As pointed out above, ceramic coating wont prevent stone chips any better than a good wax. For this you will need a PPF.
The dilemma for me with this is where do you stop chasing the ‘perfect’ finish. My personal view on the PPF is that as a minimum you need a paint correction machine polish; no point trapping swirls etc under the film. For a truly reflective finish, ‘it looks like glass” look, you’re then needing a wet sand and machine polish. So now your paint is as fault free as can be, so to protect this investment in shine, you now apply your chosen PPF (of which there are now several brands). I’ve seen 3 different options and all of them, no matter how professionally applied, do not offer the “as glass” you perhaps chasing as they all leave what can best be described as factory orange peel.
All will make their own choice. On my wife’s white Tiguan I had detail and ceramic done. Car looked great on collection. Remained easier to keep clean over a couple of years but I did top up the shine with G3 wax twice a year. My black daily driver has just been carefully washed and regularly polished and looks great.
steviegtr, to your valid point on costs, my experiences are:
Paint correction detail / std wax @£300
Add ceramic @£150-200
Wet sand will depend on car size, average £2500
PPF for front end £1600, usuall include bumper, bonnet, sills and mirror backs
Full PPF from £3k
I would add that for a keeper or something very special, I can see the merits in a full PPF as not only will it stop chips, the newer self healing variety effectively remove swirls from washing whilst sitting in the sun ... happy days
HTH ...
