“When you buy a car, do you think it’s better to apply a protection film or to get a coating?” This is a question I often get asked.

This time, I’d like to share my family’s (my husband’s) perspective on this question.

Protection Film vs. Glass Coating

A protection film is a transparent film applied to protect the car’s paint surface. It’s especially applied to areas prone to stone chips and scratches, like the front bumper and hood, to prevent paint damage.

Car protection films are designed to be highly durable and resistant to UV rays and minor impacts.

They’re about 150 microns thick (compared to about 0.3 microns for glass coatings), providing substantial thickness. Some even have self-healing properties, meaning small scratches on the film can naturally repair themselves over time.

It’s almost like magic.

Another feature of protection films is that they can be peeled off and replaced.

On the other hand, glass coatings also protect the car from stone chips, rain, and UV damage. Additionally, applying a coating makes it easier to wash off dirt and helps keep the car looking clean and shiny.

In other words, the roles and characteristics of protection films and glass coatings can be summarized like this:

Protection films are primarily intended for physical protection against stone chips and scratches. Since the film can be applied not only to the entire body but also selectively to specific areas, it offers targeted protection where scratches are more likely.
Meanwhile, coatings excel mainly in enhancing gloss and preventing dirt buildup. They reduce maintenance effort while keeping the car’s appearance beautiful for a long time and are generally more affordable than protection films.

That said, neither option is cheap (protection films especially so), so it’s understandable to struggle with deciding which is best for keeping your precious car beautiful for years to come.

Do We Use Protection Film?

Let me share some actual questions we’ve received before.

When you bought your car, I read that you had glass coating done, but did you do anything about protection film? I’m torn between the front protection sheet option available for the 992 and protection films from other shops.

I bought a 996 and love driving, often touring places like Hakone and Izu, but bugs and stone chips keep damaging the front. I’m considering applying protection film just to the front, but the price is very high, so I’m unsure if I should go for it.

Here’s my husband’s answer to such questions:

He tends to prefer glass coating, though it might depend on the purpose of the car purchase and other factors. Here’s how he usually responds:

When I bought my GT3, I had the dealer install protection film as an option. I bought the GT3 with a lifetime commitment in mind. The film prevented any scratches, but right after application, some small areas would lift slightly, and having to leave the car to get those fixed was a hassle.
Also, on white body colors, the film tends to yellow with age.
The subtle color difference between covered and uncovered areas bothered me more than scratches.
This might depend on the film quality, but I’ve decided not to use protection film going forward. I think glass coating is enough.
If small scratches happen, repainting might be cheaper, and lately, I’ve come to see those little marks as part of the car’s charm (laughs). When buying used, I don’t worry much about such scratches.
However, if you’re buying a car with a dark body color and plan to resell it, the yellowing is less noticeable, so protection film is a reasonable option.

Also, our previous 992 Cabriolet didn’t have protection film, but he said, “There were no stone chips at all, and if scratches happen, it’s cheaper to fix them then. Not having protection film doesn’t bother me.”

Recommended Coatings

Next, let me share what we do about coatings.

My husband used to get dealer coatings, but recently he hasn’t. Instead, he takes the car to a nearby Keeper Lab.

When I asked him about recommended coatings at Keeper Lab, he said:

Among Keeper’s options, I like the new coating series: EX Keeper, ECO Plus Diamond, and Fresh Keeper. You can choose based on your budget, but if you park outdoors a lot, EX or ECO Diamond might be best for solid protection.
For me, since I mostly keep the car indoors and prefer better cost performance, I go with Fresh Keeper, which lasts one year and is cheaper than the expensive three-year coatings.
Also, based on various info and my experience, indoor storage often extends the coating’s durability beyond the manufacturer’s stated lifespan, so it’s unlikely to fail within a year. That’s why I believe cheaper coatings are sufficient.

I see…

Additionally, the Mineral Off wash at Keeper Lab is also highly recommended for keeping your car spotless.

It takes about an hour, and while it’s a bit pricey and time-consuming for a wash, the results are amazing. The body regains a brand-new shine, as if a layer of dirt has been completely removed. The surface feels silky smooth, and water repellency is excellent. (Please see my previous article if interested.)

ミネラルオフ洗車のススメ

That’s our family’s take on protection films and glass coatings.

It ended up sounding like a Keeper Lab promotion, but we’re not sponsored or anything—we’re just sharing our personal views and experiences.

I hope this helps you in some way.