Ceramic Coating vs. PPF: Which Is Better for Your Vehicle’s Paint

There are a few different paint covering options for vehicles. You may have heard of ceramic coating and paint protection film, or PPF, that goes on top of the car’s exterior; however, you may not know about the finer details each option provides car owners. Although both products are placed over the car’s paint, they accomplish different goals once they’re in place. So, which option is better? It depends on what benefits you’re hoping to receive from the car application. Here’s some insight into what these two application options are and whether ceramic coating or paint protection film may be best for your needs.

What is Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coating provides a protective covering against UV rays while giving the paint an eye-catching gloss and making it easier to clean. The ceramic coating has hydrophobic properties which makes it easy to clean and also adds a shine to the paint. However, this type of covering won’t protect your vehicle against scratches and chips due to gravel, rocks, and other elements on the road. On the other hand, ceramic coating does protect your vehicle’s paint against stains and damage from bird droppings, tree sap, and bug splatter.

What is PPF?

Paint protection film, or PPF, is also an application that goes over your car’s paint, but it covers some additional protective qualities when compared to ceramic coating. PPF protects against natural elements, such as bug splatter, sappy trees, and bird droppings, but it also helps to prevent scratches and chips of the paint due to rocks, gravel, rock salt, and other types of road debris that can kick up and hit the car while you’re driving. You can have a PPF application with a gloss finish and this film may make it easier to wash your car.

Which Product is Better for Your Car’s Paint?

Both ceramic coating and paint protection film offer benefits and make them ideal for protecting the vehicle’s paint. However, if you’re trying to decide between one option over the other, you should consider the following questions:

• What are you trying to protect your vehicle paint from by having this type of application service? Determine what you’re trying to protect your vehicle paint from in general. If you want to protect the paint from UV rays, it may be a good idea to choose the ceramic coating. However, if you want to protect the paint from scratches and chips, PPF may be best.
• Do you want your car to be easier to clean? Being able to clean your car in a quick manner is often a goal of many vehicle owners. If you want to have this advantage, applying ceramic coating can help. PPF also helps, but not as much as ceramic coating usually.
• Do you want your car’s paint to be safe from scratches and chips? If you want to protect the vehicle paint from chips and scratches, you may want to opt for the PPF. However, if this isn’t too much of a concern for you, ceramic coating would work for other purposes.
• What level of gloss do you want on your car? Ceramic coating provides a nice glossy look to the paint. If you want your car to shine, ceramic coating may be ideal. With that said, you can also have gloss PPF applied which provides a shine factor, too.
• How often do you want to reapply the application? Consider how often you want to replace the vehicle paint covering. Ceramic coating only lasts a few years while PPF lasts much longer, so this should be a deciding factor regarding which option you choose.
• Do you want your vehicle paint to be protected from UV rays? Damaging UV rays are often an issue while driving. When you have ceramic coating applied to your car’s paint, this will help ward off UV rays. In the alternative, PPF does provide some UV ray protection, but often not as much as ceramic coating.

Solar Shield Offers Vehicle Paint Protection Services

If you decide that paint protection film is right for your vehicle, Solar Shield of Fort Smith, Arkansas, has the PPF products you need to protect your car’s paint. Choose from various PPF products and decide whether you want to cover a few areas of the exterior of your vehicle or want to have full body PPF application services to protect all areas of your car.

Our professional team will apply your chosen PPF and get your car back on the road fast. Contact Solar Shield today at 479-648-3282 to schedule your PPF appointment!