Many car owners are willing to spend a lot of time and money protecting the paint on their cars. This is because maintaining a pristine look for your vehicle not only helps with its appearance but also maintains its resale price.

If you do not invest in an exterior protection product, even if you wash and wax your car regularly, it will still develop chips, scuffs, and scratches over time.

Paint protection films and ceramic coats are two effective ways to maintain the look of your car and its resale price.

These two methods for protecting your vehicle’s outside involve the application of a protective coating over the paint that can absorb many of the impacts and environmental hazards it faces every day.

The two paint protectors are different, so the best one for you will depend on your needs.

Read on to learn how ceramic coatings and paint protection films can protect the exterior of your car and what makes them different.

What is Paint Protection Film (PPF)?

A Paint Protection Film is made from urethane and is clear. It can be used to protect your vehicle’s paintwork against scuffs.

Paint protection film is also known as Clear Bra. It has many other names, including clear wrap, car scratch protector film, invisible shield, and clear mask.

The paint on your vehicle might be tough and durable, but it’s not. Even a simple bush or branch sticking out of the driveway edge can leave a permanent scratch on your car.

There are also road debris and stones that can damage your car’s paint job before you know it. You can try to avoid bushes and trees, but you’ll never be able to protect your car from all the pebbles that could damage its paint. Paint protection film is the answer.

Paint protection films are designed to be highly impact-resistant, which means they can handle bushes, road debris, branches, and rocks with relative ease.

You won’t need to use the hose or sponge every week to maintain your vehicle’s paint.

What is Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coating adds a protective layer on the exterior of your vehicle but is different from paint protection films. This liquid polymer is applied by hand to the body of your car, creating a chemical connection with its paint that provides added protection and a glossy finish.

Your vehicle’s paint will fade as it is exposed to more elements. The damage caused by UV rays can cause oxidation.

A ceramic coating will protect your car’s exterior against UV rays, which can cause oxidation and damage its appearance. This extra layer of protection can protect your vehicle from damage due to mineral deposits and bird droppings.

Ceramic coatings are also water-repellent, which means they won’t only protect the paintwork of your car, but will also prevent it from getting dirty, muddy, or grimy. This makes washing your vehicle much easier.

The ceramic coating will also give your car a shiny appearance, making it appear as if you had just waxed it yesterday.

PPF and Ceramic Coatings are Similar.

Both ceramic coatings and paint protection films have a similar purpose: they both protect the exterior appearance of your car.

Both will keep your car looking like it was just off the lot, for years to come. They provide a protective coating that resists UV rays as well as chemical damage.

There aren’t many similarities between the two, other than that you may choose to add either a ceramic coating to your vehicle or a paint-protection film to protect it from oxidation. You may choose to install both at the same time because they are so different.

Differentiating between PPF and Ceramic Coatings

The only thing that makes paint protection films and ceramic coatings similar is the fact they both protect the appearance of your vehicle. There are many more differences.

Paint protection films are primarily used to protect your car against chips, scratches, and scuffs. The ceramic coating will not protect your car from road debris or rocks.

Ceramic coatings have a sheen that is glossy and are water-repellent. Paint protection films can have a glossy sheen, but they are usually clear. They do not affect the finish of your car and cannot repel water.

Ceramic coatings also make it easier to clean your car. Water-repellent properties prevent dirt, grime, and debris from adhering to the exterior of your car. Paint protection films cannot repel water, so cleaning them is the same as cleaning a vehicle that has not been protected.

What is better: Ceramic Coating or PPF?

Personal preference will determine the best paint protection for you. What are you trying to protect your car from?

Paint protection film is a great option for preventing scratches and scuffs from road debris. Consider a ceramic coating if you want to keep your vehicle looking shiny while preventing dirt and debris from sticking to it.

It is sometimes the best option to use both a ceramic coating and paint protection. Both products complement each other well and offer the best of both while eliminating their respective disadvantages.

This decision will, of course, require a higher budget. Your budget is the most important thing to consider in terms of paint protection solutions.

You can’t go far wrong with either option if you want to protect the exterior of your car and have money to spend.