Ceramic Coatings vs Film

[CSPCRX]

I went with Xpel ceramic with a 10 year warranty as well as Xpel PPF on the front of the truck. I also use chemical guys Hydrosuds for all washes. The ceramic in it is the same as Xpel so it acts as a booster. Truck looks great after every wash.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I have full frontal XPEL PPF that I had installed right after purchase. This includes full hood, front bumper, pillars, mirrors, grill, headlights, headlight surrounds, and fenders. PPF has its pros and cons. Pros include decent rock chip and scratch protection (mine has a few rock chips on the bumper despite the PPF). Cons include cost and paint does not look as good (shiny) once covered by PPF. Mine has some dull areas that don’t look so good and some lines that are visible (look like light scratches). Now, I was told that pouring hot water on these areas will promote the PPF to self heal. I have not done this yet, but will try it during my next detail. As far as ceramic goes, I wasn’t impressed. I performed a full paint correction and ceramic coating once the PPF was installed (they performed paint correction on the PPF areas before application). It lasted a couple of years, but water spotted really bad if water was not removed promptly. I’ve done a lot of reading up on ceramic coatings and it seems the hype has worn off and a lot of detail guys have gone back to waxes and other coatings, as they have improved greatly over the years. I am currently trying out S100 carnauba/beeswax paste wax and have been pretty impressed. In the end, PPF is a must on front bumper, grill, headlights, headlight surrounds, etc. My last truck, within months, was covered in white spots (paint chips) all over the front bumper and looked horrible, which drove me crazy. My new truck only has a few after 3 plus years. I will never own a vehicle again without front PPF.

 

[Namelama]

You're never going to stop rock chips with either, PPF or Ceramic. Rock chips are the most annoying thing about keeping a vehicle in good condition. I almost always buy white vehicles and as much chrome on the front end as I can get, so I don't have to look at paint chips on the front hood or bumper. We have a vehicle with PPF and it looks terrible once the rock chips penetrate the PPF.

 

[boogielander]

Did you ever have the PPF applied? If so, how is it holding up for you? Pros and cons, etc?

I haven't done it yet lol
spent all my free times camping and leading runs so never really had a chance to set aside days to do it (only extended period of free time I got is Christmas-New Years but weather's not ideal for that)

 

[Skearns]

I haven't done it yet lol
spent all my free times camping and leading runs so never really had a chance to set aside days to do it (only extended period of free time I got is Christmas-New Years but weather's not ideal for that)

I understand that. Looking back, do you wish you had installed it? I hate to assume but it doesn’t sound like you really regret not getting around to it.

 

[BowDown]

You're never going to stop rock chips with either, PPF or Ceramic. Rock chips are the most annoying thing about keeping a vehicle in good condition. I almost always buy white vehicles and as much chrome on the front end as I can get, so I don't have to look at paint chips on the front hood or bumper. We have a vehicle with PPF and it looks terrible once the rock chips penetrate the PPF.

Thats incorrect. My 5yo 20 looked brand new when I sold it thanks to the PPF. It does stop the smaller more common rock chips and debris from causing damage. Nothing's stopping a .75" rock from damaging the surface but the PPF may be the only thing that gets damaged and its easier to replace than having a repaint.

My 2020 with 97K miles on it

 

[BowDown]

I have full frontal XPEL PPF that I had installed right after purchase. This includes full hood, front bumper, pillars, mirrors, grill, headlights, headlight surrounds, and fenders. PPF has its pros and cons. Pros include decent rock chip and scratch protection (mine has a few rock chips on the bumper despite the PPF). Cons include cost and paint does not look as good (shiny) once covered by PPF. Mine has some dull areas that don’t look so good and some lines that are visible (look like light scratches). Now, I was told that pouring hot water on these areas will promote the PPF to self heal. I have not done this yet, but will try it during my next detail. As far as ceramic goes, I wasn’t impressed. I performed a full paint correction and ceramic coating once the PPF was installed (they performed paint correction on the PPF areas before application). It lasted a couple of years, but water spotted really bad if water was not removed promptly. I’ve done a lot of reading up on ceramic coatings and it seems the hype has worn off and a lot of detail guys have gone back to waxes and other coatings, as they have improved greatly over the years. I am currently trying out S100 carnauba/beeswax paste wax and have been pretty impressed. In the end, PPF is a must on front bumper, grill, headlights, headlight surrounds, etc. My last truck, within months, was covered in white spots (paint chips) all over the front bumper and looked horrible, which drove me crazy. My new truck only has a few after 3 plus years. I will never own a vehicle again without front PPF.

That's in the film they used. I did the full front with Llumar Platinum PPF, hood, fenders, all 4 fender flares, a pillars, above the windshield, rambox button panel, fuel door, door edges, entire front and headlights and you cant tell its there other than a small seem on lower front valance where the pre-cut pieces meet. If I didn't point it out, you would never see it. My PPF'd surfaces are as glossy as the none PPF surfaces.

I did the paint correction 1st (Ram must have changed something in their painting process because my 25 needed far less work than the 20 did and both were done new and the 25 seems more resistant to scratches/swirls).

This is PPF'd with Llumar







IDK about the ceramic coat hype dying down, I think people are finally realizing the consumer version that anyone can buy is junk and will last 6-18 months before failing then theres the professional versions that only licensed installers can get. The latter is what looks really good and last a long time. On my 20, I used Gyeon and Carpro UK 3.0, both looked good and worked for about 6-12 months before failing. Used Avalon King also, trash, 30 days at best. I don't know a single detail guy thats gone back to waxes, home users have and I would too if it weren't for having access to System X.
A quick polish with 3D One or Menzerna Super Finish using Lake country CCS HDO orange and black pads and then top with a sealer like Menzerna Power Lock Ultimate Protection looks as good as a professional ceramic coating but will only last about 6 months

This is after I ceramic coated with System X Max G and Max G+ which only licensed, trained professionals can get. I have a friend thats does professional ceramic coating and paint correction and he gave me 3 bottles of System X at his cost

 

[Rock Crawler]

That's in the film they used. I did the full front with Llumar Platinum PPF, hood, fenders, all 4 fender flares, a pillars, above the windshield, rambox button panel, fuel door, door edges, entire front and headlights and you cant tell its there other than a small seem on lower front valance where the pre-cut pieces meet. If I didn't point it out, you would never see it. My PPF'd surfaces are as glossy as the none PPF surfaces.

I did the paint correction 1st (Ram must have changed something in their painting process because my 25 needed far less work than the 20 did and both were done new and the 25 seems more resistant to scratches/swirls).

This is PPF'd with Llumar

IDK about the ceramic coat hype dying down, I think people are finally realizing the consumer version that anyone can buy is junk and will last 6-18 months before failing then theres the professional versions that only licensed installers can get. The latter is what looks really good and last a long time. On my 20, I used Gyeon and Carpro UK 3.0, both looked good and worked for about 6-12 months before failing. Used Avalon King also, trash, 30 days at best. I don't know a single detail guy thats gone back to waxes, home users have and I would too if it weren't for having access to System X.
A quick polish with 3D One or Menzerna Super Finish using Lake country CCS HDO orange and black pads and then top with a sealer like Menzerna Power Lock Ultimate Protection looks as good as a professional ceramic coating but will only last about 6 months

This is after I ceramic coated with System X Max G and Max G+ which only licensed, trained professionals can get. I have a friend thats does professional ceramic coating and paint correction and he gave me 3 bottles of System X at his cost.

Most of my PPF looks flawless and you can barely tell it’s there. The hood is where I have the issues. I used Rupes pads and Sonax Perfect Finish for the paint correction, and it turned out really good. Recently, I’ve used Griots Boss Correcting Cream on my girlfriend’s F-Pace with good results. Unfortunately, I did use the Avalon King ceramic coating on my truck and it lasted a while, but I was not impressed. For the cost to have it professionally done, I’ll end up sticking with other coatings and do it myself. Ceramic coating, done professionally, has gotten extremely expensive.

 

[Maverik259]

100% ppf if you are at all worried about rock chips. I will never not do it again. For me it’s mental. If I see a bunch of damage from rock chips and road debris I am more Incline to spend less and less time keeping the truck clean. But the satisfaction of having a close to brand new looking truck after every wash is Intoxicating. Also agree that I’m not aware of any ceramic coating “hype” fading. It’s still the premier detail option and the real stuff lasts years. Have been having it installed for 3 vehicles straight across 15 years now and all 3 cars looked brand new after every wash to include my carbon black 2014 BMW X5 they I just sold last year.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[boogielander]

I understand that. Looking back, do you wish you had installed it? I hate to assume but it doesn’t sound like you really regret not getting around to it.

i actually regret not doing it, especially after running Dempster & Dalton when they were wet. In addition, I got so many pinstripes and swirl marks on the clear coat that my truck's scary to look at under the sun from some angles. But the pinstripes and swirl marks can be corrected with a polish, which I will do later when I'm ready to get a power wagon. It is the bottom half of the truck behind wheel wells that can't be salvaged even with polish (I think), and those are the parts that I wish I applied PPF before I went.

edit:
i actually forgot I did PPF the headlights and fog lights for the Alaska/ Tuk trip. Mostly for rock chip prevention (my thinking back in 24 was... if I get rock chip on the hood I can fix it after the trip, but if I got a chip on the headlight/ fog light then I'd be screwed. also they'd help with ease of cleaning up if I happen to get the front muddy - which i did and it worked well - because I could care less about mud on the paint while out there, but I need functioning lights)