What Is the Difference Between Ceramic Coating and PPF?

Most car lovers care about the physical appearance of their vehicles and are willing to invest their time and money to keep them in pristine condition. Keeping your car's paintwork in perfect condition has a lot to do with detailing and paint protection.

Maintaining your car in a perfect physical condition is not just for looks, but it also helps to retain its resale value. Choosing the option that best serves your car makes sense since you will spend money on detailing and protection.

PPF and ceramic coating have become popular in recent years with most car owners who want to preserve the luster of their sparkly new vehicles. The two methods are not exactly alike, and it is vital to know the difference between DIY ceramic coating and paint protection film before you decide which one will serve your needs best. Let us look at applying ceramic coating vs. PPF to enlighten you on their distinction.

What is a Paint Protection Film

A paint protection film, also known as a clear bra, is a clear coat made of polyurethane. This clear, lightweight film is applied to your car's original paint to protect it from scratches, scuffs, chips, swirl marks, and chemical damage. The protective layer also prevents your vehicle from getting mineral deposits and hard water spots and reduces the risk of road damage from rocks and flying debris. Other names that refer to it include an invisible shield, car scratch protection film, clear mask, or clear wrap.

The paint protection film is a thermoplastic urethane film that is easily malleable; thus, it can stretch to fit perfectly with your car's overall aesthetic while retaining its natural shape. It is a perfect paint protection film that is invisible to the naked eye when applied to the painted surface of your car's exterior. The film protects your vehicle from sun exposure that causes your car's paint to oxidize and fade.

Paint protection films are self-healing as the top layer of the protection film contains elastomeric polymer material that returns to its original form after damage from light scratches and swirls as it absorbs them on behalf of your car's exterior. Their design intends to resist the high impact of road debris, rocks, branches, and bushes. They also offer protection against corrosion and chemical damage caused by acid-based contaminants, mineral deposit oxidation, rock chips, bird droppings, road grime, and bug splatters.

Applying paint protection film over your car's paintwork is advantageous. In a nutshell, it can prevent the following things:

• Chemical stains
• Minor chips and scratches
• Fading from UV rays
• Mineral marks and water spots from rain
• Key damage
• Shopping cart damage
• Minor impact paint damage and dings
• Swirl marks
• Natural wear and tear

What are Ceramic Coatings

The other car paint protection option is a ceramic coating, which differs from PPF. A ceramic coat is a liquid polymer applied to your car's exterior and chemically bonds with the factory paint. It offers a hydrophobic clear coat surface with a microscopic layer of added protection and a lovely glossy finish that allows your car to remain cleaner for longer. The hydrophobic surface of ceramic coating shields your car's paint from UV rays, thus preventing fading and safeguarding against chemical damage caused by bug splatters, bird droppings, acid rain and other harsh elements.

Ceramic coating makes washing your car easier as it prevents dirt, mud, and grime from attaching to your car's paintwork, allowing it to stay cleaner for longer. It offers a perfect alternative to waxing, and its glossy appearance repels water, making it look like your car is always waxed. Besides providing enhanced chemical resistance and UV protection, a ceramic coating has extreme heat tolerance and is scratch resistant. It is a permanent solution that, if done the first time correctly, will offer you benefits that will last your car's lifetime; thus, it is both time-effective and cost-effective.

A ceramic coating protects your car against:

• Fading from UV exposure
• Chemical etch marks
• Chemical staining
• Water spots

Similarity Between Paint Protection Films and Ceramic Coatings

PPF and the ceramic coating chemical composition are different, but their overlapping performance features intend to protect your vehicle's external appearance. Both enable you to keep your car looking as pristine as it was in the showroom for much longer by providing resistance against chemical damage, unwanted marks, and UV rays.

Difference between PPF and Ceramic Coating

The differences are pretty broad and more varied than their similarities. These two options are so different that you might decide to apply them to your car simultaneously. While PPF protects your vehicle from scratches, scuffs, and chips because the protection film is thicker and has self-healing properties, ceramic coating cannot. The thin liquid polymer layer of ceramic coating will not protect your car from rocks and road debris while driving.

Ceramic coatings have water repellant properties and provide a glossy sheen just like freshly polished paint, but while PPF comes with a lustrous sheen, it does not affect the vehicle's finish and cannot repel water. The hydrophobic properties of ceramic coatings make cleaning your car a lot easier as the water-repellent properties keep dirt, grime, and debris from clinging to your vehicle's paint. Washing a car with PPF is just like cleaning an unprotected one.

Visit Prestige Auto Spa & Coating for the Ultimate Paint Protection in York, PA

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong decision here. The car paint protection option that you decide to go for is just a matter of personal preference. Paint protection shields your paint from scratches and dents from rocks, debris, and anything else. If you want to keep your car looking shiny and prevent grime and dirt, then go for ceramic coating. However, if your budget allows, you can go with both as they complement each other quite well to enjoy all the benefits.

If you want professional assistance making the right choice, contact Prestige Autospa & Coating at (717) 858-0453 to schedule an appointment.