Paint Protection Product .. worth it or rip off?

[Wolfgang]

I got opti coat on mine, first like 4 months, water flew off the car which was great, washed it weekly as explained, but after that, I really didn't notice any real gain by paying for the protection.

Just wax it

The Opticoat has probably become imbedded with contamination. Use a traffic fillm remover like P21S TAW and it should restore the hydrophobic properties of the Opticoat.

[Wolfgang]

Sorry I should have clarified my statement. What I ment was if you take your car to a professional (not the dealer) you would get a lot for that kind of money. Just to be the Devil's advocate here sometimes it's not the dealer detailers fault, he is under pressure to get 2xX amount of work done in X amount of time (but others are just rubbish).

You'll get more for less from a detailer.

If you want low maintenance paint protection your options are: cquartz, opticoat, 22PLE, nanolex.

Car Care Products can advise you on the best for your budget and even apply it for you.

[Tommysvw]

Guys this thread has me confused after my confused thread about paint protection! There seems to be a mixed arguement as to whether its worth it or not.
I have booked my car in for Cquartz Finest in 2 weeks time, but now I am double thinking if it is indeed worth it? I have spoken with the detailer yesterday (Reflection Perfection) and he said to just give him a weeks notice if I cancel. What should I do? The detailer did not try and persuade me either way which I appreciated. Just told me of the benefits. I reduced his price a bit by bargaining but I dont want to be throwing money away here! But then I think I cant be stuffed with the maintenance myself. It will be all well and good for 3 months and then I lose interest, I know myself to well!

[Dutch77]

As per prior posts choosing any of the quality options like opticoat, cquartz, nanolex etc is without doubt better than having nothing on there.

However it's not going to stop all damage, and you will still need to maintain it properly using correct wash procedures if you want to keep it in top condition.

[Martin]

I don't think there is any confusion at all - everybody is in agreement that the dealer is charging $900 to $1,200 for a simple $300 process

If you're not able to invest some time in looking after your car's paint twice a year you need to accept the asthetic and depreciation consequences

I did get paint protection on my Mazda3 - after three years I got water spots etched into the roof (won't buff out)
This is a car that's been garaged all it's life but seldom had wax and TLC

[Dan86]

I end up getting the paint protection when I got my Polo which came with a life time warranty, I thought it was a good idea because it has to sit in the sun all day while I am at work.

A month after I get my car I get all the paper work for the pain protection that lays out the 'terms' for the life time warranty you must regularly apply all of their own products and get the car detailed by one of their people every so often which they neglect to mention at the time of them selling it.

They wanted to charge me $1400 and after refusing a bunch of times they end up doing it for $600 so it wasn't to bad but if I could do it again, no way I would get it done.

[Wolfgang]

Do it. Simple as that.

The people who say not to get it have no idea of the benefits. I have been detailing cars for over five years now and any protection makes a difference, whether be wax, sealant, or coating. It wont stop everything but will make it easier to keep your car clean and paint in good condition, think of it as a sacrificial layer. The detailer should be able to let you know how best to look after your car and keep the CQuartz doing its thing.

For the record, there is no such thing as permanent paint protection.

[Guest001]

Hardly anyone is saying not to do it.

What we are saying is DONT DO IT THROUGH A DEALER

If you want to get it done Take the car home and find a decent detailer and get it for the proper price.
Not an inflated hip pocket price.

[Tommysvw]

Ok, I have decided to go ahead, My main reason for not knowing to go ahead or not is all the conjecture surrounding paint protection that I have read elsewhere. The detailer was nice enough to send me a list of things he will be doing. Does this sound right? I have no idea really!

Decontamination of wheels and body
Foam Lance??
Light sponge wash
Dry
Claybar?????
Single stage correction of paintwork to remove imperfections???? Wouldn't it be perfect? Its new???
Removal of polishing residue and oils
Application of 2 coats of Cquartz Finest + windows (except windscreen) and outer rims. Additional for more coats
Plastics treated

Its considerably more for the whole rim to be coated.

[Wolfgang]

Ok, I have decided to go ahead, My main reason for not knowing to go ahead or not is all the conjecture surrounding paint protection that I have read elsewhere. The detailer was nice enough to send me a list of things he will be doing. Does this sound right? I have no idea really!

Decontamination of wheels and body
Foam Lance??
Light sponge wash
Dry
Claybar?????
Single stage correction of paintwork to remove imperfections???? Wouldn't it be perfect? Its new???
Removal of polishing residue and oils
Application of 2 coats of Cquartz Finest + windows (except windscreen) and outer rims. Additional for more coats
Plastics treated

Its considerably more for the whole rim to be coated.

Foam lance is spraying car wash onto the car in foam form and allowing it to dwell to make the car easier to clean. He will most likely add a cleaner that will remove any previous protection.

Claybar removes any bonded contaminants that washing wont remove, you will be suprised how much contamination can be on a new car.

In regards to it being new, a lot of dealership detailing departments have to move a big number of cars through in a day and best wash practices aren't always used. All it takes is one poorly executed wash and you'll have a swirled up car. Ask the detailer to show you the condition of the paint.