Paint protection film and ceramic coating get compared all the time, and the prices are far apart. That is because they do different jobs. This guide puts our real starting prices side by side, explains what you get for the money, and helps you decide whether you need one, the other, or both.
At our Sutton, MA shop: see the paint protection film packages and the ceramic coating packages, or every price on our pricing page.
The short answer
Paint protection film (PPF) is a clear urethane film that physically takes stone chips, sand and road debris so your paint does not. A ceramic coating is a thin, hard layer that makes paint glossy and much easier to wash, but it will not stop a chip. If chips on the front of the car are what worry you, you need film. If you want the car to stay cleaner and wash faster, a coating does that for less money. Plenty of owners do both: film on the front, coating everywhere else.
What paint protection film costs
These are our starting prices for XPEL paint protection film. The final price depends on the vehicle, and we confirm it once we have seen it.
| Package | Starting at |
| Partial front | $1,295 |
| Full front | $2,200 |
| Highway Package | $2,795 |
| Boston Package (full front film, glass and wheel coating, 5 year coating and polish) | $3,495 |
| Full body (sedan) | $5,500 |
| Color change film | $6,500 |
| STEALTH satin film | $6,500 |
Film costs more because it is a physical material cut and fitted to every panel it covers. The more of the car you cover, the more film and labor it takes, which is why a partial front and a full body are so far apart.
What ceramic coating costs
Ceramic coating is priced by the size of the vehicle, because a bigger vehicle has more paint to prepare and coat.
| Vehicle | Starting at |
| Car, wagon, sedan or coupe | $799 |
| Small SUV (2 rows) | $999 |
| Large SUV (3 rows) or truck | $1,499 |
| XL SUV or 4-door truck | $1,799 |
| XXL: minivan, F-250, 2500 | $2,499 |
A coating locks in whatever is underneath it, so we look at the paint first. If it has swirl marks or light scratches, paint correction comes before the coating. Paint correction starts at $450.
Side by side
| Paint protection film | Ceramic coating | |
| Stops stone chips | Yes, that is its main job | No |
| Makes washing easier | Somewhat | Yes, that is its main job |
| Light scratches | Self-healing top coat, light marks fade with heat | Resists light marks, does not heal them |
| Starting price at our shop | $1,295 (partial front) | $799 (car or sedan) |
| Usual coverage | The front of the car, or the whole car | The whole car, plus glass and wheels if you want |
| Warranty | The film manufacturer’s | The coating manufacturer’s |
Which one do you need?
Choose paint protection film if
- You drive a lot of highway miles. Route 146 and I-290 throw sand and stones at the front of the car all winter.
- Your car is new, or the paint is expensive to repair, and you want the front kept chip-free.
- You want a satin look without a wrap: STEALTH film turns gloss paint satin and protects it at the same time.
Choose ceramic coating if
- Chips are not your main worry, but keeping the car clean is.
- You want the whole car protected from salt, slush and road film for a lower price.
- You wash the car yourself and want it to take less time.
Choose both if
You want the front of the car chip-free and the rest easy to keep clean. That is exactly what our Boston Package is: full front film plus coating on the glass and wheels and a 5 year coating with polish, starting at $3,495.
Paying for it
Financing is available through Synchrony Bank. Military, law enforcement, first responders and fire service get 25% off the full retail price. We have free loaner vehicles while your car is with us.
Common questions
Is ceramic coating a cheaper version of PPF?
No. They are different products for different problems. A coating will not stop a stone chip, however good it is. Film will.
Can a ceramic coating go on top of paint protection film?
Yes. A coating can go over the film too, so the filmed panels wash as easily as the rest of the car. Ask us when you book and we will tell you what suits your car.
Why are your prices “starting at”?
Because no two cars are the same size or in the same condition. We give you a firm figure after we have seen the vehicle.
Where are you?
Our shop is in Sutton, MA, about 20 minutes down Route 146 from downtown Worcester, and we serve drivers from across Central Massachusetts.
