Paint Protection clear plastic wrap or Ceramic coating?

[Register1]

Hi all,

My wife is picking up her brand new white Tesla model 3 in a couple of weeks.
Her will keep it for probably 5 - 6 years.

Which do you all think is the best way to to protect the paintwork, in relation to value for money.

I have heard that a clear plastic wrap is about £3000
I have heard that a good ceramic coating is about £1000

Please enlighten me, as we haven't gone this route previously.

Thanks

[swisstoni]

I’d just keep it clean. Why did you think you need to spend another £3k on protection?

I’ve got an 11 year old car that looks almost as new when it’s clean.

[akadk]

Full front end ppf can be had for <£1,000 if you shop around. 100% recommend will protect against stone chips and bumper scuffs etc

Ceramic coating. Just buy a high quality Gyeon or GTechniq ceramic coating for £30-£100 and do it yourself. They are really easy to apply, especially to a brand new car.

[somouk]

What are you trying to protect it from? Stone chips then front end PPF. Also speak to whoever applies it as Teslas suffer some rash elsewhere and they could put some in there.

[Alex_225]

PPF for the front end is an option, shouldn't cost you that much though unless you're planning to wrap the entire car in the stuff.

If you're happy with a ceramic coating, you could be as good off simply applying your own last stage products. There are plenty of sealants you can literally spray on and wipe off that will last you 6 months and be £20-30 a bottle. Just a thought.

[Register1]

Wife is due to collect her new white M3 in a few weeks.
The wrappers suggested ceramic coating the whole car.
Then clear paint protection film to the bonnet and wings.
Does this sound good.?

[andygo]

It does for them! £££

[NDA]

I've had a few cars with paint protection film, it certainly stops paint chips. I also have a Tesla as it happens, that has been ceramic coated - I don't think it makes any difference at all with stone chips... it keeps it looking cleaner longer.

To have ceramic AND a protection film is total overkill. Nice work for the garage!

[Register1]

NDA said:

I've had a few cars with paint protection film, it certainly stops paint chips. I also have a Tesla as it happens, that has been ceramic coated - I don't think it makes any difference at all with stone chips... it keeps it looking cleaner longer.

To have ceramic AND a protection film is total overkill. Nice work for the garage!

Hi NDA,
So what would you suggest if you were to pick up another new Tesla M3 ?

The price does come into it, but her would want to keep the M3 for many years after.

[NDA]

Register1 said:

Hi NDA,
So what would you suggest if you were to pick up another new Tesla M3 ?

The price does come into it, but her would want to keep the M3 for many years after.

I've become less bothered about stone chips - but I would have a protection film on the bonnet and leading edges if it was a major concern. I would not pay for ceramic and film - waste of money.

[CarCrazyDad]

Register1 said:

Hi all,

My wife is picking up her brand new white Tesla model 3 in a couple of weeks.
Her will keep it for probably 5 - 6 years.

Which do you all think is the best way to to protect the paintwork, in relation to value for money.

I have heard that a clear plastic wrap is about £3000
I have heard that a good ceramic coating is about £1000

Please enlighten me, as we haven't gone this route previously.

Thanks

Well Ceramic coating will prevent water spots, make it easier to clean etc.

Paint Protection Film will prevent physical damage much like a bullet proof vest.

I think front end PPF is around £1400-1600 depending on where you go.
I'd be wary of paying less than £1000 as someone mentioned unless there's good reason for it (promotion or similar).

The idea being that you have "either" ceramic coating "or" film seems odd.

My opinion would be that you should have paint protection film applied to the front facing panels. Bumper, bonnet and wings and then the rest of the car polished and the whole thing ceramic coated.

Think of it like waxing an old rain coat. :-)
Just helps to improve the performance , PPF isn't fit and forget, the film still needs some maintenance and a ceramic coating is the best way to protect it from bird deposits, water spots and so on.

If you are putting film down, it doesn't really need "polishing" as the film will hide many swirl marks. However, it will still need prep and careful preparation at that to ensure nothing is stuck behind rubbers, badges and so often will get a gentle cleansing polish anyway.


My car is ceramic coated and looks great but does have some stone chips present, the car was ex demo when I bought it so did have some minor stone chips, if I was to buy a new car I'd certainly have the front end covered in protection film and then the rest polished and ceramic coated

If you're in Berks I can recommend the guy who did mine. .

Edited by CarCrazyDad on Saturday 12th November 22:49

[Hackney2]

PPF all the way, just on the nose cone.Highly recommend it.Unless you can get Perspex headlight & bonnet protectors that is another option.Very common here in Australia.

[SimSer]

I first started with ceramic coating like the week after I got my Ara Blue RS3, but then I went for PPF like 1 month after, even if my average mileage per month is below 700.

It's a completely different thing. The recommendation I can give you is to make sure even the smallest details are fixed, like painted super small dents, because the PPF won't adhere perfectly there.

I have used XPel Ultimate plus with gloss effect.

It's an investment on the short and long run, think about it in such way.