PPF vs Ceramic Coating

[Air’d outSRT]

This is a big part of my concern. With all the bells and whistles and sensors these days, having someone taking off even something simple bumpers and headlights concerns me with them getting everything back together successfully and working properly. I was originally thinking of ceramic coat on most of the truck with PPF on the hood, headlight, mirrors. But looking at what they have to disassemble to do that makes me nervous. Maybe I'm overthinking it.

This is why cheaper is never better comes into play. A good reputable shop will have the expertise and back their work. Doing the ceramic coating, then high impact areas and then ceramic coat the ppf you will be fine. I did full gloss self healing ppf over my wrap because it scratched easily and had to replace it after just over a year.

 

[duetz]

You can also change the look of the truck, which is why I’m opting for a stealth ppf. I think forged blue in matte will look amazing.

 

[RHO-970]

If you get ceramic coat, can you use pressure washer or drive thru car washes after?

 

[TX2025]

If you get ceramic coat, can you use pressure washer or drive thru car washes after?

I've heard to stay out of them.... but I feel like the whole point of ceramic was to protect the paint from things like drive thru car washes lol.

Following

 

[MattH89]

If you get ceramic coat, can you use pressure washer or drive thru car washes after?

100% you can. You're adding a layer of protection.

 

[D&Sadventure]

This is a big part of my concern. With all the bells and whistles and sensors these days, having someone taking off even something simple bumpers and headlights concerns me with them getting everything back together successfully and working properly. I was originally thinking of ceramic coat on most of the truck with PPF on the hood, headlight, mirrors. But looking at what they have to disassemble to do that makes me nervous. Maybe I'm overthinking it.

You are absolutely right. Broken connectors, door panel clips, fender flare clips. Sure they can replace them but will they. Misaligned panels, doors not closing properly. Nope not worth the gamble. I do believe doing all that would only be necessary for a color change though. If you were just trying to protect from rock chips do the hood and front fenders. Should protect from most likely chips. Get the factory off road running boards to protect from door dents and self inflicted rock chips. Along with mud flap guards for a little extra protection.

 

[Bigram]

I've heard to stay out of them.... but I feel like the whole point of ceramic was to protect the paint from things like drive thru car washes lol.

Following

they don't like auto car washes because the brushes are coarse and can scratch the ceramic coating. plus the brushes sometime are not clean.

they recommend touchless car washes

 

[MattH89]

they don't like auto car washes because the brushes are coarse and can scratch the ceramic coating. plus the brushes sometime are not clean.

they recommend touchless car washes

This is exactly the same if you didn't have a ceramic coating. The ceramic coating is the sacrificial lamb protecting the clear.

Touchless is better than brushes, but having a ceramic coating doesn't have any bearing on this.

 

[RHOfan]

My neighbor just had his $125K e-Tron GT ppf’d for the second time (the original wrap was over 2-years old & was pretty chewed up). Running the highways in PHX at high speeds will do that to a low car.

I share this because the e-Tron GT is a special & somewhat rare car. My other neighbor’s PPF shop has Ferraris and other high-end exotics in the bays at all times. It makes sense to spend close to $10K to keep those cars in their original paint.

Spending that kind of money on a Ram? No. But, I did do the headlights, radar cover, painted fender extensions above the bumper, and the leading edges of the bedsides. Under $1K.

 

[Bigram]

This is exactly the same if you didn't have a ceramic coating. The ceramic coating is the sacrificial lamb protecting the clear.

Touchless is better than brushes, but having a ceramic coating doesn't have any bearing on this.

check with a professional installer

https://ceramicpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Coating-Warranty-Aftercare.pdf

 

[Unstroked]

Should be done this weekend

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[DMM]

This is a big part of my concern. With all the bells and whistles and sensors these days, having someone taking off even something simple bumpers and headlights concerns me with them getting everything back together successfully and working properly. I was originally thinking of ceramic coat on most of the truck with PPF on the hood, headlight, mirrors. But looking at what they have to disassemble to do that makes me nervous. Maybe I'm overthinking it.

I had my Raptor R fully wrapped. The installer told me in his experience you can hide 99% of the edges with only taking the door handles off. He was right, it looked great. I agree i'm not a big fan of dissembling a car. They shouldn't have to take anything off for a front end.

 

[D&Sadventure]

If they are taking off bumpers, mirrors, grills, or other pieces on cars equipped with driver assist systems. Calibration of the systems would be required. Are they doing it? If not they are opening themselves up for a lawsuit.

 

[Banger]

I had my Raptor R fully wrapped. The installer told me in his experience you can hide 99% of the edges with only taking the door handles off. He was right, it looked great. I agree i'm not a big fan of dissembling a car. They shouldn't have to take anything off for a front end.

I had the hood done, along with the painted areas right above the bumper and headlights (and fog lamps), lower doors (right up to the natural crease), rocker panels, lower part of the bed (up to the natural crease line). I also had them do some high touch areas such as gas cap, door handles and door cups, and top of tailgate. No disassembly required.
This is my first experience with PPF, so I'll see how it goes. Originally just wanted the hood and front, then started thing about the other areas that get contact a lot and sort of went crazy. LOL.

 

[RamFan]

I had the hood done, along with the painted areas right above the bumper and headlights (and fog lamps), lower doors (right up to the natural crease), rocker panels, lower part of the bed (up to the natural crease line). I also had them do some high touch areas such as gas cap, door handles and door cups, and top of tailgate. No disassembly required.
This is my first experience with PPF, so I'll see how it goes. Originally just wanted the hood and front, then started thing about the other areas that get contact a lot and sort of went crazy. LOL.

We are doing similiar but a little less, no gas cap, only lower on bed , no tailgate or door handles.

You’ll appreciate it for sure.

Chris

 

[Banger]

We are doing similiar but a little less, no gas cap, only lower on bed , no tailgate or door handles.

You’ll appreciate it for sure.

Chris

Nice! Like I said, I started going a little crazy thinking about all the things I touch on the truck and covering it with PPF. LOL

 

[D&Sadventure]

I wonder how well it will stay on the door handles. I would like to satin finish all the gloss black. Lower body , mirrors, and door handles.

 

[Banger]

I wonder how well it will stay on the door handles. I would like to satin finish all the gloss black. Lower body , mirrors, and door handles.

I'll keep you posted!

 

[Unstroked]

Teaser pic from the shop! I can’t wait to see the finished product!

 

[Banger]

That looks great! Can’t wait to see the finished pics.
One question: did they remove the small matte decal in front of the hood scoop and apply a new one over the PPF? Or leave it on and cover over it?