We've declined the offer of autoglym paintwork protection offered by the dealer on our new red Yeti.Seems awful expensive. Obvs would like some similar product but what? Would ideally like car to be treated before we get our hands on it but that practicable? We're looking to keep this car 10 yrs or so,so the paintwork needs a quality protection. Advice please.

The Detailer that beautifully winter prepped my new car came to our house but offered to go to the dealer to prepare my car if I'd wanted him to. He also told me about ceramic coating that he was learning about, which is like glass. Doesn't sound cheap either but the products that the dealers offer are marked up considerably.

Paint protection is something that you need to care for regularly and the 1 shot fix is rarely that in my experience. Ceramic does sound rather promising though.

Morning,

In order to protect your paint you have done the right thing. The dealership protection packages are very poorly applied and in some cases not applied at all but charged for.

In an ideal world if you could budget for it, Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ceramic Coating would be a good option promising from 5-7 years protection & also guaranteed for 5 years incase anything was to fail or go wrong. Obviously it comes at a cost and is also only available from the Gtechniq accredited detailer network meaning not just anyone can apply it. It's also a scratch resistant coating to a certain extent.

On the other hand what I tend to do is - I paint corrected my car around 2 years ago and applied a durable sealant & durable wax, topping with a show wax to aid in Gloss and reflection. With good maintenence I can see a good 6 months protection through spring, summer.

Then when it gets to winter the same routine again with durable sealant and then 2 coats of a durable winter wax. Good maintenence will see me through winter no problem.

My car is now coming up to 5 years old and looks better than the day I picked it up.

There are plenty of options on the market. All based around budget and what you want to achieve basically.

Hope this helps.

Karl.

Edited 27 October, 20169 yr by KarlvRS1991

Morning,

In order to protect your paint you have done the right thing. The dealership protection packages are very poorly applied and in some cases not applied at all but charged for.

In an ideal world if you could budget for it, Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ceramic Coating would be a good option promising from 5-7 years protection & also guaranteed for 5 years incase anything was to fail or go wrong. Obviously it comes at a cost and is also only available from the Gtechniq accredited detailer network meaning not just anyone can apply it. It's also a scratch resistant coating to a certain extent.

On the other hand what I tend to do is - I paint corrected my car around 2 years ago and applied a durable sealant & durable wax, topping with a show wax to aid in Gloss and reflection. With good maintenence I can see a good 6 months protection through spring, summer.

Then when it gets to winter the same routine again with durable sealant and then 2 coats of a durable winter wax. Good maintenence will see me through winter no problem.

My car is now coming up to 5 years old and looks better than the day I picked it up.

There are plenty of options on the market. All based around budget and what you want to achieve basically.

Hope this helps.

Karl.

 

 

Nice reply Karl.

 

I must admit i have been very tempted by the ceramic options;

but also i have seen a couple of poorly applied examples as well.

 

I think i'm like you - i enjoy the polishing and wax routine too much.

 

Maybe just maybe if i bought a brand new car..... i would reconsider....

Nice reply Karl.

I must admit i have been very tempted by the ceramic options;

but also i have seen a couple of poorly applied examples as well.

I think i'm like you - i enjoy the polishing and wax routine too much.

Maybe just maybe if i bought a brand new car..... i would reconsider....

It does seem to be the way forward.wirh new cars but as said, I enjoy the routine I'm in.

Although I know Shaun has a ceramic on his car and still waxes for the extra gloss etc so it's doable.

It does seem to be the way forward.wirh new cars but as said, I enjoy the routine I'm in.

Although I know Shaun has a ceramic on his car and still waxes for the extra gloss etc so it's doable.

 

 

Very true - the Siramik stuff Shaun has is top notch!

 

He is certainly very happy with the results and protection.

 

My main concern on the ceramic warranty side - is that you are in a way tied into there maintenance regime.

Certainly for any chance of them upholding that  2, 3 or 5 yr warranty - or so i understand it?

 

Obviously the Gtechniq product range is relatively clear on how to use and maintain;

but i dont think they would want you applying wax, as it may inhibit the coating.

 

So interested in any further info on this....

 

Sorry - not trying to hi-jack the thread - but add a bit of detail around concerns i had going this route.

Very true - the Siramik stuff Shaun has is top notch!

He is certainly very happy with the results and protection.

My main concern on the ceramic warranty side - is that you are in a way tied into there maintenance regime.

Certainly for any chance of them upholding that 2, 3 or 5 yr warranty - or so i understand it?

Obviously the Gtechniq product range is relatively clear on how to use and maintain;

but i dont think they would want you applying wax, as it may inhibit the coating.

So interested in any further info on this....

Sorry - not trying to hi-jack the thread - but add a bit of detail around concerns i had going this route.

I would imagine that's the case yes. Same sort of warranty with a car I would think.. you mess with it could possible void it..

Second Ste's comments, not trying to high jack.. just hoping to clear some bits up to help you on your choices!

Have a look at the Carlack products they do a 3 phase process ideal for your car after it's been clayed/Iron X etc

 

I've just purchased some as I used to love the kit when it was Werkstatt

We've declined the offer of autoglym paintwork protection offered by the dealer on our new red Yeti.Seems awful expensive. Obvs would like some similar product but what? Would ideally like car to be treated before we get our hands on it but that practicable? We're looking to keep this car 10 yrs or so,so the paintwork needs a quality protection. Advice please.

 

Top advice above!

 

Ceramic coatings are good if you are time poor and don't want to polish and wax regularly, but as stated above, they need to be cared for with top up's and regular washes with the correct products etc. 

 

For the price of the Autoglym Protection, which is a pretty decent sealant if applied correctly, you could stump up a little extra an have the likes of Gtechniq or Siramik Ceramic Coatings applied. It all depends on budgets.

 

My advice would be to have a few respected detailers have a look and quote you some prices, they will be able to advise you on after care too for their specific treatments.

A lot will depend on how much time you're prepared to spend keeping your car clean in the future. If you want to spend the minimum amount of time speak with a local detailer to see what they offer, how long it will typically last and what you need to do (and what you mustn't do) to maintain the finish.

 

If you want to do it yourself and don't mind prepping and resealing/waxing your car every 6 months then you could get some decent kit with what the stealer would have changed you and do it yourself.

 

Most on here use a jetwash with a citrus or snowfoam precleaner of some description than the 2 bucket method to clean the car using something like an Adams synthetic or lambswool washpad followed by drying with microfibre drying cloths which you'll probably need which ever route you go down. 

 

There's lots on info on here and detailing world on how to look after your new car.

We've declined the offer of autoglym paintwork protection offered by the dealer on our new red Yeti.Seems awful expensive. Obvs would like some similar product but what? Would ideally like car to be treated before we get our hands on it but that practicable? We're looking to keep this car 10 yrs or so,so the paintwork needs a quality protection. Advice please.

Hi and welcome to Briskoda!

Congratulations on your new Yeti purchase. You've received some great advice so far. My two penneth is this:-

Yes, your car can be prepped at a dealership but this may depend on how flexible the individual dealership is, some may not want this or allow this for Health & Safety or insurance reasons. All you can do is have the discussion with them.

Alternatively, your car could be prepped at home but given the time of year it needs to be done indoors, especially if a ceramic coating is to be applied as the coating should be allowed to cure overnight.

There are pros and cons for ceramic coatings vs waxing and sealing but there are overarching principles:-

There is no single product that can be applied as a one off and that's it....all need to be looked after. You've purchased a new car and are looking to give it the best start in life so I assume you'll look after it over the time you have it.

Both methods will give great protection but all are susceptible to failure and that failure will depend on many factors such as the product durability per se, the process application, how well the car is washed and maintained, the frequency of the maintenance, how the car is stored (garage or outside in the elements), the use of the car, annual mileage etc etc, you get my drift....

With a ceramic coating you need an accredited detailer to apply the chosen product so the manufacturer will provide the customer with a guarantee to rectify any product failure free of charge subject to meeting their terms and conditions.

It's possible they may not do this free of charge if they deem the vehicle not to have been maintained as outlined in their terms and conditions, and this could be as simple as not using the appropriate wash technique thus causes minor scratches or marring.

Don't forget, if you have the usual bumps and knocks in the supermarket car park, for example, the integrity of the coating may well be lost and this type of damage will result in you or your insurance company paying for any coating repair or reapplication.

Generally speaking, a decent wash technique and understanding shouldn't cause an issue with ceramic coatings.

It's also possible the supplying company also recommend their own products for maintenance to keep you from invalidating the warranty. A simple phone call could clarify these matter.

This sounds negative for ceramic coatings but they are fantastic products if applied properly and well maintained, just like any other coating, and can be guaranteed for several years.

The coatings aren't cheap but offer greater durability potentially. Several months of protection can be achieved with waxes and sealants and they're a cheaper option in the first instance.

You mention the cost of the Autoglym product so I assume you're looking for the ideal of great protection for less cost. You also want to give your Yeti the protection from the off, no better time, albeit it can be protected at any time....the downside at the moment is the impending winter and the potential for road salt of course.

With that in mind I'd say get it protected now by someone you know/trust to do a good job and use waxes/sealants to get you through winter. You can always revisit it in the spring.

Hope this helps.

All the best

David

All I'm going to add is that it's a slippery obsession/hobbie.

DIY there is a lot of very good products for various budgets. Personally I can recommend EZCARCARE stuff as it's well priced and easy to use.

Also is AD stuff.

If you're going down the getting someone to do it, there are a few detailer on here that provide a service, to which will treat your car like their own.

Some good advice from Chubbs above.

 

You may be pleasantly surprised at how much a Detailer will charge for something like a new car Detail with Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light compared to what the dealer wants for Lifeshine or similar.

The difference between the above products is night and day of course.

 

If you like waxing your car then there's is no reason why you can't wax over the top of a coating - you just lose the water behaviour of the coating and the wax becomes the sacrificial layer.

In the case of Crystal Serum Light you can relax safe in the knowledge that you have a super durable, 9h hardness coating applied which will keep the car looking fantastic for years subject to following a simple wash routine.

 

I have applied Gtechniq coatings to hundreds of cars so if you have any further questions feel free to ask.

 

cheers

 

Chris

Thanks for all this helpful advice. It's not that I'm looking for the cheapest possible solution, more the case that every piece of advice on the web says that Autoglym lifeshine is not necessarily the best product, not necesarily properly applied by unskilled dealership technicians, etc, etc. So I prefer to spend the money getting a proper job done by a professional. I don't want to get too precious about the car, it will get washed when needed but we won't be out with our bucket and microfiber cloth aka chamios ha ha! every Saturday. I'm not sure how easy it will be to educate my dear hubby about the two bucket method.

So do I decide on a product and then find a dealer? Or find a detailer locally and listen to his advice 're product? We are Bristol area.

There seems to be a little conflict in what you want vs how you're going to protect your investments.

I completely understand you wanting to protect your new car but it seems you of your hubby may not be hands on with this.

In which case how will it be washed? If you intend to take it to the car wash with the big rotating brushes or the drive through £5 wash then any product you pay for will be degraded very quickly and your money will be wasted.

I'm still not convinced the ceramic coating is what you should opt for, if the aftercare isn't up to scratch, pardon the pun.

I think you maybe looking for a product to apply and forget, but they don't exist.

I'd source a local detailer and go from there, don't make any hasty or uninformed decisions as you'll be spending good money on whatever you plump for.

Certain parts of the paintwork will also be more likely to be hit by contamination, in which case you could invest in protective films that would offer a more permanent solution, just to throw that one in!

Let us know what you decide. All the best

David

I'm actually at the same point asoon you. Dealer has offered the life shine treatment at £480.

Looking around, you can buy the actual pdi kit for £25 and for an extra £30~ you can get the aftercare kit they provide too.

Heard it's not worth it as a gamble if they've applied properly, if at all.

I now need to start investing in some decent car detailing products!

I have a mate that's never washed his car and told the dealer off for doing so when they serviced it. It does have 150k on the clock and looks like it's seen action in syria though!

If you're prepared to look after the car yourself then you'll be able to fully kit yourself out for far less than the stealer will charge you for that single application. If you don't have the time or inclination to clean it regularly yourself try contacting some local detailers as they will more than likely do a better job for less money with similar or better products than lifeshine.

gRoberts - £480 seems a bit steep. We were quoted £400 by the dealership,then offered 50 quid off,then they suggested they do it for free using leftovers from a previous job,but obvs we wouldn't get a certificate or guarantee. Needless to say we won't be taking them up on this generous offer.

We have found a detailer locally and are having the gtechniq crystal serum light with the EXO Coating for not very much more than the dealer quoted.

On a separate note- dealer offered GAP insurance for £400. I got a quote online for £140. When I mentioned this in the showroom they offered (insisted) on matching that. No hesitation, no quibbling, no need to provide proof of cheaper quote. Shysters, the lot of em!

gRoberts - £480 seems a bit steep. We were quoted £400 by the dealership,then offered 50 quid off,then they suggested they do it for free using leftovers from a previous job,but obvs we wouldn't get a certificate or guarantee. Needless to say we won't be taking them up on this generous offer.

We have found a detailer locally and are having the gtechniq crystal serum light with the EXO Coating for not very much more than the dealer quoted.

On a separate note- dealer offered GAP insurance for £400. I got a quote online for £140. When I mentioned this in the showroom they offered (insisted) on matching that. No hesitation, no quibbling, no need to provide proof of cheaper quote. Shysters, the lot of em!

 

Glad you got sorted.  I know you won't have the benefit of being able to compare the Gtechniq with the dealer supplied product but you'll be very impressed and it'll be money well spent from the outset.  Drop a few photos on here once done if you get chance. 

 

All the best

 

David

gRoberts - £480 seems a bit steep. We were quoted £400 by the dealership,then offered 50 quid off,then they suggested they do it for free using leftovers from a previous job,but obvs we wouldn't get a certificate or guarantee. Needless to say we won't be taking them up on this generous offer.

We have found a detailer locally and are having the gtechniq crystal serum light with the EXO Coating for not very much more than the dealer quoted.

On a separate note- dealer offered GAP insurance for £400. I got a quote online for £140. When I mentioned this in the showroom they offered (insisted) on matching that. No hesitation, no quibbling, no need to provide proof of cheaper quote. Shysters, the lot of em!

A good choice on the detailer route. Gtechniq CSL & EXO is light years ahead of the dealership protection and well worth the extra lay out.