Nine questions. The answers score every protection option, then build the best combination that fits your budget.
Tap rows to build your own combination. Prices are Sydney bands for an EX5-size SUV, October 2026. Protection dots: ○ none to ●●● strong.
Ready-made combinations
Which fixes what
| Damage | Where it comes from | What stops it | What doesn't |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stone chips | M2, M7, Windsor Rd behind trucks; gravel driveways | PPF on the front. Partial covers most, full front covers all | Ceramic, wax, sealant, dealer packs |
| Swirls & fine scratches | Brush car washes, dirty wash mitts, dusty covers | Changing how you wash. PPF hides and self-heals | Ceramic only slightly; it is hard, not thick |
| Fade, chalking, clear-coat failure | Years outside in UV | Garage. Then ceramic, then PPF | Tint (that's the glass, not the paint) |
| Etching | Bird and bat droppings, tree sap, water spots | Ceramic buys you days instead of hours. PPF resists it fully | Nothing if you leave it a week |
| Hot cabin, glare | Glass roof and big glass area | Ceramic tint on sides and rear; roof film where legal | Anything on the paint |
| Interior stains | Kids, dogs, coffee | Fabric and leather coating | Everything else on this page |
Shops within reach of Kellyville and Castle Hill, nearest first, checked October 2026 from their own sites. Most are appointment-only, so phone first. Highlighted tags match what you've picked.
Ask every shop
- Which film or coating exactly? Brand and product name on the quote (XPEL Ultimate Plus, STEK DYNOshield, SunTek Reaction; Gtechniq Crystal Serum, Gyeon Mohs, Feynlab).
- Written warranty on product and installation. For PPF, ask what happens if an edge lifts in year two. For ceramic, ask what the annual inspection costs.
- For partial-front PPF: where exactly does the bonnet edge sit, and is it a wrapped edge or a cut line?
- Combo price. Most shops discount PPF plus ceramic done together because the prep is shared.
- Do they remove badges and the front camera trim or cut around them? The EX5's radar cover stays unfilmed.
- Can you see a car they did two years ago? Edges, corners, the bottom of the bumper.
- How long do they need the car? One day for ceramic, two to three for PPF.
Protecting it for under $4k
- Where the damage happens. Chips land on the front bumper, the leading edge of the bonnet, the front of the guards and the mirrors. Swirls come from brush washes. Fade comes from UV. Each needs a different fix, and only PPF stops chips.
- Best value order. 1) Pro ceramic ($900–1,800): washing, UV, droppings. 2) Partial-front PPF ($900–1,500): chips. 3) Tint ($350–700): heat under that glass roof. All three fit under $4k at an established shop.
- Full-front PPF ($1,800–2,800) is the upgrade if you do a lot of motorway km or the car is a dark colour. Pair it with entry ceramic to stay under budget, or ask for a combo price with pro ceramic.
- Skip for now. Full-car and stealth PPF both start above $5,500 in Sydney. A colour wrap is a looks purchase, not a protection one.
- Dealer "paint protection". Usually a $1,500–3,000 sealant with a warranty full of exclusions. Decline it and take the money to a detailer.
- Colour matters. Chips show more on dark paint (Volcanic Grey, Jungle Green, Black) because the white primer flashes through. Swirls show more on dark paint too. On Arctic White or Moonlit Silver you can get away with partial PPF.
Ceramic coating, honestly
- What it does. A hard, slick, hydrophobic layer. Dirt and droppings release easily, UV fade slows, washing takes half the time, paint stays glossy without waxing.
- What it doesn't. Stone chips, scratches, swirls from brush washes. "9H" and "self-healing" on a coating are marketing. Only PPF stops chips.
- Life. Entry 1–2 years, pro multi-layer 3–5, graphene-type 7+ with annual inspections. Shorter if the car lives outside and is washed badly.
- Upkeep. pH-neutral shampoo, two buckets or touchless, a spray topper every 6–12 months. No brush washes.
- Over film. PPF and wraps take film-specific coatings (Gtechniq HALO, XPEL Fusion, Gyeon Matte for satin). Makes the film last longer and wash easier.
- New car prep. A new EX5 still gets a decontamination and light polish before coating. Ask the detailer to check for dealer swirls under lights first.
PPF, honestly
- What it is. 200-micron clear urethane with a self-healing top coat. Stones bounce off, light scratches disappear with heat. 10–12 year film warranties from XPEL, STEK and SunTek.
- Partial vs full front. Partial puts a cut line across the bonnet about 30 cm back. Invisible on white and silver, faintly visible on dark colours in low sun. Full front wraps whole panels with no line.
- Removal. Comes off clean from factory paint within its life. Leave it 12+ years in the sun and removal gets expensive.
- Stealth. Same film with a satin top coat. Changes the look, costs $6k+. Not a protection-first buy.
EX5-specific
- Panoramic glass roof. Cabin heat is the daily annoyance. Ceramic tint on the sides and rear helps a lot; ask whether the shop will film the roof glass.
- Sensors. The Geely badge hides the front radar; there are cameras in the mirrors, grille and tailgate, and an ADAS camera behind the windscreen. Film stays off radar covers and camera lenses.
- Paint warranty. Coatings and PPF do not void Geely's paint warranty. Damage from a bad PPF removal is not Geely's problem, which is the argument for a reputable shop.
- Novated lease. Protection products are fine on a leased car. Some lease providers will even bundle them into the lease pre-tax; ask before paying cash.
- Low brake dust. Regen braking means wheel coatings are near the bottom of the list.
Admin in NSW
- Tint. Legal VLT is 35% on front side windows, 20% rear sides and rear window. Reputable shops won't go darker.
- Insurance. PPF and coatings are not modifications. If you ever do a colour change, tell the insurer and update the colour with Service NSW.
Price bands are from Sydney installer sites and industry guides, October 2026, for a mid-size SUV at an established shop. Budget shops run about 25% under, premium studios 25% over. Confirm with written quotes.