Meet Parker Amos

Meet Parker Amos, the co-owner and head of Paint Protection Film (PPF) operations at Ghostwerkz in Owings Mills, MD. With over a decade of experience in the automotive industry and a lifelong passion for motorsports and vehicle design, Parker treats vehicle protection as a true art form. Specializing in custom bulk installations and ceramic coatings, he is renowned for his meticulous “quality over quantity” approach, wrapping every possible edge to create an invisible, flawless shield. Whether he is laying film on a daily driver or a million-dollar exotic, Parker applies the same unwavering poise and precision to every vehicle that enters the bay. Read our Q&A below to learn more about Parker’s rigorous paint protection film process, the advanced technology behind our self-healing films, and his mission to build an elite automotive culture here in Baltimore.

Get to know Him

How long have you been in the industry?

I’ve been in the automotive industry for 10+ years now. Eight of those years specializing in automotive paint protection. 

What do you specialize in?

I specialize in paint protection film (PPF). Primarily “bulk or custom” PPF installations, as well as ceramic coatings. 

What started you in the industry?

I got started in the automotive industry by working at dealerships. Later on, I was introduced to the automotive PPF/Ceramic Coating industry and was lucky enough to have great mentors who were pioneers in the field. 

How has the industry changed?

The industry has come a long way, even since I got into it. It’s an ever-growing industry, and I believe it will only continue to get bigger. Overall, I would say the materials and technologies have evolved quite a bit, as there are now many more resources and manufacturers within the PPF and ceramic coating  industry. 

Where does your passion for cars come from?

My passion for cars and motorsports stems from my early childhood. I’ve always been around cars. My step-father was big into motorsports when he was growing up. Specifically, drag racing, motorcycle racing, and working on his own muscle cars with his brothers. I was also influenced early on by movies such as, “Fast and Furious” and video games like “Need for Speed: Underground”.  As a young kid, I would always sketch cars or create my own “concept car” designs that I was envisioning at the time. I think it was since those very early days of my childhood that I dreamed of opening a shop one day. 

What is the biggest misconception people have about PPF? Is it just a ‘sticker’ for a car, or is it something deeper?

The biggest misconception is that it is just a glorified sticker. PPF is a transparent or colored polyurethane layer placed over a car’s paint to stop scratches, rock chips, and environmental damage; protecting your vehicle/investment to the fullest. 

We talk about ‘self-healing’ film. For someone who has never seen it, how do you explain the physics of a scratch literally vanishing before your eyes?

Self-healing film is remarkable. Minor scratches and swirl marks literally disappear in front of your eyes with either heat from the sun, hot water, or a heat gun. 

Quality takes time. On average, how many man-hours go into a full-body protection, and why can’t this be rushed?

A full body PPF installation can take anywhere from 20 to about 50 man hours as a solo installer. I don’t cut corners, and I take pride in the meticulous detail and quality of my installs.  

Walk us through the first 60 minutes. When a car arrives at the shop, what is the ‘decontamination’ process before the film even comes out of the box?

When a car arrives at the shop, I do a meticulous intake of the vehicle to inspect the condition and any pre-existing damages that the car may have. It’s then put through a rigorous decontamination wash, which includes a multi-step foam bath, hand wash, clay bar, and any chemical decontamination it may need. 

Where is the technology going next?

I believe in the future we will see more robust materials, such as different variations of TPUs (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). Possibly, instant self-healing capabilities without the need for heat to activate. As well as, thicker or thinner materials that can withstand even the most excessive stretching and abuse thats thrown at them. 

What was the very first car you ever wrapped, and what did that experience teach you about the craft?

It’s hard to pin-point the first vehicle I’ve ever wrapped having done hundreds and hundreds of high-end, exotic, and luxury vehicles. As well as everyday daily driven vehicles. Most memorably, Ferrari’s like the 488 Pista, many of Porsche’s, including 911 Turbo’s, GT2 RS’, GT3 RS’, GT4 RS’, Mclaren’s and Lamborghini’s. 

If someone is on the fence about protecting their car, what’s the one ‘horror story’ you’ve seen that could have been prevented by what you do?

There have been multiple instances where a client’s vehicle had taken some kind of damage whether it be from a fender bender, a door ding, or the vehicle being keyed. After removing the existing PPF, there were no visible damages to the factory paint. 

What defines a ‘Parker’ install? When a car leaves this shop, what is the signature of your department’s work?

I would define my installs as “quality over quantity”. While there may be other installers or shops putting out a higher volume, my installs are specifically curated to fit each individual client’s needs, ensuring that their vehicle/investment is protected from top to bottom with the most meticulously detailed and precise PPF installation in the local market. 

Where does the ‘art’ come into play? Anyone can follow a template, but where do you have to get creative to ensure a seamless finish?

Being a PPF installer is quite similar to being an artist, in fact it is a form of art. It is the finer details that really take an install above and beyond.  

Your goal is essentially to be invisible. How do you balance the ego of a craftsman with the fact that your best work is work that no one can actually see?

My expertise in “bulk installs” allows me to provide the absolute best coverage on essentially any panel of the vehicle, while wrapping every edge possible to create an almost invisible installation/result. 

Parker, you’re often handed the keys to vehicles that cost more than most people’s homes. What goes through your mind the moment your blade touches a $300,000 paint job?

Well let me clarify, that the blade isn’t actually “touching” the paint, it’s technically “scoring” the film on top of the paint for a precise clean cut. While most installers may get nervous or overly excited when working on a rare or expensive vehicle, it is always best to remain confident and poised while having complete trust in your craft and ability. This is an essential attribute and skill that I have learned over my many years of being in the PPF industry.

What is the rarest or most intimidating car that has ever sat in your bay, and why did it keep you up the night before?

Anytime you’re working on rare and expensive vehicles, there’s going to be aspects of the job that may weigh heavier than others. Difficulty and complexity of the panels, and how to properly “bulk” certain panels to ensure the most coverage while still achieving a nearly flawless finish. From $30,000 cars to vehicles that are valued in the millions, the same attention to detail and meticulous craftsmanship is put into every single install. 

There are different grades of film on the market. What criteria did you use to select the specific brand and thickness we use here?

There are many different options of PPF on the market these days. Distinguishing factors like thickness, top coat, hydrophobics, clarity, stretchability, adhesive, and manufacturer warranty play a huge role when determining a quality PPF product. Any of the PPF products that we use here at Ghostwerkz are rigorously tested and evaluated to make sure they meet or exceed our highest standards.

What is more satisfying for you: the technical challenge of a complex bumper or seeing the client’s reaction during the hand-off?

While the satisfaction of completing an extremely difficult bumper or vehicle is great and rewarding, the most satisfying thing about my job and position is the clients reaction after the job is completed and delivered. Most clients can’t even believe it’s their same vehicle that they drove into the shop and are usually blown away by the results and finished product. 

What do you hope to achieve with Ghostwerkz?

With Ghostwerkz, the goal is to bring that unwavered attention to detail, unmatched expertise, and client satisfaction/experience to the local Northern Baltimore region and surrounding areas. Not only are we creating an elite design and protection facility for the automotive community here in Baltimore, we are creating a CULTURE!