Like ceramic coatings durability claims are not what you may think on three levels. The first may be more obvious to some. How long it lasts in general. Ideal conditions if likely the current climate of durability claims from manufacturers. If this seems familiar to some, yes, the cyclical connection to the boom of ceramic coatings a few years ago. But there are other elements of durability, or I will mention layers of durability.
Deterioration to you may not be the same as that warranty. Like a modern car that my trained eye can detect oxidation, swirls, and invisible grime, but only you could see (what we both notice) the paint just doesn’t pop. The same may be true with yellowing. How particular that warranty is with edges pulling (that will also attract dirt) is a question. This is where the question of what 10 years means 6, 5, 4, 3 years to you as the portrait changes. This is also a referendum on what you get for your price when you find someone who can do it for $1,000 less. Finding a popular brand does not guarantee quality. I can tell you that from my experiences in the ceramic coating realm.
Many of those films with ceramic protection in it, by our standards, are not on par with what we consider a real ceramic coating. For comparison for many of you a polish with protection (all in one), or a spray wax (with SI02), you know or should be aware is not the same as a glass coating in a perfume bottle. The same concept applies here. In my opinion if you are going to make such a premium investment in full or half PPF, you should get a real coating. I have seen the benefits and consequences of having and not having both, with respect to environmental fall out. I have seen film in a couple of years with staining, with the same mindset of someone who purchased a coating with unrealistic expectations who thought it was impenetrable.
Self-healing properties are often real with modern PPF with a caveat. Where ceramic coatings were often falsely marketed, PPF can provide a much more valid claim to. The can protect you much better from swirls and can provide some impact resistance. But there are limitations many people do not think about or realize. Over the life of that potentially 8 year film, you might get 4, 3, or two years of self-healing. Although the film may have done its job, the appearance will still not look pristine with beaten up film.
Just like someone who says they can polish and ceramic coat your car to near perfection for you to leave in under 4 hours, you probably should be just as weary of the PPF service that can be done in the same day. The more premium the services, the more unrealistic a fairy tale it should be that a shop can boast they can ‘get them in an out’ asap.