.

Protection of painted parts during internal handling

After painting, some automotive parts must be handled, moved or stored before final assembly. During these stages, surfaces may be exposed to friction, scratches or contact marks.

Temporary protection preserves the appearance of the part until assembly, quality control or final packaging while making protected areas easier to identify.

Protection of painted parts during internal handling
Risk to avoid Scratch on painted part, handling mark, friction in a bin, dirt before packaging or damage after paint inspection.
Examples of use
  • Protect a painted plastic part before fitting it to the vehicle
  • Preserve exterior trim during internal transport
  • Prevent scratches on a freshly painted bodywork element
  • Protect a varnished part during quality control
  • Keep a surface clean before packaging or shipping
  • Limit handling marks on sensitive parts
  • Protect parts in containers during movement within the workshop
  • Preserve an approved part after paint inspection

Suitable DERFI products

G0107B G0107B Blue PE film for residue-free protection of smooth surfaces. G0104T G0104T Transparent PE film for sensitive surfaces and visible parts. RM2091 RM2091 Acrylic masking tape for temporary protection with clean removal. RM2085 RM2085 Masking roll for reinforced protection or irregular substrates. F0501C F0501C Crepe paper tape for localised protection and temporary holding.

Suitable DERFI machines

TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM Dispensing protective films directly at the workstation. RT120W RT120W Solution for wide tapes or films in production. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Prepares repeat protective strips to a consistent length. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing of technical tapes at the workstation.
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Protection of glazing, transparent surfaces and flat materials

Glazing, side windows, windscreens, viewing windows, transparent sheets or flat surfaces can be protected during production, handling or operations near the glazed area.

Transparent film is particularly useful when the substrate needs to be protected while keeping the protected surface visible.

Protection of glazing, transparent surfaces and flat materials
Risk to avoid Scratch on glazing, dust, splashes on a transparent surface, loss of visibility or defect on flat material before assembly.
Examples of use
  • Protect glazing during work on an adjacent part
  • Preserve a glass surface before final assembly
  • Protect a windscreen or side window during storage
  • Prevent scratches on a flat material during machining or handling
  • Protect a transparent surface against dust or splashes
  • Maintain good visibility of the substrate with transparent film
  • Protect a PMMA or polycarbonate plate before assembly
  • Preserve an inspection window or technical glazing during transport

Suitable DERFI products

G0104T G0104T Transparent PE film for windows, viewing windows and flat materials. G0107B G0107B Blue PE film for smooth surfaces and visible protection. F0501C F0501C Paper tape for localised holding of the film. RM2080 RM2080 Masking roll for protecting large surfaces. RM2091 RM2091 Temporary masking with clean removal after protection.

Suitable DERFI machines

TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM Automatic dispenser for protective films. RT120W RT120W Suitable for wide tapes and wide films. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Cutting repeat holding strips. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing of fixing or protective tapes.
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Protection of PVC profiles, lacquered aluminium and decorative parts

Profiles, trims, decorative strips, coated parts or decorative elements can be sensitive to scratches during assembly or transport. Temporary protection preserves the final appearance of the part until installation.

This application is particularly important for visible interior or exterior vehicle parts, where an aesthetic defect can lead to rework or rejection.

Protection of PVC profiles, lacquered aluminium and decorative parts
Risk to avoid Scratch on a profile, mark on a coated part, friction during storage, aesthetic defect on a glossy or decorative part.
Examples of use
  • Protect a lacquered aluminium profile during handling
  • Preserve a decorative strip before fitting it to the vehicle
  • Prevent scratches on a glossy plastic element
  • Protect a finishing part during storage in containers
  • Preserve a lacquered surface before final packaging
  • Protect visible parts in the passenger compartment or on the vehicle exterior
  • Protect a chrome strip or glossy finish
  • Preserve a decorative part before cosmetic inspection

Suitable DERFI products

G0107B G0107B Blue film for painted parts, PVC profiles and coated aluminium. G0104T G0104T Transparent film for discreet protection of sensitive surfaces. F0501C F0501C Paper tape for spot protection and temporary masking. RM2091 RM2091 Acrylic masking tape for clean protection and mark-free removal. RM2085 RM2085 Rubber masking roll for more irregular or demanding substrates.

Suitable DERFI machines

TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM Dispensing protective films in production. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Prepares consistent lengths for repeat parts. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing at finishing or protection workstations. RT120W RT120W Suitable for wider tapes and protection of large parts.
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Protection during storage and internal transport

When an automotive part is stored, transferred between workstations or transported to another production area, it may be exposed to friction, contact with packaging, stacking or repeated handling.

Temporary protection preserves ready-to-fit parts, visible surfaces and inspected components before transfer to the next stage.

Protection during automotive storage and internal transport
Risk to avoid Friction between parts, scratches in bins, handling marks, packaging marks or damage before final inspection.
Examples of use
  • Protect a painted part in an internal transport container
  • Prevent friction between two components stored together
  • Protect visible surfaces during transfer between workshops
  • Preserve a part before final inspection
  • Limit handling marks on a sensitive surface
  • Maintain visual quality before shipment to the customer or final assembly
  • Protect a series of parts ready for assembly
  • Prevent marks on parts handled by several operators

Suitable DERFI products

G0107B G0107B Blue film for temporary protection of smooth surfaces. G0104T G0104T Transparent film to protect without fully obscuring the part. RM2080 RM2080 Masking roll for large surfaces that need to be covered quickly. RM2091 RM2091 Temporary protection with clean removal after storage. F0501C F0501C Paper tape for holding or localised protection.

Suitable DERFI machines

TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM Dispenser for films used repeatedly at the workstation. RT120W RT120W Solution for wide tapes or films. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Automatic cutting of repeat formats. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing at logistics or production workstations.
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Temporary protection before final assembly

Before final assembly, some surfaces must remain protected to prevent any visual damage. The film or tape is removed only at the time of assembly, quality control or delivery.

This method protects decorative surfaces, glossy parts, trims, sills, wheel trims or painted surfaces until the last possible moment.

Temporary protection before final automotive assembly
Risk to avoid Marks during assembly, scratches during screwing or clipping, aesthetic damage before final inspection or difficult removal if left too long.
Examples of use
  • Protect a decorative surface before final fitting
  • Preserve a glossy plastic part before assembly
  • Keep a painted surface clean before assembly
  • Protect a visible passenger compartment part before installation
  • Prevent marks during screwing, bonding or clipping operations
  • Remove the film only at the last moment to ensure a clean finish
  • Preserve a sill, decorative cover or trim before assembly
  • Protect a part until the final inspection workstation

Suitable DERFI products

G0104T G0104T Transparent film for temporary protection of visible parts. G0107B G0107B Blue film for quick identification of protected areas. F0501C F0501C Paper tape for temporary holding or spot protection. RM2091 RM2091 Clean, temporary protection with mark-free removal. RM2080 RM2080 Protection rapide de grandes surfaces avant montage.

Suitable DERFI machines

TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM Dispenses films to the appropriate length at the workstation. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Prepares repeat strips for series of parts. RT7700 RT7700 Smooth dispensing at assembly or inspection workstations. RT120W RT120W Suitable for wide tapes and large-surface applications.
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Use case overview

Surface protection during production, handling and transport preserves the visual condition of automotive parts until final assembly, quality control or delivery. It concerns painted parts, glazed surfaces, profiles, decorative elements, flat materials and sensitive parts.

Key points for consumables

  • G0107B is suitable for smooth surfaces, painted parts, PVC profiles and lacquered aluminium.
  • G0104T is suitable for glazing, inspection windows, transparent surfaces and flat materials.
  • F0501C is useful for localised protection, holding and temporary masking.
  • RM2091 is suitable for temporary protection with clean removal.
  • RM2085 is appropriate for irregular substrates or applications exposed to temperature.
  • RM2080 facilitates rapid protection of large surfaces.

Key points for workstation organisation

  • TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM facilitates dispensing of protective films and tapes.
  • RT120W is suitable for wide tapes and protection of large surfaces.
  • ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 prepares repeated formats of consistent length.
  • RT7700 speeds up tape dispensing at production, preparation or quality control workstations.