Paint Protection Film vs Ceramic Coating?

[oljackfrost]

If the paint flakes off that easy, if you cover it with film, more than likely it will pull the paint off when its time to replace the film(usually about 5-6 years for a daily driver). Suntek film has the least aggressive adhesive so it would be less likely to pull paint than film with a more aggressive adhesive like Xpels' If you do go with PPF, I'd make sure you have a good heavy coat of wax applied first. That will make removal less stressful on the paint

I would be surprised if the film sticks to a waxed surface.

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[Edge Haley]

Did 3 vehicles with ceramic coating…(It is not complicated, sort-a like waxing a car 3 times)
You have to do each step exactly as instructed…same steps for most brands of ceramic coating….two main mistakes 1)not clearing all prior coatings of wax, grease, etc before applying the ceramic coat.(I use the Tar and Bug remover stuff) 2) second biggest mistake is using cheap/wrong microfiber rags. The "Rag Shop" is a great source for polishing micro-fiber rags.

Ceramic has been on for 3 yrs and all i have to do is rinse with a water hose and dry water off with wiping microfiber rags, or take the vehicle for a brisk run down the freeway to blow off water bubbles. I love ceramic technology, and have had 3M film and it simply covered up a shiny car…did not care for it. And it aged quickly.

Film is better for protection from rock chips/sand blasting front of a vehicle's bumpers. Ceramic does not protect as much from rock chips but keeps the paint shiner and looking like it was just waxed. Have used film professionally installed on a Mini-Cooper and after 3 years it looked really bad from sand blasting and had to be replaced. My biggest complaint on film is "you can see it", whereas ceramic coatings just look like a recently waxed car.

Used Ceramic on three 911's and current Porsch Cayman and the paint shined like new paint for 3 to 4 years with just rinsing off and drying. Not intended for protection from rock chips. I can do a Maverick in 4 to 5 hours every 3 or 4 years and keep paint almost like new, for $120 in chemicals and my free labor.

After 4+/- years it basically a repeat, starting at removing the old coating off and re-claying the paint and re-applying a new ceramic coating.

 

[notfast]

1. I live in rock chip country and PPF seems way better at protecting against that.

Correct. Cera-coat isn't really intended to prevent rock chips so much as keep dirt and grime off the car. If you're concerned about rock chips, PPF is the way to go.

2. After dealing with Ford's TERRIBLE paint quality on my current vehicle (along with oh, so many other folks)? I know it's unlikely to happen again, but once bitten twice shy. I'd like to try and keep the factory paint on my vehicle for AT LEAST 4 years before it starts peeling off.

That looks like a poor quality paint job more than damage from neglect. Sort of interesting...electric blue Nissan Frontiers and Ford Focuses, and some pearl white Hondas have a similar problem of the paint peeling off in chunks like that.

Fortunately, the Maverick doesn't have as much painted stuff up front as other vehicles. If I got a Maverick, I'd get PPF on the first 6" of the hood and maybe a 4" wide piece along that body line in the front bumper. Edges tend to collect more rock chips than flat areas.

I'd suggest Lamin-X PPF (not regular Lamin-X, which is way thicker). It has a low-tack adhesive, so it peels off easily and cleanly without tools. It's not as thick as other films like 3M VentureShield, but I've only gotten one tiny tear from a rock in over 40,000 miles of Interstate driving.

If you DIY, Lamin-X PPF is also a lot easier to apply than thicker films like VentureShield or regular Lamin-X (which isn't designed for paint).

 

[starquestbd22]

Notfast touched on this above but the thing that no one is offering here is that PPF and ceramic coating are two entirely different products. They are not intended to be used for the same or really even overlapping purposes. PPF is intended to protect your paint from rock chips and similar damage. The higher end stuff is also self-healing to a degree so it could help with light scratches. Ceramic coating is a hardening sealant that is meant to protect your vehicle’s paint from UV damage and microscopic scratches and swirl marks. It is also supposed to make the vehicle much easier to clean.

I think most people seem to think that these products do essentially the same thing but that is just not accurate.

 

[SgtLip]

Notfast touched on this above but the thing that no one is offering here is that PPF and ceramic coating are two entirely different products. They are not intended to be used for the same or really even overlapping purposes. PPF is intended to protect your paint from rock chips and similar damage. The higher end stuff is also self-healing to a degree so it could help with light scratches. Ceramic coating is a hardening sealant that is meant to protect your vehicle’s paint from UV damage and microscopic scratches and swirl marks. It is also supposed to make the vehicle much easier to clean.

I think most people seem to think that these products do essentially the same thing but that is just not accurate.

Man you nailed it with that post. Ceramic is not new but it is to most people. So there is a lot of confusion out there. But you are exactly correct in how you defined and compared the two products. THANKS

 

[inkasdesign]

While both paint protection film and ceramic coating pretty much serve the same function, there are some distinct differences between the two. Here’s a look at some of the most important points of distinction.

• Difference in material – with paint protection film, you are applying a film onto the exterior of the vehicle. However, the vehicle’s paint does not bond with the paint protection film like the ceramic coating.
• Different levels of protection – paint protection film is able to protect the vehicle from rock chips, scratches, and swirl marks. The ceramic coating does not offer that level of protection.
• Difference between ppf and ceramic coating in appearance – ceramic coating will typically offer a shiner appearance.

https://inkasdesign.com/what-is-the-difference-between-ppf-and-ceramic-coating/

 

[GreenLady]

Honestly, I almost have a headache trying to decide which protective product to buy‍ I just called the Ford dealer and asked about their SurfaceCare warranty which I was supposed to buy last week when I purchased the truck. Apparently the product they applied to the exterior is more like a ceramic coating that is called surface care which is a Ford product. It comes with a two-year warranty for $999 for a seven year warranty for $1999. It is also transferable with a $40 transfer fee if the car is sold. Does anyone have any experience with this SurfaceCare product?

I have an ‘02 white F250 and had a 2013 green/blue Ford C-Max and neither ever had any paint chip off. I never had any protective anything on either vehicle so this is all new to me. My Lariat is Carb Gray so this is my first dark colored Ford and the stories about poor paint jobs on Fords is making me rethink protection. Thanks in advance for more opinions!

 

[Ford88]

Honestly, I almost have a headache trying to decide which protective product to buy‍ I just called the Ford dealer and asked about their SurfaceCare warranty which I was supposed to buy last week when I purchased the truck. Apparently the product they applied to the exterior is more like a ceramic coating that is called surface care which is a Ford product. It comes with a two-year warranty for $999 for a seven year warranty for $1999. It is also transferable with a $40 transfer fee if the car is sold. Does anyone have any experience with this SurfaceCare product?

I have an ‘02 white F250 and had a 2013 green/blue Ford C-Max and neither ever had any paint chip off. I never had any protective anything on either vehicle so this is all new to me. My Lariat is Carb Gray so this is my first dark colored Ford and the stories about poor paint jobs on Fords is making me rethink protection. Thanks in advance for more opinions!

Read the threads before asking repetitive questions please, PPF if you want chip protection. No ceramic will prevent that wether it’s sold by the dealer with a expensive warranty or not.

 

[GreenLady]

Read the threads before asking repetitive questions please, PPF if you want chip protection. No ceramic will prevent that wether it’s sold by the dealer with a expensive warranty or not.

Thank you, I did read all the threads I could find and no one talked about the SurfaceCare product that the Ford dealers use. That was my question in case you didn’t read my whole post.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

Read the threads before asking repetitive questions please, PPF if you want chip protection. No ceramic will prevent that wether it’s sold by the dealer with a expensive warranty or not.

Gee, thanks officer. P.s.......it's spelled "whether"

 

[Ford88]

Thank you, I did read all the threads I could find and no one talked about the SurfaceCare product that the Ford dealers use. That was my question in case you didn’t read my whole post.

Get it wrapped it’s better protection and more cost effective. Quick google shows surfacecare does nothing to prevent paint swirls, scratches, chips. Sounds like an extremely expensive ceramic coat. What ford’s surfacecare prevents

• Weather-induced fading
• Loss of gloss
• Hard water etching
• Industrial fallout
• Bird droppings
• Acid rain
• Accidental paint over spray
• Tree sap
• Oxidation
• Insects
• Road salt
• De-icing agents
• collage of various types of damage that is covered with the surface plan

• Gee, thanks officer. P.s.......it's spelled "whether"
  
  

  

  my bad I’ll stay quiet. Hope they enjoy their $2000 clear coat

 

[TSAINTS1115]

Honestly, I almost have a headache trying to decide which protective product to buy‍ I just called the Ford dealer and asked about their SurfaceCare warranty which I was supposed to buy last week when I purchased the truck. Apparently the product they applied to the exterior is more like a ceramic coating that is called surface care which is a Ford product. It comes with a two-year warranty for $999 for a seven year warranty for $1999. It is also transferable with a $40 transfer fee if the car is sold. Does anyone have any experience with this SurfaceCare product?

I have an ‘02 white F250 and had a 2013 green/blue Ford C-Max and neither ever had any paint chip off. I never had any protective anything on either vehicle so this is all new to me. My Lariat is Carb Gray so this is my first dark colored Ford and the stories about poor paint jobs on Fords is making me rethink protection. Thanks in advance for more opinions!

That SurfaceCare product maybe costs the dealer $50 in materials and as stated at best it is good for waterspots and bird poop. Anything flying at your truck that would chip it will do so with SurfaceCare on or not.
A protective film however will do a good job of minimizing the potential for a chip as it provides a pliable layer on top of the paint that will deflect or take the damage that would normally get to the paint. Of course it's not a magic force field and if something big enough strikes the truck it's gonna damage anyway.

My personal choice will be film.

 

[GreenLady]

Get it wrapped it’s better protection and more cost effective. Quick google shows surfacecare does nothing to prevent paint swirls, scratches, chips. Sounds like an extremely expensive ceramic coat. What ford’s surfacecare prevents

• Weather-induced fading
• Loss of gloss
• Hard water etching
• Industrial fallout
• Bird droppings
• Acid rain
• Accidental paint over spray
• Tree sap
• Oxidation
• Insects
• Road salt
• De-icing agents
• collage of various types of damage that is covered with the surface plan
• 
  my bad I’ll stay quiet. Hope they enjoy their $2000 clear coat

I was only considering the 2 yr $999 option for interior and exterior protection. Still researching all products before I make a decision. Thank you for your input

 

[TSAINTS1115]

I was only considering the 2 yr $999 option for interior and exterior protection. Still researching all products before I make a decision. Thank you for your input

PLEASE don't throw good money away at the dealer for that stuff. I implore you.

3m film comes with a 10 yr warranty according to their site.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/post-factory-installation-us/paint-protection-film/

 

[GreenLady]

That SurfaceCare product maybe costs the dealer $50 in materials and as stated at best it is good for waterspots and bird poop. Anything flying at your truck that would chip it will do so with SurfaceCare on or not.
A protective film however will do a good job of minimizing the potential for a chip as it provides a pliable layer on top of the paint that will deflect or take the damage that would normally get to the paint. Of course it's not a magic force field and if something big enough strikes the truck it's gonna damage anyway.

My personal choice will be film.

Thank you! I’m leaning more that way. I think I read about Xpel and one other one that I need to find and then a place that applies it.

I know what you mean about big strikes! I’ve had a guy in front of me run over a gopher turtle which went airborne, landed on my hood (dent) and cracked my windshield. Another time a guy 2 vehicles ahead of me lost a Xmas tree (in February!) off his truck, the guy behind him tried to dodge it but kicked it up and I ended up running over a part of it that blew out my tire and flipped it over on my hood I‘m planning on driving to NC next week, hoping the deer are not still mating and the bucks are not tearing across the roads without looking

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