Car Protection

Ceramic Coating, PPF (Paint Protection Film), And Color Change Wraps - Which is more efficient?

Car owners always think about how to protect their cars that are more cost-effective and long-lasting. Three products can satisfy these needs for our vehicles: Ceramic Coating, PPF (Paint Protection Film), And Color Change Wraps. But the question is, which one is more efficient and the best product to choose.

Since these protective products are used on top of the paint, let's first understand your vehicle colour.

1. Base vehicle body panel: For most vehicles, the body panels are steel or aluminium, depending on the model and make.

2. The second layer is Primer: The primer is a bonding agent for the body panel and the paint. Serves as a leveler, which is significant since the vehicle's body often has marks and other forms of surface defect after being produced in the body shop. 

3. The third layer is Base Coat: The base coat is the paint on top of the primer that gives the car its colour. The base coat is put on after the primer coat. It contains the visual properties of color and effects, and is usually commonly known as paint.

4. Topcoat is a Clear Coat: This finishing layer is sprayed on the base colour coat as protection. Besides protecting the base colour, It also makes the base colour coat shinier, more sleek and glossy looks.

The clear coat is one of the most important layers and can be corrected through paint correction by the detailer.

Note: For ceramic coating and paint protection film, paint correction is necessary. Since both products enhance the paint of the car, if there are any scratches and paint correction is not made, it will improve the scratches.

So, what is paint correction? It is the process of eliminating the imperfections in a vehicle's transparent coat paint layer.

Note: Always check the process of the shops in applying ceramic coating or PPF on your vehicle if it includes paint correction since it's time-consuming.

Let's compare these three protection products and understand them more.

1. Ceramic Coating - is the highest grade of chemical polymer solution, which is used to provide a protective outer layer to the exterior of a vehicle.

What Does Ceramic Coating do?

• Protect your car's surface
• Offer long-lasting protection
• Make your car easier to clean
• Give your car that extra shine

PROCESS:

• STEP 1: WASH YOUR CAR

Every Vehicle needs to be washed appropriately and completely clean from waxes or sealant before applying the ceramic coating for the solution to gain a maximum bond with your vehicle paint.

• STEP 2: MECHANICAL DECONTAMINATION / CLAY BAR TREATMENT

Need to clay bar treatment your vehicle paintwork. Clay bar treatment plays a significant role in getting your ceramic coating to bond.

• STEP 3: PAINT CORRECTION

Your vehicle paint surface is blemish-free; paint correction is essential to get your paint as shiny as possible. You have to remove the water spots, swirl marks, and other imperfections from your vehicle paintwork.

• STEP 4: CAR SURFACE COATING

This last step is the easiest and the most satisfying process. Applying a DIY ceramic coating is as simple as using the Ceramic Coat applicator cloth (suede) and pad. Working on a small area, wiping it onto your car section by section, let it sit for a few minutes to set; once the coating starts to evaporate, the painted surface will begin to smear, a.k.a flashing and then wipe it off with a clean new microfiber cloth.

2. Paint Protection Film - referred to as a clear bra or a "wrap", a clear material that sticks and protects on the painted surfaces and protects surfaces that are prone to damage and is placed over a vehicle's body panels to protect them from flying rocks or road debris.

What does Paint Protection Film do?

• Heat Activated Self-Healing Topcoat
• Non-Yellowing
• Discolouration & Stain Resistant
• Prevents Wear & Tear
• Edge Seal Technology

Process:

• STEP 1: WASH YOUR CAR

Removing debris is crucial to the appearance of a paint protection film and its performance capabilities. 

• STEP 2: CUT YOUR PPF TO FIT

Some professional installer will cut or use the precut PPF sheet down to size in preparation for installation, much like window tint.

• STEP 3: SPRAY

Installing Paint Protection film PPF requires a special spray known as an activator or a fitting solution. 3M always recommends using a two-different solutions application method here for optimal results.

• STEP 4: ALL LUBED-UP

Once the film's top surface is wet with the solution of your choosing, it's time for the squeegee to begin.

• STEP 5: HEAT

Once the PPF has been properly applied, any lingering bubbles and creases have been removed. The use of an industrial steam gun or heat gun and a touchless instant temp reader are often used to activate the adhesive and thus cause the PPF to stick to the surface.

3. Colour Change Wrap - a method by which the whole car is wrapped in high-grade vinyl, creating a finish that's indistinguishable from a regular paint job.

What does Color Change Wrap do?

• Low Maintenance
• Cost-Friendly
• Resale Value
• Protection

Process:

• STEP 1: WASH YOUR CAR

Dislodge dirt as much as possible before the wrap. If dirt gets in the wrap, it will lose its stickiness.

• STEP 2: BLOWER

Blow any remaining water in the car (i.e. doors, windows, grills etc.)

• STEP 3: REMOVE EMBLEMS

Disassemble the emblem and create a template where they were positioned initially so that after applying the wraps, they can still determine the emblems' position.

• STEP 4: MEASURE AND CUTTING

Measuring the areas to cover and cutting them to fit. Adding masking tape to the window trims to protect from the blade and prevent the wrap from sticking into the trim