There are many car care products out in the market that claim to protect your car’s paint work. However, not all car products are the same, just as not all cars are the same. Every car will get you form A to B, but as we know there is a big difference between models. Paint protection, car wax, and polishes are no different. They all give some sort of shine, but that’s where the similarities end. The wear and tear can be prevented if you choose wisely for your car paint protection.
This article is designed to educate new and not-so-new car owners on the different paint protection products in the market today – so you can make an informed decision in choosing the right one for your car.
Here a few facts you need to know. These simple facts will save you time, money and your paintwork in the long term.
Fact 1: Not all paint protection products are the same.
Fact 2: Prevention is better than cure, but it is not too late for older cars.
Fact 3: Car waxing may not be the best solution – new technology may be better for you.
Fact 4: A simple bird dropping can damage your paintwork.
Fact 5: There are good reasons why prestigious car dealers use certain paint protection products.
Fact 6: Professional paint protection is possible at home, without the huge expense dealers charge.
Fact 7: A car’s paintwork and appearance will assist in maintaining its value and resale value.
Let’s look at the facts in more detail.
Fact 1: Not all paint protection products are the same.
There are may paint protection products out there varying in price, and of course quality. However, price alone should not be the deciding factor when buying a product to improve your car’s appearance. What you want to achieve, should be the deciding factor. A product that protects from bird droppings, UV Rays, acid rain, road salt, bug residue is obviously worth a few dollars more to you, then one that just gives a temporary shine.
Furthermore, different products offer different degrees of lasting shine. A product that offers a long shine, and requires less maintenance, will also be worth a few dollars more to you, we are sure.
Most protectants on the market today, offer only some or limited amount of protection from the above mentioned elements and most do not offer lasting shine without reapplication. *(more than 6 months)
Fact 2: Prevention is better than cure, but it is not too late for older cars.
Like most things, prevention is better than cure. A good paint protection system should protect your car long-term. However, if you haven’t protected your car from day one – a good system should be able to improve you car considerably, with a notable difference and also continue to further protect you car the from the day you have applied the paint protection product.
Fact 3: Car waxing may not be the best solution – new technology may be better for you.
Car wax can be great to offer great instant shine, but there are a few drawbacks the average consumer may not be aware of. Firstly, car wax is called car wax, because it is simply, and predominantly made of “wax” – there is no disputing that. Everybody knows that wax also melts with heat. Car wax used on our cars is no different. Excess heat on paintwork that has been waxed, results in the wax softening, therefore loosing shine and more prone to entrapping contaminants. Waxing is great for show cars, but show cars rarely sit in the hot sun all day, day after day.
Wax, by its very natural state, does not adhere well to the car (in fact there is little that can adhere well to wax). Have you ever tried to stick anything to waxy surface? Similarly wax will eventually wash off your car – leaving you with little protection.
Some car waxes can also take a top layer of paint off your car – giving it a newer look. Do you actually want to take a layer of paint off your car? After all it has a limited number of layers.
Fact 4: A simple bird dropping can damage your paintwork.
You car is being damaged now, and probably don’t even realise it. Many people know that UV rays can damage cars paintwork – but this can take years. More immediate danger are bird droppings – which can damage paint work within a few days.
Bird droppings come from the digestive system of birds, and without going into too much biological detail, droppings can contain high levels of acid – acid of course damages paintwork.
Many people are surprised at damage a bird dropping can do. It often goes un-noticed, but it is clearly seen once pointed out by a trained eye who knows what to look for.
Fact 5: There good reasons why prestigious car dealers use a certain products.
Paint protection from car detailers is can be relatively expensive. Why?
Simply because adds true value to the buyer (and to the vehicle) – and we aren’t talking about just a better shine. A good paint protection application gives an incredible glass shine and maintains the value of your new car. These are the reasons why people are simply prepared to pay an average of a $1000 for good paint protection. It also means less waxing and easier cleaning of your car when it gets dirty. Saving time and superior paint protection means more savings in the long run.
Fact 6: Professional Paint protection is possible at home, without the huge expense detailers charge.
Proper paint protection is a little more complicated that simply applying wax – but not too complicated that an average person cannot do at home. A combination of the right products, and technique is what makes it a good paint protection application a “superior” one. Yes, it is possible to do you own premium paint protection, minus the price to achieve the same – if you are guided in the right direction.
Fact 7: A car’s paintwork and appearance will assist in maintaining its value and resale value.
A well-maintained car, with mirror finish paint, will undoubtedly increase its resale value. You will also save time and money now. A good paint protection on you can means you will save time washing your car, as dirt and grime should wash away easily….. and of course no waxing is required, to maintain its appearance.
OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
The importance of taking proper care of the car, i.e. washing and detailing is cannot be stressed enough. Using reputable detailers and car wash outlets is imperative and simply prevents damage to the car. The golden rule of thumb will be to treat your car paintwork like you would your skin. If it’s good for your skin, it’s good for the car and if it won’t hurt your skin, it wont’ damage your car paintwork.
A good quality car shampoo is very important as it minimises, (not eliminates) surface scratching from friction when washing. A good quality soft pile wash sponge or wash mitt is a must. A leather chamois or terry towel to dry of is the answer for streak free drying.
DO NOT :
Wash your car in direct sunlight,
Wash your car unenclosed areas,
Put through brush car wash systems,
Have anything acidic put on to speed up the cleaning.
You get what you pay for and choosing the correct place to wash your car should be based on the amount of time spent cleaning your car properly and safely.
As the industry demands, lots of car washers are price conscious , however, most are sensible, and if the ramifications of their actions based on price is explained, one soon realises cheap has implications. Here apply the skin rule – if it’s good for your skin, its good for your car.
* Try having a bath with chemically charged recycled water, use a scouring pad or a really old piece of mattress foam, use some real cheap soap on your hair and dry yourself with a piece of really cheap carpet. How’s that for care!
Comment on Warnings against paint protection
Some car manufacturers state that paint protection is not recommended for ‘their” cars as the paintwork carries a factory warranty for 6 – 12 years. We would like to see what happens when one goes back with acid or bird marks. You can bet your laurels they will not replace or repaint that. The paint may carry that warranty, and if one reads owners manual, one will find in there the need to protect the paint surface by waxing periodically.
How much should you pay?
To a certain extent – you get what you pay for.
One simply cannot have a product that one simply wipes on within 30 minutes and is expected to protect the paint effectively. Paint Protection is a professional application and surfaces to be protected have to be prepared, hence the reason for attention to detail and know how, correct use of tools and products.
DIY Kits of the same products professional dealers and detailers use begin at $160. The dealers’ price is around $1000 (for exactly the same product).
What are the difference between the products out there?
More than 80% of protectants on the market today are of a limited basic Compound/core ingredient, be it wax, teflon, polymer or silicone and is just Rebadged, repacked or marketed differently. Most of these products are water solulable, that means that attract water.
The most superior product known through trial and testing, are products with GLASS Plexin.
Glassplexin has the properties of glass. It electromagnetically blends with the paint molecules and becomes part of the paint – unlike other products which simply lie on top. It is a silicate ion which has a negative charge and the properties of liquid glass, and is exclusively formulated to prepare, polish, seal and protect the paint finishes. Glass plexin repels water,and therefore repels grime and contaminants.
Glass Plexin based products is available in a product called “InfinityGLARE Plus” in Australia . InfinityGLARE Plus will provide a barrier between the elements and the paint surface, protecting against harmful elements as well as making washing easier. A mirror finish is maintained for years, without waxing. It is easier to reverse/repair damage to our paint protected surface than it is to paint – without cutting into the paint.
InfinityGLARE Plus is distributed to car dealers, professional detailers and now to the public, by our company called Paint Protection Direct.
This article is the independent opinion of the writer who has 20 years experience in the vehicle finishing industry.