The Rivian R2 already looks great in Launch Green, but we wanted to answer a question we knew would come up almost immediately:
What would Launch Green look like with a matte or stealth PPF conversion?
So we tested it.
For this install, we used Avery Dennison Supreme Defense Matte Paint Protection Film on the front fender of the Rivian R2. Even with just one panel completed, the difference is dramatic. The original glossy green becomes a much more muted, almost military-inspired green while still retaining the character of the factory paint underneath.
Here’s a closer look at the transformation, how matte PPF is installed, and what we’re learning as we develop our Rivian R2 DIY PPF kits.
What Does Launch Green Look Like From the Factory?
Rivian’s Launch Green has a glossy factory finish. Under normal lighting, it reads as a rich sage green, but under very bright light you can also pick up some subtle metallic character in the paint.
We really like the factory finish on its own.
But adding matte PPF changes the personality of the color without actually repainting or permanently changing the vehicle.
Instead of the glossy reflections, the matte film diffuses the light and gives Launch Green a more subdued appearance.
On the R2, the result looks almost like a military or tactical green.
What Is Matte PPF?
PPF stands for paint protection film.
It’s a transparent urethane film applied over the vehicle’s painted surfaces to help protect the paint from things like:
- Rock chips
- Road debris
- Light scratches
- Bug splatter
- Everyday wear
Traditional clear PPF is designed to preserve the glossy appearance of the factory paint.
Matte PPF does two things at once: it protects the paint while changing a glossy finish into a satin or matte finish.
That means you can dramatically change the way your Rivian looks without changing the actual paint underneath.
For this R2, we’re testing Avery Dennison Supreme Defense Matte PPF.
Installing Matte PPF on the Rivian R2 Fender
Before installing the film, we removed some of the surrounding trim so we could experiment with coverage and determine how we want to design the final kit.
One interesting thing we noticed immediately is that the R2 front fender is relatively small.
If you’ve worked on a Rivian R1T or R1S before, the R2 fender feels significantly more manageable.
That should be good news for DIY installers.
The panel is also relatively flat, which makes this particular section a great place to understand the fundamentals of PPF installation.
Step 1: Cleaning and Preparing the Panel
The first step is making sure the paint is completely clean.
Any dirt, dust, wax, or contamination trapped underneath PPF can show through the finished installation, so proper surface preparation is extremely important.
Once the surface is ready, we spray it with slip solution.
What Is PPF Slip Solution?
Slip solution is typically a mixture of water and a small amount of soap.
Its purpose is exactly what the name suggests: it allows the PPF to slip and glide across the paint.
Without enough slip solution, the adhesive can grab the paint too early, making it much harder to reposition the film.
During the R2 installation, we sprayed additional solution underneath the film whenever we felt the film becoming difficult to move.
That lets us position the pattern precisely before committing to the final placement.
Step 2: Finding the Alignment Points
One of the advantages of working with a pre-cut PPF pattern is that you have specific edges and body lines that help determine where the film belongs.
On the R2 fender, we started by lining the pattern up along the upper edge near the frunk.
From there, we worked toward the lower portion of the fender and used several points around the panel as anchors.
The goal is to establish a few reliable alignment points before squeegeeing the entire panel.
Once those points are correct, the rest of the film naturally begins to fall into place.
Slip Solution vs. Tack Solution
You’ll hear these two terms frequently during PPF installation.
Slip solution helps the film move.
Tack solution helps the film stick.
Tack solution can be water or a water-and-alcohol mixture depending on the installation method and film.
When we want an area to lock into place, we flush the slip solution away from underneath the film and introduce tack solution.
As the soapy slip solution is removed, the adhesive begins grabbing the paint more aggressively.
That’s why installers refer to it as “tacking” the film.
Step 3: Squeegeeing the Film
After establishing the main alignment points, we begin squeegeeing the film.
The objective is to push the installation solution out from underneath the PPF while laying the adhesive evenly against the paint.
We usually begin with lighter pressure and gradually increase pressure once we’re confident the film is positioned correctly.
Because this Rivian R2 fender is relatively flat, the film naturally lays down very nicely.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t things to watch for.
Watch for Moisture Pockets
One of the most common things you’ll encounter during a wet PPF installation is a small pocket of trapped moisture.
During this install, we intentionally showed one developing beneath the film.
The good news is that if the film hasn’t fully tacked down, you can often work that moisture toward an edge with your squeegee.
This is one of the reasons proper lubrication and squeegee technique matter.
Instead of aggressively pushing directly at the pocket, you want to progressively move the solution toward an escape point.
Don’t Forget to Lubricate the Top of the PPF
Slip solution isn’t only used underneath the film.
We also spray it onto the outer surface of the PPF while squeegeeing.
Most PPF installation squeegees are made from rubber or a similar material and are available in different hardness levels, sometimes described by their durometer.
Sliding a dry squeegee repeatedly across the film can potentially mark or damage the surface.
Keeping the top of the PPF lubricated allows the squeegee to glide smoothly and helps create a cleaner installation.
Flushing the Film Is More Important Than It Looks
One of the most underrated parts of installing PPF is thoroughly flushing the installation solution out from underneath the film.
A panel can appear finished while still having soap or moisture trapped underneath it.
As we work across the R2 fender, we’re continually moving that solution toward the perimeter.
You can actually watch the film begin to adhere more strongly as the slip solution leaves the panel.
It takes patience and consistent squeegee pressure.
The technique is less about pushing as hard as possible and more about maintaining a controlled motion across the film.
Wrapping the Fender Edges
For areas where we want additional coverage, we can extend the PPF past the visible surface of the panel and wrap it around an edge.
The Rivian R2 fender has an interesting edge profile.
Instead of simply folding straight underneath, certain portions taper inward.
For this panel, we found that a rolling motion with your finger works particularly well for getting the film around the edge.
Every vehicle is slightly different, which is why we’re testing these installation techniques while developing the final R2 patterns and instructions.
Do You Have to Remove Every Piece of the R2 to Wrap It?
No.
Our approach to DIY PPF is generally a hybrid approach.
There are areas where removing trim provides noticeably better coverage and makes sense.
There are other areas where removing a component may add significantly more labor without providing enough additional benefit for most DIY installers.
A professional wrap or PPF shop may choose to disassemble more of the vehicle, especially when performing a premium installation where the customer expects nearly every edge to be wrapped.
For a DIY kit, however, we have to balance:
Coverage + difficulty + installation time + risk of disassembly.
If removing a component adds substantial complexity for only a tiny improvement in visible coverage, we may design the pattern to finish neatly at that edge instead.
We want the finished product to look excellent without requiring you to take half the vehicle apart.
Can You Install Rivian R2 PPF Yourself?
That’s exactly what we’re working toward.
PPF has traditionally been something installed by professional shops, but modern pre-cut patterns and better installation education make DIY installation much more achievable.
Our kits are developed using vehicle scans so the individual pieces can be designed specifically around the panel geometry.
But the pattern itself is only one part of the process.
We also create step-by-step installation courses designed to teach you how to actually install the film.
That includes things like:
- Where to start each panel
- Which alignment points to use
- How much slip solution to use
- Where to tack the film
- How to manage tension
- How to remove moisture pockets
- How to finish edges
- Which trim pieces are worth removing
- Which trim pieces can stay installed
And if you run into trouble, you have in-house support available while you’re learning.
So, Does Matte PPF Look Good on Launch Green?
We think it looks incredible.
Once the fender was completely installed, Launch Green took on a much more muted appearance.
The easiest way to describe it is almost a military green or stealth sage green.
You still get the underlying color of the factory paint, but the reflections are drastically reduced.
And because we’re using PPF rather than vinyl, you’re also adding paint protection at the same time.
Whether the entire R2 ultimately gets the stealth treatment is still up to the vehicle owner, but after seeing the first panel completed, there’s a pretty good chance they’ll be tempted.
Rivian R2 PPF Kits
We’re continuing to scan, test, install, remove, adjust, and reinstall patterns on the Rivian R2 as part of our development process.
That includes experimenting with:
- Clear PPF
- Matte / stealth PPF
- Different edge coverage options
- Trim-removal vs. no-removal installation methods
- DIY-friendly pattern designs
- Full installation courses
If you’re planning to protect your Rivian R2—or you’re just curious about what different films will look like on it—keep following along and subscribe to the channel.
We’ll be sharing much more as we continue developing kits for the R2.
Would you keep Launch Green glossy, or would you give it the full stealth matte treatment? Let us know in the YouTube video comments above!
