It's the most common question we get at the shop: should I get PPF or a ceramic coating? They're often mentioned together, but they protect your car in very different ways.
What PPF does
Paint protection film is a thick, clear urethane layer applied over your paint. Its job is physical protection. When a stone hits your bumper on the highway, the film takes the hit instead of the paint. Light scratches in the top layer heal with heat from the sun or warm water.
What ceramic coating does
A ceramic coating is a thin, hard layer that bonds to your paint. It won't stop a rock chip. What it does is make the surface slick, glossy, and much easier to clean. Water beads and rolls off, dirt doesn't stick as easily, and the paint is better protected from UV, bird droppings, and road grime.
How to choose
- You drive a lot of highway kilometres: PPF on the front end is the priority. That's where chips happen.
- You want the car easier to keep clean: a ceramic coating is the better fit.
- You want both: PPF on the high-impact areas and a coating over the whole car, including over the film.
Why correction comes first
Both products lock in whatever is underneath them. If the paint has swirls, they'll be sealed in. That's why we inspect the paint and correct it before any film or coating goes on.