What is Smart Guard?

Just been offered it for the sum of about 200 quid by dealer on a nearly new car ----

What is it ? Anyone had it? is it worth the cash -???

£200 goes a long way for me - thats my spends for a couple of weeks.

Cheers

I declined it on my new car, and polished and waxed it as soon as I got it. Didnt cost me anything.

Lot of money in my opinion.

Spend the money on some decent shampoo, wash mitt, buckets, polish and sealant etc and do it yourself. Scotch guard the interior yourself too. My car has a lot of swirls that I believe were inflicted by the dealer applying paint sealant.

I don't know about SmartGuard but Avforums have a thread on similar treatments here : Supagard Protection for newish car or not? - AVForums.com

I'm collecting my new Octavia on Friday but have decided not to have it treated and I will wax it myself.

A friend who had an Audi A6 had it done and it started to flake off after a while.

A colleague at work recommended this protective film for the areas that are prone to stone chips : Invisible Patterns

He has had it applied to his car (a black SEAT) and I couldn't see any difference from the paintwork or see a line at the edges. It's not cheap though at around £300.

Just been looking at the patterns for the mk2 vrs. Looks good.

Here's a link for Ventureshield for an Octavia : VentureShield Paint Protection Skoda

It's a tricky one for me, because I've already got quite a few stone chips. Yes I'd be preventing new ones, but I'd be sealing in the existing ones I haven't satisfactorily touched in yet. Wish my car had had it from new. Ah well, on the next one...

So, is Smartguard a liquid or is it a a seethrough plastic film? any ideas -

If it stops stone chips on bonnet then that might be a good thing maybe....

mmmmmmm.......

Smart guard is offered by my skoda dealer on a newish car im purchasing....

Is smartguard a film or is it a liquid or is it magic dust or something....

The dealer didnt explain but I need the answer quick as im picking up the car on Thursday!

Help!

I believe Smart Guard mentioned in the OP is a sealant system designed to seal paintwork (and uphostery) i.e. this : SMC MG Rover | Smartguard Paint and Fabric Protection System (correct me if I'm wrong)

The plastic film is called Ventureshield Venture Shield Paint protection but this is only applied to the vulnerable areas usually at the front to protect from stone chips etc.

Either paintwork or upholstery protection system.

Some info I came across:

SMC MG Rover | Smartguard Paint and Fabric Protection System

How much are they offering it for?

Steve

Why have you started two identical threads about this? :confused:

http://briskoda.net/general-car-chat/what-smartguard/156494/

probably very similar to Superguard, and IMHO not worth the money, unless you get it at cost, the sales people like to sell it as they can mark it up to make a healthy profit on it

Yes your right, did start 2 identical threads....

Reason.... Needed a quick answer.... because the garage im buying my new Octavia from want to know by tomorrow morning if I want Smart guard!

Then it will be ready to pick up on Thursday evening.....

Unfortunately I still am not clear about what Smart guard is as the info is not clear! The car is an ex demo and I have a feeling it already has some stone protection as I remember seeing a film on the rear dog leg area .....either way, still debating whether its worth 200 quideroonies.

How is it not clear? It's paint protection. A long-life sealant that's applied to the paintwork. It's a liquid. It gets applied, cures for about 30 mins and is then buffed off.

Two of us linked to a page that told you the following:

"SmartGuard Paint Protection

A high-gloss transparent sealant which locks in and protects your vehicle's paintwork. It acts as a barrier against road grime and acid rain. Waxing and polishing will no longer be required, simply wash your vehicle regularly, revealing a high gloss showroom finish. Guaranteed for 4 years."

It's not a film.

My advice; to save your money and spend it with a professional detailer. You'll get better results and with the right items be able to maintain the finish. Alternatively, it's possible to get hold of these 'long-life' types of product for as little as £25 from eBay.

Steve

It's not a film.

My advice; to save your money and spend it with a professional detailer. You'll get better results and with the right items be able to maintain the finish. Alternatively, it's possible to get hold of these 'long-life' types of product for as little as £25 from eBay.

Steve

I agree.

Firstly ,like Wardy says it's not a film, sorry if my mentioning this has confused you, Smart Guard is a sealant.

After reading other posts on this and talking to friends the consensus seems to be that they are not worth the money and don't perform as well as they're claimed to do. I've also heard that applying these types of coatings can remove a thin layer of paint and cause swirl marks.

I daresay that initially it will probably remove the need to wax for a while but I think you'd still need to resort to waxing after a few months or even weeks.

At least with waxing it regularly you'd notice anything that needs particular attention and you would be putting a new coating on each time. Some waxes are reported to last a few weeks or months anyway before water ceases to bead.

I'm picking up my new car on Friday and I wouldn't have it treated with a sealant like this even if it was free although if the upholstery treatment is like Scotchguard then I think that might be worthwhile.

Have a look round our Styling and Car Care section - plenty of info there

Application of a sealant will not damage your paintwork, unless it's applied extremely badly!

Don't confuse sealants with wax either, they do two different things and can work well together and compliment one another when selected properly. Also a point on wax longevity - again, with careful selection upto a year's worth of protection is actually feasible. I know; I've tested it

Steve

I'm picking up my new car on Friday and I wouldn't have it treated with a sealant like this even if it was free although if the upholstery treatment is like Scotchguard then I think that might be worthwhile.

yeah me too!

Thanks for all your replies, £200 quid is a lot of money for something out of a bottle that you cant drink.

The way the dealer tried to sell it eg "Will protect your paintwork guaranteed for 4 years" , I thought it was something almost like a hardener that would prevent stone chips etc which would have been a very worthwhile investment. I think like yourself I will give it a miss and go for scotchguard and high gloss polish from chavlfords. Incidentally - did your dealer give you the hard sell on gap insurance, metal mate and Tyre insurance... mine was like a stuck record.....

Im thinking of getting gap insurance from Car2Cover.co.uk which was more than half what dealer quoted. :P

He did mention GAP insurance and Skoda's finance but didn't try the hard sell on anything. He's not even mentioned any paintwork/uphostery protection although I did see advertising leaflets on his desk for it. He never asked if I wanted any dealer supplied accessories either.

When I enquired with my insurance company (L+V) they said that they automatically included 12 months GAP insurance providing the car is new and I am the first registered owner.

Threads merged.

What about getting AG High Definition Wax and doing your self?

Autoglym - car cleaning products, car care products, car valeting, car detailing

Seems to look very good on mine and lasts! near a year now...

James.

For overall vehicle protection, that lasts, you're going to need more than a wax...

Steve

I saw this on an Auto car forum which is relevant to this thread : Dealer profit on Gap Insurance - Autocar