Ceramic Coating? - PPF? - Both? - We Have The Answers

When it comes to protecting your vehicle’s paint, one of the most common questions we get from clients is whether automotive ceramic coating or paint protection film (PPF) is the best option for them. In fact, many of our customers choose to install both for the ultimate protection. But how do these two options differ, and how do you decide which one—or both—is right for your needs? We’ve put together this article to help clarify the differences and guide you in making the best choice for your vehicle.

It’s important to know that both paint protection film and ceramic coatings will significantly enhance and protect your car's factory finish. However, each product offers its own unique set of benefits. In this article, we’ll dive into how each of these products works independently, why you might consider using both in tandem, and how each can provide a level of protection that will help keep your vehicle looking pristine for years to come. Whether you’re concerned about rock chips, water spots, or long-term paint maintenance, we’ll help you decide which solution—or combination—best fits your needs.

Paint Protection Film

Paint protection film, often referred to as "clear bra," is one of the most effective ways to preserve your vehicle’s showroom-quality finish. This nearly invisible film acts as a protective barrier, helping to maintain the car’s pristine appearance without altering its design, color, or finish. It is especially beneficial for high-impact, high-wear areas like front bumpers, hoods, side mirrors, door handle cavities, door edges, and rocker panels.

For those seeking ultimate protection, PPF can even cover the entire vehicle. By safeguarding your car against rock chips, scratches, road debris, and other environmental damage, paint protection film keeps your vehicle looking fresh and new for a longer time.

In addition to maintaining the visual appeal of your car, PPF can also significantly enhance its resale value. By protecting the paintwork from the wear and tear of daily driving, you can ensure your vehicle stays in top condition, which could be a big selling point if you decide to trade or sell it in the future. Whether you drive in urban areas with heavy traffic or enjoy weekend road trips, paint protection film offers an extra layer of defense to keep your investment looking great for years to come.

Automotive Ceramic Paint Coating

Ceramic coating creates an incredibly durable, high-gloss, and slick protective layer on your vehicle’s surface. This clear ceramic layer bonds to the paint, providing a long-lasting shield that enhances both the appearance and the protection of your vehicle. Once applied, ceramic coating offers excellent resistance to chemicals, UV rays and environmental contaminants. The coating's smooth, hydrophobic surface repels water, making it easier to clean and maintain your vehicle’s finish.

One of the most remarkable features of ceramic coating is its ability to protect against stubborn contaminants like tree sap, road tar and bird droppings.. These substances are far less likely to bond to the surface, and when they do, they are much easier to remove than from untreated surfaces.

Additionally, the layer provides a level of chemical resistance that can help prevent damage from things like acid rain or harsh cleaning products. Overall, ceramic coating not only helps maintain a glossy, new-car look but also significantly reduces the time and effort required for upkeep. Whether you’re looking to reduce the frequency of washes or protect your car from everyday pollutants, ceramic coating is an excellent solution.

Combination of Both PPF and Ceramic Coating

It’s not uncommon for clients to request both paint protection film (PPF) and ceramic coating for their vehicles, and for good reason. By applying PPF first and then topping it off with a ceramic coating, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the robust protection against chips, scratches, and road debris provided by the film, combined with the high-gloss finish, hydrophobic properties, and ease of maintenance offered by the ceramic coating.

This combination not only enhances the vehicle’s overall appearance but also minimizes the time and effort spent on cleaning and maintaining the paint. The PPF acts as a first line of defense, while the ceramic coating offers additional protection and a sleek, glossy finish that makes your vehicle shine.

In the next section, we’ll share an excerpt from an article written by SunTek, the manufacturer of the paint protection film we use, which was originally posted on a Tesla community page. This article provides more insights into how the combination of PPF and ceramic coating works together to provide superior protection and a longer-lasting finish.

How to Choose Which Is Best For You?

It truly depends on what you want from your paint protection product. PPF and ceramic are both hydrophobic, which basically means they have a water-shedding surface. This translates to greater overall durability for PPF, and deep shine for ceramic. 

If you want hydrophobic protection that’s a breeze to wash, you’re covered with either PPF or ceramic. 

If you want serious, self-healing protection against UV rays, corrosives, scratches and impact damage such as rock chips, you want PPF. If you want defense against UV rays, corrosives and scratches with a slick, glassy finish, you want ceramic. And if you want tough PPF protection with a swanky ceramic shine? You just identified yourself as a combo person, and SunTek says go for it!

It is also important to only use ceramic coatings on a paint protection film that is “ceramic friendly”. This is what SunTek has to say about this as it relates to their PPF.

As long as you have ceramic applied second, over the top of your SunTek PPF, it won’t affect PPF performance or self-healing ability. SunTek recently ran a battery of tests to confirm this. We took a variety of ceramic products, applied as instructed by the manufacturers, and looked at self-healing and extended weathering performance. The results were what you’d want to see, so warranty coverage was updated in 2019 to include a clause stating that application of a ceramic coating over SunTek PPF will not void the warranty.

We hope that this article helps answer some common questions about these popular products and their uses. If you have any questions that you would like to discuss, you can reach us at 513-580-8365. We look forward to hearing from you! Find out why Clear Bra Ohio is the #1 shop in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky for clear bra and paint correction as well as ceramic paint and glass coatings.