Ceramic coating vs PPF

I have a new Ford Raptor I will be using for mostly daily driving and infrequent (mild) off roading and I’d like to protect the paint. I’m hesitant to explore Modesta ceramic coatings, because I understand there is annual maintenance you must do with the installer ?

So I found a local authorized installer of Llumar PPF. I was going to get a quote on the front fenders , hood and bumper. Hoping someone can help with the following :

-What is the general lifespan of PPF ?
-Can it remove clear coat and paint when it’s removed?

My understanding is that PPF offers better protection than a coating ?

thanks

PPF definitely offers more protection than a coating. Ideally you would install PPF and then coat the PPF. The coating makes cleaning the car much easier and also helps it stay cleaner, regardless of it being applied over PPF or the paint itself.

PPF usually has a lifespan around 10 years and after that it's replaced. Can happen sooner, can happen later, depends on the brand and how it's maintained. I know Llumar is famous for window tint, I had no idea they make PPF as well.

If removed by a professional, using steam and care, it shouldn't pull any paint with it, especially if the car has never been repainted. A repainted panel is much more likely to suffer paint damage when pulling PPF.

If your PPF installed offers a wrap around option take it. My installer basically just charged me the additional material to make the hood and fenders wrap. It was almost trivial in cost. Its a cleaner look. WAY more easy to clean and detail (no lines to tape off). If you get precut/pattern pieces there will be lines.

I got xPel for mine and the self healing is decent enough. What makes it worth the money is my lacking panic or anger seeing the car when I detail it. Mental health is important these days...ROFL.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Inverted

-What is the general lifespan of PPF ?

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Depends on the brand—Usually warranted
for ~5-10 years. (Off-roading will greatly
reduce that time period.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Inverted

-Can it remove clear coat and
paint when it’s removed?

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If it’s improperly removed by some
ham-handed hack: anything‘s possible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Inverted

My understanding is that PPF offers
better protection than a coating ?

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•If thickness of the film is a determining factor
of better protection, then you’re understanding
is absolutely spot on.
-Coating’s film = just a couple of microns thick
-PPF’s film = ~6-8 mils (~150-200 microns) thick



Bob

Thanks for the replies. What kind of costs can I expect from wrapping the bumper, hood and fenders ?

Can I expect to see discrepancies in the paint (compared to what was not protected) once the film is removed down the road ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Inverted

Thanks for the replies. What kind of costs can I expect from wrapping the bumper, hood and fenders ?

Can I expect to see discrepancies in the paint (compared to what was not protected) once the film is removed down the road ?

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To have the whole front of the Rav done (hood, bumper, fenders) was about 1600. To do the templates was like 1500.

I cannot answer about the film as I have never removed film on my vehicles. I will say I had 3m on my 2001 Maxima (done in 2001) and xPel on my wifes Rav in 2019. Material difference is night and day. There have been some good advances in it.