I believe everyone would like their new vehicle to look brand new for as long as possible, but this can be difficult. We experience tree sap, road tar, bird droppings, rocks and even industrial fallout creates havoc on our rides. This is why paint protection is so important.
This brings up the question, is paint protection worth it? The expense to respray a car’s paint work or to fix small imperfections is very costly. One panel is typically more than the cost of the paint protection. Then you may have stripping first which will cost even more. We also must not forget the matching the paint issues. What it basically it comes down to paint prevention is a far better option.
Products not as Protective
Now what kind of paint protection should we use to protect our automotive paint from obstacles, minor scratches and UV exposure?
Does an over-the-counter car wax or a paint sealant hold a candle to ceramic coating or paint protection film? Which one makes a car wash easier?
To start with, car wax, paint sealant, and synthetic hybrid wax sealant products are not a good option for protection solutions (not when today we have paint protection film and professional ceramic coatings).
We will explain why the professional ceramic coating and/or paint protection film, like a clear bra gives auto owners the best bang for their buck when it comes to which type of paint protection is best for you.
How Should You Prep for Paint Protection Products?
The most important factor to consider when choosing the best product to protect your auto is the condition of your vehicle. With your new car, truck, or SUV, it’s likely that the paint, plastic trim, grille, and other parts are not faded, scratched, or have damage. Lucky for you your choices are unlimited in the paint protection options you can use.
However, if your car is older than a year, it’s possible that there are some visible paint issues, light scratches, and faded paint that may exist. If the exterior of your auto is showing signs of damage, it’s always best to have a professional detailer fix it for you.
Does the Car Need Polishing Before Applying Paint Protection?
The best way to remove visible, yet minor damage like swirl marks, marring, or other paint imperfections on the clear coat is by polishing. This process is known as paint correction (according to auto detailing experts). This is buffing out the imperfections that are etched in the clear coat of paint. Some of the common issues that are removed by paint correction include:
Swirl Marks:
In the sunlight you may notice on the paint surface some fine scratches or swirl marks. This is usually caused by washing or drying material (like wash cloths, towels, or other materials) on the vehicle. They can have tiny dust particles or other debris on them. These scratches are usually in the topcoat and can be easy to remove with polishing, deeper ones will need to be buffed.
Stains:
Sometimes natural contaminants (https://www.mangataautopros.ca/post/how-to-remove-the-five-most-common-car-stains) like bug splatter (acidic), tree sap, or bird droppings can cause staining on the clear coat. This is due to the acidic nature of these derivatives. If these contaminants are not removed within a few days, the damage will start.
Light oxidation:
If the vehicle is a few years old, it’s possible that the clear coat has begun to oxidize. This is caused by the exposure of UV rays, acid rain, and other natural elements. Paint correction can repair this damage depending on the level of damage and the thickness of the clear coat.
Three important questions when looking for the best paint protection products to maintain the beauty of your car
Question #1 – How Long Will I Keep My Car?
We all have different preferences on how long we keep our vehicles before trading it in. The length of time you keep your vehicle is an important question to consider when deciding how to protect it or how much protection you need, especially when it comes to the resale value.
If you’re going to trade in your car, truck, or SUV in a few years, it might be better to look for a paint protection solution that will hold up for a few years’ vs a few months or a lifetime of protection.
You will see the best paint protection options based on the time you would like it warrantied.
Ceramic Pro 2 Year Warranty
7H – This is the entry-point for superior paint protection provided by a nano ceramic coating. This is a top coat which allows the surface to stay cleaner longer as dirt and grime will not stick to it. The super hydrophobic effect of the coating will cause water to bead up and roll of the surface along with any dirt and grime. This top coat also enhances gloss depth further on all painted surfaces for that wet look that is often hard to attain with synthetic waxes.
Ceramic Pro 5 Year Warranty
This is the 9H and 7H coatings
9H– is the top of the line coating. Ceramic Pro 9H forms a permanent bond with the surface and will not wash off or break down. It is a highly durable coating that protects your pain from the damaging contaminants. Adding layers you can extend a warranty up to 10 years. Reapplications later can extend your warranty to a lifetime.
That is the value for investing in a professional-grade ceramic paint protection product.
PPF Paint Protection – with 3 Year, 5 Year and 10 Year films
Paint protection film is a contemporary sensation. It’s a thin but exceptionally durable polyurethane film. It has an ultimate layer of protection from damage caused by small rocks, gravel, asphalt, tree branches and other debris. It also protects your clear coat against chemicals, UV exposure and acid. If your vehicle’s paint is impacted by road debris, it can save you thousands of dollars in autobody repair.
You can choose to customize parts of your vehicle, pick a package deal or do the complete auto. Some of these films have a self-healing agent about them that with the sun or heat it will repair light scratches. Make sure you are getting a film that is warrantied against yellowing or discoloration. The Llumar Valor PPF not only offers a 12-year warranty but also adds a ceramic-style finish in a single product with an ultra-glossy finish that repels so much dirt and water, it practically cleans itself—that’s called hydrophobicity.
Question #2 – Am I Protecting a Collectable Car?
If you’ve recently purchased your dream car or completed a restoration on a rare find. You should be interested in preserving it as much as possible because of the time and money you have invested. It is time to invest in a paint protection solution so that you will reduce the potential of scratching and block road debris from causing larger scratches. You need PPF Paint Protection.
Plus, PPF is engineered to last a long time – up to 12 years depending on the film you choose. However, if you’re looking for a lifetime of protection, add the Ceramic Pro 9H ceramic coating Gold Package on top of the paint protection film – to give your collectable or valuable auto the ultimate armor of protection.
Question #3 – What if I Want to Do It Myself?
For those who prefer do-it-yourself paint protection options, the options are endless. When you search online for the best paint protection options, you’ll find a ton of articles that talk about how great DIY nano ceramic coatings are. Well, I can tell you without any hesitation or reservation that it’s more paid hype than reality.
Here is the insider information on it:
There are several websites that provide “open and honest third-party reviews” on consumer car care products. Some of them are genuine – but not all. Many of these websites or blogs get paid by either of the following two ways:
First – they get paid by DIY ceramic coating manufacturers for high-ranking websites. These articles are usually written by the manufacturer and sent to the third-party review website, which are simply posted the article.
Second – they get paid through Amazon affiliate marketing programs. This is common throughout eCommerce. The blog or individual will set up an affiliate program, find products that are popular, promote them as “the best DIY Paint Protection” with a link to buy it through their website. Sometimes they offer a promo code to take advantage of a special discount.
The fact is most DIY ceramic coatings are formulated uniquely. They have different criteria for application, and often promote claims they simply don’t back with a warranty. That makes comparing them nearly impossible. If you make a mistake on installation with these DIY nano coatings, you’ll likely spend more money on removing them from the painted surface.
In Conclusion – The Best Paint Protection Option for Cars
The key is to make an informed decision by speaking with a professional auto spa near you to ask them what they would use on their own auto. Plus, what they recommend for your specific application.
The one thing that everyone can agree on is that shopping around to have paint protection applied outside the dealership network will be a huge benefit to you. There are many quality detailers who will be able to apply your paint protection significantly cheaper than the dealership will.
In the end you will get a well-protected vehicle that will look great for many years. You’ll also save yourself money in doing so.
Here is a 2004 Yukon looking brand new still.
2004 Yukon with Ceramic Pro
