TEFLON VS CERAMIC VS PAINT PROTECTION FILM: WHICH ONE IS THE BEST?
Your car is a reflection of yourself. Even an extension you could say and when such an important part of your life comes from the stock market you wouldn’t want it to sustain scratches and damage so easily would you?
A fresh new car has a simple paint job already done which is not necessarily bad but if you’re looking to keep your car around for a long time, then the ordinary paint it came with may not cut the bill.
If you want your car to sustain that fresh sleek look it had when it first arrived, then you need more than just pain. You need a protective coating or protection film that can provide your car with the durability and protection that it needs from external elements such as rust, corrosion, rain, etc.
But how do you choose the ONE for your car? Each coating has a different base compound and functioning to it, and to make an informed decision it is important to know about how coating works and in what way Teflon, Ceramic and PPF are different from each other.
TEFLON COATING
Teflon is the product name of the compound Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE). It is a hydrophobic compound which makes it suitable to be used as a protective coating to help with water resistance and rusting.
It Helps Against-
Though it does have hydrophobic properties, the main selling point of teflon is that it counters against the rusting as well as wear and tear of paint at high temperatures.
Another benefit is that unlike the other two coatings, it can also be applied to the underbody of the car which is what takes the most beating and provides protection from the slush and dirt that builds up in the underbody which are what cause damage and rusting in the long run.
It’s Application-
Teflon coating is not as complex as the other two and is fairly easy, it only involves the following steps:-
Cleaning the car with a pH neutral solution.
The car is polished and a teflon coating even allows it to retain its glossy look.
Teflon comes in a small bottle which is then applied onto the car. It smells horrible, but does go away when it dries up. Excess is cleaned off and now your car has teflon coating on it.
DIY or Professional?
As mentioned before, teflon coating is fairly easy to apply and can definitely be done at home without the need of a professional around. It’s pretty similar to just waxing your car, just make sure that you don’t get it into any moving parts or your car could really take some real damage, potentially killing it. Also, try to do it in an enclosed or sheltered place so that any dirt or dust doesn’t get on it as you apply the coating on your car.
Worth It?
If you’re looking for a cheap and short-term mid-range protection, then it’s fine to go with teflon otherwise it’s better to go with one of the other two.
Sure, it protects against rust and corrosion which is a major plus and it’s way cheaper than the rest but that’s about it.
It comes with the lowest price range and does half the job of what the other two can do.
CERAMIC COATING
It is a layer applied that is above your car paint that, pretty similar to a teflon coating but comes with a whole different set of application steps and procedures. It comes in a small 30 ml bottle, and yes, 30 ml is enough to cover your entire car.
It Helps Against-
Ceramic coating is hydrophobic so it comes with obvious water resistance along with the added benefits of UV protection, chemical resistance, durable enough to avoid scratches, makes sure that extreme heat doesn’t peel or scrap the paint off and is also anti-graffiti as the paint can be easily cleaned off.
When we speak of easy-cleaning, another thing that ceramic coating does is that you will never have to go through the hassle of cleaning and washing your car once you have applied it. This is a bit of an exaggeration but still true to an extent since it has no water retention which makes it easier to clean.
Its Application-
Ceramic coating employs quite a few steps and a lot of time which is why its cost can really pinch your budget a bit. It goes through the following before the actual coating is applied.
A deep and thorough car wash that cleans your car from top to bottom with no place left unclean since the ceramic coating would end up locking even the dust and dirt in place making them stick in there forever. A pH balanced soap is used to avoid your paint being eater up.
Paint decontamination to dissolve any and all impurities left behind such as iron particles and tar. The product is applied for a period of 5-10 minutes after which it is sprayed off and the car is once again lubricated with soap and rubbed off with clay for the final clean up.
Dent correction is done to fix all the dents in your car. It takes quite some time and is an optional step. If you’re car is still new or doesn’t have any dents then you can just skip on this step.
The next step is buffing the car which is a pretty long procedure as the work is done on a 2×2 surface for perfection. It is also the most demanding and involves the use of heavy compounds that generate a lot of heat and that need proper performance and concentration or it could burn off your paint.
Polishing comes next, which is also done on a 2×2 grid but it can be a bit more relaxed since it doesn’t generate that much heat.
Last is finally the ceramic coating application. This last step is not that complex per say, you just need to apply the coating all over and you’re done. It can be pretty time consuming but has a low margin of error.
DIY or Professional?
You can do ceramic coating at home to cut costs but it is definitely not recommended since you won’t have the necessary equipment available,nor will you be able to achieve the finishing touch of a professional.
If you still insist on getting it done by yourself then at least someone with experience overseeing you.
Worth It?
Now that we’ve gone through all the benefits and steps of ceramic coating application, you should get an idea on why it costs so much. Also, if applied properly it could even last you a lifetime, though you can always opt for semi-permanent coatings.
When it comes to the different types of coatings (not films) ceramic coating definitely trumps above them all which is what makes it the most durable and most expensive among coatings. With the added benefit of a glossy shine, it would be safe to say that it is indeed worth the penny.
PAINT PROTECTION FILM (PPF)
Paint Protection Film is made up of four layers of varying compounds and applied as a sort of saran wrap covering the length of your car. It is built more for protection than the aesthetic aspect, not saying that your car will look worse after its application but a PPF will not give you the same glossy shiny look that a ceramic coating offers.
It is not a liquid that is rubbed on but is a specially made film that is wrapped all over the car.
It Helps Against-
PPF is considered to be very durable and is able to withstand a lot of damage which makes it one of the strongest ones out there. It can protect your car from quite a lot of damage varying from scratches to pebbles and rocks to acid rain.
Not only that but it also comes with UV protection to stop your car paint from damaging faster.
The best feature would be the fact that it is actually self-healing. Yes, that’s right, unless the PPF has been torn, it will heal everything that it sustains. So you can say goodbye to scratches and pesky graffiti with PPF.
Its Application-
Since it does not come in a bottle according to the car dimensions but is available as a roll instead, it’s application is pretty different from the other two.
The first step involves cleaning the car thoroughly with soap and water. After which clay cleaning is done.
To make the PPF fit onto the car, the car is first designed on a software panel by panel and is then cut by a special printer.
The car is once again sprayed on with a mix of soap and water after which the film is applied on top but it is not sealed off. A mixture of alcohol is used to clean off the remaining soap and water and the film is then attached firmly to not leave any gaps and you’re done.
DIY or Professional?
No question about it, it has to be done by a professional. You can’t get the equipment you need readily available and you also need some technical know-how to present a graphic imaging of the car first. All the steps involved in it require at least some sort of experience, especially the last step which is really time and work intensive.
You will need professional help around if you want to get it perfect or it won’t work.
Worth It?
It involves fewer steps than a ceramic coating but is certainly worth the costs and efforts that go into its application. It is also offers the most protection out of them all which adds on to its costs and appeal.
END THOUGHTS
All the three types have varying compositions and meet at crossroads from time to time based on their function and performance.
But with well done research and thorough planning, it is ultimately your call to decide on which coating or film works best for your car.
If you’re still confused over what to do you can always reach out to car service providers and professionals for a quote or consultation.
