When you are buying a new car from the dealership, you might be offered extras or add-ons like paint protection systems. These products promise to guard your new car’s paintwork against scratches and stone chips, keeping it pristine condition for longer. But do the sealants work, and are they worth the money? Constant heat, dust , dry and humid weather affects the vehicle’s exterior and interior but not if you get car paint protection Adelaide.
Here at ChipsAway, we think there are several reasons why we’d recommend doing your research before spending big on car paint protection. In this article, we’ve reviewed the pros and cons of car paint sealant, so you can find out if it’s worth it for you.
What is paint protection?
Car paint protection is nothing new – it’s been around for over four decades. Sometimes it is called paint sealant, for the simple reason that it “seals” the paint. Paint protection systems can be sprays or films, and they coat your paintwork with a plastic shell which means light scratches and harmful chemicals can’t leave blemishes.
There are a few different brands on the market, including Supagard and Diamondbrite, but your dealer may have a system unique to them.
How is it applied to the car?
Paint protection coating is applied directly to the bare paint, bonding to it. Any car wax needs to be removed before application, and washes and waxes are applied on top afterwards.
It’s crucial that paint protection systems are applied by professionals only. If you have been considering treating your car at home, we would recommend against it for a variety of reasons:
- Sealants can contain harmful chemicals which require proper safety gear
- The top coatings of wax, oil and pollutants must be removed from the car. The protection will simply break down if applied over wax
- If applied over harmful chemicals, or even squashed insects and other items, the system will seal everything in, potentially causing damage
- Incorrect application can result in scratches and swirl marks which are then difficult to remove
Is it worth getting paint protection on a new car?
Quick answer: We believe it is worth paying for paint protection for your new or nearly new car, but only when sold by a reputable dealer or specialist. Paint protection systems can protect your paintwork from scratches and maintain its shine when used properly.
If your new car is a major investment and you strongly feel a need for an additional shield, we recommend speaking to a car paint protection specialist near you to find out about the options available. It’s also a good option for people who want to keep the car’s colour looking strong but who can’t commit to regular care and waxing to protect the shine.
We would only recommend car paint protection from new, or within the first year of purchase, to ensure your car’s colour is protected.
If you want to restore that ‘new car’ gleam and your car is over a year old, you’d be better to spend your money on professional car detailing and paint correction instead.
When might it not be worth it?
Car paint protection can be a good choice for drivers who feel strongly about maintaining the appearance of their paintwork. However, there are a number of reasons why we would recommend that you save your money instead:
- Dealers do not always have access to the experienced car care professionals required to apply the system
- There is no guarantee that the dealer’s ‘own-brand’ product will be as good quality as the market leaders
- Even with paint protection, there is no way to prevent the scratches, scrapes and stone chips which are common in driving
Fixing your car paintwork
Car paint protection cannot fix scratches or damage to your car paintwork. For that, you will need to consider paint repairs from a body repair specialist like ChipsAway. We match all coats of colour and polish to the car and every repair comes with a lifetime guarantee. Click here on how we protect your cars paint.