Paint Sealer
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 460
Likes: 119
From: Winchester OR
Paint Sealer
Getting ready to take delivery on a new car. (no not a Corvette, already have one). Dealers always want to sell you a multi hundred dollar paint seal that lasts for 3 - 5 years (?). Some time ago I was given some of that stuff by a friend at a dealership. It was made by Blue Coral and now seems to be discontinued. What seems to be some of the preferred brands out there that a consumer can get? 3 - 5 year duration? Any such thing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
There is a virtual plethora of sealants on the market. Ask 20 people and you'll get 20 different brand recommendations. I've used several different ones and found little difference in appearance. Application is the big difference. Some require a lot more effort but surface prep is of utmost importance. Go to a detailing forum and you will get plenty of guidance. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 41
From: West Allis WI
There is a virtual plethora of sealants on the market. Ask 20 people and you'll get 20 different brand recommendations. I've used several different ones and found little difference in appearance. Application is the big difference. Some require a lot more effort but surface prep is of utmost importance. Go to a detailing forum and you will get plenty of guidance. Good luck.
And stay away from the dealers rip off option. They sell these for hundreds of dollars and make you come back for regular maintenance on the product/service. If you don't come back, and they bank on that, it voids their made up warranty and your out the money which for the same amount of money you could keep yourself in sealant for the life of the all your vehicles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Don't do it. I had a neighbor that was a sales manager at a local dealership. He gave me (for free) the entire detail kit (paint sealant, tire protectant, leather protectant, etc) that dealerships sell to the customer for $400 for a one time application. I used it once and threw it all away. Was no better than other over the counter product. You can get better products in the stores for maybe $40-$50 and be able to use it more than once.
For the money you would spend for the dealership's detailing package, find yourself a good detailer. They will usually have way better products, do a much better job and your car will look better.
For the money you would spend for the dealership's detailing package, find yourself a good detailer. They will usually have way better products, do a much better job and your car will look better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
There is no sealant that lasts 3-5 years, they only make that claim if you come back regularly for it to be reapplied.
Some select coatings will last that long though but not a traditional sealant.
Josh
Some select coatings will last that long though but not a traditional sealant.
Josh
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,093
Likes: 1,599
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Do not get the sealer! There are many products that do a great job at a fraction of the cost the dealer wants to charge you. The paint needs to be corrected to remove all the defects before any sealer is applied. Yes, even on a new car. The dealer either does not correct the paint of they do a half-*** job. I know Mercedes Benz charges about $900 for the "Lifetime sealer". It simply does not last over maybe two to three years. The dealer will usually requires an annual "Maintenance application" to keep the warranty in tact for the product.
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