jupitersolo

Does anyone know where to get the paint protector that the dealer sells? I didn't get it on my NBP '05, thought I could save some money and have the local car detailer do it. Poor job not the same product.

I did have the dealer do it for my '06 ASM and it's wonderful. But I haven't been able to find the good stuff other than the dealers. And have done a few searches but want some others input.

A little help please?? Thanks

joed40

My experience with paint protectors is lots of flash, hocus pocus, and a side of bullshit. Not worth anything, and good owner care with good products is better than anything a dealer can put on.

HiTEC

Snake oil! Those dealers add-ons are just ways for the dealer to take more money out of your pocket!

fast-tl

Amen. Thank goodness they let you out of the dealership without it!

Brettg

Its called car wax, you can buy it at any auto parts place.

Brett

JetJock

It's not WAX....it's a polymer similar to Zaino, but IMHO, not nearly as good. It's snake oil, and won't last nearly as long as they promise. NOTHING other than a "clear bra" covering your whole car could do what they promise this stuff does. It won't protect against acid rain, bird poop, or anything else for that matter. It's only a few molicules thick, so eventually washing your car and the elements will wear it away. SNAKE OIL!!

fast-tl

I think he meant just wax the car instead of falling for this paint protectant stuff.

joed40

I think what everyone is trying to say is sealant or wax. It's cheaper and you have control over making sure your entire car is actually protected. You're applying it, not someone working during his alternative to incarceration plan.

joed40

My apology to all former felons out there.

jupitersolo

What I was trying to do is find the SAME product the dealers use. I have use the paint protectant sealer on all of my cars except the last one. This is a product that I know WORKS. All I have to do is wash the car, then dry it.

If you want to spend your money on car waxes that in some cases cost alot of money as well. Go ahead it's your money, plus the hours you spend waxing the car as well. I've got other things to do.

So if I spend a couple hundred dollars to begin with instead of it over the life of the car, thats my decision. Not yours. Keep your opinions to yourself, I was asking for help to FIND the product. And thanks the one for backing me up.

'06 ASM
Clearbra
I hold Title

fast-tl

There isn't one backing you up. Plus you posted ASKING for opinions, so you can't be an ass and say keep our opinions to ourselves. Every post says not to waste your time with this imaginary product that dealers rip people off with. If you don't want to hear what people have to say, please, don't come to the forum ASKING...

We're all saying just buy a good wax and you'll be fine; there is no magic, apply it once formula for sale.

fast-tl

Now that I go back and read your original post, it even backs up what I'm saying:

"I haven't been able to find the good stuff other than the dealers."

And I'm sure they led you back to their shop so you can read the label and order it for yourself. Someone just did a good wax & polish and told you it was a $1000 "paint sealant."

shbaker

Wow... a thread with thorns.

I have purchased the paint sealant on three of my cars over the last 17 years, the most recent being our new 06 TL. Each time I negotiated the dealer down to about $500-600 for interior and exterior. The protectant came with a 5-year no-questions-asked warranty. I figured my time not spent waxing cars would be worth it, and I was right.

I called in the warranty a few times a few years back and the company (CalTex) was quick with service. A local detailer came to my house and took care of everything, even a few things I didn't see. For me, it works well. For others, maybe not so. Here in northern California, the elements aren't that harsh and the roads aren't salted. The protectant seems to do a wonderful job, even after 5 years the water still beads up. Although the old days of spending an afternoon with the radio going in the garage while doing the Rain Dance labor-of-love thing was fun... I'd rather spend my time driving the new TL.

The company that supplies the products in my area is can be found here: http://www.ctpc.com/. They sell a 'refresher" product... not sure what the difference is between that product and the original stuff the detailer installs. Call them for questions... I found them to be very helpful.

Hope this helps!
Steve

fast-tl

Wow, I wonder why the manufacturers never thought of this? So you bought something with a 5 year warranty, but it still needs a refresher? Does that sound right? I feel teh need for a little PT Barnum music here. But you're all gorwn and can spend your cash any way you see fit. In the Texas heat I've never seen teh need fro such a product even thought the snakes at one dealer told me it came automatically on all their cars for a $995 fee with 5 year warranty. That car was no different than any other I've owned when it came to rain or spills or anything else. Face it, we all got ripped.

jupitersolo

Hey, fast- tl, I had a few other words for you until I saw your 6:09pm post. You may consider yourself ripped off. I don't.

I did have someone e-mail telling me where I might get it. Then another has posted about using their warranty.

I have had 10 brand new cars since 1989. All but 2 have this product (what ever you want to call it). And to me it works. I've keep each car for maybe 3 years, used for business and put as much as 47,000 on all of them. I don't have time to spend 4-5 hours every Saturday cleaning a car. Nor sometimes have had to space. I've had a few neighbors questioned how my car stays looking so damn clean. Once I told them, their amazed. I'm even had one who purchased a new car with it and swears by as well.

I live in the DC area (GO REDSKINS!!! I know you're Cowboys fan). This area was nothing but a swamp many years ago. So when I can wake up the morning after it has rained, see my car completely yellow from pollen, then take a hose to it and drive away with it looking like I spent 4-5 hours doing it the product is worth it.

Have a good one!

jupitersolo

That should be 47,000 mile per year.

joed40

Jupiter, there really isn't anything that would last more than 6 maybe 8 months if you use a good shampoo/soap. There is nothing out there that will protect your car longer than that. The key word here is protect, sheeting water doesn't necessarily mean protection for your paint.

What ever the dealer uses won't be worth more than $25. They don't have any secret finishes. No sarcasm or scathing remarks here. Been looking and trying for a long time.

Brettg

I have never seen a paint job that wont last 3 years, wax or no wax, protectant or not.
We dont wax the work vans, or get protectant, and they look good despite drive through car washes, and other nasty things for at least 5 years.

Its when a car get to 8/10 years that the paint goes, and I am not even sure if wax helps much.

Detail any 3 year old car and it looks like new, chips and dings aside...


Brett