Peugeot Protect... should I or shouldn't I?

[Anonymous]

I've just ordered my new RCZ GT HDI in Nera Black and i'm expecting to take delivery end of July/early August. My dealer has mentioned Peugeot Protect for the paintwork and interior leather and although I cant remember exactly how much he said it would be I seem to recall around £300ish? Anyway, I was wondering if it's worth it? I'm not the kinda guy who is out every Sunday morning religiously washing and waxing the car, I tend to take it to the local car valet twice per month and ask the Polish guys to give it the once over for £15! So... is the Peugeot Protect right for me or not? I've read that they give you a special shampoo to use etc which I probably wouldnt be able to give to the Polish guys! But is the paint that soft that I need to protect it? Anyone got an opinion i'd be interested to hear... thanks in advance

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure about the Peugeot version, but my friend took this out on his beemer. it basically is a 'varnish' that sits on top of your paintwork and keeps that showroom shine with minimal effort? In reality its supagard or something equivalent that costs about £30 to buy, and is then applied by monkeys to a car that isnt properly polished and cleaned (trapping any imperfections). It also doesnt last anywhere near the 3-5 years they reckon. It needs replying every 4 months ish.

Its upto you, but I recommend reading RCZ1s detailing guide and doing that (plus this way you catch any potential problems early) or once every 6 months pay for it to be properly detailed.

Then again I might be wrong and it might be the bees knees, but the cynical side of me is yelling that this is one of the gimmicks the dealership pushes. Id be pretty pissed having to pay an extra £300 to protect my paintwork on a brand new car. Isnt it up to scratch in the first place?!

 

[RCZ1]

I would agree with Wiggers. Its a sealant that is applied to the car which in itself is a good thing, BUT it needs to be maintained with the shampoo and conserver that you get given as part of the kit. The MAIN thing with these paint protectors though is that they have to be applied to a properly prepped and cleaned car - pristine paintwork is required but unfortunately this isn't the case 9 times of out 10. Its mainly due to the time limits the valeters have to apply it.

If you had it applied and then took it to the Polish guys (I'm not sure what they use) its probably save to say that the products they use would remove the paint protection over time anyway, as they tend to be quite strong.

Do it yourself and take a pride in it

 

[Anonymous]

I had the Gardx treatment applied and i can honestly say that i do think it makes a difference to the paintwork.

Having decided to opt for a white finish i was a bit concerned with keeping on top of the cleaning and having the car look it's best, so when i was offered the GardX i took it (part of the deal), but i did have some reservations after reading some negative threads on this type of treatment, but i have found that even just hoseing the car after it has got a bit dirty brings the paintwork back to a very impressive clean condition, in fact a light hoseing and most grime just runs off, even bird mess just runs off without leaving a stain.

When i do use a shampoo it is effortless, the paint feels smooth and looks a polished finish every time.
I have applied a coat of Dodo Juice Light Fantastic Wax ontop of the sealer, but this was just for extra protection and my own piece of mind.The makers of the sealer treatment say that no waxing / polishing is needed for at least 3 years, but personaly i could not let my car go without a waxing for 3 years, even if it had been sealed.

I've only used the conserver once since i've had the car, which is so simple it takes less than 5 mins, basicaly wash the car with the shampoo provided or any good shampoo, i use Maguires wash and wax at the moment, then leave the car wet, apply the conserver with a wool mit (thats what i use any way) mix 3 cap fulls of conserver to 2 litres of clean water, wash this in all over the still wet car, then rinse off and dry, done !!

My pack also came with the GardX rain & water repellant, which you apply to your windscreen, i did find that this does its job. however it can leave smudges on the screen so i've stopped using it. I would guess that you will also have a personal kit containg a wash, conserver, ect.

Now here is the grey area that RCZ1 correctly points out, the application of the sealer HAS to be done correctly, the car has to be immaculate with no water marks or imperfections whatsoever BEFORE the sealer is applied.
Any marks on the paint will be sealed in under the sealer, and on a black car you will need to be extra careful before applying the sealer.
The car should be left to fully dry out after washing before applying the sealer. I believe that mine was washed and prepped and then the sealer was applied 24 hrs later, again after checking for any further marks on the paint. Your dealer should have your car prepped the same way, ask them what their procedure is for applying the sealer.

To sum up, i personaly think this type of treatment is very good, however it HAS to be applied correctly and on an immaculate car, also you've just ordered a car thats going to cost over £20000, surely if you want this treatment done your dealer will throw this in as part of your deal, :eusa-think:

I would say that if your not the type of owner to be washing, waxing ect your car on a regular basis then i would definitely have the sealer applied, but at £300, no way, tell your dealer DEAL OR NO DEAL , :thumbup:

By the way do you really want the Polish guys to be washing your lovely RCZ with a bucket and sponge that has just washed someones transit
OMG, Nero Black washed with a dirty sponge or mit will end up with swirls that will look like they were done with ice skates

 

[RCZ1]

I had the Gardx treatment applied and i can honestly say that i do think it makes a difference to the paintwork.

Having decided to opt for a white finish i was a bit concerned with keeping on top of the cleaning and having the car look it's best, so when i was offered the GardX i took it (part of the deal), but i did have some reservations after reading some negative threads on this type of treatment, but i have found that even just hoseing the car after it has got a bit dirty brings the paintwork back to a very impressive clean condition, in fact a light hoseing and most grime just runs off, even bird mess just runs off without leaving a stain.

When i do use a shampoo it is effortless, the paint feels smooth and looks a polished finish every time.
I have applied a coat of Dodo Juice Light Fantastic Wax ontop of the sealer, but this was just for extra protection and my own piece of mind.

Jactac, I would say this was true of any properly prepared paintwork which was sealed or waxed - certainly true in my case. I'm not personally against Paint Protection, I had it applied on my last car which did look very shiny from a distance. It was only when you got up close to it that you could see the water marks and swirls that were underneath the Protection that had been applied by the dealer. That's why its so important that the paintwork is prepped fully and correctly before its applied. Then just after I got the car I discovered Detailing World and that, they say, was that....... I removed the Paint Protection and then brought the paintwork of my lovely red Vauxhall back up to the standard that it should have been from the start and I've never looked back :thumbup:

By the way do you really want the Polish guys to be washing your lovely RCZ with a bucket and sponge that has just washed someones transit
OMG, Nero Black washed with a dirty sponge or mit will end up with swirls that will look like they were done with ice skates

My thoughts indeed :shock: