Pre-cut PPF kits (XPEL DAP, SunTek Pattern Library, STEK Cut Files) are 80%+ of PPF installs in 2026. Hand-cutting full vehicles is now a deliberate craft choice, not a default. Here's how to manage kits cleanly in SalesThumb.
Step 1 — Connect your kit provider
Settings → Integrations → PPF kits. Pick:
- XPEL DAP — most common. OAuth into your XPEL portal. We pull your account-level pricing automatically.
- SunTek Pattern Library — second-most-common. API key from SunTek; paste in.
- STEK — supported, less automation. Manual kit selection.
- Other (manual) — you enter cut sheet inventory and prices by hand.
Once connected, every PPF quote has a kit picker that shows real-time pricing based on the vehicle.
Step 2 — Configure cost flow
Settings → Inventory → Kits → Cost configuration. Two options:
- Cost-per-kit — each time you select a kit on a quote, the kit cost flows to job COGS automatically.
- Inventory cycle count — you receive kits as inventory items; consumption tracks against received inventory.
Cost-per-kit is simpler. Inventory cycle count is more accurate if you keep kits on hand. Most shops should pick cost-per-kit unless you're tracking specific kit SKUs in stock.
Step 3 — Kit selection on a quote
When building a PPF quote:
1. Pick vehicle (year/make/model). The kit picker auto-populates kits available for that vehicle. 2. Pick coverage tier — Full Front, Partial Front, Track, Full Body, etc. Each tier maps to specific DAP/STEK kits. 3. Confirm kit selection. SalesThumb shows the kit SKU, your cost, the retail price built into the quote. 4. Add labor (typically calculated from coverage tier × shop labor rate). 5. Send the quote.
Step 4 — Cutting the kit
Most shops still cut PPF on a plotter at the shop (not pre-cut shipped from manufacturer). When the install is queued:
- Job detail screen shows the kit SKU + plotter file location
- Tech sends file to plotter, cuts, installs
- After install, tech marks "Kit consumed" on the job
If you use the inventory cycle count mode, this also decrements the kit count from inventory.
Step 5 — Cost reconciliation
Monthly: Settings → Inventory → Kit cost reconciliation. Shows:
- Kits consumed this month (sum)
- Cost recognized in COGS (sum)
- Kits in inventory (current count)
- Discrepancies (e.g. "Job 1247 marked kit consumed but the kit SKU doesn't exist in your DAP portal")
Spend 15 minutes per month here. Catches misconfigurations early.
Common questions
### What if the kit doesn't exist for the vehicle?
Some uncommon vehicles (Lotus Emira, Genesis G70, older European exotics) don't have pre-cut kits. SalesThumb falls back to "Hand-cut from bulk" — you enter the square footage of bulk roll consumed instead of a kit SKU.
### Can I bundle multiple kits in one job?
Yes. Common: "Full front" kit + "Door cup" mini-kit + "Rocker" mini-kit. Each is a separate kit line on the quote. Cost stacks.
### What about hood + partial front overlap?
For luxury full-front PPF, the "Hood" kit and "Partial Front" kit usually overlap in the bumper area. Pick one, not both. SalesThumb's kit picker flags overlap warnings.
### Do customers see the kit SKU?
By default: no. The quote shows "Full Front PPF" with the price. Some shops show kit-level detail (XPEL Ultimate Plus, kit SKU XF-12345) on the customer-facing quote to justify premium pricing. Settings → Quotes → Kit detail visibility.
### What if I have to redo a section?
Tech marks "Re-cut required" on the job. The kit either consumes a backup kit (if you stocked one) or charges additional cost. Manager approves the cost variance.
Margin tracking
Settings → Reports → PPF kit margin. Shows:
- Revenue per kit type
- Cost per kit type
- Margin % per kit type
- Cost variance vs target
If margin is dropping on a specific kit, either pricing or scrap rate is off. Investigate.