Difference between Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coatings

Recently, I was looking into car Protection Film is and its characteristics. As a summary we can say that car Protection Film is a transparent film that adheres to the car paint and is virtually invisible film. Its main purpose is to protect the original paint from chips and scratches and therefore maintaining the appearance of the vehicle.

The value of a car with original paint is always higher than if it is repainted. It is worth noting the self-healing property that some PPFs have, making them a very attractive option, Small scratches disappear on their own, so the paint is always flawless, without micro scratches or wash swirls.

Let’s now talk about ceramic coatings. The ceramic coating is a coating or thin protective layer, whose main compound is silicon dioxide (SiO2) or quartz, which when mixed with solvents makes its application possible. They function as a thin protective layer that is extremely hard and resistant, minimizing the appearance of swirls and against attacks by chemical substances. They also offer UV protection for the paint and a shine that exceeds what we can achieve with many waxes.

Now, to help better understand the differences between paint correction and ceramic coating, we are going to make a comparison, listing the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Comparison: Paint Protection Film / Ceramic Coatings

Pros And Cons Of Paint Protection Film:

Pros

• Average thickness: 150-200 microns
• Resistance to chipping and scratches: yes
• Self-healing of scratches: yes, in high quality ones with topcoat. Avoid periodic polishing.
• Chemical resistance: yes, to bird droppings, detergents, etc.
• Brightness increase: yes, its great thickness and optical clarity makes it much brighter.
• Hydrophobicity: yes
• Durability: 10 years or more, depending on the manufacturer
• UV protection: yes
• Deterioration: no, the old ones yellowed over time, but the modern quality ones are stable to UV rays.
• Self-cleaning capacity: yes
• Covers any swirl or micro-scratches that the paint has previously
• Prevents most scratches from reaching the paint (although the film will be scratched).
• Quality films do not lose their qualities over the years some even offer a lifetime guarantee.
• Does not require any special care, after the first 48 hours. Since its installation it can be washed normally.

CONS

• The self-regeneration capacity is not infinite, in case of maximum abrasion the film can deteriorate, so the film must be replaced in that area.
• Difficult to install correctly, must be done by a qualified professional installer.
• More expensive than ceramic coatings.
• It cannot be applied on tires, rubber, leather, and front windshield.

PROS AND CONS OF CERAMIC COATINGS:

PROS

• Average thickness: 0.2-0.5 microns (once cured and after the shrinking process)
• Resistance to chipping and scratches: no
• Self-healing scratches: no
• Chemical resistance: yes, to bird droppings, detergents, etc.
• Gloss enhancement: yes, they offer an exceptional shine
• Hydrophobicity: yes
• Durability: up to 5 years depending on the type of coating
• UV protection: yes
• Deterioration: no
• Self-cleaning capacity: yes
• Less expensive than PPF.
• They can be applied to all areas and surfaces of the vehicle: paint, wheels, plastics, leather, wood, hoods…
• Easy to apply. Any hobbyist can do it.
• Facilitates washing, by reducing the adherence of dirt

CONS

• Does not work as a barrier against chipping and scratches in general.
• Durability limited in time (6 months to 5 years) depending on the chosen coating.
• Some coatings, being more technical, require longer curing times, this means not exposing the car to light or rain for a couple of days.

CONCLUSION:

Each type of protection has different characteristics and price. If we want the best protection, obviously the Paint Protection Film wins, however, the material and installation of the Paint Protection Film is expensive.

In most cases, the economic factor is decisive in choosing the protection for our car. Ceramic coating is cheap and offers very interesting features, but it has a limit. With the PPF we exceed that limit and go further, obviously at a higher cost. A vehicle has more value if it has original paint, and this effect is accentuated in high-end vehicles. So, protecting the paint increases the value of our car.

A good value for money solution would be to install PPF only in high-impact areas or areas more prone to chipping (since a ceramic coating does not protect against this type of damage), and subsequently apply a ceramic coating to the rest of the vehicle, bearing in mind that a ceramic coating is not a substitute for the full protection that a quality PPF can offer. That is, install PPF to the Full Front or front (bumpers, hood, wings, headlights and mirrors) and ceramic to the rest or complete set.

By applying the ceramic coating to the rest of the vehicle, it will be protected against oxidation marks, stains and attacks by chemical agents. In addition, the hydrophobic surface will make it more difficult for contaminants to adhere to the vehicle, keeping the paint cleaner and making it easier to wash. We could even apply the ceramic coating on the Paint Protection Film. Together, the two products will preserve your car’s paint for the long term and enhance its appearance and shine on a day-to-day basis.