PPF and/or ceramic protection

JimmyAZ392 · Jun 20, 2021

Has anyone applied PPF or Ceramic coating to protect paint?
Particularly from Arizona desert pinstripes!
Curious which you chose and why? Also I’ve read the combination of the two works best. Thoughts?

byhumba · Jun 20, 2021

I vote for combination of both. If I had to pick only one option, I would pick ceramic since it's durable and gives a beautiful shine.

cgr · Jun 20, 2021

I have done the xpel stealth on another vehicle and love the look. But...they have to take all emblems and door handles off to properly install, and I just can't do it at this point. It is a great way to get a satin/matte look without new paint. It is also self-healing. The downside is, depending on color, you will notice bubbles and potentially have to make multiple trips to have corrected. Love the look, but want to make sure you have both sides.

5jeeplife · Jun 20, 2021

JimmyAZ392 said:
Has anyone applied PPF or Ceramic coating to protect paint?
Particularly from Arizona desert pinstripes!
Curious which you chose and why? Also I’ve read the combination of the two works best. Thoughts?

Mine is being done this week I let you know my thought making a video of it also so you can see the difference

Ward · Jun 23, 2021

JimmyAZ392 said:
Has anyone applied PPF or Ceramic coating to protect paint?
Particularly from Arizona desert pinstripes!
Curious which you chose and why? Also I’ve read the combination of the two works best. Thoughts?

I have had the 3M protective film applied to both my JK Hard Rock and my JKU Recon with wonderful results. I only did the front end because most of the damage comes for semi's and speed demons on the highways. I am thinking of doing the full front and sides of my 392 when it arrives. Looking for a dealer to apply now.

rbarton · Jun 23, 2021

I put a 2 part ceramic coat on my black 392 from John's 360 coatings.

I messed up the good so I had to buff it off and wanted to try another product so I put the R1 coating back onto the hood and fenders.

I think the hardness of the coating helps protect agains fine scratches in the paint. It is very hydrophobic, water just runs off. It still gets dirty but is easier to clean at the end of the day.

I feel the ceramic coatings are also like suncreen for our skin. They reduce damage over time by UV exposure.

I have never used the clear wrap products.

spyder625 · Jun 23, 2021

ceramic coating for sure,, the best you can use.. xpel can be great as well but a pain later to remove etc with decals

606Rubi392 · Jun 23, 2021

I have a PPF quote for full coverage at $12K. I did my sports car, but will not be PPF'ing the 392. Probably will ceramic coat it.

LEATHERFACE · Jun 23, 2021

I had CeramicPro on both my 16 Challenger SRT and my 17 Wrangler. Very good product and helped with scratches, chips as well as cleaning. However, on the cleaning thing you can't just take to to a carwash as to will ruin the coating so if you dont have the time to properly take care of it I wouldn't recommend. Cant really comment on any PPF other then I had xpel on my motorcycle and it did a great job protecting the paint.

Guest284 · Jun 24, 2021

I'm having mine done at a place in Houston. I'm doing PPF for front and framing around windshield to prevent paint chips. Ceramic everywhere else for the deep shine and UV protect.

Guest284 · Jun 24, 2021

LEATHERFACE said:
I had CeramicPro on both my 16 Challenger SRT and my 17 Wrangler. Very good product and helped with scratches, chips as well as cleaning. However, on the cleaning thing you can't just take to to a carwash as to will ruin the coating so if you dont have the time to properly take care of it I wouldn't recommend. Cant really comment on any PPF other then I had xpel on my motorcycle and it did a great job protecting the paint.

Did you do Ceramic Pro Houston. I have estimate from them. Just waiting for delivery so I can drive it to them.

LEATHERFACE · Jun 25, 2021

Hydro blue 392 said:
Did you do Ceramic Pro Houston. I have estimate from them. Just waiting for delivery so I can drive it to them.

Negative, this was back when I was in NY.

GA392 · Jun 25, 2021

Has anyone gotten a quote to use Xpel on just the grill, hood and fenders? Just curious as to the cost. Thanks!

LEATHERFACE · Jun 25, 2021

My motorcycle cost about 500$. Judging by the surface area I would say you're looking at least 1k.

GA392 · Jun 25, 2021

LEATHERFACE said:
My motorcycle cost about 500$. Judging by the surface area I would say you're looking at least 1k.

Thanks! I was guessing it would be over $1K

rbarton · Jun 26, 2021

LEATHERFACE said:
I had CeramicPro on both my 16 Challenger SRT and my 17 Wrangler. Very good product and helped with scratches, chips as well as cleaning. However, on the cleaning thing you can't just take to to a carwash as to will ruin the coating so if you dont have the time to properly take care of it I wouldn't recommend. Cant really comment on any PPF other then I had xpel on my motorcycle and it did a great job protecting the paint.

These coatings are really easy to apply. I did mine myself for $150 bucks and it looks amazing.

It's the prep that is time consuming but if you have a brand new car that is negligible. Whatever you apply the ceramic coat over is what you will see.

I put the coat on my vehicle and run it through a carwash. I have been watching it and the scratches in my opinion seem to be very minimal. I hate having a dirty car (and she's black), I hate having to pull all the equipment out at my house to wash her and I hate scratches in the paint. Not a good combination of dislikes for sure as they all compete against each other. SOLUTION: Ceramic coating that is hydrophobic and scratch resistant.

Because it is so easy to apply, just reapply it as often as necessary. Even if is every couple of years. That's my plan.

DavyBoy · Jun 26, 2021

rbarton said:
These coatings are really easy to apply. I did mine myself for $150 bucks and it looks amazing.

It's the prep that is time consuming but if you have a brand new car that is negligible. Whatever you apply the ceramic coat over is what you will see.

I put the coat on my vehicle and run it through a carwash. I have been watching it and the scratches in my opinion seem to be very minimal. I hate having a dirty car (and she's black), I hate having to pull all the equipment out at my house to wash her and I hate scratches in the paint. Not a good combination of dislikes for sure as they all compete against each other. SOLUTION: Ceramic coating that is hydrophobic and scratch resistant.

Because it is so easy to apply, just reapply it as often as necessary. Even if is every couple of years. That's my plan.

I have the same disease you have.... can't stand a dirty car and can't stand scratches. Plus I like taking my Jeep off road, so not a good combo. I don't mind getting muddy/dirty when off road, but I always get to a car wash as quickly as possible afterwards. Black is my favorite color and have had several black cars including the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (only 15,952 miles) that I sold in April since I was buying the 392. My 2014 Dodge Ram Limited (~65,000 miles) is black and looks great because I take such care with it. All that to explain that my 392 is white, as it is so much easier to keep looking sharp, but I have a black satin grill and adding as many black accents as possible to satisfy my love of black cars.

I appreciate the recommendation for the easy to apply "Ceramic coating that is hydrophobic and scratch resistant". I was thinking I had to pay to have it done, but like doing that myself. I am now adding that to my list of 392 customizations. I picked mine up on May 21st and only have 892 miles on it, so still freshly new.

rbarton · Jun 28, 2021

DavyBoy said:
I have the same disease you have.... can't stand a dirty car and can't stand scratches. Plus I like taking my Jeep off road, so not a good combo. I don't mind getting muddy/dirty when off road, but I always get to a car wash as quickly as possible afterwards. Black is my favorite color and have had several black cars including the 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (only 15,952 miles) that I sold in April since I was buying the 392. My 2014 Dodge Ram Limited (~65,000 miles) is black and looks great because I take such care with it. All that to explain that my 392 is white, as it is so much easier to keep looking sharp, but I have a black satin grill and adding as many black accents as possible to satisfy my love of black cars.

I appreciate the recommendation for the easy to apply "Ceramic coating that is hydrophobic and scratch resistant". I was thinking I had to pay to have it done, but like doing that myself. I am now adding that to my list of 392 customizations. I picked mine up on May 21st and only have 892 miles on it, so still freshly new.

Awesome. It's the perfect time to apply the coating! I also bought one from R1 coatings and re applied that one to my hood and fenders. I am really liking the performance of the R1 coating and it was super easy to apply.

Just keep in mind better to be a little wetter on the application rather than drier. The applicator needs to glide smoothly along the surface. Just do a section at a time and knock it out.