PPF VS Ceramic Coating: Comparing Two Paint Protection Giants

Paint Protection Film (PPF) versus ceramic coating. It’s the current debate of the decade, and for good reason. Paint protection on the Sunshine Coast is becoming increasingly popular, especially given that the economy is growing, resulting in more high-end vehicles being present. Both PPF and ceramic coating are highly capable forms paint protection, and with the amount of money people are spending on cars straight out of the factory, it only makes sense to take every precaution necessary to ensure their investment is adequately protected from the outside elements that be. The goals of both protectants are aligned; to form a physical barrier over the vehicle’s paintwork, protecting it from everyday environmental and natural impact, sun exposure and whilst being driven. Is one necessarily better than the other? What about having both on the car together, working in unison? Is that even doable? Your questions, our answers. Let’s deep dive into the topic and pull apart the similarities, differences, and what you should be doing to protect your investment.

Paint Protection Film, often abbreviated as PPF, is as it sounds: a protective film made out of thermoplastic urethane designed to fit over your car’s body in a way that is almost invisible. It’s much the same as the older-style car bras, usually fitted to the bonnet, bumper and other areas typically exposed to impact whilst driving. The main benefit from modern PPF is that it can be fitted all over the car whilst keeping an extremely subtle, almost undetectable appearance. Modern PPF has also come leaps and bounds from how it used to be. Older-style wraps were known to yellow over time, and were a lot more difficult to apply. Nowadays, it’s thin, malleable and extremely durable to the elements.

One of the largest advantages that PPF has over ceramic coating is its ability to self-heal. The top layer of the film is elastomeric, meaning that it is able to restore its original shape over time. When it comes to particular areas of impact such as rock chips, the PPF can not only restore the damage, but repair it as well. This is revolutionary in the world of paint protection! In day-to-day situations where the car is exposed to a lot of dirt, dust and debris, PPF can also be a more viable solution compared to ceramic coating. The main reasoning for this is because of PPFs physical protective layering. No matter how careful you are when washing your car, if it’s constantly being hammered with dirt and dust, the inherent risk of causing scratches and/or marring on the paintwork is a lot higher. PPF can also be more preferable if the car’s paint job is very expensive. The Ferrari 812 pictured in this blog post, for example, has a triple-layer paint option from factory that costs north of $33,000! When it comes to price points like that, spending an extra few thousand on the highest level of paint protection makes sense to ensure that the risks are covered. To book PPF near you, call us today to discuss your available options.

There are a couple of main different types of ceramic coatings, including Si02 (silicon dioxide), SiC (silicon carbide) and Graphene coatings. Out of the three, Si02 coatings are the most well-known and used in the automotive industry. This is because it is usually able to provide the smoothest, “slickest” coatings whilst also on the hardest 9H scale. Ceramic coating is initially liquid in a bottle. The bond is achieved by applying the liquid coat to the paint’s surface by applicator pad, then given time to cure, usually a 2-week process. Once cured, the coating provides a hardened shell that massively improves clear coat reflection, depth and shine, whilst simultaneously being able to protect the paint from water spots, dust, debris and other everyday elements.

The lower price point of ceramic coating is a large advantage compared to PPF. It can be 2-3 times cheaper whilst still providing excellent protection. Ceramic coating's ability to repel water is also incredibly useful. Its main purpose aside from adding paint protection is to add hydrophobicity to the vehicle, resulting in impressive water beading and sheeting abilities. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that it certainly does not make the paintwork invincible. If water spots, animal droppings and hard chemicals sit on the car for long enough, they can still penetrate the ceramic coating’s surface. Scratches are still a potential risk as well if proper wash techniques are not used.

And then comes the ultimate question: can I put ceramic coating on PPF film for extra paint protection? The answer? Absolutely you can! It’s important to select a ceramic coating that is specially designed to be applied to film, but once that’s done, you’ll be adding further protection to your PPF and ensuring its longevity for many years to come. If you think about it, the PPF is your protecting your paint job investment, and your ceramic coating is protecting your PPF investment!

Adding ceramic coating onto PPF prevents the film from yellowing due UV exposure from the sun; the number-one killer for PPF. Similar to how headlight lenses can yellow and age over time, PPF behaviour is much the same. It’s awful sight to see after shelling out a large amount of cash for the wrap. Another main benefit of ceramic coating the PPF is that it adds hydrophobicity to the film, making it easier to clean. Adding an additional barrier to the wrap also makes it more difficult for contaminants such as road tar and animal droppings to ruin the finish. Sure, there are plenty of chemical options out there to remove these problems, but they also carry a risk of compromising the film itself. The safest way around it is to add protection to the PPF itself.

In the grand scheme of things, both PPF and ceramic coating are excellent forms of protection and can do so without negatively affecting the OEM appearance of the paintwork. They have come leaps and bounds over the years and are incredible value for money! Ceramic coating comes in at a more affordable price point and offers extreme water-repelling capabilities, while PPF is a more durable and longer-lasting alternative with self-healing abilities from areas of impact such as scratches and stone chips. The most effective method to achieve the ultimate protection for your vehicle is a combination of the two, working in synergy with each other to provide all the benefits with none of the downsides. Get in touch with O’Keefe’s Prestige Detailing today and enquire about our paint protection services near you.