New car paint protection

[P13TR0]

Anyone have any experience with this? I am planning on having Gtechniq Crystal Serum applied on delivery of the new car.

I have a couple of concerns about this product, so thoughts are welcome:

1) It bonds so well to the paint that it can only be wet sanded off - in the event that you get a ding or need a "smart repair" I assume this will add complexity and mean that someone needs to take a brillo pad to the affected panel?

2) If the Crystal Serum layer picks up any light swirls or marks, I assume all the Crystal Serum will need to be sanded off and re-applied?

I am half thinking it may be easier to stick with C1.

[pjfamilyguy1]

might be worth getting the answers from the horses mouth or a local professional detailer. Or posting under Bodywork & Detailing.

Crystal Serum is a professional only product and can only be applied by an official Gtechniq Accredited Detailer. Please visit the “Find a Detailer” link at the top of this page to find your nearest Gtechniq Accredited Detailer.

If you have any questions regarding Crystal Serum contact [e-mail]

[V8forweekends]

I am highly sceptical of anything for a car calling itself serum - FFS.

There's a piece in this month's Car Mechanics claiming that "an upmarket marque" has been busy selling paint protection but is now regretting it as apparently modern paint lacquer needs to breathe and the protection is actually counter-productive.

Edited by V8forweekends on Wednesday 4th March 12:32

[Claudia Skies]

I have to say I'm sceptical as to whether these products achieve much beyond (significantly) lightening the customer's wallet.

Thread here,

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...

[J4CKO]

My opinion is that paint protection is sold along with Gap insurance and other stuff when dealers want to get a few extra quid out of the deal for stuff that has very little actual value, they know punters are keyed up about their new motor and want to do the best for it, they charge several hundred quid and the junior might squirt a bit of something on it but how would you actually tell ?

[P13TR0]

This isn't a dealer applied product, it is the latest coating from Gtechniq and it can only be applied by a certified detailer.

Not sure I understand why the factory paint "needs to breath". That sounds very odd!

[KTF]

Claudia Skies said:

I have to say I'm sceptical as to whether these products achieve much beyond (significantly) lightening the customer's wallet.

A fool and their money, etc...

[V8forweekends]

P13TR0 said:

This isn't a dealer applied product, it is the latest coating from Gtechniq and it can only be applied by a certified detailer.

Not sure I understand why the factory paint "needs to breath[sic]". That sounds very odd!

The article is on page 63 of the March issue of Car Mechanics mag - it's a regular column written by car dealer. He reports a conversation with a rep from a paint manufacturer and purports to be similarly surprised that modern lacquer needs to breathe.

I have no idea if CM mag is the equivalent of the Daily Mail in automotive terms, but not sure why they'd be lying/make it up.

[After_Shock]

Some paint protection is better than non.

How much you spend and what type of products used can vary wildly. The key is in how it is applied regardless of whats used.

[Dolf Stoppard]

As already posted GTechniq is not to be confused with the crap dealers sell at a massive mark-up and which is applied by the work experience kid. Considering having it applied to my new Golf GTI.

If you do go for it I'd be interested in your views.

[Brocks Brookie]

I had Gtechniq Crystal Serum and Exo applied to my 280 (Capri) in October 2013 by an accredited detailer. The car has picked up no scratches and I can honestly say its far easier to keep clean and the depth of shine is as good as it was when first applied.

The water sheets off as does road grime and salt with a quick jet wash quick wipe with microfiber and back to show shine.
Expensive yes but worth every penny

[SuperPav]

Not sure about the breathing thing? Paints are water-based these days, so may need to breathe but in that time period should just "dry" out, especially within the weeks from build to dealer handover....

Unless of course you have a car built in Sunderland and the first time it sees sun is when it arrives at a dealer in Spain. Not sure how long modern paints take to fully cure/harden under proper exposure.

[Mopar440]

SuperPav said:

Not sure how long modern paints take to fully cure/harden under proper exposure.

Modern paints are fully cured (whether from the factory or from a professional body repairer) as soon as they've cooled after leaving the spray-oven.

If these aftermarket protective coatings are so amazing and mind-blowing, why aren't the manufacturers using them?

Plenty of comments above on the nature of this snake oil.

[Warmfuzzies]

I use C1 and exo, lasts a good year without needing any treatment. Makes the car easier to wash, and looks better for it. I was a sceptic, tried zymol, fkp, autoglym, poorboys, nanolex etc but the gtechniq stuff is simply better. It means ultimately I spend less time when I do wash, and the paint is less scratched as a result.

K.

[robdcfc]

Mopar440 said:

SuperPav said:

Not sure how long modern paints take to fully cure/harden under proper exposure.

Modern paints are fully cured (whether from the factory or from a professional body repairer) as soon as they've cooled after leaving the spray-oven.

If these aftermarket protective coatings are so amazing and mind-blowing, why aren't the manufacturers using them?

Plenty of comments above on the nature of this snake oil.

Modern paints are NOT fully cured at that point, they take several weeks to fully cure as the solvent needs to gas off.

[Mopar440]

robdcfc said:

Mopar440 said:

SuperPav said:

Not sure how long modern paints take to fully cure/harden under proper exposure.

Modern paints are fully cured (whether from the factory or from a professional body repairer) as soon as they've cooled after leaving the spray-oven.

If these aftermarket protective coatings are so amazing and mind-blowing, why aren't the manufacturers using them?

Plenty of comments above on the nature of this snake oil.

Modern paints are NOT fully cured at that point, they take several weeks to fully cure as the solvent needs to gas off.

Bullst.

[Warmfuzzies]

robdcfc said:

Modern paints are NOT fully cured at that point, they take several weeks to fully cure as the solvent needs to gas off.

Just a question, but isn't that predominantly from repaired paint, not factory. As I understood the temperature was significantly different from factory, as in about 50 degrees C higher than a repaired paint finish from your local garage.

K.

[Zad]

To be fair, I get exactly the same with my ancient 1991 Sierra, with just the application of AutoGlym resin. I suspect it is a bit cheaper and can be taken off with panel prep cleaner. I'm a lazy arse and it seems to keep doing its thing 2 or 3 years after applying it.

[LordJammy]

The only paint protection I would use is that clear polycarbonate film stuff that you can peel off and start again with. In my job I see no end of cars that have had all manner of coatings and treatments and systems applied and the paintwork on them is all ste, covered in stone chips, scratches and holograms.
The one and only car I have worked on that was actually regularly used and was flawless was a black R8 that the owner had had this polycarbonate film applied to. I have done other cars that were in brilliant condition but the owners either paid a detailer to regularly come and sort their car out or spent the entirety of their free time fanatically cleaning, polishing and babying their car.

[Leptons]

You'd be better off polishing it and putting a good wax on every 3 months IMO.