Let’s clarify something right off the bat: if you are looking for a product to protect your car’s paint in UAE/Dubai and make it look just awesome all the time, both paint protection film (PPF) and ceramic coating will do that for you, although they serve slightly different purposes.
Why?
Because they are made of their own specific materials, which means each paint protection method has its particular uses, plus advantages and disadvantages—we’ll see those below.
For the time being, stay tuned to learn what you can expect from paint protection film and ceramic coating, and which one is best suited for your car.
What Is Paint Protection Film (PPF)?
Paint protection film is a technique in which a layer of thin and transparent polyurethane is applied to your car’s paint. It’s basically an invisible shield that protects your car AND makes it look better than ever, without changing its original look.
With paint protection film, your car’s paint won’t be affected by rock chips, debris, scratches, bug splatter, UV rays, rain, and more.
If you live or work in high-impact areas, then PPF is a great choice to keep your car damage-free.
What Is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is the process of covering your vehicle’s exterior with a liquid polymer that bonds with the car’s original paint and creates a protective and hydrophobic layer that protects your car from water, dirt, and contaminants.
One of the main advantages of ceramic coating is that it makes your car much easier to clean and maintain.
It enhances the vehicle’s gloss and protects the car against oxidation, UV rays, and some scratches.
Reasons to Apply PPF or/and Ceramic Coating to your Car
If you are in the Dubai and/or UAE, there are several reasons to use either PPF or ceramic coating on your car.
First of all, protection. External factors like extreme weather conditions and rocks/debris —so common in the UAE—can damage your car’s paint pretty heavily. So it is always a good idea to use these products to ensure your car’s integrity, regardless of the area you are driving in.
Then, it just looks frigging cool. Your car will look glossier than ever.
And, finally, paint protection film and ceramic coating will make your vehicle look like new, even if it’s already a few years old. If you want to keep your car in excellent condition for years and make it easier to sell when the time comes, then we recommend that you use either (or both) of these products.
Why Should You Use PPF in Dubai?
You know Dubai is a tough place for cars; we don’t have to tell you that. Rocks fly and hit your car, debris can be found everywhere, roads are far from being smooth, and the relentless desert sand will get through every single crack.
The extreme heat weather conditions found in Dubai (sometimes above 45°C or 113°F) mean your car’s paint will suffer A LOT, and will deteriorate much faster than it would in milder climates.
PPF will act as a shield that will absorb the impact of flying gravel on Sheikh Zayed Road, and neutralize salt air corrosive effects.
All these reasons are more than enough to consider using paint protection film in Dubai.
Plus, if you are located in the UAE and you planning to sell car in Dubai, then applying PPF to your car is a great idea to increase the value of your automobile.
Why Should You Use Ceramic Coating in Dubai?
If you consider Dubai’s harsh climate, the ceramic coating is not a luxury but an absolute necessity to maintain your vehicle’s appearance in top condition.
Applying ceramic coating to your car’s paint will make it much more resistant to Dubai’s frequent dust storms and sand accumulation, which can be a big strain to the surface of your car.
With ceramic coating, and its thermal stability feature, your car will keep its vibrant colors intact, and it will avoid paint oxidation and fading.
Pros and Cons of Paint Protection Film
As with everything in life, paint protection film comes with pros and cons. Let’s explore some of these:
Pros of PPF
- Long-lasting. PPF can last up to 10 years. You can count on it doing its job for a very long time. This provides great resale value if you are selling your car.
- Strong protection. It’s one of the best options if your top priority is avoiding potential damage. Which, if you live in the UAE, it should 100% be.
- Invisibility. Paint protection film is transparent, so you can still show off the original paint of your vehicle.
- Self-healing. Yes, you read that right. Some kinds of PPF possess a self-healing quality that makes minor scratches disappear.
Cons of PPF
- Price. PPF can be expensive, especially if you are planning to do a full-body coverage of your vehicle. Plus, you need a professional to apply PPF to your car.
- Peeling. After some time, the PPF might peel and/or turn yellowish if the quality of the material used isn’t great.
- Not so shiny. PPF excels at physical protection, but it’s not as effective at enhancing shine as ceramic coating is.
Pros and Cons of Ceramic Coating
Let’s now review the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic coating:
Pros of Ceramic Coating
- Hydrophobic. Ceramic coating hates water, which is great for your car, because it also makes it hard for dirt and contaminants to stick to the car’s paint.
- Easy to clean. Since it repels dirt, cleaning it is a breeze. If you consider all those sandstorms you get when you live in Dubai, then ceramic coating will make your life MUCH easier.
- Solid protection. It protects your car from UV damage, oxidation, minor scratches, rain, etc.
- Durability. Ceramic coating lasts longer than waxes, and with proper care, it can last for several years.
Cons of Ceramic Coating
- Not 100% bulletproof. Ceramic coating is not strong enough to protect your car from rock chips or debris.
- Surface preparation. The surface of your car must be carefully prepared before the ceramic coating is applied, which can be costly.
Prices of PPF and Ceramic Coating in Dubai
Wondering how much PPF and ceramic coating cost in Dubai?
It highly depends on the quality of the establishment and products they use.
After conducting a thorough research of the PPF and ceramic coating market in Dubai, here are some takeaways:
PPF Prices in Dubai
- Partial/full-front packages can cost between 3,500 and 6,500 AED (US$ 950-1750).
- Full-body coverage between 10K and 20K AED (US$ 2.7K-5.4K).
- More premium options usually cost over 25K AED (US$ 6.8K).
Ceramic Coating Prices in Dubai
- Exterior ceramic coating can cost around 1,125 AED (US$ 300).
- Single-layer coatings cost around 1,500 and 2,000 AED (US$ 400-540).
- Multi-layer or nano-grade coatings: 2,000–5,000+ AED (US$ 400-1350).
Main Differences Between Paint Protection Film vs Ceramic Coating
Let’s get straight to the point and compare paint protection film and ceramic coating side by side:
- Durability: Even though both products last a long time, PPF can last between 5 and 10 years, but ceramic coating usually lasts between 2 and 5 years.
- Protection: PPF is extremely good at protecting your car against potential physical damage, such as rock chips, scratches, abrasions, debris, etc. Ceramic coating also protects the paint on your car, but only against UV rays, oxidation, and chemical stains.
- Appearance: While ceramic coating is really good at making your car look shiny and glossy, PPF is invisible and maintains the original paint of your car.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you would want to use PPF or ceramic coating for your vehicle, especially if you live in UAE/Dubai. Either because you are selling your car and you want it to look immaculate, or you are just a proud owner who wants their 4-wheel baby to look amazing and protect it from damage, paint protection film and ceramic coating are the way to go.
