Is PPF better than ceramic coatings?

Ceramic coating and PPF are two very different things. Each have their strengths and weaknesses, which one you choose depends on your needs.

PPF is a clear, self-healing polyurethane film that physically shields your paint from stone chips, scratches, and minor scuffs. It’s essentially a plastic armour layer. If you do a lot of motorway driving, or your car has a low, exposed front end, PPF is unbeatable for that kind of impact protection. It’s thicker than any coating and can absorb the sort of damage that a ceramic coating simply can’t. 

PPF is supplied in sheets that are pre-cut to fit each panel of the car. These templates are created using computer software and plotters to match the shape of bonnets, bumpers, wings, and mirrors. The film itself is usually around 150–200 microns thick (as thick as a sheet of paper), which is several times thicker than a layer of paint or clear coat — that’s what gives it such strong impact protection. Because the edges of panels vary in shape, the film is usually cut to stop just short of the edge rather than wrapping around it. This helps prevent lifting but also means you’ll see a fine line where the film ends. Despite what some marketing suggests, PPF isn’t completely invisible; on darker cars especially, the edges can catch the light. Over time, a little dirt can build up along those lines, making them more noticeable. It’s not a fault — just something to be aware of if you want a flawless, seamless look.

Ceramic coatings, on the other hand, are a liquid polymer that chemically bonds with the paint. They don’t stop stone chips, but they do make your car far easier to clean, resist UV fading, add an incredible deep gloss, and repel water and dirt. Think of ceramic coatings as a long-term protective finish that keeps your car looking better for longer.

In fact, many owners use both - PPF on the vulnerable panels, and ceramic coating on top of the film and the rest of the car. That combination gives you the best of both worlds: physical impact protection and slick, hydrophobic, easy-to-clean surfaces.

So, is PPF better? Not necessarily, it’s just better at different things. The right choice depends on your car, you're driving, and how much protection you’re after.

For maximum protection, you could have both. A ceramic coating is flexible enough to be applied over the top of PPF, and will protect areas of your paintwork not covered by the paint protection film.

Both PPF and ceramic coatings are premium products, and neither comes cheap. Having both applied to the same car can easily run into several thousand pounds, which is more than most people are willing to spend. That’s why, in reality, the two tend to compete rather than complement each other. PPF offers the ultimate protection but at a higher price, while ceramic coatings give a more affordable way to keep your car looking glossy, clean and well protected day to day. For most owners, a good ceramic coating ticks all the right boxes, it looks fantastic, lasts for years, and costs a fraction of a full PPF installation.

What the question really means

When people ask if PPF is better than a ceramic coating, they are really asking which gives the best protection for their money. In reality, they do different jobs: PPF is a thick, self-healing film that takes physical impact, while ceramic is a thin, hard coating that makes the car easier to keep clean and slows chemical and UV damage. One is not universally better - the best choice depends on what you want to protect against.

How PPF and ceramic coatings work differently

• Paint Protection Film (PPF): A clear polyurethane film that physically absorbs stone chips, light scratches and scuffs, and can self-heal from light marks with warmth.
• Ceramic or graphene coating: A microns thin, glass like layer that bonds to the clear coat to resist chemicals, UV and contamination and to make washing much easier.
• Thickness: PPF is many times thicker than a coating and can take hits that would go straight through a ceramic layer.
• Look and feel: PPF can have edges and patterns if not installed carefully, while a coating is essentially invisible and just makes paint look sharper and slicker.

Where PPF is clearly better

• High-impact areas such as bonnets, bumpers, mirrors, sills and behind wheel arches that are constantly being peppered with chips.
• Fast-driven cars, track cars and big mile motorway cars that follow other traffic closely and see a lot of debris.
• Very valuable or cherished cars, where a respray would hurt the originality or future value.
• Flat fronted cars, wide tyres or exposed arches that seem to collect stone chips, no matter what you do.

Where ceramic coatings are better

• Day to day ease of washing on the whole car - less effort, less scrubbing and fewer harsh chemicals needed.
• Keeping gloss, colour and clarity looking fresh for years rather than months, especially on darker colours.
• Protecting against bird mess, tree sap, traffic film and UV which gradually dull bare clear coat.
• Covering complex shapes such as grilles, trims, wheels and glass, where film would be awkward or excessive.

When to combine PPF and ceramic coatings

• Use PPF on the most vulnerable areas - front end, sills and high wear zones - then ceramic coat over the film and remaining paint.
• This gives you chip and scuff resistance where you need it, plus easy washing and long-term gloss across the whole car.
• A coating over the film also makes bug splatter and road film easier to remove from the PPF itself.
• For many owners this layered approach is the true “best of both worlds” rather than choosing one or the other.

What neither PPF nor ceramics can do

• Not accident proof: Heavy impacts, deep gouges and serious collisions can still go through both film and coating.
• Not a substitute for careful washing: Automatic brushes, gritty sponges and harsh chemicals can still mark film and coatings.
• Not a fix for bad paint: Poor resprays, sanding marks and swirls need correcting before protection is applied, or they will just be preserved underneath.
• Not maintenance free: Both systems still need sensible washing and occasional inspection if you want them to last.

Best-practice checklist for choosing between them

• Think about your driving - lots of fast A road or motorway work, or mostly gentle town use.
• Consider where the car lives - outside on the drive in all weather, or tucked away in a garage.
• Decide what worries you most - stone chips and scuffs, or constant grime, bird mess and washing.
• Talk to an installer who offers both PPF and ceramic so they can recommend a package that matches how you actually use the car, rather than pushing one solution for everything.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 25/11/2025 16:21