Quick Answer
Yes, you can put a ceramic coating over PPF, and for most cars we recommend it.
- PPF is the physical shield. It takes stone chips, gravel and road rash so your paint doesn't.
- A ceramic coating over the film makes it slick and hydrophobic. Dirt, bugs and road grime come off more easily, the film is better protected against staining, and it beads water like coated paint.
- The order is film first, coating second. The film goes on and settles, then the coating goes over the film and any paint that isn't filmed.
Our Partial Front, Full Front and Full Body PPF packages, and our colour PPF, already include a ceramic coating.
What Each One Does
They're often compared as if you have to choose between them, but they solve different problems.
| PPF | Ceramic coating | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Thick, self-healing urethane film | Thin, hard layer bonded to the surface |
| Stops stone chips | Yes | No |
| Resists light wash marks | Yes, the top coat self-heals with heat | Helps, but can't heal |
| Water beads and sheets off | Some, more with a coating | Yes |
| Easier to wash | Better with a coating | Yes |
| Resists staining from bugs and droppings | Better with a coating | Yes |
PPF does the heavy lifting against impacts. The coating handles the day-to-day: grime, water spots and the effort it takes to keep the car clean. For the full comparison, see our ceramic coating vs PPF guide.
Why Coat the Film?
Uncoated film is tough, but its surface still gets dirty like paint does. Over time, bug splatter, tar, brake dust and bird droppings can stain the top coat, especially on the front bumper where most of it lands.
A coating over the film:
- Makes the front end much easier to clean. Bugs and road grime release with a gentle wash instead of scrubbing.
- Helps protect the film's top coat from staining and contamination.
- Makes the whole car behave the same. If the front end is filmed and the rest of the paint is coated, water beads and sheets off everywhere, and you wash the whole car the same way.
Does a Coating Stop PPF Self-Healing?
No. A properly applied coating doesn't stop the film's top coat from healing light marks with heat from the sun or warm water. The film still takes the chips, the top coat still heals, and the coating keeps the surface clean.
The Right Order
1. Wash, decontaminate and clay the whole car.
2. Correct the paint. Film and coatings both lock in whatever is underneath, so the paint is polished first. Single-stage correction is included in our PPF and ceramic packages.
3. Install the film. Panels are filmed and edges are wrapped.
4. Let the film settle. The film is wet-applied, so it needs time before the coating goes on.
5. Coat the film and the rest of the paint.
That's how we did our Audi RS project: film on the panels that take the hits, then a ceramic coating over the rest of the car and over the film once it had cured, so the whole car sheds water the same way.
Which Packages Include a Coating?
| Package | What gets film | Ceramic coating | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial Front PPF | Bumper, front of hood and fenders | Included | $800 |
| Full Front PPF | Bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors, A-pillars, roof strip | Included | $1,600 |
| Full Body PPF | Every painted panel, plus headlights | Included | $4,000 |
| Colour PPF | Every painted panel, plus headlights | Included | $4,500 |
Not sure which coverage you need? Our PPF coverage guide walks through each package.
Coating the Rest of the Car
With partial or full front film, the doors, sides, roof and rear are still bare paint. Coating them too means the whole car is protected from grime, salt and UV, and easier to wash.
Our exterior coatings on their own:
| Coating | Includes | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Year Ceramic Coating | Hand wash, decontamination, clay bar, single-stage correction, all exterior paint coated, wheels coated | $1,000 |
| 5 Year Ceramic Coating | The same, with a longer-lasting coating | $1,300 |
If you're booking film and a full coating together, ask us to quote them as one job. Windows, windshield and interior coatings are also available as add-ons. Payment plans are available; ask when you book.
Caring for Coated Film
Coated film is washed the same way as coated paint: a gentle hand wash with a pH-neutral shampoo, two buckets and a clean microfibre mitt, and no brush car washes. Keep pressure washer nozzles moving and away from film edges.
Two to three weeks after install, you bring the car back for a free check-up. We look over the film and the coating, and that visit is when your warranty starts.
Our PPF care guide and ceramic coated car washing guide cover the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put ceramic coating on PPF?
Yes. A coating bonds to the film's top coat the same way it bonds to paint, and it makes the film easier to clean and better protected against staining.
Does ceramic coating replace PPF?
No. A coating can't stop stone chips. PPF stops chips; the coating keeps the film and paint clean and glossy. They do different jobs.
Is the coating applied before or after the film?
After. The paint is corrected, the film is installed and allowed to settle, then the coating goes over the film and the rest of the paint.
Do your PPF packages include a ceramic coating?
Our Partial Front, Full Front and Full Body packages and our colour PPF include a ceramic coating.
Will a coating make PPF look different?
It adds gloss and makes water bead, but it won't change the film's colour or make it more visible. On matte film, the coating needs to be one made for matte finishes.
Can I add a coating to PPF that's already installed?
It depends on the film's condition. Film in good shape can be washed, decontaminated and coated. Bring it in and we'll take a look before we recommend anything.
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📍 Advanced Vehicle Guard | 222 Evans Ave., Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1J8 | (647) 874-7318