Paint protection film or Ceramic coating (or both?)

[BogBeast]

I am taking delivery of my first new car for a long time. I am planning to keep it, so I want to try and maintain the bodywork. I am not big on detailing/washing cars obsessively and certainly not spending huge amounts of money on wrapping it in cotton wool.

I have kinda come down to ceramic coating and paint protection film.

I don't think I have the budget for a full car film so it will just be for the front. It will be a dark blue car

I would be grateful to anyone that can share their experiences

> Film - Are there any systems that stand head and shoulders above the rest?
> Film - I realise that there will be a transition if the film is applied to half a wing. Is that noticeable? Do people that have done this regret it; wishing they had gone the whole panel?
> Ceramic - I realize that ceramic will never protect as much as a film, but are there products that can provide a level of impact protection?

Am I better going for a full treatment of ceramic, a film for the front & professional ceramic for the rest or a film for the front and DIY ceramic (or another similar system)

Ultimately, I guess, I am hoping there is somebody out there who has tried both or a combination of systems and will give me the benefit of their experience....

I am in Oxford, I would want to be spending 3 figures rather than four.... Any recommendations for a detailer that could do the job much appreciated...

thx for any advice...

[Obi Wan]

No experience but from numerous youtube vids and forum posts is that ceramic coating offers no protection at all. It only helps protects against swirls and makes general cleaning easier. A lot of people go for film with a ceramic coating applied on top. Personally if I were you I go for film.

[scratcher_]

Paint protection film is the only real impact protection. Ceramics can help to a degree with their sickness but stome chips will build up.

With the PPF, SunTek and Xpel are the brands youd want to go for.
Cost wise, a front end installation will be around £1,200 and up depending on the car.

I'd recommend having the ceramic coating applied professionally.
The paintwork will need to be machine polished first, then the coating should be applied in a controlled environment to ensure it goes on and cures properly.
A new car protection package with a coating should fit within the 3 figure budget

[largelunchbox]

No experience with ceramic but I did go for full Car ppf from expel, I had the door mirrors removed and door cards so the film was seamless around the mirrors, in hind sight I wish I’d not bothered coz were you can see the edges showing it’s no big deal and you can hardly notice it. Not sure what car you have but if going for front end only I would try and get the seams to finish on any swage lines or if funds allow full wings and bonnet. I can’t recommend the firm that fitted mine as I’m not happy with some of it, not the product just the fitting. I like cleaning my car but I don’t like having to be so careful about it and worried about scratches and swirl marks so now with the ppf it’s a doddle to clean without worrying about the paint work.

[BogBeast]

Thanks all for replies.

So its Xpel or SunTek - currently disappearing down the internet rabbit hole trying to decide between the two. Its seems that Xpel ultimate plus in the new Suntek...

I have found Auto Wax Works in Bicester that is an authorised installer for Xpel - has anyone had any experience of them ?

I am having trouble finding authorised installer list for Suntek