As an automotive enthusiast, you take pride in your ride. Mother Nature, however, doesn’t care how much you love your vehicle. Your car’s exterior can take a beating from bird droppings, UV rays, bug splatter, sap, and other outside elements.
Luckily, there are protective products available on the market that can preserve your car’s paint, including paint protection film (PPF) and ceramic coating. But what product should you pick?
To help guide your selection, the experienced technicians at Universal Tint Pros are here to help. This handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about Ceramic Coating vs Paint Protection Film, what they can accomplish for your vehicle, and what product is the right choice for you.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What is PPF?
Paint protection film, or PPF, is a transparent, lightweight film made out of urethane. It is applied directly to the exterior of your car to protect its paint from chemical damage, chips, scratches, swirl marks, and more.
PPF, also referred to as a clear bra, can seamlessly conform to every inch of your vehicle’s surface. This allows PPF to provide superior protection against the elements for up to seven years.
Some of the main paint protection film benefits include:
- Prevents damage caused by insects, tree sap, mineral deposits, acid rain, water spots, and more
- Prevents fading and yellowing from UV exposure
- Protects your vehicle’s paint from minor scuffs and scrapes due to the self-healing topcoat
- Boosts your vehicle’s resale value
At Universal Tint Pros, we only use the best quality products on the market, that’s why we use XPEL clear bra-—the leader in automotive paint protection film.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is another excellent product that can protect your automotive paint. This liquid polymer is applied directly to your car’s exterior and chemically bonds with its factory paint, creating a strong layer of protection. Ceramic coating also has hydrophobic, or water repellant, qualities. This makes it hard for contaminants to stick to your car’s paint, and makes washing your vehicle a breeze.
The top benefits of ceramic coating include:
- Boosts the hardiness of your vehicle’s paint
- Protects the pain from minor scratches and scrapes
- Prevents fading from UV rays
- Enhances your car’s appearance, adding depth and richness to its color
While paint protection film lasts between five to seven years, ceramic coating will last between two and five years. While it’s more affordable, ceramic coating doesn’t provide the long-lasting protection that PPF guarantees.
Paint Protection Film vs Ceramic Coating
Now that you understand what these two products are, let’s chat more about ceramic coating vs PPF.
While both products can keep your car looking fresh for years and protect your auto paint from UV rays and acidic contaminants, there are also some huge differences between PPF and ceramic coating.
Firstly, paint protection film is a lot thicker than ceramic coating. While PPF is about eight mils thick, ceramic coating is 10 to 20 microns thick, or about as thick as a piece of notebook paper.
Furthermore, paint protection film has self-healing qualities. This means that it’s able to heal itself from minor scratches, water spots, and chips. Ceramic coating, on the other hand, is a water repellant. This allows your car to go longer in between washes. Additionally, ceramic coating enhances the appearance of your ride.
How to Choose Between Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coating
So, which is the best choice for you? While this is largely up to personal preference, some questions to consider when choosing between Paint Protection Film and ceramic coating are:
- What is your budget?
- How long do you want the product to last?
- Do you hate washing your car?
- Do you want to improve your vehicle’s aesthetics?
Better Together: Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coating
If you still can’t make a decision, we’ve got great news for you! Ceramic coating and PPF actually complement each other. When you have both services done, you can enjoy complete protection of your paint for years to come.
Curious to learn more? Universal Tint Pros is happy to help. With years of experience under our belts, we are the premier provider of paint protection film and ceramic coating in Pensacola, FL, Birmingham, AL, and Peachtree Corners, GA.
To learn more, contact us today!