Car Paintwork Protection

[flobadob]

Are there any high performance car paintwork protection products that really work to a high degree?

Are there ones that repel dirt etc. for a long time after application?

Or is it just one of those things that needs to be done on a regular basis to be effective?

[Hymie]

When I began driving, it was unusual to see a car more than 10 years old on the road – by that age they had rusted away.

The paintwork on my current 11 plate car looks like new (once cleaned) except for one or two stone chips; I don’t believe that it has had any paint treatment other than that done by the manufacturer. How long are you expecting the car to last?

[AuntPollyGrey]

You can get your car coated with a protection that is supposed to last for around 5 years. Mine came with the protection, but it costs around £500 per car. When someone crashed into the side of my car when it was parked they had to redo the drivers side door and it cost £200.

[gingejbee]

The sort of "protection packages" offered by dealerships when selling new cars is vastly over-priced....and is something that can be done by yourself....good preparation is the key, something that rarely happens with a time-strapped dealer valeter.
However, there are other products that can be applied by professional valeters that work well....and it costs. Google "ceramic car protection" and "paint protection film".

[Zacs-Master]

As APG says, one thing to consider is the cost of a respray after damage. I had a BMW which had it from new, had the car broken into (on the first night I had it....sob) and it was £1200 to have one side resprayed.

I think my 2nd hand BMW has is as it comes up really glossy when cleaned but nothing repels dirt so don’t believe that bit

[allenlondon]

I've had a Nissan Tino for 10 years or so, and have never cleaned it. Sometimes Mrs A gets the blokes down in the Asda car-park to give it a bucketful, but otherwise no-one bothers.

And the difference?

Yeah, right...


A

[Groupie]

Sonax Detailing Spray, i find excellent product ,Beading lasts for months and super easy to apply.

[gingejbee]

^Yes, but detailing sprays depend on the paintwork being in A1 condition to start with. They are no substitute for professionally applied protection done when the car is new.

[derekpara]

In a previous occupation my driver, who was a Rolls Royce trained chauffeur, had no time for shampoos and polishes. He washed my (black) car every day using warm to hot water in a bucket with a splash of white spirit added. It soon developed a showroom finish, repelled rain water and dirt and turned the heads of many a young lady ! I still use the same method but without achieving the perks !

D

[cleggie]

our car is 18 years old .it still looks immaculate.I use williams wash and wax.it cleans the car then gives a great protection finish of canuba wax.i do it at least every 2 weeks and it takes less than an hour.really all you need is a good wax not polish its the wax that is the protection

[allenlondon]

Alright, I'm listening (reading)...

WHY bother washing and polishing metal? What difference does it make? Is it really just boys and their toys?

A

[gingejbee]

^Some people like to look after their cars and have them looking good...others aren't bothered. Really no different to other things...some are always "improving" their houses, others rarely do anything to them. Same with gardens...immaculate or scruffy.
If you always buy new cars and look after them, they will be worth several hundred pounds more when you come to change. If you buy only older cars and keep them for many years, you probably aren't that fussed about cars anyway....so may well not really car how they look.

[allenlondon]

Our garden is a riot of colour, flowers happily jostling for position, lovingly tended by Mrs A, joyously viewed by me (and many neighbours).

You’d see it as an untidy mess - I see it as a wonderful place of happiness.

[Zacs-Master]

It is possible to like having a nice shiny car and a flower strewn garden

[flobadob]

I was actually meaning something along the lines of a really good protective polish, rather than a professional job.