The first ding on a new car is the worst and leaves you feeling devastated, even after it is repaired. If you care about your car and the physical appearance of its exterior, paint protection film, and ceramic coating are the most effective ways to keep your car looking great and its resale value high. Quality paint protection is the best solution for preserving the untarnished gleam of your car for years. Call Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center today to learn more about the differences between paint protection film and ceramic coatings, what they can accomplish for a car, and which is the right one for your vehicle.
Nothing gives more pleasure than buying a gorgeous new car and enjoying its sleek beauty and smooth drive. Sadly, cars lose their shine and newness due to natural wear and tear caused by external elements like sunlight, water, grime, or accidental scruffs and starches while driving on the road. Paint protection film and ceramic coatings help to protect your car’s aesthetics by saving and preserving its external paint and reducing damage from various elements.
Both these methods involve applying a protective layer over the paint job that reduces the impact of scruffs, scratches, and other environmental hazards and keeps you stress-free. However, they are not the same, and which one is best suited for you will depend on what you are looking for in your paint protection.
The debate between PPF and ceramic coating has been a long-standing one. Both offer great benefits, making it difficult to determine which would work best for your vehicle. Read on to find out the differences between these two protective solutions, how paint protection films and ceramic coatings can safeguard your car’s exterior, and what distinguishes them from one another to make an informed decision.
What Is Paint Protection Film?
Your vehicle may be tough and durable, but its paint job is not. Sometimes, something as simple as a brush or branch can damage the exterior of your car and result in expensive repairs. It is impossible to ensure your vehicle remains safe from every paint-job-threatening pebble on the road, but paint-protection film can help you. Paint protect film is a transparent, lightweight film made from urethane that can be applied to any exterior painted surface on your vehicle.
This clear film can preserve the quality of your car paint and reduce the risk of multiple types of damage, such as:
- Chips and scratches caused by rocks and road debris
- Swirl marks created during washing
- Chemical stains caused by acidic contaminants
- Chemical etch marks caused by acidic contaminants
- Hard water spots from mineral deposits
- Oxidation or fading from UV exposure
- Chemical damage caused by bird droppings, mineral deposits, and insects
The paint protection film is designed for high impact resistance, so it can fight bushes, branches, rocks, and road debris and leave your car looking no worse for wear afterward. As it is light, transparent, and easily malleable, it protects your vehicle without diminishing its overall aesthetics and showroom finish.
It is often referred to as Clear Bra, but it has several other names, such as clear wrap, clear mask, car scratch protective film, invisible shield, and more. Some PPFs come with a soft healing coat, which gives them the unique ability to self-heal instantly or when heat is applied. High-quality paint protection films are resistant to water spots, mineral marks from rain, oxidation from UV rays, and chemical stains.
What Is a Ceramic Coating?
As your vehicle is exposed to elements, its paint begins to fade. This wash-out is due to damage from UV rays as well as other elements, including mineral deposits and bird dropping. Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer applied to the vehicle body by hand. It creates a chemical bond with the vehicle’s paint job, and forms a semi-permanent layer, giving it adding protection as well as a nice, smooth finish. Ceramic coatings are a type of paint protection that uses ceramic particles to create an ultra-durable and heat-resistant layer over the car paint.
Once applied, it establishes a layer of protection and a hydrophobic surface. The hydrophobic properties of ceramic coating make it difficult for contaminants to stick to the car paint.
Using ceramic coating has several benefits:
- It helps to keep the car cleaner for a longer time and prevents the exterior from becoming dirty, muddy, or grimy
- It makes the car easier to clean when it is time for a wash
- It reduces the risk of chemical stains caused by acidic contaminants
- It keeps away the chemical etch marks caused by acidic contaminants
- It prevents oxidation or fading resulting from UV exposure
The best thing about ceramic coating is that it provides a glossy appearance to a vehicle like it has just been waxed. It is an attractive option for people who seek long-term automotive protection without worrying about frequent replacement costs associated with PFF installations.
Similarities Between PFF and Ceramic Coatings
Paint protection films and ceramic coatings are popular choices for protecting car paint job. While they are different from each other, there is one common factor between the two when it comes to preserving the look of your vehicle. They both intend to safeguard the appearance of your vehicle’s exterior.
PFF and ceramic coatings keep your car looking fresh for a long time by offering an additional protective layer that resists UV rays, oxidation, road hazards, and chemical stains and damage such as acid rain or bird droppings. When applied to the car paint, both options help maintain the original color of your car over time and require minimal maintenance after installation.
Differences Between PFF and Ceramic Coatings
PFF and ceramic coating are so different that you can add both to your vehicle at the same time. Each has its functions and benefits, which distinguishes it from the other. While the primary purpose of a paint protection film is to protect your vehicle from chips, scruffs, and scratches, ceramic coating cannot do that. The added liquid polymer layer will not defend your vehicle from road debris and rocks while driving.
Another difference is that ceramic coatings provide a glossy sheen and offer water-repellent properties. Paint protection film can come with a lustrous sheen, but it is generally made clear and does affect the vehicle finish, and it cannot repel water either. Ceramic coatings make your vehicle a lot easier to clear. The water-repellent qualities keep the debris, grime, and dirt from clinging to the exterior of the vehicle, which makes cleaning a quick job. On the other hand, as a paint protection film cannot repel water, it takes as much time and effort to clean it as an unprotected vehicle.
Related: Read This Before Buying Paint Protection Film
Which One Is Better – PFF or Ceramic Coating?
More than anything else, the paint protection solution that would work best for you is a matter of personal preference. As the two are not exactly similar, which one you should go for will depend on what you are protecting your vehicle from. Car paint protection film and ceramic coatings help to keep your car looking newer for longer by preserving and protecting its paint. With some overlapping performance features, both products reduce damage from UV exposure and acidic contaminants. Opting for either of these adds value to your vehicle.
When choosing between the two forms of paint protection, consider factors such as how much you are willing to spend, future replacements or repair costs, the level of shine or gloss you want for your vehicle, and which one would work better in different climates or environments. If you want protection from scuffs and scratches from road debris, rocks, branches, and everything else, you should consider paint protection film. If you are seeking to keep your car looking shiny and prevent dirt and debris from clinging to it, a ceramic coating would be a better option.
Sometimes, going for paint protection film and ceramic coating together for the best results is the ideal solution. The two complement one another quite well and offer superior protection, but ultimately, it is your decision and what you are looking for.
If you cannot decide what level of protection to get and are confused between paint protection film and ceramic coatings, visit Waxman of Tristate Car Detailing Center to find out which option would work for your vehicle. The experienced technicians examine your vehicle and recommend the best paint protection to safeguard your vehicle from all kinds of damage. You can keep your car looking as good as it runs for years.
