[CHSCHQS]

Originally, I said no when my buddies recommended I get some kind of exterior protection done, but I've become paranoid about rocks on the freeway or door dings so I'm just gonna bite the bullet. From my research I've learned that ceramic coating (CC from here on out) acts like a layer of glass similar to the one that you can put on your smartphone screen. I think it's lifespan is about 2 years (please correct me if wrong), and PPF is an actual film that goes on top of the paint with self-healing features. One buddy recommended I do both: CC on top of PPF which seems like overkill to me but that's what he did to his car. Cost him a pretty penny he said but he sleeps good at night. I have the Black Sapphire Metallic paint so the slightly metallic look looks stunning during the day.

I also learned that PPF is not a permanent solution, and say...after a decade it would actually pull off the factory paint if I tried to remove it. At the end of the day, my buddy said it would come down to how much I like the car and how long I intend to keep it. So I was wondering if any one could weigh in on their experience with these products. I also have several questions below:

a) I was quoted $900 for CC which includes a standard exterior detail. I didn't get quotes for PPF but was told it would be like a wrap job which is probably going to run $2500+. Which is more cost effective say over say a 5 year span? Because if $900 gets me 2 years with a CC job, it would make more sense to just get it redone every 2 years and still cost less than PPF.

b) Would getting both be overkill?

c) Is it possible to do the interior panels w/ the piano glass? I honestly don't know why car companies use this finish. Just breathing on it causes scratches.

d) For PPF, I know you can do partial to protect the front in as an option. One of my main priorities is to cover the door handle cups because when I see those finger nail scratches it makes me cringe. Does anyone have just the front half covered?

e) I'd love to see before/after pics if you got em!

[ppointer]

I have a 2008 Infiniti QX56 bought new just about 17 years ago. Before it had ten miles on it I had PPF put on the front bumper and a foot or two of the hood. In 2022 cracks began to appear, and so I went back to the original shop and had it replaced. Truck looks like brand new up front. So, I highly recommend PPF, and have been doing PPF on all of my new or newer cars since 2007

Lately I have been going the ceramic coating route, in addition to PPF. To date, my two current e92's and new 2022 540i have received PPF and CC. What I like about the CC is that bird droppings and tree sap easily wash off with no damage to the clear coat. Although I don't mind waxing my cars, that chore is no longer necessary for these. I was told the CC would last a couple of years, but water is still beading up quite nicely after three years on the coupes.

In general I have paid roughly $1200 to $1500 for PPF and CC combined. The e92's were very low mileage when I picked them up during COVID, so the expense was justified.

The CC application usually includes paint correction. So, my plan this June is to have CC applied to my Z3M (which already has PPF on the front).

I agree with your approach to door handle "cups". I may take that approach on my next new car.

That's all I have. Cannot address your questions on interior applications.

[H_T]

I had ceramic coating with no PPF with 2 applications since 2021. The “Diamond Plate by Simoniz” cost about $650-700 both times which is good for 2 years. Once every 6 months I use the Turtle wax 75th anniversary with ceramic/graphene wax that really makes the car shine.

Ceramic coating does not protect from highway chips/scratches (just take a look at my front bumper). It does make it easier to wash.

If I would have done it again I would have PPF’d the car with ceramic coating.

[iamcc88]

I opted not to do PPF on my M550 when I bought it last year and I already kind of regret it… there’s some rock chips etc on the front and at this point I wish I had protected it.

Also, I have piano black interior and I take great care of it but you will get those swirly scratches no matter what. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it to put any kind of film over that but that’s just me.

[eliphil]

For me pff is a must on entire front hood bumpers…. Ceramic will not protect against rocks. You can now get ceramic for 1 to 9 years depending on the product and cost. I found a spray someone recommended a few years ago my detailed now uses instead of wax if u don’t want to splurge for ceramic. Similar properties but easier to apply and reapply. My bro just put it on his new truck and it looks amazing

[JSKS76]

PPF and ceramic coating are different things. Ceramic coating will not protect your car from stone chips. It's a semi-permanent sealant. PPF will protect your car fron chips. If the car is new I highly recommend PPF (headlights, front bumper, and front edge of hood). If it's used and already has stone chips the PPF may highlight the chips.

[sguida]

My lexus and bmw both have ceramic coating which I did myself. Very easy to do. I redo them every 4 years.

My porsche has ppf with ceramic coat on top. I bought used this way. I found the place that did the work. They recommend a decontamination and a fresh top coat every year. $250 so im going to do it.

I also topcoat bmw and Lexus yearly with gtechiq exov5. Extremely hydrophobic coating that lasts a good year.

Never go to car wash, I usually wash with opti no rinse, no wash solution since everything is ceramic coated. Cars look like new.

[Joe-BMW33]

Ok, both are a must IMO, but if you have a ton of rock chips already, PPF may actually accentuate these.

First false claim, Ceramic is NOT like glass or a phone screen cover. Your car will still get dinged and scratched from foreign materials. Think about ceramic like you would think about wax. It is a long lasting coating that doesn't wear off and last 2-3 years. It also has incredible beading characteristics.

Before a ceramic coating is applied, the car must be paint corrected, which is the new way of saying polish/compounded. If your car is black, it is probably swirled like hell, the paint correction with remove the swirl. It may need a few passes at correction. Then the ceramic is applied and if you follow instructions on washing, you will not have swirls again after that.

My car is PPF'd. I have the full nose - bumper, hood, fenders, mirror caps as well as the rear parcel tray. It is a must, I have zero stone chips on my car.

So how to do it, if I took delivery on a brand new car:

1
Paint Correction (yes, new cars need it).
2
Ceramic
3
PPF over Ceramic in the areas you choose
4
Ceramic on the PPF


In terms of longevity of PPF, you can easily get ten years out of it and it will not pull the paint off if you get it removed when it starts to yellow or peel. Now we are talking if someone left it on for 20+ years in full sun every day for it to do damage.

[dizz81]

PPF with ceramic coating does wonders to bring out the color of the paint as well. It gains a real depth to the color.

PPF is going on and has gone on all my cars. First time I had it done to a car was on an Audi S5 and had some paint come off a truck and pepper my hood and front fenders. The shop just removed the PPF and slapped on some more sheets and car was still like new.

I drive 75 miles to work one way when I need to visit the office. The amount of rock chips I'd have on the front of my cars would be ridiculous without PPF. It's a saving grace if you're frequently driving on the highway.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by dizz81

PPF with ceramic coating does wonders to bring out the color of the paint as well. It gains a real depth to the color.

PPF is going on and has gone on all my cars. First time I had it done to a car was on an Audi S5 and had some paint come off a truck and pepper my hood and front fenders. The shop just removed the PPF and slapped on some more sheets and car was still like new.

I drive 75 miles to work one way when I need to visit the office. The amount of rock chips I'd have on the front of my cars would be ridiculous without PPF. It's a saving grace if you're frequently driving on the highway.

How long was the PPF on for that you removed?

[dizz81]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

How long was the PPF on for that you removed?

I think it was about 2 or 3 months

[jiggyboiswagg]

My entire car is PPF’d and ceramic coated it at home. It’s easier to DIY the CC after the ppf bc you don’t really have to put as much time in prep since your car is already covered in plastic lol

CC’d the rims too, if you get ppf ceramic coat it yourself. Save the money and get that DIY satisfaction