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Simply put, Nevada’s weather makes either option – ceramic coating or PPF – a solid decision. Cars in dustier, warmer climates suffer from more weather-based and light-based damage than cars in moderate climates, so they have more of a need for a product to safeguard them from damage.
It’s crucial to be able to maintain the surface of your vehicle, especially in the warm climate of Nevada where the occasional dust storm and harsh sunlight can gradually wear out your car’s paint job. When it comes to safeguarding your car’s exterior, you’ve probably encountered two of the most popular options in your research: ceramic coating and paint protection film (PPF). If you're trying to decide which option is best suited for your car and your needs, keep reading: this article will compare ceramic coating and PPF to help you make an informed decision.
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that creates a hydrophobic protective layer when it chemically bonds with a car’s factory paint. This semi-permanent bond means the coating doesn’t wash away or break down over time, and it does an effective job of repelling contaminants like dirt and debris, protecting your car’s exterior and making it easier to clean.
Car enthusiasts often opt for ceramic coating because of several benefits it provides the vehicle:
Sometimes called a “clear bra,” paint protection film (PPF) is a thermoplastic urethane film that is used to protect car exteriors when applied to common areas like the hood, fenders, bumpers, and side mirrors. These areas, which are most vulnerable to rock chips, scratches, and minor impact from road debris, benefit from PPF as it absorbs the impact from damage sources, preserving the paint underneath.
Paint protection film is a great option for residents of areas with harsher weather conditions or drivers who are exposed to road debris consistently. It offers the following benefits:
Now that you’re clearer on what ceramic coating and PPF are, let’s review the differences between the two vehicle protection options.
Comparing the protection levels of ceramic coating and PPF is like comparing apples to oranges: they offer two different kinds of protection to your vehicle. Ceramic coating is effective at guarding against environmental debris like dirt, animal droppings, pollen, and tree sap, and its hydrophobic properties make your vehicle much easier to clean. However, it doesn’t protect against physical damage from higher-impact interactions – something that PPF is great at. PPF is designed to shield your car from chips and scratches that could be caused by gravel, rocks, sticks, and other road debris. The impact from those items is absorbed by the thick PPF film to provide a protection not available through ceramic coatings.
Ceramic coatings are well-known for their ability to last up to five years (or more, with the right care). Ceramic coating does require regular, proper maintenance in order to continue to protect your car the way it’s designed to. Maintenance considerations include opting for gentle chemicals and washing techniques over harsh or aggressive options.
Typically, PPF can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years after application, depending on a few factors such as the quality of the product and the weather and road conditions it’s exposed to. Across the board, PPF is more durable than ceramic coating. That being said, in climates like sunny Nevada, where your car will be exposed to a higher amount of UV rays, it may need replacement sooner than it would in more moderate climates.
While ceramic coating requires slightly more maintenance than PPF, it is still a straightforward process to keep ceramic coating up-to-snuff. Washing your vehicle regularly using a pH-neutral cleaner and soft cleaning rag (we recommend microfiber) will keep your ceramic coating looking nice and functioning well. Washing the car by hand is usually recommended over automatic car washes, as they can be too harsh on the coating. There are even booster sprays available that enhance the hydrophobic ability of the coating, which some car owners elect to apply periodically.
Taking care of your PPF requires a similar maintenance style to ceramic coating, but is generally more forgiving to any potential scratches or wear that comes with washing. Because the film is resistant to discoloration and staining, it maintains its color integrity well over the course of its use, and this isn’t usually a concern when washing. However, it’s still important to use gentle chemicals and a microfiber cloth to avoid damaging the film. In the event that your PPF is somehow damaged while washing, the damaged panels can often be replaced without putting you out for a full-vehicle reapplication.
Budget can be an important factor when it comes to choosing between ceramic coating and PPF for your car. Here’s our best breakdown of the cost of each option, and what you should expect when going into an install.
Like many factors, the cost of ceramic coating application can vary depending on the quality of the coating, the level of preparation required on your vehicle, and the size of the vehicle being coated. Typically, it can range from $1,000 to $2,500 to have ceramic coating application done by a professional. This cost will sometimes include preparation measures, like paint touch-up, to ensure your vehicle is ready for application.
Applying PPF is generally more complex than ceramic coating, and it requires more specialized materials, so it typically costs more than a ceramic coating installation process. Depending on the vehicle’s size and where the wrap is applied, a PPF wrap can range from $1,500 to upwards of $7,000. Some drivers opt to only apply the wrap to areas of the car vulnerable to damage (such as the hood, mirrors, and front bumper). Applying to only a few select areas is an effective way to reduce the cost of PPF.
At Team Acme, we highly recommend having a professional do the work rather than applying your PPF at home, even though it may seem like the more affordable option. The cost of professional expertise is well worth the result.
While the investment of having ceramic coating applied to your car may seem daunting at first, the cost begins to make more sense (and even become appealing) when you consider the benefits you gain and the damage you avoid with the coating. Aesthetics and high-gloss finish aside, the protection it offers your vehicle against harsh sunlight, seasonal debris, and other contaminants means you save yourself money in maintenance cost long-term.
Keep in mind that vehicle protection is meant to be long-lasting, and when done correctly by a team of professionals, will only need to be reapplied every several years or when you get a new car. That means you’re paying for several years’ worth of peace of mind!
Though it’s clear that PPF requires an up-front investment in the quality of your vehicle, it’s safe to say that the protection you gain makes that payment worth every dime. When debris hits a non-PPF-covered vehicle, it can be damaging to both the car and your wallet. Paint repair, chip repair, and buffing costs can add up, and PPF prevents all of these costly repairs. Its longevity, aided by its self-healing ability, means that PPF is only an investment every 5 to 10 years, keeping costs low as they’re spread across the use of the product. PPF is especially worth the cost for highway and back-roads drivers who are more exposed to the bits and pieces that might damage your car.
Nevada’s desert climate has a few hallmarks that can be damaging to your vehicle, like hot summers and low humidity. That low humidity means dustier air, which means your vehicle is more prone to micro-scratches on its surface from sand particles. To top it all off, an above-average UV index and lots of sunny days make it even easier for your paint to fade or oxidize.
Both ceramic coating and PPF are well-equipped to handle a handful of elements of the Nevada climate. Ceramic coating’s ability to protect from UV rays keeps your paint nicer for longer periods of time, and its hydrophobic ability makes dust easier to clean off of your vehicle. PPF does a fantastic job of protecting from those sandy micro-scratches, and is also easier to clean than a standard paint job.
Simply put, Nevada’s weather makes either option – ceramic coating or PPF – a solid decision. Cars in dustier, warmer climates suffer from more weather-based and light-based damage than cars in moderate climates, so they have more of a need for a product to safeguard them from damage.
We’ve covered a lot of information about the benefits and drawbacks of ceramic coating and paint protection film. Let’s review, so your decision is as seamless as possible.
Before we give you our final recommendation, we’d like to throw one more option into the mix: combining the protection of ceramic coating and PPF by having both applied to your car’s exterior. If budget allows, this combination provides the ultimate, most well-rounded form of protection your vehicle could need, especially in Nevada’s climate.
Ultimately, the right answer to the question of ceramic coating vs. PPF will come down to your specific situation and needs. This is a choice best made taking into account your driving patterns and the road quality you’re commonly on, your aesthetic preferences, and your budget. Now that you’ve been fully informed, we here at Team Acme wish you luck in your decision and can’t wait to apply your PPF, if you so choose.
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