Buying a new car is an exhilarating experience, especially when you admire the shiny exterior and unique painting.
Your car paint tends to lose its luster over time due to normal wear and tear. Whether it’s from exposure to the sun or water spots, it’s never the same. However, what if it was possible to have? What if it was possible to avoid all of this?
Yes, you can. It’s all about getting the suitable paint protection film. If you want to keep your new automobile looking like it just rolled off the assembly line, several choices are available to you. Keep on reading for our full breakdown of paint protection film vs. ceramic coating.
What Is a Ceramic Coating?
A ceramic coat may be applied to various surfaces, including paint, glass, chrome, wheels, and even plastic trim, to provide a semi-permanent coating of protection.
Silica dioxide and titanium dioxide are the primary constituents in ceramic coatings. However, you probably care less about what they are made of than what they do.
For example, a professional will smear a coating over the paint, then smooth to provide a bright shine that lasts for years, not months. Wax or sealant technology has hitherto been unable to achieve the same degree of gloss and sheen by filling the paint pores and leveling any microscopic jaggedness in the paint.
Hydrophobicity is one of the most notable of the paint’s new properties. It’s a general term for someone afraid of or apprehensive about water. With each subsequent coat, the paint looks darker and richer, which results in a higher sheen. The water beading tendency of a hydrophilic automobile makes it easier to clean and lasts longer when compared to a non-hydrophilic vehicle.
A warranty covers most professional-applied coatings.
Depending on the model, you’ll find warranties ranging from six months, two years, five years, and even lifetime. Environmental hazards such as bird droppings, tar, oxidation, and other stains on the paint are all protected by coating warranties.
You should be aware that certain DIY ceramic coatings exist on the market. However, the quality of these goods varies greatly, and it is challenging to prepare and apply them effectively. Even though the coating improves hardness and helps prevent minor scratching and marring, most warranties do not cover scratches.
What Is Paint Protection Film (PPF)?
PPF, or Clear Bra, is a kind of paint protection film. The moniker “clear bra” is a play on a popular product in the past. During the 1990s, did you ever see automobiles with a black leather bra strapped to their front? By today’s standards, the thickness of old-fashioned paint protection film was prohibitively large, limiting its ability to adhere to fine details.
To accommodate even the most intricate curves or edges, the paint protection film may be stretched, curved, and tucked, making it nearly undetectable on the surface. PPF is superior to ceramic coatings in terms of protection from flying debris and pebbles and a self-healing top layer that can repair tiny scratches and dings over time.
PPF, or paint protection film, comes in a variety of thicknesses. KAVACA, for example, has more excellent hydrophobic characteristics and is better at reflecting pebbles and other debris.
Kavaca’s quick healing paint protection film is a PPF with superhydrophobic and non-yellowing qualities. It was designed to protect the paint in the automotive sector, but its exceptional quality means that it can be used wherever that PPF installation is required.
Paint Protection Film vs. Ceramic Coating
What’s the difference between paint protection film and ceramic coating now that we know? Both share many characteristics. However, there are significant distinctions.
Let’s explore them one factor at a time.
Protective Features and Strength
Both choices prevent sun and chemical damage. However, one is more effective in preventing physical harm to the paint.
The paint protection film is the best option when protecting your vehicle from dings, dents, and other damage. Even though ceramic coating may help avoid some of these problems, your automobile will be less likely to sustain damage because of the other’s malleability and self-healing characteristics.
Swirl marks and water stains are also less likely to form when using this product if you feel the same way, which comes out on top here.
When it comes to water-repellent properties, the ceramic coating has no equal. Go elsewhere if you’re looking for a hydrophobic clear coat on a PPF. It’s easy to keep your automobile clean, and it lasts longer.
Aesthetics and Style
As we’ve previously discussed, adding a ceramic coating to your automobile may enhance its aesthetic appeal. The coating improves the paint’s vibrancy and radiance, making the vehicle more appealing to onlookers.
PPF, on the other hand, may assist in maintaining the aesthetics of your automobile. As a result of the coating, the paint has a longer shelf life since it slowly degrades. You should check out the beauty of the Llumar platinum series to get a better idea about the options available to you on the market.
Longevity
Ceramic coating is the most long-lasting of the two options. For the life of your vehicle, a single application is all you need to get its advantages. To a degree, the product itself matters.
When PPF degrades, you may have to reapply it again or more.
Coating and Films for Car Paint Protection: Explained
Wouldn’t that be wonderful if you could have the best of both worlds? Well, you can.
Both ceramic coatings and paint protection film are available if you don’t want to choose just one. Instead of looking at it through the lens of paint protection film vs. ceramic coating, you can get both for your car. This is the unique approach to ensure that your vehicle is well-protected from the weather and other dangers.
And, if you’re looking for other strategies on how to take care of your car, you should check out our automotive section for all of our additional tips and guides.