Decision Time: Paint Film Protection AND/OR Ceramic Coating

BuckYeah

Jan 25, 2023

I've got a choice to make, so naturally, I'm creating a poll to see what the hive mind here would choose...

Option #1: Hand wash, clay bar, single-stage machine polish, and apply XPEL Fusion Plus ceramic coating to all painted surfaces including wheel faces. Installation of Exo-Shield film to the windshield. Install FULL coverage XPEL Ultimate Plus clear PPF to both rocker panels, complete fenders, complete hood, lower doors, and the areas before and after the doors.

Option #2: Hand wash, clay bar, single-stage machine polish, and apply Opti-Coat Pro Plus ceramic coating to all painted surfaces including wheel faces. Installation of Exo-Shield film to the windshield. Install FULL coverage XPEL Ultimate Plus clear PPF to both rocker panels, PARTIAL leading impact areas of both fenders and leading impact areas of hood, lower doors, and the areas before and after the doors.

EDIT: (Spoiler alert: I chose Option #3!)

Option#3: Hand wash, clay bar, and single-stage machine polish. Install FULL coverage XPEL Ultimate Plus Clear PPF to the painted surface of the ENTIRE VEHICLE including headlights. Install XPEL Stealth Satin paint protection to the grille. Apply XPEL Fusion Plus ceramic coating to all painted surfaces including wheel faces.

Food for thought: The XPEL Fusion Plus is the lower-grade ceramic coating that comes with a 4-year warranty. The Opti-Coat Pro Plus is the premium ceramic coating that comes with a 7-year warranty.

Option #2 is $282 more than Option #1, but I don't get full PPF on the fenders and hood. With Option #1, I get more PPF film but get inferior ceramic pro coating.

Either way, I'm considering removing the "BADLANDS" decal on the fenders to make room for "Bronco" badges of some kind down the road. I'm leaning towards Archetype Racing's Badlands Sasquatch BRONCO badges in satin finish (to match the bucking bronco emblem on the tailgate).

Below is a photo of what Option #2 would entail, PPF-wise. The yellow line represents where the film would be placed. Option #1 would expand PPF coverage over the entire hood and both fenders, but would involve the lower-grade ceramic coating. I have not received a quote for the full wrap, or partial wrap with premium ceramic coating.

All comments and questions are welcome. If you've read this much, I'm going to buy you a beer and/or a shot. :geek:

2023 Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch • 2-Door • Velocity Blue • 2.7L V6 • 10-Speed • Lux • Various Mods...
"True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future." - SENECA

MobScene13, BroncoFred

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Jan 25, 2023

While you wait to decide maybe try this wax. $9. I am very happy my truck just glows and resists water dust and dirt.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Cle...1-1-5985efba-8948-4f09-9122-d605505c9d1e&th=1

Let us know what you decide, I am contemplating getting professional ceramic too.

2022 Bronco 2dr Basesquatch 2.7
Carbonized Grey Mod Bumper Rock rails Brush guard Hitch Pod lights Black bead locks KMA-367

BroncoFred, Pyckse

Jan 25, 2023

I love Meguiar's products, @Nminus1. I always keep a bottle of their quick detail spray in my trunk, along with a microfiber towel just in case I've got to remove bird droppings and other contaminants.

One of the reasons I'm opting for the coatings, films, etc., is that I don't have ready access to a hose or a place to wash my car. The ceramic coatings not only give you a great shine, but their hydrophobic properties reduce dust and pollen accumulation. This keeps your car looking cleaner for a longer period of time so you don't have to wash it as often. Trust me, I'm a big fan of doing my own maintenance. I could easily spend hours on vehicle maintenance and consider it time well-spent.

I want to give the Bronco a good start, by removing the soot and rail dust from the clear coat and creating a barrier to all of the other contaminants that are common in a big city. That, and the PPF is a physical barrier that may spare the finish a lot of thrashing on the trail. And make no mistake, this puppy is going to be going down a lot of narrow brush-lined trails!

Laura

Jan 25, 2023

Your plan has the ceramic coating going under the PPF. This is unusual today, most any application I see where both PPF and ceramic are in use the ceramic is applied OVER the PPF. You still want to do the paint prep work you laid out *then* put on the PPF *then* apply the ceramic. Might add a rust removal step prior to the clay, something like Adams Iron Removal. "Back in the day" part of the reason we clayed was to pull the iron ("rail dust") out before the serious polishing began. Now there's a spray bottle that "melts" it into liquid that you just hose off!

MobScene13, BuckYeah

Jan 25, 2023

Personally I'd save the money on the ceramic coating. When I had estimates done it was around $1800 for ceramic coating. That's paint correction and two coats. Guaranteed for 4 years. PPF was a little under $3k for the hood, fenders, windshield frame, doors, quarters, and rockers. Didn't feel the need to do the tailgate. That comes with a 10 year nationwide warranty. Thing is ceramic coating will not protect against scratches. PPF will and is self healing.

timhood, Deano Bronc

Jan 25, 2023

my thoughts - for what it's worth -

I've never been a fan of the partial PPF on panels - you can always see the line and it looks to me like someone cut the paint with a razor or something until I realize it's the edge of the film... and just doing the bottom of the doors and front of the hood is only going to provide a little bit of protection, to be honest.. I've already got scratches higher than what you've got indicated on the doors and higher than what you have indicated on the hood (they'll buff out). In my opinion and limited experience, ceramic coating will not provide any real protection against scratches - so it's more of a way to keep the paint looking 'shiny' and help water bead off of it, but if a thorny branch comes down the side of your rig, it's not gonna help. regarding wheels - I wouldn't pay to have them coated... chances are, they're gonna get gouged up and scratched on trail drives - it's not worth the cost there either. if anything, I'd look into getting PPF done on your entire hood, both front fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels - full coverage. You can skip the tailgate because the chances of that getting scratched are slim, and it's one of the more complex areas to wrap, so that'll be a cost savings if you skip that, and you can probably skip the windshield frame too.

hope this helps!

Reservation: 7/20/20 | MY '21 order: 2/1/21 | MY '22 order: 10/22/21 | Blend 8/5, built 8/8, 'built' status 8/27, in my driveway 10/12/22
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timhood, AuerGang

Jan 25, 2023

Karl_in_Chicago
Your plan has the ceramic coating going under the PPF. This is unusual today, most any application I see where both PPF and ceramic are in use the ceramic is applied OVER the PPF. You still want to do the paint prep work you laid out *then* put on the PPF *then* apply the ceramic. Might add a rust removal step prior to the clay, something like Adams Iron Removal. "Back in the day" part of the reason we clayed was to pull the iron ("rail dust") out before the serious polishing began. Now there's a spray bottle that "melts" it into liquid that you just hose off!

Nope, they're applying the ceramic coating over the PPF. I must have worded the descriptions improperly. Thanks for the recommendations. I appreciate your input. I will convey what you said to the provider when the time comes. Now all I've got to do is get it scheduled for whichever configuration I decide to get!

Karl_in_Chicago

Jan 25, 2023

@Calgecko your opinion means A LOT, believe me! Your real-world experience translates to some insightful commentary and I appreciate it, and I welcome your input. I have thought of a full-vehicle wrap but it may be out of my budget. Still, I get what you're saying about seeing "the line." I wonder if my OCD would make it unbearable. LOL

My Buddhist leanings remind me that nothing lasts. Impermanence is in our nature, and in everything else in the world. With that said, I don't see anything wrong with taking sensible, practicable precautions to preserve its appearance for as long as possible. So long as it's not going to break the bank!

I guess "something" is always better than "nothing," the only question is "How much 'something' can I afford?" The other thing I'm concerned about is what will happen if I decide to add stripes or vinyl graphics to parts that have been coated and/or covered with film. Another wrinkle to obsess over... 😜

AuerGang, EGBronc

Jan 25, 2023

Spend the extra money and get the full PPF on all exposed painted surfaces, along with the ExoShield. You will be glad you did

Deano Bronc, Pyckse

Jan 25, 2023

TK1215
Spend the extra money and get the full PPF on all exposed painted surfaces, along with the ExoShield. You will be glad you did

Ugh. I know you're a believer, Tim. And with good reason. Your wrap is AWESOME! But you're asking me to use a (shudder) credit card to pay for the difference! 😫

I was hoping to avoid that.

Deano Bronc, BroncoFred

Jan 25, 2023

#10

BuckYeah
I've got a choice to make, so naturally, I'm creating a poll to see what the hive mind here would choose...

Option #1: Hand wash, clay bar, single-stage machine polish, and apply XPEL Fusion Plus ceramic coating to all painted surfaces including wheel faces. Installation of Exo-Shield film to the windshield. Install FULL coverage XPEL Ultimate Plus clear PPF to both rocker panels, complete fenders, complete hood, lower doors, and the areas before and after the doors.

Option #2: Hand wash, clay bar, single-stage machine polish, and apply Opti-Coat Pro Plus ceramic coating to all painted surfaces including wheel faces. Installation of Exo-Shield film to the windshield. Install FULL coverage XPEL Ultimate Plus clear PPF to both rocker panels, PARTIAL leading impact areas of both fenders and leading impact areas of hood, lower doors, and the areas before and after the doors.

Food for thought: The XPEL Fusion Plus is the lower-grade ceramic coating that comes with a 4-year warranty. The Opti-Coat Pro Plus is the premium ceramic coating that comes with a 7-year warranty.

Option #2 is $282 more than Option #1, but I don't get full PPF on the fenders and hood. With Option #1, I get more PPF film but get inferior ceramic pro coating.

Either way, I'm considering removing the "BADLANDS" decal on the fenders to make room for "Bronco" badges of some kind down the road. I'm leaning towards Archetype Racing's Badlands Sasquatch BRONCO badges in satin finish (to match the bucking bronco emblem on the tailgate).

Below is a photo of what Option #2 would entail, PPF-wise. The yellow line represents where the film would be placed. Option #1 would expand PPF coverage over the entire hood and both fenders, but would involve the lower-grade ceramic coating. I have not received a quote for the full wrap, or partial wrap with premium ceramic coating.

All comments and questions are welcome. If you've read this much, I'm going to buy you a beer and/or a shot. :geek:

I have the Opticoat ceramic coating on a 356 I recently restored… great protection depending on the prep (color sanding and polishing)…
Nothing sticks to it. Dirt and elements literally blow right off…

However, you do need to know … ceramic coatings are FAR from immune to rock chips….
They do harden/strengthen the paint surface… but rock chips are still a cruel reality…

On my bronco I did PPF the front hood fenders lights (similar to what you are doing) and I also bought PPF for the windshield….

To keep rock chips off the rockers and doors I run rock sliders and a front mud flap….

At some point … I will have to come to the conclusion that it is a truck and will get nicks and rock chips… as painful as this is, I too am guilty keeping my new bronco perfect!
Glad to see I’m not alone😁!

TK1215, EGBronc

Jan 25, 2023

#11

I appreciate your input, @Tahotrvlr and I get what you're saying about the protective characteristics (or lack thereof) of the ceramic coating in and of itself. I had ceramic coating applied to my 2019 Dodge Challenger and it looked amazing, but I'm sure if you looked closely, you could probably pick out a couple of rock chips on the snout.

I have pesky questions about PPF, some of which I may have to ask the provider. Among them are:

Is ceramic coating even necessary if you are applying a full-body wrap?
Why do they apply ceramic coating over PPF? Aren't you essentially adding a second clear coat to a piece of film and not the finish itself?
If I decide to add a vinyl graphic anywhere the film is applied, do I apply the graphic to the PPF or have them remove the PPF for me to apply the graphic directly to the finish?
The same question applies to adding emblems.
How are nicks and tears in the PPF repaired? How "self-healing" are they really?

Jan 25, 2023

#12

Everyone's personal preference is different, so really it comes down to what you want. I didn't even consider ceramic coating because of my past experience with PPF, which has been incredibly positive. Plus, I just couldn't justify the price difference.

I didn't go to the extent of doing the entire body of the Bronco, maybe in the future, but I opted for the entire front end package. Full hood, fenders, under the grill, A-pillars and headlights and it ran me $900. The place I went asked in advance if I planned to ever take the factory emblems off, so I assume if I had said yes they'd either cut around them or remove them for me. For adding in the future personally I would just put it over the PPF just because if/when the PPF wears out and is needing replaced, the vinyl and emblems are more than likely overdue for replacement as well. I do not think it would be easy to remove anything from the PPF while it is still on the car without damaging the integrity of it.

I will stress that if you go with PPF be sure they wrap it around the lip of the hood. I had one done on a past car that did not have it wrapped and got a lot of chips in that area. I live in N Nevada where they sand/gravel the roads in the winter, no salt, so all our cars always had this type of damage and it was really important to me that this was prevented as much as possible. As for nicks and tears, the last car I had PPF done on I never experienced any nicks or tears so I can't speak on the self-healing aspect of it. My Bronco's PPF is still curing in the garage and I refuse to take it out in the weather we have been having until its set.

timhood, Deano Bronc

Jan 25, 2023

#13

BuckYeah
I appreciate your input, @Tahotrvlr and I get what you're saying about the protective characteristics (or lack thereof) of the ceramic coating in and of itself. I had ceramic coating applied to my 2019 Dodge Challenger and it looked amazing, but I'm sure if you looked closely, you could probably pick out a couple of rock chips on the snout.

I have pesky questions about PPF, some of which I may have to ask the provider. Among them are:

Is ceramic coating even necessary if you are applying a full-body wrap?

Why do they apply ceramic coating over PPF? Aren't you essentially adding a second clear coat to a piece of film and not the finish itself?

If I decide to add a vinyl graphic anywhere the film is applied, do I apply the graphic to the PPF or have them remove the PPF for me to apply the graphic directly to the finish?

The same question applies to adding emblems.

How are nicks and tears in the PPF repaired? How "self-healing" are they really?

My PPF guy uses a modern PPF that already has a ceramic coating on the film… (at least that is what he told me).

So it does makes sense to ceramic coat the PPF after it is installed…

I’ve heard of people ceramic coating their windshields, wheels, etc.
It’s a surface tension thing… “nothing sticks”.

One can see why attempting to install PPF or decals on top of a ceramic coated surface would not be a good idea. Again, “nothing sticks” to it.

As far as self healing… can’t really give any input on that subject.

Hope this helps!

GinaMarie1968, BuckYeah

Jan 25, 2023

#14

Tahotrvlr
My PPF guy uses a modern PPF that already has a ceramic coating on the film… (at least that is what he told me).

So it does makes sense to ceramic coat the PPF after it is installed…

I’ve heard of people ceramic coating their windshields, wheels, etc.
It’s a surface tension thing… “nothing sticks”.

One can see why attempting to install PPF or decals on top of a ceramic coated surface would not be a good idea. Again, “nothing sticks” to it.

As far as self healing… can’t really give any input on that subject.

Hope this helps!

Everything helps! Thanks again, @Tahotrvlr I appreciate your sharing.

@namnori I appreciate your perspective as well. Invaluable experiences, all!

I sent an email with the questions I listed above to the installer. It should be interesting to see what they say. They may be regretting trying to earn my business. 😝

Jan 25, 2023

#15

BuckYeah
Ugh. I know you're a believer, Tim. And with good reason. Your wrap is AWESOME! But you're asking me to use a (shudder) credit card to pay for the difference! 😫

I was hoping to avoid that.

I wish I could fork over the cash for full PPF. I mean, I could, just sooo expensive

2023 Bronco,Black Diamond 🏴‍☠️ Velocity Blue 🟦, 4Door, SAS, MIC, Mid, 2.7m, Orig Order: 9/10/21 Blend Date: 11/30/22. Built: 12/02, Shipped 12/4, Arrived at dealer on 12/23, Took possession on 12/30/22!!! 476 Days after ordering.
Goodyear, AZ 🌵🔆

EGBronc, Deano Bronc

Jan 25, 2023

#16

Just another thought.
I am planning on letting my Bronco grow old gracefully. I might do a DIY ceramic coat, just to help with the dirt. I live down a dirt road, so rock chips are already happening and after our outing at Katemcy I have some pinstriping. I think I will go this route to help with that https://www.mekmagnet.com/collectio...-armor-bronco-4d-ugly-sweater-holiday-edition

Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery

BuckYeah

Jan 25, 2023

#17

Jakob1972
Just another thought.
I am planning on letting my Bronco grow old gracefully. I might do a DIY ceramic coat, just to help with the dirt. I live down a dirt road, so rock chips are already happening and after our outing at Katemcy I have some pinstriping. I think I will go this route to help with that https://www.mekmagnet.com/collectio...-armor-bronco-4d-ugly-sweater-holiday-edition

@Jakob1972 , i was thinking perhaps the same thing…. At $6000 for a full body wrap you could almost repaint the vehicle… though I really do like the look of a matte wrap on Area51 (which is my color)…

Riding OB1, 23 4- door Outer Banks, SAS, MOD, MIC, Lux, Ordered 10/20/22, delivered 1/13/23

GinaMarie1968, Jakob1972

Jan 25, 2023

#18

After getting quotes for full PPF and ceramic that I just couldn't fathom I ended up doing my hood myself using Suntek Reaction. It was a precut kit I got from a guy in CA. He told me the hood was the toughest section and it turned out better than I expected. I was gauging the difficulty to see if I wanted to spend the money and time to do the whole vehicle myself. Or at least the front and sides (to prevent pinstripes). It would end up costing a bit over 2K plus my time. I had done small sections of PPF before so this was a test of my abilities. I'll give myself a B. I figured if I really messed up I can always pull it off. I haven't moved on to other sections yet. As many have pointed out you're getting real close to the cost of a paint job with some of this, especially having it installed. If I was to do more I'd still do it myself. but I'm a DIY type of guy. If anyone wants details on the precut kits let me know.

STL, IG: MyDogsBronco
Oxford White Badlands, 2.7, Sasquatch, SoftTop, Tow, Lux
Ordered: April 28, 2021; Vin received: 10/1; Bronco Off Rodeo: New Hampshire 10/6; Production Date: 12/9; Delivered 2/1

BuckYeah

Jan 25, 2023

#19

Yeah, a full wrap wasn’t even on the table until this morning. (Thanks, @TK1215!) Still, since I’m the one that’s gotta live with it, I will give it all due consideration. I could also, hear me out on this, adopt the true minimalist approach and just pay for a thorough clay barring and waxing. That is what I’m prepared to do in the very least. My only concern is how much paint correction and repair will have to be performed say a year from now, if I decide to spring for a wrap and/or ceramic coating?

Jakob1972

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