New Car Paint Protection

[XC60MY12]

I declined the dealer's kind offer of Gardx for £299. I am keen to have professional paint protection for winter and have asked a number of Scottish detailers for quotes. If anyone has experience of this on a new car please let me know how it went.

Thanks.

[davidash]

I also declined the offer when I bought my ice-white XC60 2years ago. I have used Meguiars nXt Generation Tech Wax 2.0 every six months or so - with washes of nXt car wash in between. After two years of use and three trips to the game reserve most people won't my car is not brand new. The advantage with the Tech Wax is probably the easiest treatment I have ever applied to a car. Literally wipe on - wait for it to dry - and wipe off. One bottle has done four applications and I reckon I have about six to go!
Good luck!

[wimorrison]

I have had SupaGard applied to all the new cars that I have had over the years and have been very happy with the result and durability.

I do realise that this is a binary debate, those who have it are happy and those that see it a waste of money considering it to be snake oil, there appears to be no middle ground

My view, well worth it, including the interior treatment as marks just wipe of with a damp cloth.

[moncman]

there appears to be no middle ground

I think there is.

When I took delivery of my brand new XC90 I gave it a good going over with my collection of cleaning products (although to be fair the supplying dealer had turned it out really well) then did my own Autoglym Lifeshine job on it. Kit was bought from ebay for around £13 (IIRC) and at least I knew it had been done properly. Leaving it as long as possible to "cure" is apparently the trick to a long lasting treatment. I was able to leave mine for 3 hours before returning to buff up. I wonder if all dealers take the same care for the circa £299 they charge?

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by moncman

I think there is.

When I took delivery of my brand new XC90 I gave it a good going over with my collection of cleaning products (although to be fair the supplying dealer had turned it out really well) then did my own Autoglym Lifeshine job on it. Kit was bought from ebay for around £13 (IIRC) and at least I knew it had been done properly. Leaving it as long as possible to "cure" is apparently the trick to a long lasting treatment. I was able to leave mine for 3 hours before returning to buff up. I wonder if all dealers take the same care for the circa £299 they charge?

Your response perfectly proves the point that I was making - you demonstrate there no middle ground, despite your initial statement as you proceed to destroy the argument with the last sentence

[XC60MY12]

Originally Posted by moncman

I wonder if all dealers take the same care for the circa £299 they charge?

My point exactly. I am not necessarily concerned about the cost per se, but I do want value for the money. I assume, rightly or wrongly, that someone whose business and reputation hinges solely on detailing will carry out a professional job. That is why I am keen to get others' experiences.

Thanks for all your comments so far.

[844PHW]

My dealer offered me diamondbrite, I forget for how much but around £300.

My response:
- If it is necessary why isn't it included.
- If I buy this bunch of accessories will you include the paint treatment for free.

No argument - done deal. You also get a bag containing a variety of cleaning products.

How well the treatment was done I've no idea. There were a few traces of white powdery smearing around the door frames but nothing significant. The drawback about having it done by the dealer is that there is no before and after to compare.

[stu0710]

Originally Posted by davidash

I also declined the offer when I bought my ice-white XC60 2years ago. I have used Meguiars nXt Generation Tech Wax 2.0 every six months or so - with washes of nXt car wash in between. After two years of use and three trips to the game reserve most people won't my car is not brand new. The advantage with the Tech Wax is probably the easiest treatment I have ever applied to a car. Literally wipe on - wait for it to dry - and wipe off. One bottle has done four applications and I reckon I have about six to go!
Good luck!

I also declined the dealer option and used Meguiars Tech was 2.0 and nxt car wash and it's really easy to use and gives a brilliant shine. Also try using the two-bucket washing technique - it makes car washing a doddle. Also worth buying are the Meguiars microfibre wash mitt and drying towels.

[Mrjon]

I normally have the paint protection applied at the dealers but didn't bother this time.I've applied autoglym super resin polish followed by a sealant of autoglym extra gloss protection, it seems to have done the trick. The only downside is where I've kak-handedly got the wax onto the black plastics, its left a white smear which is very hard to get off.I've also applied the same products to one of my bikes.
My cars spend a few days at a time in airport carparks so they get covered in jet engine exhaust residue , so I do like to have the paint protection. I've protected all parts of the car but haven't done the roof this time to see if I can see any difference with a few months use.
I think Volvo apply several paint layers as standard, 7 I think, so they'll be more hard wearing than other manufacturers out of the box.

[Abarth]

Hi

I would never pay a dealer to do it, as others have said I would rather look after my cars myself - dodo juice and Poorboys products for me.

Having said that dealer 'gave' me the paint protection, tire/key insurance, gap insurance and chip cover as part of the deal...

So, the XC60 will be first car for ages to have this done.