Types of paint protectants

[westcoastGT]

This article explains the different options to protect your cars paint

http://robustd.com/blog/paint-protection-film-vs-coatings-vs-wax

 

[Kia Stinger]

This article explains the different options to protect your cars paint

http://robustd.com/blog/paint-protection-film-vs-coatings-vs-wax

Good article! It covers waxes and sealants, coating, and clear films. "Your car's cosmetics are 30% of its value along with the fact that a nice car creates a positive image on the road. Clear films, sealants and coatings work mostly in synergy with each other. They each have benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately it's up to you to decide what choice works best for you. Even more importantly, it's critical to be wary of your installer for the coating and/or film because if you are buying something for the long haul, you need to be able to have a long term relationship with your installer."

 

[westcoastGT]

This Forum is a great resource for info and products to keep your cars looking great :

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/forum.php

 

[B Sharp]

For the uninitiated with coatings (me), does this stuff really work and is it worth the price?

I have thought of it as "high margin hocus-pocus" and have been somewhat skeptical, so I haven't considered it after a poor dealer experience about 15 years ago. I know I'm out of date and things change and the article above is helpful, although it is written by a detailer.

 

[westcoastGT]

For the uninitiated with coatings (me), does this stuff really work and is it worth the price?

I have thought of it as "high margin hocus-pocus" and have been somewhat skeptical, so I haven't considered it after a poor dealer experience about 15 years ago. I know I'm out of date and things change and the article above is helpful, although it is written by a detailer.

There's a pile of info on the link in the post above , I've always been of the mind that doing your own cleaning/waxing /sealing is better , but it does take a few hours 2 or 3 times a year .

 

[Chris]

I think I'm with you. IMO it's mostly Hocus pocus. Let's assume you get the 5 year warranty version, which by the way you have to take the car back in every year and pay more for to keep the "warranty" intact. (Don't even get me started on what the warranty even covers - doesn't seem like it covers anything) if you did that twice for a total of 10 years of "coverage" you could probably pay to have the whole damn car repainted at that point.

I only know one person who did it. He was super excited and was all hopped up to show me how the water beaded up on the top of his car. My question to him was why is beading good? If the water beads and dries you are just left with water spots every where. I would much rather the water sheet off the car instead of forming beads.. I never really asked him about it again, but did notice about 9 months later that I couldn't tell the difference between his car and mine. Didn't look any more shiny, nor did the water still bead up. I don't know if that's because his 1200 bucks had washed off the car at that point or what.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I think I'm with you. IMO it's mostly Hocus pocus. Let's assume you get the 5 year warranty version, which by the way you have to take the car back in every year and pay more for to keep the "warranty" intact. (Don't even get me started on what the warranty even covers - doesn't seem like it covers anything) if you did that twice for a total of 10 years of "coverage" you could probably pay to have the whole damn car repainted at that point.

I only know one person who did it. He was super excited and was all hopped up to show me how the water beaded up on the top of his car. My question to him was why is beading good? If the water beads and dries you are just left with water spots every where. I would much rather the water sheet off the car instead of forming beads.. I never really asked him about it again, but did notice about 9 months later that I couldn't tell the difference between his car and mine. Didn't look any more shiny, nor did the water still bead up. I don't know if that's because his 1200 bucks had washed off the car at that point or what.

Agreed. I've had some very expensive cars in my life - and I've never had any of them coated. Or protected in any other way than simply using wax. I'm fanatical about how my car's exterior looks - and I've never had a single issue. If I get a ding or a chip - I have it fixed immediately. I just don't see the point in going so crazy with my car. My brother-in-law cleans the inside of his tail pipes. He wins awards for things like that. I see nothing wrong with being obsessive with your vehicle. It's expensive and deserves your very best. I just don't need to go that far myself...

 

[westcoastGT]

I think I'm with you. IMO it's mostly Hocus pocus. Let's assume you get the 5 year warranty version, which by the way you have to take the car back in every year and pay more for to keep the "warranty" intact. (Don't even get me started on what the warranty even covers - doesn't seem like it covers anything) if you did that twice for a total of 10 years of "coverage" you could probably pay to have the whole damn car repainted at that point.

I only know one person who did it. He was super excited and was all hopped up to show me how the water beaded up on the top of his car. My question to him was why is beading good? If the water beads and dries you are just left with water spots every where. I would much rather the water sheet off the car instead of forming beads.. I never really asked him about it again, but did notice about 9 months later that I couldn't tell the difference between his car and mine. Didn't look any more shiny, nor did the water still bead up. I don't know if that's because his 1200 bucks had washed off the car at that point or what.

dealers prey on new buyers to sell the paint protection packages , and then they sell them "paint correction" prior to the finish being applied ..........................unbelievable ! the factory finish from Kia is exceptional ................I've been detailing my own cars for 15 years and I really think Kia delivers a paint finish that exceeds BMW . Save your money

 

[ihatecats78]

dealers prey on new buyers to sell the paint protection packages , and then they sell them "paint correction" prior to the finish being applied ..........................unbelievable ! the factory finish from Kia is exceptional ................I've been detailing my own cars for 15 years and I really think Kia delivers a paint finish that exceeds BMW . Save your money

I would agree with you, except that paint is at the mercy of the dealer’s detailers and whoever washes their cars... mine came home with some pretty bad swirling caused by washing/drying with dirty rags/towels... ugh.

 

[Johnnyfive]

Mine did too.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I would agree with you, except that paint is at the mercy of the dealer’s detailers and whoever washes their cars... mine came home with some pretty bad swirling caused by washing/drying with dirty rags/towels... ugh.

Yikes! You can buff that out...

 

[westcoastGT]

I agree , as a matter of principal I always insist the dealers never wash my cars , the car jockeys they have use dirty water , dirty brushes etc . If you have the ability of doing your own , hand washing is best , and always make sure you have your paint properly protected and use the proper wash mits , micro fiber towels etc . The factory finish will wear off in 5 or six washes . After that you need to apply additional protection , check out autogeek.com for a range of options , including Ceramic sealers

 

[ihatecats78]

Yikes! You can buff that out...

I’ve got a random orbital polisher that I used to correct my paint prior to applying cquartz UK to my Camaro.. it’s tough work, but well worth it.

I’ll definitely do the same to the Stinger, but it would be nice to start with paint that actually looks like new paint.

I wonder if black paint Kia uses is especially soft.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I wonder if black paint Kia uses is especially soft.

It could be. I remember this being an issue with the second generation Cadillac CTS...

 

[westcoastGT]

It could be. I remember this being an issue with the second generation Cadillac CTS...

It would be the clear coat . I'll bet its not down to the color coat .............I hope !!