Adding PPF but contemplating ceramic
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
Adding PPF but contemplating ceramic
Recieved my Eray last week and will be scheduling PPF installation (front bumper, headlights, and hood) next week. But I'm somewhat contemplating adding ceramic coating to the rest of the car. Yeah, I know I should do it. But she will live in the garage a majority of the time. I had my other car (Integra) ceramic coated and it does make bug removal easier as this is my daily driver. I ordered Ethos Resist to put on my truck as an extra coating and may try it on the Eray. So, my Eray will be driven on a limited basis. Should I go ahead and get it ceramic coated while their adding PPF?
Popular Reply
May 8, 2026, 09:50 AM
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 408
Likes: 521
From: State College, PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Factory paint is never flawless. Paint correction, then ppf, then ceramic is the way to go. It’s a $100,000.00 car. Why hold back on protecting it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 3,970
From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
This. With a good professionally done 2-stage ceramic, I can use a blower to dry my car completely dry and never touch it with a towel. And it helps a good bit with keeping bugs from sticking, most of them come off with my pressure washer, to the point that if it's only slightly dirty I can usually skip using the wash mitt altogether. So it's both a tie saver and it cuts down on the amount of tower/mitt to paint contact, which even with microfiber products, do contribute to swirls.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 1,494
2024 C8 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Forgot to mention...... Ceramic coating will make it easier to clean the PPF.
My Model 3 is ceramic coated, my moms Model Y isn't.
Getting the dirt off he PPF on the side rockers on the 3 is easy. Getting the dirt off the PPF on the side rockers on the Y is a PITA.
My Model 3 is ceramic coated, my moms Model Y isn't.
Getting the dirt off he PPF on the side rockers on the 3 is easy. Getting the dirt off the PPF on the side rockers on the Y is a PITA.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
the PPF quote they gave me was $1250 (750 for bumper/headlights and 500 for hood). Plus 7yr ceramic was $1350. I think the ceramic coating is Ion brand??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,714
Likes: 1,830
From: Myrtle Beach SC/Charlotte NC
OP, if you are asking/contemplating because of the cost of the ceramic coating, then that is really a decision you need to make. If you are asking because you are wondering about the benefits of ceramic coating, then I think you will find most folks would tell you that when done properly the benefits out weight the cost. Keep in mind that it is just not ceramic protective coating that gets applied, there is a paint decontamination and correction process that takes place prior to applying the ceramic coating that when coupled with ceramic coating brings out the depth and color of your paint, it is a notable difference...
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
OP, if you are asking/contemplating because of the cost of the ceramic coating, then that is really a decision you need to make. If you are asking because you are wondering about the benefits of ceramic coating, then I think you will find most folks would tell you that when done properly the benefits out weight the cost. Keep in mind that it is just not ceramic protective coating that gets applied, there is a paint decontamination and correction process that takes place prior to applying the ceramic coating that when coupled with ceramic coating brings out the depth and color of your paint, it is a notable difference...
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 408
Likes: 521
From: State College, PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Factory paint is never flawless. Paint correction, then ppf, then ceramic is the way to go. It’s a $100,000.00 car. Why hold back on protecting it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 51
From: = From Toronto = 9/11/01 FDNY 343 Never Forget
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'13-'14
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
I agree with you on protecting it. But it's costing a good bit of money to protect it besides PPF/Ceramic. I.E. front/rear splash guards, side radiator guards, front radiator guards. But since they will already have my car for PPF application, I guess it would be senseless to not get ceramic as the same time.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
When I called and questioned them about PPF process, they said there would be visible "seams" on the lower section of the front bumper. There are two vertical painted pieces on the lower front bumper. I'm not exactly sure where they are talking about but I do know I'd prefer to not see any seams where they joined two pieces together. From what I've read, any exposed PPF edge will capture dirt and become highly visible.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 141
Likes: 53
From: Virginia Beach
Water Spots
Had openly mirrors forward and ceramic in November. Never driven in rain always garage till Saturday. Got home late Saturday so foam power washer and leaf blower dry. I noticed today that the part that has ppe and ceramic has little spots like while parked outside water must have dryed and causing water spots. Tried Chem Guys waterless. No good. Tried 303 no good. Any ideas Black 2025 Z06.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 176
Likes: 43
My prices were $5.5k for full body PPF and $700 for the ceramic coating.
Your shop is both undercharging for PPF and way overcharging for ceramic lol. I see facebook ads bombarding me with ceramic coating prices for $500 all the time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 876
Likes: 153
From: Massachusetts, North Shore
I have a 2024 Coupe. I had the entire car wrapped with PPF before I picked it up at
MacMulkin then a couple of days after picking it up I brought it to Automotive Elegance for
MA legal window tint and full ceramic over the PPF. The car looked like it was glowing when I
picked it up. Did a ceramic boost last year and it really enhanced the shine and made it so
much easier to wash/dry. Entire car just got refreshed again and it's really hard for the water
to stay on the car when I'm washing it and wheels do not accumulate any brake dust.
Quick once over with the leaf blower and the car is good to go!
MacMulkin then a couple of days after picking it up I brought it to Automotive Elegance for
MA legal window tint and full ceramic over the PPF. The car looked like it was glowing when I
picked it up. Did a ceramic boost last year and it really enhanced the shine and made it so
much easier to wash/dry. Entire car just got refreshed again and it's really hard for the water
to stay on the car when I'm washing it and wheels do not accumulate any brake dust.
Quick once over with the leaf blower and the car is good to go!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 112
Likes: 119
From: NW Pennsylvania
I had track PPF package applied as well as a ceramic coating to the entire car. The ceramic coating was totally worth it. Not only does it make it easier to clean but it makes the color pop because of the paint decontamination and correction that is done as part of the process. The car looks amazing. I'm happy that I did both. I think you'd be happier with the ceramic coating on top of the PPF as well.