PPF vs ceramic coating vs window tint
Paint protection film stops physical damage like rock chips and scratches. A ceramic coating makes paint glossy, slick and easy to clean, and it resists chemical staining. Window tint protects the inside of the car from sun and heat. They are three different jobs, and they work well together.
If you are choosing between PPF and ceramic coating for your paint, the short version is that film is the only one that stops a stone. Read on for the details and for where tint fits.
Paint protection film
Paint protection film, also called PPF or clear bra, is a clear urethane layer over the paint. The LLumar film we install is self-healing, so light swirls and scuffs close up with warmth.
What it protects against
- Rock chips and gravel
- Light scratches and swirls
- Bug acid and bird droppings
- Road salt and brine contact
Where it goes
The front end takes most of the damage, so film is available in Basic Front, Full Front, Full Front Plus and Full Body packages. Matte film is available at both shops.
What it does not do
Film does not add depth or gloss to the paint, and it only protects the panels it is applied to.
Ceramic coating
A Gyeon ceramic coating is a thin, hard layer that bonds to the paint. It adds gloss, resists UV and chemical staining and makes washing easier, because water and dirt slide off.
What it protects against
- Bird droppings, bug acid and tree sap staining
- UV, oxidation and fading
- Water spots and road film
- Dirt and road film sticking to the surface
Where it goes
Coatings go on paint, glass and wheels, and over film. Our Gyeon Certified Detailer team applies them over corrected paint.
What it does not do
A coating does not stop a stone, and it does not heal scratches. It is a hard, thin layer, and a chip goes straight through it. We sell paint correction together with a coating, so the paint beneath is right before it is sealed.
Window tint
LLumar ceramic tint is a film applied to the glass. We install shades of 70, 50, 35, 20 and 5 percent, so you can choose how light or dark the windows look.
What it protects
- The dashboard, seats and trim from sun damage and fading
- The cabin from heat on sunny days
- Your eyes from glare
- Privacy for passengers and belongings
What it does not do
Tint does nothing for the paint. It protects the interior.
How each one looks and feels
Film is clear and, once installed, it reads as paint. You will not notice it from normal distance, and the car looks the way it always did, with the paint better protected. Matte film is the exception, since it gives a satin finish on purpose.
A coating changes how the paint looks and behaves. Gloss deepens, water beads and sheets off, and the surface feels slick under a wash mitt. Tint changes the glass. Lighter shades are subtle and darker shades give more privacy and a bolder look. The 70 percent shade is the lightest we install and the 5 percent shade is the darkest.
Which one fits which driver
- A highway commuter gets the most from film, since the front end takes constant hits
- Someone who loves a clean, glossy car and washes it often gets the most from a coating
- A driver who parks in the sun, or carries family and pets, gets the most from tint
- A collector or an owner of a new performance car often wants all three
There is no wrong place to start. Think about what bothers you most on your own car, and begin there.
Side by side
- Impacts and rock chips: film
- Gloss, easy washing and chemical resistance: coating
- Sun, heat and glare inside the car: tint
- Light scratches that heal themselves: film
- Wheels and glass: coating
Which should you start with
Start with the problem you want to solve.
- If rock chips worry you, begin with film on the front end
- If you want gloss and easy washing, begin with a coating over corrected paint
- If the car is hot, the interior is fading or you want privacy, begin with tint
You can add the others later. Because they cover different areas, none of them replaces another.
Using all three
Film guards the front end, a coating covers the paint, glass and wheels, and tint looks after the cabin. The three together make up The Beyond Package. We tailor it to the car and how you drive, and we quote it on the car itself.
How we do the work
Every job is done in house by our full-time staff in climate-controlled bays, at our Millstone and Ocean Township shops. The film carries a manufacturer backed warranty. We go over care at pickup.
Comparison questions
Is PPF or ceramic coating better?
They do different things. PPF is better at stopping chips and scratches. Ceramic coating is better at gloss, cleaning and chemical resistance.
Can I get a coating over PPF?
Yes. A coating can go over film, and many owners do both. Our page on coating over film explains how we handle it.
Does tint protect the paint?
No, tint protects the inside of the car. Paint protection comes from film and coating.
Do I need all three?
No. Pick what matches the way you use the car, and add the others when you are ready.
Which lasts longer, film or coating?
Both last for years with proper care. Film is a wear layer that eventually comes off and can be replaced, and a coating gradually wears down with washing and weather. How long either lasts depends on how the car is stored, driven and washed.
Does a coating make film unnecessary?
No. A coating is thin and hard, and a stone goes straight through it. If chips are your concern, film is the product that stops them.
