Are you serious? You thought I was serious? I was making a point. I have several installers close by, but I go to the one about 30 miles away because he has over ten years of training and experience in prepping, paint correction, deep washing, pumicing, cutting, stretching, heating, removing lights and cameras, drying, cross-checking, applying coatings, applying carbon fiber, installing mud flaps, installing decals and satin finish. And it shows. Actually come to think he could probably teach the pacemaker dude a thing or two.
They are some folks who like to get their hair cut at the training salon (or better yet have their wife cut it) and get their health care at the county health department. There's a lot more to installing PPF correctly than meets the eye and believe me it shows. Did you read here about the guy whose PPF peeled? And be certain you get an installer who is certified! Yes, certified.
The ceramic coating on top of PPF is at the top of the heap. Otherwise, it's not much better than a good quality wax job. The paint protection film is the better choice if your main concern involves scratches, chips, and such. Ceramic coating can prevent these things to some degree, but the malleability and self-healing properties of the other make it more able to prevent damage to your car. PPF can also “self-heal.” The ceramic coating does not have this ability, therefore not eliminating the risk of scratches, chips, or water spots. PPF is the ONLY way to prevent physical damage, rock chips and scratches from happening to your car! PPF is the KING! However, the ceramic coating does have its strengths in protecting against weather, dust, grime, pollution and some bird droppings. PPF protects against the chemicals inside of bugs to include love bugs and it's almost a necessity in FL and other southern states.
After my car with PPF was keyed, I had my installer pull off the PPF and replace it with new. About $150. Ceramic can't do that, but it affords some protection. I do think one could more easily learn to put on ceramic coating by yourself.
See the T installed on the front of the car. My installer is so experienced that he set it up so that if you hit a pedestrian, it acts as a defibrillator. Please don't respond to that one. Seriously, you can genuinely tell a good install from five feet away. And Ceramic vs PPF is based on personal preference and budget.