Paint Protection Film & Ceramic Pro Coating. What makes them so unique? And why you might need both!
Paint Protection
Equipping our vehicles for year round defense includes protecting your paint. Paint Protection is a transparent automotive film made from urethane that is applied over your vehicle’s exterior surface. Mainly, it reduces the risk of your vehicle being damaged from things such as:
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Road debris, causing chips and scratches
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Swirl marks from washing
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Acidic contaminants, causing chemical stains or etch marks
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Sun Exposure, causing oxidation (fading of your paint)
So, whether you are keeping your car forever or intend on reselling…paint protection offers a protection on the value as well.
Application is done by our professional installers at Its-AWrap, and with options to create a gloss or a stealthy-matte finish, Paint Protection can add aesthetic.
What about Ceramic Coating?
Unlike Paint Protection, Ceramic Coating is applied in a liquid form. It is a type of polymer that, when applied to your vehicle’s surface, chemically bonds to the paint.
This bond forms a layer of protection and a hydrophobic surface. Meaning that, Ceramic Coating makes it harder for contaminants to bond with your car’s paint, essentially repelling them off.
This means you can..
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Go longer between washing
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Clean your car faster and with less work
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Have a glossy mirror effect
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Be protected from the sun’s UV rays
Let’s talk about how Paint Protection Films and Ceramic Coatings differ and what they’re typically used for.
Paint Protection Film (PPF) is literally as it states in the name, a film, whereas Ceramic Coating is a liquid. Thus, PPF is noticeably thicker and, from a chemical standpoint, has the ability to “Self-Heal ” and dissipate an abrasion. This means that when your vehicle has been dented or scratched PPF has the capability to maintain its composition and return its original state through things like small scratches, rock chips, swirl marks, or hard water spots.
What makes Ceramic Coating so appealing is the hydrophobic surface it creates on your vehicle. This makes it able to repel water and contaminants but does not have the ability to protect your vehicle from things such as stone chips, scratches, swirl marks, or water spots.. Although some Paint Protection Films are created with a hydrophobic clear coat, they are not comparable to the quality and performance of a full Ceramic Coating. When we apply the Ceramic Coating to your vehicle you benefit from the hydrophobic properties on the entire surface without having to apply Paint Protection film to the whole vehicle. Typically customers at It’s-A Wrap will opt to paint protect the areas that are most vulnerable (ie front bumper etc), and then have the ceramic coating applied to their whole vehicle.
Which product offers the Ultimate Protection for your vehicle?
If you are looking for that “Ultimate Protection” the option we recommend and our customers at It’s-A Wrap favour the most is to strategically use both Paint Protection Film and a Ceramic Coating to ensure overall protection for your vehicle’s surface.
Let’s take a look at how and why it works…
Our professional installers apply Paint Protection Film to the most vulnerable parts of your vehicle. These areas are your front bumper, hood, fenders, side mirrors, rocker panels, and rear wheel arch. These particular areas are more prone to being hit with rock chips, scratches and road debris. It’s important to have Paint Protection Film applied to these areas because, as mentioned before, Ceramic Coating cannot protect against these types of damage.
The Ceramic Coating is only then applied to the entire exterior of your vehicle once the most at-risk areas have been protected with Paint Protection. Once we have meticulously applied the coating and it has cured it will bond with both your vehicle’s factory paint and the PPF that we applied. Having the coating applied on top of the film means that you will have an added layer of protection from chemical etching and stains. This also lengthens the life of the film underneath, as it will be always kept clean and free from contaminants.
The Ceramic coating’s hydrophobic surface will keep your paint cleaner and make it easier for you to wash your vehicle as contaminants will not be able to easily adhere to your vehicle. Ceramic coating leaves a completely smooth surface which intensifies the glossiness of the factory paint.
So, every day that you drive your vehicle, the appearance and integrity of the paint will be protected.
Take a look at our Instagram page @its_awrap to see the final looks and find us on TikTok @its_awrap.ca to see our work in motion!
Like what you see? Head over to the website to book a consultation with one of our expert staff members at our location on the Mississauga Oakville border !
