Have you ever thought about getting a real lasting paint protection solution for your car? If so, you might have come across two of the most popular choices: ceramic coating and paint protection film (PPF). You’ve heard that both can offer fantastic protection for your paint, but you’re not entirely sure you grasp the differences.
Below we’ll take a closer look at the key differences between ceramic coating and PPF.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Let’s say you’re looking for affordable ceramic coating services in Sydney, you’ll need to be sure you know what you’re actually seeking. Ceramic coating is an industry-grade chemical liquid polymer coating that is applied to either (or both) the exterior and interior of your vehicle to provide protection against dirt, chemicals, weather and other external forces that may otherwise damage it.
What is PPF?
Paint protection film (PPF), sometimes also called “clear bra” is a special film typically made of thermoplastic urethane that is carefully applied to the exterior of your vehicle to create a protective “second skin” around the paint and clear coat. The films are often self-healing when heat is applied, able to conceal scratches and minor damage through a process known as microreplication.
Ceramic Coating Vs. PPF: Form
First, let’s take a closer look at how each protection method appears. Ceramic coating is applied in a liquid form not unlike a paint sealant or synthetic wax. It’s a specially formulated liquid polymer designed to bond with a clean surface extremely tightly to form an even surface on top of the existing paint job.
PPF, on the other hand, comes in rolls and sheets. It’s a physical film made chiefly from polyurethane but also containing some other elements. It’s a solid material (though very thin, of course) that is applied in a similar fashion to vinyl wrapping.
Ceramic Coating Vs. PPF: Protection
Next, let’s compare how the two provide their protection. The similarity here is that both work by creating a kind of skin or barrier on the surface of the car’s paint — and/or the car’s interior for ceramic coating. One difference, however, is in the way each one protects. Ceramic coating protects very effectively against all things liquid and chemical, as well as against things radiated like UV rays from the sun. It creates a hydrophobic surface that literally repels dirt and liquids before they can become embedded anywhere on the surface.
PPF does the same type of thing, but adds a dimension of physical protection in that it can protect the paint from things like rock chips and harder debris in the road. Ceramic coating typically makes no claims to such properties.
Ceramic Coating Vs. PPF: Lifespan
Next, a key question for many, of course, is how long the two kinds of protection will last. In this regard, ceramic coating and PPF are generally equal, but it depends more often on the behaviour of the individual driver. Both solutions can provide lasting protection for up to 5 years or even longer.
Whereas conventional waxes and sealants will deliver anywhere from 3 months to a year of protection, these alternatives are far longer lasting, which is why many people see them as a worthy investment for their vehicles. If you plan to hold onto a car for 5 years before selling, for example, then a ceramic coating is an ideal form of paint protection that will help push up resale value in the end.
Ceramic Coating Vs. PPF: Application
Finally, one further difference between the two is their application. Ceramic coating, as a liquid polymer, can be equally applied to the interior of your vehicle including upholstery, dash, steering wheel, gear shifter and more. It can provide the same easy-to-clean surface that you get on the outside. PPF is typically reserved exclusively for a vehicle’s exterior.
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