When it comes to protecting your paint there are many questions – and we’re here to provide a bit more knowledge so that you can make the best decision for your car! The biggest question most customers have when shopping for paint protection film is: Should I go with a ceramic coating or with clear bra aka paint protection film? Unfortunately there isn’t a one size fits all solution but we can help offer a bit more knowledge so that when you’re ready to protect your vehicle, you’re able to make an educated decision.
First we need to discuss the differences between Clear Bra (PPF) and Ceramic coatings. Knowing and understanding the difference between both of these is extremely important. We’ll start with Ceramic coatings – Ceramic coatings are similar to wax in that they provide a protective barrier for your paint. However, one big difference between waxes and ceramic coatings is that a professional ceramic coating will last years while a traditional wax can be expected to last a few weeks and then you need to reapply the wax to your vehicle. Ceramic coatings form a permanent bond with your paint and make the surface extremely glossy while also giving it unmatched hydrophobic properties which will repel water and other contaminants. Ceramic coatings are also extremely UV and chemical resistant which protects your paint, plastics, and wheels from things like UV, salt, tree sap, bird bombs, brake dust, and other environmental contaminants. Typically we refer to ceramic coatings as a sacrificial barrier designed to protect your paint’s clear coat. While a ceramic coating is typically ‘harder’ than your vehicle’s factory clear coat it is not an impenetrable force field. Ceramic coatings are still very much prone to scratches, chips, paint swirls, water spots, and other imperfections caused by wear and tear. However, a quality ceramic coating will act as a barrier that can be polished off to remove any surface level imperfections and reapplied to renew the finish of your car without having to cut down through your limited factory clear coat.
To sum it up – here are the benefits of a ceramic coating:
- Extreme Gloss
- Extremely Hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties
- UV and Chemical Protection
- Lasts for years
- Sacrificial layer to protect your factory clear coat and paint
- Easy to clean and maintain
To sum up the benefits of PPF:
- Paint Chip Protection
- Scratch Protection
- Extreme Gloss
- Self-Healing top coat
- Ceramic Coated
So now you know a little more about PPF and Ceramic coatings – so which is best for your vehicle? Before we answer that lets go over the major differences between clear bra and a ceramic coating. PPF will be the best form of protection against minor impacts from daily driving, debris, and scratches. This film is specifically designed to protect your vehicle’s paint. Ceramic coatings, while adding an amazing amount of gloss and shine are designed to provide more ease of cleaning and maintenance. And while a ceramic coating is a layer of protection on your vehicle – it is far less durable against the wear and tear of daily driving when compared to PPF.
Let’s get back to the original question: Which is best for my vehicle? Whenever we get asked this question our recommendation is, “Both.” Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to wrap your entire vehicle and then ceramic coat the whole wrap. In most cases this means a ‘Full-Front End’ package and a ceramic coating on the rest of the vehicle. This combination protects the high-impact areas from rock chips, scratches and other debris while the Ceramic coating on the back half of the vehicle is still easy to clean and protected from UV damage and other contaminants. Now every case is different and every has different needs so it’s best to reach out to your local professional installers and discuss the various options to find the best solution for your vehicle.
