PPF vs. Ceramic Coating - Which is Better Protection for Your Vehicle?

Paint protection film (PPF) and Ceramic coatings both act as a sacrificial layer to your vehicle’s paint, but they offer two different types of protection.

Do you want to protect your vehicle, but you’re not sure what option is best or how they work? We’re here to help explain how they differ, which one is right for you, and (spoiler alert) why we recommend combining both for complete protection. Especially with new vehicle paint being thinner than ever.

Installing SunTek Paint Protection Film

The What and How.

PPF: This is a tough, near invisible film and is specifically designed to take impact and protect from rock chips, road debris, scuffs and scratches. PPF is also the only solution for protecting your vehicle's paint from physical damage while still preserving the paint underneath (opposed to rock guard, for example). It can be applied to new or used vehicles and is meant for smooth, painted surfaces. It is also self healing, which means with heat, it can “heal” micro scratches.

Quick PPF myths to debunk: it will not self heal rock chips or large gouges and it isn’t bullet proof (but, it can take significant impact).

SB3 Ceramic Coating being applied to an applicator pad.

CERAMIC COATINGS: A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer protective product that has similar benefits to traditional car wax, but longer lasting since they’re more durable.They interlock and chemically bond with the surface to create a hydrophobic layer that offer long term chemical and contamination protection from UV rays, bird droppings, water spots, oxidation and more. The hydrophobic surface is slick, so removing dirt or bugs will be much easier.

Quick coating myths to debunk: they won’t help with impact protection, they aren’t scratch proof to any significant extent, they don’t fix clear coat issues, and they are not “set it and forget it”.

Best Uses.

PPF: Clear PPF is best for high impact areas and isn’t usually applied to the entire vehicle. High impact zones include, but aren’t limited to: the hood, fenders, bumpers, rockers, headlights, roof strip, a-pillars, door cups, door sills, rear bumper, etc..

It needs a smooth, clean surface to properly adhere and look its best. Paint that has a lot of rock chips isn’t ideal for PPF, since it won’t properly adhere to the uneven texture. This is why it’s important to protect the new (or freshly painted surface) ASAP. Since PPF needs a smooth surface, certain textured areas cannot be protected either, such as textured rockers on some newer trucks.

SunTek PPF Installed on the partial hood, partial fenders, front bumper, mirrors and door cups.

CERAMIC COATINGS: Basically wax on steroids! Ceramic coatings are commonly enjoyed for their ability to make washing easy and adding additional gloss to the vehicle, without frequent reapplication needed like traditional wax.

But most importantly, they protect from chemicals or contaminants. They can also be applied to other exterior areas like the trim to prevent fading, the wheels to aid with cleaning or the glass to encourage less use of wipers.

Fun fact: there are also coatings available to help you protect your interior surfaces, like leather or fabric coatings.

Appearance.

PPF: Quality PPF should be optically clear and have minimal "orange peel” effect to the finish.. Edges can be noticeable (such as across hoods, or any relief cuts needed for high tension areas or harsh angles), mostly due to the ledge allowing dust/dirt to rest up against it. It will not hide imperfections like rock chips, but it can actually make light swirling less noticeable. There are other options like black or coloured PPF, or even matte PPF, which can all be used for both protection and to change appearance, whether that’s just on specific areas or the whole vehicle.

SunTek PPF was installed on the full hood, full fenders, doors and box sides. Full coverage was important as this truck was recently repainted, and our customer wanted to reduce any visible seams. 

CERAMIC COATINGS: Ceramic Coatings enhance depth of the paint, so, if professionally installed, it will have a glossy, slick finish. When the duration of coating is done, it will only fade away with time but won’t have any noticeable look to it. You won’t be able to “see” the coating, until the vehicle is wet and you can notice the hydrophobic properties in action.

Longevity & Upkeep.

PPF: Depending on the brand, PPF is designed to last anywhere from 5-10 years with proper care. It is recommended to keep film on longer than its stated lifespan, otherwise it can become more harmful than helpful if the adhesives start to fail or the film begins to crack.

Etching can still happen the same as it would with paint, so it’s important to remove bugs or other contaminants as quickly as possible. This is why it is recommended to use a paint sealant on top of your film, or even better - a ceramic coating.

CERAMIC COATINGS: Available in different durations, ceramic coatings are typically offered anywhere from 1- 7 years, assuming basic upkeep has been done. This means regular washes (once every week, to two weeks)  and semi-regular "decontamination washes’ (1-2 times a year, at minimum).

Doing both of these will help keep the coating performing as it should, and can even extend the life. Decon washes are important because ceramic coatings still have pores which can get clogged over time from road grime, mud, etc.. This can make it appear the coating has failed or “stopped working”, when in reality, the surface just need to be stripped of these contaminants. However, if neglected for too long, it can degrade your coating much quicker, which is why it’s important to make sure it’s done as regularly as needed.

At Sindicate Auto Salon, we include routine decontamination washes (twice a year) as part of the ceramic coating package. We do it ourselves to make sure it has been done both correctly and regularly, as this is a very crucial part of maintaining a ceramic coating throughout its stated lifespan.

Cost.

PPF: If you were to PPF an entire vehicle, it would be a lot more costly than Ceramic Coating a whole vehicle. But as we mentioned above, most people don’t need paint protection film on the entire vehicle and instead will get “high impact zones” protected, bringing down the total cost quite a bit. That being said, purchasing quality film isn’t cheap and should be considered as an investment.

Also, it’s worth considering that if damage were to happen to film on any of these areas, replacing that piece or section is generally less costly than having to repaint the panel.

CERAMIC COATINGS: It’s common for ceramic coatings to vary in price, depending on the product and process involved. To perform the best, the coating must properly bond to the surface. The process of applying the coating itself is not technical, but preparing the surface properly for ceramic coatings is where it’s more precise. Typically, a proper ceramic coating application should include an initial decontamination and (at least) a single stage polish. This is great for adding to the gloss, but it’s also important to ensure a proper bond of the ceramic coating to the paint. The prep (or lack thereof) could cause a large variance in price, so it’s important to see what is included with your ceramic coating.

At Sincidate Auto Salon, our price also includes routine maintenance washes - a crucial part of the upkeep process, as mentioned above.

For Both Products…

When choosing either (or both) a PPF or Ceramic Coating product, it's important to research the shop, make sure the installer has proper experience and skills and to ask about the brand, product quality and warranty. If you have a quality product but a poor install, it could look unsightly or cause issues later on.

Also, it’s important to note that products that anyone can purchase (Canadian Tire tint or ceramic coatings, for example…) could be lower in quality, or allow room for installer-error, meaning they aren’t meant to last and will be less durable or effective.

Also, be cautious when navigating these options through dealerships, as they’re notorious for selling low quality products and/or install at a premium price. In fact, we have a whole separate blog post on that here.

Should You Combine PPF & Ceramic Coatings?

PPF and Ceramic Coatings offer different types of protection - but you don’t have to choose just one. In fact, the majority of time we recommend combining both for ultimate protection.

Ceramic coatings can be applied over PPF, but they must be installed last for the film to stick to the surface due to the hydrophobic properties of coatings. The coating will also make maintaining the PPF easier, thanks to its hydrophobic surface. It will also provide uniform UV protection and add gloss to the entire vehicle for a slick, “wet” look.

This 1940 Ford had literally every since inch of it protected with SunTek PPF, ExoShield Glass Protectant and SB3 Ceramic Coatings.

With this dynamic duo, you’ll get tough protection with PPF on high-impact zones and an all over chemical shield from everyday contaminants with Ceramic Coatings. And, washing will be a breeze!

Conclusion.

The key to maintaining the value and appearance of your vehicle is preventative maintenance.

Knowing the unique benefits of these two types of protection will help you decide which option is right for your vehicle.

Making sure you are researching the shop and the brands they use is also important in making sure you’re getting a quality product that you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Lastly, following aftercare instructions and making upkeep a priority for both will help maintain appearance, longevity and effectiveness of these products.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us or a local detail shop in your area.