One for the PETROLHEADS

[El Presidente]

About to buy a new car, and the dealer is trying to persuade me to go for a paint protection film as an add-on for an extra £400 to prevent stone chip damage etc.

Are these worth it, or is it a glorified wax job?

Ta

x

 

[Seagull Steve]

When I get my new motability car, the dealers always try and push for this. I have never done it personally, but a couple of friends have. They said they would never do it again, as it's a complete waste of money. A decent wax will give you the same effect as the scotchgaurd treatment. Some dealers will throw this in for nothing, if you push them, after all its a buyers market atm El Pres.

 

[Bwian]

Glorified polish job. It will help the paintwork but there's nothing that will stop stonechips. It's a pure profit item for the dealer, they'll make about £300 from that.

 

[beorhthelm]

i vote for glorified wax job.

and i'd go for a slightly used car rather then brand new, lot better value.

 

[El Presidente]

Thanks chaps, it looks like another £400 can be added to my porn budget then!

 

[gullshark]

Glorified polish, you can prob do it yourself with halfords products for a few quid... It's probably what they make their best profits on.

 

[markw]

It is well worth it if done properly but in most cases is not. It is definately not a glorified polish as some are guessing! If its as you quote 'paint protection film' then it is a precut 3m polyurethane film that is applied over the car and keeps the paint like new for years. If it is what i suspect, a superguard liquid treatment then this is applied in stages to the paintwork and wheels and when carried out properly will make the car paintwork look good for years. It protects from tree sap, birdshit etc and the Bmw's that i have owned with it already applied have never been polished in the years i had them, a wash and shammy and they look like new, most Bmw's and new minis have this treatment and when did you last see one of them with shabby paintwork . A friend of mine was a Bmw main dealer professional valeter and he swore by it, it really is good when applied properly. Dealers make a killing on the superguard, the kit is around £50(Bmw is around £75) and it is probably a 17 year old applying it, then charge you £300+! Well worth if applied properly but my advice is to take it to a professional and have it applied once the car is bought.

 

[beorhthelm]

interesting markw... which all begs the question, why bother with the paint? the purpose of paint is to protect the metal from the elements, if this treatment protects the paint, cant it just be coloured and applied direct to metal?

 

[markw]

interesting markw... which all begs the question, why bother with the paint? the purpose of paint is to protect the metal from the elements, if this treatment protects the paint, cant it just be coloured and applied direct to metal?

If your car gets the full superguard treatment it also covers the interior and carpets and spills should just wipe off. I would agree that the paint is protecting from the elements but is the cheapest way off covering the car. This treatment will also protect from uv damage, tar/dirt will not stick so easily and keep it looking new for longer, the best thing I like about it is the fact you do not have to polish a car for years, just wash and shammy

 

[Arthritic Toe]

Whenever you buy ANYTHING these days, it seems you are put under pressure to buy a bunch of useless add-on extras. These things make money for the salesman who is on a large commission for extras, but they are invariably useless and ridiculously expensive.
Examples:
- Insurance against things that will never happen or things that arent your responsibility anyway (eg identity theft insurance)
- extended warranties
- stuff to spray on your shoes when you buy a pair of trainers
- massive bar of chocolate for 'only a pound' when you put petrol in your car
- anti-scratch / anti glare coatings on your glasses
Pisses me right off.

 

[El Presidente]

If your car gets the full superguard treatment it also covers the interior and carpets and spills should just wipe off. I would agree that the paint is protecting from the elements but is the cheapest way off covering the car. This treatment will also protect from uv damage, tar/dirt will not stick so easily and keep it looking new for longer, the best thing I like about it is the fact you do not have to polish a car for years, just wash and shammy

Thanks Mark, is there any particular product you would recommend? I have said NO to the guard offered by the dealer and gone for leather seats instead.

 

[upthealbion1970]

When I get my new motability car, the dealers always try and push for this. I have never done it personally, but a couple of friends have. They said they would never do it again, as it's a complete waste of money. A decent wax will give you the same effect as the scotchgaurd treatment. Some dealers will throw this in for nothing, if you push them, after all its a buyers market atm El Pres.

We got ours from frosts, they didn't ask us about it - but to be fair the car was 3 months late.......

 

[beorhthelm]

...gone for leather seats instead.

a much better option.

btw, you've not mentioned the car... mildly embaressing, or just want to avoid 18 opinions of better cars

 

[skipper734]

Is it really worth it though El P. There isn't an awful lot of paint to protect. Nice colour By the way.

 

[bhafc99]

Got overtaken by a Bugatti Veyron this afternoon. Shocking electric blue colour. Wonder how much that would've been. "Paint protection sir? Just another, ohh, 600,000AED (£10,000) sir..."

 

[KZNSeagull]

Thanks chaps, it looks like another £400 can be added to my porn budget then!

How many glorified wax and polish jobs can you get for 400 quid then??