Car

Paint sealants are basically the same as car wax with regard to car paint protection Adelaide. The advice below is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to car detailing. Keep reading and resarch to give your vehicle the best chance of looking great!

Use polish to smooth out the paint

The reason for using polish is to smooth the surface of the paint, which will make it shine and help your car look like new. Some polishes available contain wax, which also help protect the paint, but the wax doesn’t smooth the paint itself. When you polish your paint, if you know how to, you can use an oscillating polishing machine. The professionals use a rotating polishing machine, which works faster but will harm the paint if not used in the right way. If you are not a professional (most likely), oscillating buffers are more forgiving.

To measure their results, a good car detailer will hold a ruler perpendicular to the surface of the car and see how far its reflection stretches across the car. The higher the number they can read on the ruler, the glossier the paint and better the finish.

Wax will protect paint

New cars have a clear coat when they leave the factory, but that coat wears off over time and leaves the paint to fend for itself against the elements. That is where wax will help. Wax is sacrificial and will wear off your cars surface over the course of a few months, but in that time it will absorb stains and small scratches before those hazards make it to the paint. The older generation prefers paste wax, while the younger generation like liquids.

The choice is simply personal preference as both products do the job equally as well. Finally, the professional car detailers usually use two coats of wax; the purpose of the second coat is to cover areas on the car that the first might have missed. Do not waste your time trying to apply more than two coats coats for added protection. They do not adhere to the paint and will be wiped off when the car is buffed.

Wax when the seasons change

In between paint cleanings and wax applications, you will find you have picked up stains and scratches. Using liquid spray wax that can touch up stains and scratches between your waxings is a good idea but not a substitute for a real wax coating. Because there is no definitive way to tell when wax has worn off, it is recommended that you stick to a regular schedule: Give your car a wax job every change in season if the vehicle spends every day outdoors.

Get in touch with a professional car detailing business such as F1 Car Detailing Car

When it comes to ceramic car protection Adelaide has got you covered. Most car dealers will offer add ons alongside the purchase of your car as a way of sweetening the deal, or simply as an up sell to increase their margins, both of which may have their own pros and cons. But the important question is, should I get a car dealer paint protection detail? Well if you read around online or listen to talented ‘detailers’ the answer is a resounding no. But what if the dealer has a relationship with said talented detailers? Well then we are talking about something completely different. It is important to remember that paint protection, and even car cleaning in general, can do far more damage than good when done incorrectly…

Is car dealer paint protection worth it?

Paint protection, although often fairly complex in its application and product selection, is actually a simple service with very little complexity involved at all. Your nice new car, with its gleaming paintwork, can be protected through the use of 3rd party detailing products that seal the paintwork and prevent penetration, add an extra layer of protection between the paint and the elements and protect against the effects of UV rays in discolouring paint pigments. It is generally a thin coating of plastic or even ceramic, that prevents tiny abrasives leaving damage on the paintwork. The paint will usually be protected for a limited time, depending on the products used, but during that period the car can be washed and waxed, often easier than an un-protected vehicle, and look as good as new each time.

So why does the internet suggest turning down these services from car dealers? Well car dealers sell cars. Not many are skilled or trained in the art of car detailing and neither are their junior staff members or those tasked with preparing a car for both pre-sale or post sale. What this really means is it is hard to trust a dealership to provide the level of care and attention needed in car detailing when preparing your paint protection on your new car, be that second hand or off the production line.

Blogs and comment sections are awash with complaints and advice about avoiding dealership add ons at all costs, but this does not need to be the case. If the offer is a sweetener in your purchase deal, then simply inquire about 3rd party detailers and whether those who carry out the paint protection service are fully qualified. I for one would be very tempted by the offer of a 3rd party detailer getting his hands on my car free of charge and I would likely recommend the car dealership service to others knowing they had taken the time to make such an agreement with other local service providers.

SO what questions could be asked to gauge the level of service on offer and if it is to be avoided at all costs:

Do car dealers do their own detailing?

The answer is likely to be ‘in-house by our trained professionals’, so simply ask to see the accreditation’s of said professional and ask to meet them to discuss the service they are going to provide. This is not you being difficult, it is simply to protect the investment you have just made and we know vehicles depreciate enough as it is without damaged swirly paintwork.

If the answer is no, then that is most likely a good start to proceedings. Ask who the 3rd party is and get any details about them to check them out online first or even check them out on our Car Detailing Directory sections.

If the answer above was Yes, then the list of questions gets a little longer than just the one above.

How is paint protection applied to my car?

The ‘sealant’ will need to be applied directly to the surface paintwork and this requires all waxes and any surface coatings to be removed prior to application. This will allow the paint protection product to bond to the paint and last longer. Once complete, waxes and other treatments can be applied on top and the bodywork can be treated just like the original paint.

Don’t consider applying paint protection yourself as it really needs to be carried out by a professional, trained with the products they have chosen to use. It is far easier to cause damage than it is to get it right. Seek the advice of a qualified vehicle detailer or request a quote for car detailing through us to ensure you get the best service available.

• These sealants are potentially harmful to skin and sensitive areas and require the correct safety equipment to be worn during application
• Waxes and other products can break the sealant down and prevent it from ever working properly, these must be removed effectively and safely prior to the service being carried out
• Anything below the sealant, ie between it and the paintwork, will be there to stay. So the paintwork needs to be professionally cleaned and treated first
• Scratches and swirl marks are likely signs of poor paint protection application and one of the many reasons it is advised to not use dealership in-house services

Do I need paint protection on my new car?

Firstly it should be understood that no car NEEDS paint protection if the owner is not looking to keep it in perfect condition or looking to help it retain it’s value. It may seem obvious that everyone would want to do that, but it simply isn’t true. If you are getting a little run around that has not been a big investment for you, then it really could be money better spent elsewhere. It won’t protect against careless driving or parking that bit too near the car next door…

For those of us who really like taking care of their cars, have the time and money to do so and feel they have the car worthy of such treatment, then definitely consider paint treatments like paint protection.

With the cost of a respray being so high and with Paint Protection Film & Car Wrapping still quite a costly customisation option, looking after the paintwork from the off is often the best option for having a great looking car that is well cared for.

I spent a lot on my car, I want it protected

As we said above, if you have spent big on your car you are likely to want to give it the best care and attention. We recommend doing this by taking it to a car detailer instead of using car dealer paint protection services.

Paintwork can be kept glossy and reflective through the use of various waxes and treatments but without paint protection, it is exposed that bit more and the colour will soon be affected by UV rays. So not only are you able to protect against minor abrasions and UV, you are able to retain the colour of the paint and even lock in that new car look and finish.

If you have invested in a new car, we recommend you look to get it protected within the first year of purchase, but ideally get it done as soon as possible…just check with the dealership at length before committing to the service they may offer you.

What paint protection products do you use?

A simple Google search will highlight who are the top paint protection brands out there and probably who to avoid. Many professional car detailers are accredited with some of the best brands on the market, meaning they were trained and assessed in their abilities to use the products. You can find amazing products on our store from the likes of Britemax, OCD Finish and Croftgate UK. Dealership are likely to not have access to these products or the accreditation’s they carry with them and that is a big negative against them as paint protection service providers.

If you are paying 3 figures for a service on top of the purchase of a car, you most likely want to have the best product for the job being applied by the best person for the job so always turn down the offer of car dealer paint protection.

Dealer Options are Part of Car Sales Pitch

Let’s face it, when you buy a new car Opens a New Window. , you deal with experienced sales professionals who use a variety of time-tested methods to sell you add-on products and services. With profit margins on new car sales Opens a New Window. tighter than ever, these adept pitchmen have plenty of incentive to sell us whatever car dealer options they can. Car paint protection Sydney can be applied in any Porsche Macan GTS with Ceramic Plus Paint Protection Package.

Although some of those dealer options Opens a New Window. , upgrades and extras can be worth the investment by making life with your new car more enjoyable and adding value to it at trade-in time, the following five dealer options and upgrades Opens a New Window. are best avoided.

Rust-Proofing

Although new cars no longer need it and some automakers will void the factory corrosion-perforation warranty Opens a New Window. if the car is undercoated by a third-party, this hasn’t stopped some dealerships from promoting undercoating as a dealer option, says Mike Quincy, auto content specialist at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Conn.

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“Cars leaving the factories today all have excellent rust-proofing,” Quincy says.

“(Dealers) have an incentive to do it because there’s a fair amount of markup they can get on these services,” he says.

Dealer-applied undercoating can range from $200 to $1,200, depending on the car, the type of treatment package (basic or premium), and whether it includes an extra option Opens a New Window. , such as sound-deadening. Moreover, rust-proofing can be sold to the new car buyer as a separate dealer option or be included in a pricey Opens a New Window. bundle called an “environmental protection package” that also can include paint sealant and fabric protection.

Fabric Protection

“A lot of dealers will also eagerly pitch you fabric protection, which is basically a spray that they will put on — a spray that costs them almost nothing and that’s applied by a person who’s making minimum wage — but for which they might then charge you $100 or more,” Quincy says of this dealer option. “Again, it’s something your car Opens a New Window. doesn’t need — and it’s certainly something your body doesn’t need either, because it’s just more chemicals for you to be in contact with inside the car Opens a New Window. .”

John Nielsen, national director of auto repair and buying at AAA, in Heathrow, Fla., adds that automakers Opens a New Window. now provide cars with high-quality interiors that incorporate materials and fabrics that shouldn’t have stain-related issues if consumers exercise a modicum of care. “If you have a spill and wipe it up right away, you’re really not going to have a problem,” he says.”If you really need additional fabric protection, all you have to do is buy a bottle of Scotchgard.”

Paint Protection

This dealer option is often promoted by showroom Opens a New Window. salespeople as a product used in the aerospace industry that offers a new car Opens a New Window. “a superior, year-round, no-wax shine that provides a long-lasting barrier against the environment.” Protective paint sealant can cost the new car buyer Opens a New Window. well over $200.

However, most automotive paints today are durable finishes that benefit much more from regular washing and waxing Opens a New Window. , says Nielsen. Quincy adds that carmakers also generally advise against waxing or sealing the paint on a new car for a period of weeks or months.

VIN Etching

VIN etching Opens a New Window. is a procedure that allows you to make an adhesive plastic stencil containing the vehicle identification number, or VIN, of your car Opens a New Window. . You then place that stencil on a window and apply a special acid solution that chemically burns, or etches, the number onto the glass.

According to Allstate Insurance Co. Opens a New Window. , VIN etching can be a deterrent to thieves because it not only makes it nearly impossible for them to profit from selling windows and windshields, but it also makes it more difficult to find a way to dispose of a car once it has been stolen. Consequently, VIN etching is recommended by police and auto insurance Opens a New Window. agencies to protect against auto theft, and a number of car insurance Opens a New Window. agencies will even offer a discount to the comprehensive portion of your car insurance, or waive your insurance deductibles,if your car is protected by VIN etching.

Unfortunately, despite being a relatively simple process, VIN etching as a dealer option can cost the car buyer from $150 to $300. It’s cheaper to use a do-it-yourself kit, which runs from $20 to $40 online.

Extended Warranties

As a dealer option, basic extended warranty Opens a New Window. policies for cars can start at $1,000 and easily climb to several thousand dollars for luxury Opens a New Window. and high-performance cars.

Extended warranties offer bumper-to-bumper protection covering everything on your car except components commonly replaced in routine maintenance Opens a New Window. . Plan prices vary by mileage, the term of coverage and by deductible level.

“But if you do your homework and you choose a car based on the reliability reports found in Consumer Reports, for example, paying extra for the cost of an extended warranty just isn’t worth it,” says Quincy. “Generally, we don’t recommend that people buy extended warranties, and especially not from third-party, nonfactory sources.”

A much better alternative is to spend the money you might have otherwise applied toward the purchase of an extended warranty on the recommended maintenance Opens a New Window. that your car requires. That’s actually the best insurance you have against years of motoring troubles.