ImJK1

Hi All,
I ran a search in the Rennlist Forums but wasn't able to find quite what I was looking for. I have a 992 GTS coming in sometime next month and planning to have full PPF applied shortly after delivery. In speaking with most shops, they recommend applying PPF and then applying a Ceramic Coating over the PPF. However, some shops are saying that applying PPF by itself is more than fine and adding Ceramic over the top is overkill. Does anybody experience with the differences between the two options and can help to provide some more insight?

Xpel PPF by itself vs Xpel PPF with a ceramic coating on top

Cost difference is about $2500 between the two if that makes a difference

Thanks all!

German1967

Ceramic gives an additional layer of "protection" and ensures the surface remains hydrophobic longer.
You may also choose PPF with embedded ceramic, like Suntek Reaction, kind of a "2in1". That is what I did.

ImJK1

Ah! Thanks for that callout. I didn't realize there was a 2in1 option available! I will ask my installer about it!

3rdpedal

I did PPF, but not full body, the typical front, hood, fenders, mirrors, etc. And then ceramic on the full car and wheels. Ceramic makes it so that when I wash it, the dirt essentially just slides right off.

kim9701

Are you implying that Ceramic coating alone costs $2500? Hmm. Last time I checked, the estimate I had received was about $800. Maybe it's for a different coating compound.

Mark S

I just had Ceramic Pro applied over my XPel PPF. Looks great cost was $990.

ImJK1

The estimates I have received for ceramic alone have been roughly $2500 to apply 5 layer ceramic coating. To apply 2 layers, the estimate was in the range of $1200 for the SF Bay Area. (This would be on top of the PPF cost of roughly 3k for Front only to 7k-8k for Full PPF.)

Mark S

My $990 cost was for 4 layers.

kim9701

I would shop around a little. A few phone calls could save you some money.

Penn4S

I look at it this way after PPF on 4 different cars. PPF is for road shrapnel to protect pair as much as possible. Ceramic is really for ease of cleaning. Consider your PPF as clear coat. Ceramic give you easier cleaning and the film takes cares of the road debris stuff.

M2to992C2S

i just got xpel over the whole car. I then bought qtechniq halo and did it myself for $70. My PPF guy doesn’t offer ceramic coating and I really didn’t want to deal with dropping it off at another shop and spending more money for a full coating. Halo was very easy to apply and is very forgiving, which is why I decided to do it myself. I’m not an ocd detailer, but saving the money and hassle of taking it to another place was worth it for me:

mksz51

So true - MUCH of this stuff can be done yourself. Just like many maintenance activities on a vehicle. Kudos!

ipse dixit

You need to negotiate hard on the pricing.

If your guy can't (or won't) do PPF+Ceramic coating for a lower price (cuz, 2500 alone for ceramic is kind of outrageous), then ask around, and if need be just do the two separately.

As to whether you need ceramic coating after PPF, that's really up to you. PPF is truly a functional add-on. Ceramic coating is simply more for aesthetics and ease of maintenance. If you wash/detail your own car, it might make sense to skp the ceramic coating. If you have someone else clean your car, then ceramic may make more sense.

ImJK1

Thanks for the recommendations! I will definitely do that! I am leaning towards PPF and Ceramic! Seems to be the best of both worlds!

ipse dixit

Remember, cash is king.

Offer to pay in cash, not CC, and you'll get an even bigger discount.

Works every time.